30 best beaches, woodlands and dog walks Cornwall has to offer

Holidaying in Britain’s southwest any time soon? Perfect. Well as any walk, ramble or stroll is better with a four-legged buddy by your side, we’re exploring the best dog walks in Cornwall to help you plan your trip. 

And we didn’t mess about with this one - Cornwall is rich with walking spots your pooch will go barking mad for. Find 30 beaches, woodlands, trails and circular loops to burn off your pup’s energy and help you soak up the Cornish coast and countryside. And it wouldn’t be a holiday without a few dog-friendly pubs, cafes and ice cream stops now, would it? 

Planning any other UK rambles? Check out these dog walks in Anglesey and the Peak District.

Our list of the best dog walks in Cornwall 

• Lantivet Bay
• Whitsand Bay
• Carbis Bay and Porthkidney Sands
• Lanhydrock
• Idless Woods 
• Porthtowan to St. Agnes coastal walk
• Wheal Coates tin mining walk
• White Rocks to St. Agnes Beacon loop
• St. Agnes Head lookout 
• Crantock Beach and Gannel Estuary
• Great Western Beach 
• Tolcarne Beach 
• Whipsiderry Beach
• Watergate Bay Beach
• Fistral Beach
• St. Ives to Carbis Bay
• St. Ives to Zennor
• Cardinham Woods
• Lanhydrock to Bodmin
• Blue Flag Beach
•  Porthtowan and Great Wheel Charlotte
• Padstow to Harlyn Bay
• Hayle to Godrevy
• Penzance to Marazion
• Perranuthnoe from Marazion seafront
• The Lizard coastal walk
• Liskeard Parade loop
• Liskeard Viaducts
• Trebah Garden
• Swanpool to Maenporth Beach

Circular dog walks in Cornwall

Circular routes are a fab way to sea the south west coastal path, and sometimes it’s just easier to finish where you started. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best dog walks in Cornwall that’ll have you and your pooch looping back around.

• Lantivet Bay circular walk - 4.4km. Explore the coves plus Lantivet and Lantic beaches along the way (both are dog-friendly!).
• Whitsand Bay circular walk - 10.4km. Find Medieval green lanes, Cornish woodland, heathlands and wetlands plus a natural reservoir rich with wildlife.
• Carbis Bay and Porthkidney Sands circular walk - 5km. Start your ramble on either side of the railway line above St. Ives Bay, then follow in the footsteps of ancient saints who visited these shores many lifetimes ago.
• Lanhydrock - 6.4km. Take a circular walk around the National Trust’s Lanhydrock estate with a cafe that welcomes our four-legged friends. Be sure to avoid the formal gardens, though!
• Idless Woods - 9.6km. We can all agree that our four-legged friends love a woodland walk, which is why we’ve picked this as one of the best dog walks in Cornwall. Ideal for scorching summer days, find a stream at the far end of the woods which is perfect for cooling down after trekking the small hills of the woodland.

Dog walks in north Cornwall

Explore for walkies ideas in St. Agnes, Newquay, St. Ives, Bodmin Moor, Porthtowan and Harlyn Bay - all great destinations and offer some of the best dog walks in Cornwall.

North Cornwall walks: St. Agnes 

St. Agnes is an adorable village surrounded by North Cornwall walks ideal for you and your pooch pal. It’s only five miles away from Redruth and ten miles from the popular holiday destination, Newquay. In St. Agnes, dog-friendly pubs don’t go amiss either - check out The Driftwood Spars, Railway Inn or The Peterville Inn (just to name a few) for a well-deserved drink after walkes!

And if you’re wondering whether St. Agnes beach is dog friendly? You’re in for a treat! St. Agnes Head and the beacon are dog friendly all year round. Bring your pup along for a ramble across the cliff to the Wheal Coates engine mine remains and stop for an iconic hedgehog ice cream from Chapel Porth’s beach café. Other dog walks in St. Agnes include…

• Porthtowan to St. Agnes coastal walk
• Wheal Coates tin mining walk
• White Rocks to St. Agnes Beacon loop
• St. Agnes Head lookout 

North Cornwall walks: Newquay

Newquay is one of the most iconic spots in the UK for avid surfers, with the perfect waves sweeping in from the Atlantic Ocean for some of England’s best surf around. It’s not just surfing and walking you could be getting up to with your four-legged buddy, though. Check out some of Newquay’s dog-friendly attractions, like the nostalgic steam train ride at Lappa Valley or Flambards Theme Park where well-behaved pups are welcome in the outdoor areas. The area’s most famous beaches include Fistral and Watergate Bay, but what about dog walks in Newquay, Cornwall? Here are a few ideas.

• Crantock Beach and Gannel Estuary
• Great Western Beach (note that there’s a May to September dog ban on the Blue Flag area)
• Tolcarne Beach (note that from May to September, dogs must be on a lead to the wet line)
• Whipsiderry Beach
• Watergate Bay Beach
• Fistral Beach

North Cornwall walks: St. Ives

Did you know that St. Ives is not only known for its incredible surf, but also for its art scene? Find art exhibitions, the Barbara Hepworth museum and Sculpture Garden along with her studio displaying her bronzes and other works. And if art isn’t your thing, dog walks in St. Ives, Cornwall don’t go amiss.

• St. Ives to Carbis Bay. Mooch around the cute town with your pooch by your side, then take this coastal walk for some fresh air and a lovely view of the harbour.
• St Ives to Zennor. Park up at The Sail Lofts car park and head towards Zennor along the coast, keeping your eyes (and ears) out for the seals! Walk for 9.6km, then loop back around via the countryside for a change of scenery.

North Cornwall walks: Bodmin Moor

Consider yourself a bit of a history buff? Well lucky for you, Bodmin Moor is steeped in the stuff. With so much to learn about its ancient, more recent and geological past, spice up your dog walks in Cornwall with some learning. And if you’re not so into history, not to worry. Check out Bodmin’s dog friendly pubs including The Crown Inn, Borough Arms or Lavinet Inn to finish up the day after a hearty Bodmin Moor walk with your dog.

• Cardinham Woods. Take a break from Cornwall’s beachy open spaces and ramble amongst the trees with your four-legged pals. And if you need a pit stop, head to the Wood Café.
• Lanhydrock to Bodmin. Either park at Respryn car park or the main car park near the house. Then, take a walk along the River Fowey and the estate’s woodland areas. There are many other routes you can take around the area, so head to the reception, cafe or shop for a handy trail map. And be sure to dodge the main gardens as your pooch isn’t permitted!

North Cornwall walks: Porthtowan 

Porthtowan is a tiny village and a popular tourist attraction - not to mention the beach is classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Fancy going? Let’s take a look at Porthtowan’s dog-friendly walking spots.

• Blue Flag Beach. Ever heard of an award-winning beach? Now you have. Blue Flag beach is surrounded by dramatic cliffs, topped with golden sand and rolling dunes. It’s also fab for activities - find many a surfer, people playing cricket and even a children’s park. Just note that if you’re visiting with your pooch outside of 15th May until the 30th of September (10am-6pm) then you’re welcome to explore. Visit within those times and you’ll have to find another beach to bring your pup along.
• Porthtowan and Great Wheel Charlotte. If you’re after a more challenging Cornwall walk, then this circular, 7.4km route with varying terrain might be up your street. Allow around 2.5 hours to start from Porthtowan village and along the coast path to the remains of Great Wheal Charlotte which was previously a copper mine. Once you reach Chapel Porth, turn inland and follow the stream-side bridleway where you’ll reach Mingoose Hamlet and Banns Vale villages.Then find another woodland bridleway which is next to a crystal-clear stream. Then head past Tywarnhayle Mine and back to Porthtowan.

North Cornwall walks: Harlyn Bay

It’s another beach, another small village in Cornwall, and another great place to surf for beginners and experienced shredders alike. Harlyn Bay is just three miles away from Padstow and one from St. Merryn, plus this sandy beach is dog-friendly all year round.

• Padstow to Harlyn Bay. Yet another award winner! Follow the 11.1km path out to Gun Point before the walk gets a little more challenging and rugged (so avoid this one if you’re in a wheelchair or accompanied by a pushchair). And of course, the thing that makes this one of the best dog walks in Cornwall isn’t its award, it’s that it’s fully dog-friendly! Keep walking to pass dog-friendly pubs and cafes along with sandy beaches and smugglers’ caves.

Dog walks in West Cornwall

Heading west instead? No worries - some of the best walks Cornwall has to offer are in this neck of the woods. Let’s take a look at where you could be rambling.

West Cornwall walks: Hayle

Find Hayle on the west coast of Cornwall - a port town and civil parish at the mount of the Hayle River and around seven miles away from Penzance.

• Hayle to Godrevy. Start at Hayle Estuary and follow the coast through Gwithian and The Towans and reach Godrevy beach. Once you reach the lighthouse, keep your eyes peeled for the seals of Mutton Cove!

West Cornwall walks: Morazion

Another day, another village and Cornish civil parish to explore! Let’s take a look at the dog-friendly walks you and your pup could have a go at together.

• Penzance to Marazion. Have a go at this easy, 4.3km walk along the coast for views of Mount’s Bay, St. Michael’s Mount, the Lizard and Mousehole. If you’re visiting in autumn, you could be in for a treat. The Bird Reserve at Marazion attracts migrant birds worth watching out for, including flocks of swallows, water rails and bitterns.
• Perranuthnoe from Marazion seafront. Another easy coastal stroll, rambles through the dunes, pavements, footpaths and of course, the beach. Find Victoria Inn in Perranuthnoe (it’s dog-friendly and stocks biscuits behind the bar!) which dates back to the 12th century. Just note that if you’re with a pushchair or wheelchair, we wouldn’t advise this route as there are a couple of pinch points.

Dog walks in south Cornwall

And the same goes when it comes to dog-friendly walks in Cornwall’s south. From the famous Lizard Peninsula to Liskeard and Falmouth, it’s safe to say that you’ll be spoilt for choice.

South Cornwall walks: Lizard Peninsula

You’re probably wondering where this place got its name, and we can assure you that it’s not because the place has a high population of the somewhat cute reptilians. In fact, it comes from the Old Cornish word lis-ardh which means fortress. Another fun fact? Lizard Peninsula is actually the most southerly point on the British mainland, and it’s in the civil parish of Landewednack which is of course Britain’s most southerly parish.

• The Lizard coastal walk. You’ll have to keep your pups on a lead for this one due to the sheer cliff edges, but it’s certainly worth it for the views. Fuel up at Kynance cafe and head to Kynance Cove, walking towards Lizard and stop again at Polpeor Cafe, because why not?

South Cornwall walks: Liskeard

It’s an ancient stannary (i.e. a tin mining district) and market town which is around 12 miles from Bodmin, 20 from Plymouth and 14 from Devon’s border. There are a fair few Liskeard walks that incorporate Cornwall’s lovely countryside, so let’s take a look.

• The Parade. It’s a circular Cornwall dog walk that stretches around 7km. Start on the Parade in Liskeard town centre, head north and through the impressive scenery.
• The Viaducts. Start at Liskeard railway station, soak up the views of the viaducts with your pooch on the lead and learn about Liskeard’s industrial history.

South Cornwall walks: Falmouth

Falmouth is a university town known for its natural harbour and National Maritime Museum. If you’re into history, you’re in for a treat - check out Pendennis Castle which was built by Henry VIII. If you’re heading towards this neck of the woods, explore these walks near Falmouth.

• Trebah Garden. Explore the subtropical plants with your pooch by your side along the four-mile footpath perfect for an easy-going stroll.
• Swanpool to Maenporth Beach. If you’re heading this way for a break outside of summer’s peak holiday times, your four-legged buddy can run freely on either beach. It’s only 2.7km from beach to beach, so it’s fab if you’re after a short stroll in the cold.

On the lookout for more of Britain’s epic coastal walks?

Check out these Anglesey dog walks if you’re heading to Wales any time soon. Safe to say neither you nor your pup will be disappointed!