My husband and I, hoping for some fresh air and exercise, recently went on some walking paths near our home in St Austell, Cornwall. Wanting to get our hearts pumping a little while also taking in the nice surroundings, we chose five routes said to be easy but give good views of the land.
We walked along the harbor past old factories, and through pretty gardens, seeing bits of history and nature on each way.
Also, if you are looking for something more relaxing, check out this article.
I will now share our experience.
5. Charlestown to Porthpean Coastal Walk
Location: Starts at Charlestown Harbour
Distance: 2.5 miles round trip
Terrain: Coastal path with some inclines
Our first walk began at Charlestown Harbour, known by many from seeing it in the TV show Poldark. From there, the trail offers beautiful scenery looking out over St Austell Bay. The path hugs the rocky coastline as it leads to Porthpean Beach, a nice place to stop and rest our feet in the water if we wanted.
While parts required some effort going up and down hills, the views of the ocean from high points made it worth it. My husband especially enjoyed capturing photos along the way. I found the place interesting to learn about too, thinking about what life might have been like in past times. Overall it was a scenic first route for us both.
4. Pentewan Valley Trail
Location: Starts at Pentewan village
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Terrain: Flat, mostly off-road trail
Our next walk was along the Pentewan Valley Trail, which my husband had read goes from the little town of Pentewen up to St Austell on an old train track. Being easy with no big hills, it sounded perfect for a leisurely wander with scenic views, which we wanted after our first more challenging route.
Most of the way it runs next to the Pentewan River, so we enjoyed watching and listening to the peaceful flowing water and trees as we walked. A family passed us walking their dog, and later a couple biked by, which was nice to see others also appreciating the trail. I’d say it offers the right pace and prettiness for any kind of visitor hoping to enjoy nature at a casual pace.
3. The Clay Trails
Location: Multiple starting points including the Eden Project
Distance: Several loops, 2-3 miles each
Terrain: Some parts flat and others hilly
Another outing took us along the Clay Trails surrounding St Austell. These offered a closer look at where the town’s history lies – in the china clay mines dotted around. From vantage points, we could see the pale mountains of dug-up earth in the distance. Each section provided something new, whether forest or wide-open areas with incredible views.
I especially enjoyed when blooms of yellow gorse and other wildflowers were popping up, giving the trails an extra burst of lively color during that time of year. My husband remarked how fascinating it was to picture what the mining work involved, and how it shaped the region. Overall the Clay Trails gave helpful context to appreciate both the natural attributes and industrial past defining the local landscape.
2. Gribbin Head from Polkerris
Location: Starts at Polkerris Beach
Distance: 2.5 miles round trip
Terrain: Coastal path with moderate inclines
Our next route began at the lovely beach in Polkerris. From there the path hugs the shoreline all the way to Gribbin Head, which is cared for by the National Trust. Along the way are neat glimpses into the past, like the tall white tower at the headland that was built centuries ago to guide boats – always fun to pause and imagine what that must have looked like back when first going up.
The trail varied between dramatic cliffs overlooking the ocean waves below and more peaceful woodsy areas, until arriving at the top where the whole expanse of St Austell Bay and English Channel come into view. While it required more energy than others, reaching that viewpoint made all the uphill worth it to experience the rich scenery and history of the place. I’d call it a very satisfying final adventure for us during our visits exploring Cornwall’s coasts.
1. The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Location: Pentewan, St Austell
Distance: Multiple short trails, each around 1-2 miles
Terrain: Varied, mostly easy with some gentle slopes
Not too far from where we were staying, my husband came across information about The Lost Gardens of Heligan. From the description, it seemed like a wonderful place to wander and discover different types of grounds and plant life.
When we visited, there was no shortage of trails branching out offering their own unique charm. In one area expansive tropical foliage grew so lively and green. Elsewhere neat rows of productive garden beds reminded me of tales from great grandparents’ day. Deeper inside lay more mysterious wooded sections holding surprises, like coming upon the famed Mud Maid figure emerging from the soil. It truly was like stepping into a secret world and making new discoveries around each bend. A magical way to spend an afternoon absorbing the past and natural beauty.
Final Thoughts
Our time spent walking around the St Austell area really helped us feel more connected to the soul of Cornwall. Each trail offered its own special charm. The path along Charlestown Harbor to Porthpean Beach taught us about the past, while the Pentewan Valley trail was a relaxing escape in nature. Following the old mining routes gave an interesting sense of local history on the Clay Trails. And the scenic views from Polkerris to Gribbin Head were simply breathtaking.
