The best coastal hikes in Cornwall inspired by The Salt Path

This summer sees The Salt Path hit UK cinemas, the adaptation of Raynor Winn’s life-affirming story of hope and the healing powers of the natural world. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the South West Coast Path, the film is sure to inspire fans of the great outdoors to discover the trail for themselves.

Designated as a National Trail in 1978, the South West Coast Path is one of 20 in England and Wales. The path runs for 630 miles between Minehead in Somerset through Devon and Cornwall to Poole in Dorset. Fun fact, walking the entirety of the path is equivalent to climbing Mount Everest four times!

Being based in Cornwall, the El Camino team are lucky enough to be able to get out walking the coast path regularly. With over three hundred miles of the trail located in the county, we’re spoilt for choice of varied hikes. Whatever time of year you tackle it, there’s always something different to see, whether that’s cormorants, wild garlic and buttercups in springtime or lizards, buzzards, and the pretty pink flowers of the Cornish Heath in the summer months. This winter, locals have even been treated to sightings of a humpback whale playing off the north Cornish coastline.

Here are four of our favourite coast path hikes. Visit the South West Coast Path website for more details and download the iWalk Cornwall app for GPS-guided routes.

Padstow & Rock to Polzeath, north Cornwall

Padstow, the bustling fishing village and foodie enclave, is one of the Cornish locations to feature in the film. Take the ferry across the scenic estuary to Rock for a quieter vibe and one of the prettiest and moderately easy stretches of coastal path. From here, it’s possible to walk along the beach at low tide to Daymar Bay or follow the path that skirts between the dunes and the beach. It’s around 2.5 miles to Polzeath from the Rock Quarry car park, or there’s a pretty loop of 5.8 miles in total that routes back via St Enodoc Church, where the poet Sir John Betjeman is buried. 

Fistral Beach, Newquay to Hollywell and on to Perranporth, north Cornwall

A mecca for surfers, Fistral Beach in Newquay also appears in The Salt Path. At low tide it’s possible to walk from Fistral across Pentire Headland onto Crantock Beach and then continue to West Pentire Headland – go in early June for the magnificent display of poppies – and pick up the path to the tranquil cove at Polly (or Porth) Joke. From here, the path meanders onwards to Holywell Bay, which also makes an appearance in the film. Make a pit stop here before continuing to Perranporth and then catch a bus back to Newquay. The walk is around 7 miles from Newquay to Holywell and then around 4.6 miles to Perranporth.

Mount Edgcumbe and Rame Head, southeast Cornwall

For a complete contrast, opt for one of the walks around the Rame peninsula in southeast Cornwall (also featured in the movie). At the mouth of the Tamar River on the Cornish side of the border with Devon, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park affords views over Plymouth Sound towards Drake Island (where Drake set sail to circumnavigate the globe). The gardens are incredible in the spring with camellias in bloom. Or choose to take a circular walk around Rame Head (5.6 miles) for panoramic views of the Sound in one direction and Whitsand Bay stretching west in the other.

The Lizard and Helford River, southwest Cornwall

Further off the beaten path, the wild and rugged Lizard Peninsula doesn’t make it into The Salt Path (so can remain our little secret). Some of our favourite sections of the coast path can be found here, including one along the creeks of the Helford River. Starting from Helford Village, the circular route (4.6 miles) takes you along the tidal river to Dennis Head at the mouth. From here, follow the path inland alongside Gillan Creek to Mannacan and back down to Helford. There are plentiful sheltered spots along the way for dipping in the flat calm waters.

Whether you're planning your first visit to Cornwall this year or revisiting a favourite spot, make sure to add these gorgeous trails to your Cornish to-do list!