Trip Overview

Hike the Cornish Coast—Clifftop Trails, Coastal Charms, and Seaside Magic

With over 400 miles of wild, wave-sculpted coastline, Cornwall is where the sea meets legend, and every turn reveals a new treasure. Think soaring cliffs, white-sand coves, turquoise lagoons, and colorful fishing villages that feel frozen in time.

On this coastal hiking adventure, we’ll explore some of England’s most breathtaking scenery—wandering medieval castle ruins, tracing the edges of sea arches, and following the famed South West Coast Path past hidden beaches and dramatic headlands. Along the way, we’ll pause in cobbled villages filled with charming cafes, local galleries, and artisan shops that reflect Cornwall’s creative spirit.

This journey is equal parts scenic, cultural, and rejuvenating—an invitation to slow down, breathe in the salty air, and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty and rich traditions of one of Britain’s most captivating corners.

Maximum group size: 12

Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience
Picture of Cornwall's Coastal Charms: A Boutique Hiking Experience

Highlights

  • Experience Cornwall’s contrasts, from dramatic Atlantic cliffs to tranquil estuaries and moorland landscapes
  • Hike along the rugged Cornish coastline and iconic routes along the South West Coast Path
  • Discover harbor towns, ferry crossings, and local life in Falmouth and Mousehole
  • Savor Cornish food including gin tasting, pasties, fresh seafood, and fish pie
  • Explore ancient sites like Men-an-Tol and the Nine Maidens stone circle
  • Stay in stylish, boutique accommodations with character

Inclusions

  • A local UK guide and an AGC guide depending on group size
  • Six nights at charming boutique lodging
  • Meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day, except for dinner on Day 2 and lunch on Day 4 as noted in itinerary
  • Ground transportation and luggage transfers in Cornwall, including transfer to train station on last day
  • Gratuities for the driver and local day guides
  • All activities on the itinerary
Not included: Travel to and from the UK, transportation to the starting location on Day 1, dinner on Day 2 and lunch on Day 4, beverages (other than water), gratuities for the AGC guide, optional activities, and Travel Insurance.

Trip Info


This trip is for women who have some experience hiking and want to combine hiking with immersion in the history and culture of the area. We spend 3-6 hours hiking on most days. Coastal hiking is by no means flat, often with steep ascents and descents, sometimes on very rocky paths. We recommend you prepare with aerobic conditioning for a minimum of 30 - 45 minutes 4 days a week with some hikes of two to four hours.

Rating: 1 2 [3] 4 5

Curious about how we rate our trips and how to prepare for yours? Explore our AGC Fitness Guide for more details.


On this boutique hiking trip, we explore sections of the South West Coast Path while learning about Cornish history and culture. Averaging 5 to 7 miles per day, we'll visit medieval castles, encounter azure blue lagoons, marvel at salty sea arches, and sample traditional Cornish delights.

Wondering what kind of gear works well for our trips? Our AGC Gear Guide highlights some of our go-to favorites.


We'll be staying in charming locally owned boutique inns and lodges, in double occupancy rooms with en suite bathrooms. Please note: Not all lodgings will have elevators (lifts). It is essential that you are following the packing list closely, pack light and be able to handle your own luggage - including carrying up multiple stairs.

All participants are guaranteed their own bed. A limited number of single supplement rooms may be available for an additional cost and can be selected during booking if available.

See the FAQs below for more details about accommodation options.

Ready to picture yourself on this adventure?
Download the detailed trip summary for a closer look — daily highlights, travel notes, and everything you need to know before you go. It’s the perfect way to dream, plan, and share with a friend!

Itinerary

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1
Meet your guide at Bodmin Parkway station, accessible by direct trains from London (4 hrs). A short drive brings us to Padstow, our base for the first two nights. After settling in, we head out for a short, out-and-back introductory walk along the estuary for your first glimpse of the Cornish coastline. We finish the afternoon with a tour and tasting at the Padstow Distillery, located in their new facility right on the harbour, before dinner together.

Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodations: Harbour Hotel, Padstow (or similar)
Daily Activities: Distillery Tour, Welcome Dinner
DAY 2
This morning we’ll visit the picturesque fishing village of Port Isaac, the setting of the TV series Doc Martin. After exploring the steep winding streets, we transfer briefly to Polzeath for lunch. The afternoon hike is a beauty—following the coast to the city of Rock via St Enodoc’s Church (the resting place of Sir John Betjeman), famously buried in the dunes. We end the day by catching the ferry across the estuary back into Padstow for a free evening for you to find one of Padstow's culinary delights.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Harbour Hotel, Padstow (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking
DAY 3
After packing our bags, we start todays walk from the hotel door, picking up the coastal path for an iconic section of the long-distance trail. After heading out along the Camel estuary, we reach the headland of Stepper Point, with its iconic ‘pepper pot’ signaling tower – a great spot for some holiday photos. Continuing around the rugged coastline, we pass a locals favorite wild swimming spot at Trevone Pools (with time for a quick dip if you fancy!), before finishing at one of the areas surf beaches, grabbing a bite to eat and heading to the south coast in the van (1hr) with some down time planned before dinner together.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Idle Rocks Hotel, St Mawes (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking, Swimming (optional)
DAY 4
This morning, we explore the Roseland Peninsula, designated an ‘area of outstanding natural beauty’, by walking through scenery that feels greener and softer than the rugged north. We have a few options to choose from in the area, and our guide will tailor the days walking to the group's preferences. In the afternoon, we take the ferry across the water to Falmouth. It’s a colourful, trendy town with a fantastic maritime heritage and plenty of independent coffee shops and lunch spots to explore at our leisure then will gather back together for dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Idle Rocks Hotel, St Mawes (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking, Ferry excursion
DAY 5
Today we hike around the southernmost point of Great Britain: The Lizard. The geology here is unique, creating a landscape quite unlike anywhere else in Cornwall. We finish our walk making our way into Porthleven for a late lunch and a visit to the lovely local maker's market. Later this afternoon, we transfer west to St Ives with an evening to explore the area and enjoy dinner together.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Harbour Hotel, St Ives (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking, Market visit
DAY 6
We show you a completely different side of Cornwall this morning, heading up onto the nearby moorland to hike between ancient neolithic sites, including Men-an-Tol and the Nine Maidens stone circle. We return to the coast for lunch in Mousehole (pronounced Mow-sul), where you’ll have the chance to try the unique local delicacy, Stargazy Pie (if you dare!). We stroll back along the coast back to St Ives, arriving with time to freshen up before our final celebratory dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Harbour Hotel, St Ives (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking, Culinary delights
DAY 7
After a leisurely breakfast, it is unfortunately time to say our goodbyes. Your guide will transfer you to the local train station, where you can take a direct train to London.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Reviews

This trip is brand new — be among the very first to experience it with AGC!

Dates & Prices

Year Departure Date Availability Price

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Turn any trip into a private experience for your group, or let us design a custom itinerary just for you! Whether it’s friends, family, or colleagues, we’ll make your journey unforgettable.

Common Questions


All participants are guaranteed their own bed on our trips.

A Single Supplement (SS) means you will have your own room with your own bed, and no other participants will share that room with you. Single supplements are limited, offered at an additional cost, and will appear as a booking option at the time of registration if still available.

A Double Accommodation means you will share a room with another participant. You will still have your own bed. Shared beds can be requested but cannot always be accommodated depending upon the property.

Bathrooms: Bathroom arrangements vary depending on the trip and lodging. A single supplement guarantees your own sleeping space but may still include a shared bathroom. Double accommodations typically share a bathroom with a roommate and sometimes additional participants, depending on the property. Private or ensuite bathrooms will be noted in the trip details when available.


Breakfasts will be buffets at the hotels where we're staying. Dinner is in restaurants where you can order off the menu. Lunches may either be picnics or in restaurants.


If we know well in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free diet and we cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you are vegan, we ask that you bring some additional protein bars; and if you are gluten-sensitive, please bring some gluten-free snacks. If you have severe allergies, Celiac disease and/or other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register.


You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging.

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