Port Isaac to Padstow Walk

11.4 miles (18.3 km)

This lovely coastal walk takes you from Port Isaac to Padstow along the South West Coast Path.
It's just over 11 miles, following an undulating cliff top path west from Port Isaac to Port Quin and Pentire Head.
The walk begins with a demanding stretch of the South West Coast Path, heading west toward the secluded inlet of Port Quin. This initial section is famously undulating, known locally as the "rollercoaster" due to the frequent, steep descents into narrow combes followed immediately by sharp climbs back onto the high clifftops.... As you navigate these ridges, you are treated to dramatic views of the Atlantic surf crashing against the dark slate cliffs, with the path winding through coastal heathland and past ancient stone stiles.
Upon reaching the quiet hamlet of Port Quin, the terrain continues its rugged character as you press on toward the massive promontory of Pentire Head. The path leads you around the dramatic headland of The Rumps, where the remains of an Iron Age cliff castle can be seen, offering a vantage point to spot grey seals in the rocky gullies below. Once you crest Pentire Point, the landscape shifts significantly, revealing a panoramic view across the mouth of the Camel Estuary toward the sand dunes of Rock and the distant town of Padstow.
The final leg of the journey involves descending from the high cliffs toward the sandy expanse of Polzeath beach. From here, the route follows the softer contours of the estuary, passing through the dunes at Brea Hill and the small church of St Enodoc, where the poet John Betjeman is buried. The path then leads to the Black Rock ferry crossing at Rock, where a short boat trip carries you across the water to the bustling harbour side of the famous fishing port.