Here are some short walks in and around Tintagel between 0.5 and 2 miles in total. If you're into geocaching, we've marked which have geocaches nearby. Click on the hyperlinked place names for more information about them. Most of these walks are "there and back again" rather than circular but the distances given are the total for the round trip to bring you back to the start. For some longer circular walks see our circular walks page.
A circular path leads through the old slate tips, past the quarry pit (now a lake with a small waterfall) and up to the engine house which has good views of the valley and coastline. For more information see our page on The Prince of Wales Quarry.
This is a walk through a wooded valley alongside a stream. Either walk or drive down Trewarmett Hill from Park Farm and turn right towards Trebarwith Strand then immediately left into the parking area. From here walk up the left-hand side of the stream. For more information see our page on Jeffrey's Pit.
The walk starts in Bossinney opposite Bossiney Mound where a 12th Century castle once stood and later Sir Francis Drake was elected member of Parliament for Bossiney. There are specacular views over the coastline and the beach on the way down. For directions and more information, see our section about Bossiney.
There are 2 geocaches near Bossiney:
Rocky Valley was mentioned in travel books as a place of exceptional beauty as early as 1897 and is still completly unspoiled (now owned by the National Trust). The walk takes you along the Trevillet River through woodland and out into slate caynyons where it mees the sea. For directions and more information see our section about Rocky Valley.
There are 2 geocaches in Rocky Valley courtesy of Vodor and Scorsby:
This walk takes you along the coast between two of Tintagel's most famous ancient sites. Park at St Materiana church and take the path that goes past the seaward side of the churchyard. Follow this along the coast until you reach Tintagel Castle. Whilst you are there you may also want to explore Tintagel Haven and Merlin's Cave.
There are a number geocaches near Tintagel Castle:
Opposite Park Farm, a path leads between two hedges through a tunnel of trees past a huge rabbit warren to the downs. Here there is a network of small fields you can explore which are full of wild flora and fauna. From the downs there are spectacular views over the old engine house at the Prince of Wales quarry, Port Isaac Bay, Trebarwith Valley and Tintagel. For more detailed directions and more information see our page about Trewarmett Downs.
This walk takes you along the coast from Tintagel's ancient church to Penhallic Point where slate was once loaded into boats from Lanterdan quarry at Trebarwith Strand. Park at St Materiana church and walk down the track towards the sea, bending to the left. Where it starts to bend inland, take the path down to the Youth Hostell. Walk along the track past the Youth Hostell and the take coast path that runs from the other side of the track. Walk along the coast until you reach the headland. Look out for peregrine falcons which nest nearby.
The walk starts at a farm and descends to the coast though fields before crossing a coastal heath and finally descending to the quiet beach. There are specacular views over the beach and across Port Isaac Bay on the walk down. In Autumn the heather on the hillsides are blaze of purple. For directions and more information, see our page about Tregardock.
The walk starts in the tiny Trebarwith Village and descends through fields past an old mill and onto coastal heath alongside a stream to Backways Cove. Peregrine falcons nest nearby and you may see them flying over the cliffs. In a big winter storm, sea foam collects in the cove and is whipped into foam tornados by the wind. See our page on Backways Cove for directions and more information.
The walk starts at Boscastle Harbour and follows the River Valency inland up the Valency Valley. It then turns into Minster Valley, at the top of which sits the ancient Minster Church. There is a leaflet for this walk available from the Boscastle Visitor Centre which describes the history and wildlife along the route. See our page on Boscastle for more information about Boscastle and Minster Church.
