Some of our favourite moments on the North Cornish coast happen on foot. The first coffee of the morning wandering through Porthilly, an evening loop around Pentire as the light begins to soften, a quick dip at Greenaway before the day properly starts. As part of our RNLI Mayday Mile challenge, we’re sharing a handful of the walks we return to time and time again. Think quiet paths, beautiful views and stretches of coastline we never tire of.

The hidden gem

This is one of our favourite early morning loops when the estuary is still glassy and quiet. We usually park by Fee’s and wander down through Porthilly, past the church and along towards Rock Road with coffee in hand. It’s gentle, peaceful and never feels rushed. The sort of walk where the light flickers through the trees and the tide quietly changes beside you.

2.5km | 30 minutes | Easy

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The golden hour loop

If we had to choose one walk for golden hour, it would probably be this one. Starting at Pentire and winding out towards The Rumps, the views seem to open wider with every turn of the coast path. On calmer evenings, we’ll often time it to finish back at Pentire Café as the sun begins to drop. Expect dramatic cliffs, sea air and that unmistakable North Cornwall glow.

7km | 1.5 hours | Moderate

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The quick dip

This is our go to morning reset. From Higher Tristram, we follow the coast path down to Greenaway for a sea dip before looping back past St Moritz and down through Polzeath. If there’s time, we’ll usually stop at Flo’s for coffee and pastries before heading home. Short, simple and brilliantly refreshing.

2km | 45 minutes | Easy

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The ultimate coast path

For days when we want to properly stretch our legs, this is the route we always come back to. Starting from Rock Quarry car park, the path rolls past Daymer Bay and onwards to Polzeath, weaving between some of the most picturesque stretches of coastline. There’s time for lunch, a detour up Brea Hill if the weather is clear, and plenty of moments where you’ll inevitably stop just to take it all in.

10km | 3 hours | Moderate

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The story book stroll

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about this walk. From Daymer, the route drifts across the sand, through the dunes and onto the coast path before winding past the captivating St Enodoc church and back beneath the archway towards the car park. Children tend to love this one. It feels a little like stepping into the pages of a storybook, with wide open greens, crooked church spires and hidden paths along the way.

2.5km | 30 minutes | Easy

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