Cornwall remains one of the best holiday spots for dog lovers. From coastal strolls to National Trust spots, finding dog-friendly walks in Cornwall shouldn’t be a hassle or chore. But what if you’re simply spoilt for choice? It’s safe to say that Cornwall covers a lot of ground – where to start?
Find Good Places to Walk Dogs in Cornwall
Dog walking in Cornwall could take you to the beach, the countryside, historic streets – you name it. There are also plenty of wonderful dog friendly pubs in Cornwall, too! Here’s our pick of the most exciting, exhilarating Cornish dog walks ready and waiting for you to sample right now.
The Best Dog Walks Cornwall is Famous For
1. Cardinham Woods, Bodmin
This fantastic dog-friendly walk takes you deep into the Forestry Commission’s woods, and the best part is there are absolutely no restrictions! There are different trails for different walkers, meaning if you are less mobile than, say, your average hiker, don’t worry! There are riverside walks up here, too.
2. Wheal Coates, St Agnes Beacon
The St Agnes Beacon is an absolutely spectacular spot to climb to with your pets, and with plenty of history behind this Napoleonic mount, it’s a really fascinating trek. There are 360-degree views all along the coast, and what’s more, you can take a further stroll through the Wheel Coates.
3. The Lizard Coastal Walk, Lizard
If there’s any walk-in Cornwall that local dog owners will recommend to you, it’s the coastal trail across the Lizard Peninsula and Point. This cliffside walk will take you down through Kynance Cove towards the South West Coastal Path. Make your way down to Lizard Point carefully with your pup!
4. Restronguet Creek
If you’re looking to tie the best of Cornwall together on one long dog walk, then the trail from Restronguet Creek up from Mylor Bridge is definitely worth the time and effort. This is a pretty easy walk on the whole, though it can get pretty muddy, so be prepared!
5. The Bedruthan Steps, Mawgan Porth
The stunning Mawgan Porth gives way to the absolutely majestic Bedruthan Steps, where you can take in the absolute best of North Cornwall’s unbeatable coastline. It’s a half an hour walk across the shore and is generally fairly gentle – with incredible sea views to boot. Breathe in that sea air!
The Best Coastal Dog Walks in Cornwall with Sea Views Galore
1. Cawsand to Rame Head
If you fancy getting a closer look at the stunning Rame Peninsula and its head, this five-mile wander will surely help satisfy those coastal walking desires. There are also lots of spots along the way for dogs to roam around, making it a superb coastal walking choice in the region.
2. Harlyn Bay, North Cornwall
Harlyn Bay in itself is a truly wonderful beach breakaway spot, but it really does make for one of the most exhilarating dog walking areas, too. Nice and rocky with lots of lovely white sand, stare out to sea while your pet really enjoys themselves across the dunes.
3. Crantock Beach, Newquay
Newquay is, of course, well-known for its amazing beaches, and while Crantock may be fairly short as far as coastal walks go, it is still one of the most memorable for all the right reasons. From golden sands to wide-open greenery, it’s the perfect dog adventure spot.
Best Woodland Walks in Cornwall with Dogs Off The Beaten Track
1. Tehidy Woods, Camborne
Tehidy Woods offers a wonderful woodland walking adventure that – while a little hidden away – actually covers more than nine miles of paths to wander down! You’ll be able to explore 250 acres of these woods. Keep pups on leads as there are cliff edges, so safety first at all times.
2. Lanhydrock Woods, Bodmin
Lanhydrock is a very popular National Trust property. You can’t take pets into the site itself, but what you can do is take them on a journey across the wonderful meadows and wooded spots within the 200 acre plot of land that surrounds it. There are plenty of river walks, too.
3. Trewardreva Mill, Constantine, Falmouth
This woodland walk up in Constantine will take you deep into the heart of the village scenery, as well as into the edges of the Mill itself, serving up plenty of trails down by the water well as up towards the local peaks – get a great view of the surroundings.
National Trust Walks
1. Treslissick Garden, Truro
Head into Truro and you’ll be able to spot some wonderful garden walks managed and beautifully maintained by the National Trust. There are creeks, bridges, waterside trails and more – it really is a self-contained little walking paradise for you and your pets. Take a look around!
2. The Gribbin Head Walk, Fowey
Up towards Fowey, you’ll find a huge variety of country walks and trails that lead you down onto Gribbin Head, where you’ll be able to uncover all kinds of hidden natural treasures – great for exploring with pets! This area is famous for inspiring the author Daphne du Maurier.
3. Holywell Beach, Holywell
This gorgeous National Trust walk is only a mile long, meaning it should take you and your pup around half an hour from end to end at a gentle pace. You’ll be able to not only enjoy the sandy stroll but also sights across Carter’s Rocks – bring some binoculars along!
Last Word
If you’re looking for somewhere truly varied and magnificent to take your dogs on holiday, then the dog walks and trails that Cornwall has to offer will surely fit the bill. This is one corner of the National Trust landscape that you’re certainly going to remember for all the right reasons. Of course, if you do fancy trying something different out, you can also take a look at some of the pet friendly days out in Cornwall available from coast to coast.
However, as all dog owners know, there really isn’t anything that beats a good walk, and for that reason, you should certainly make a point to check out good places to walk dogs in the region. From breezy dog friendly beaches in Cornwall to wild woodland and everything rugged and cliff-edged in between, this is a fantastic hodge-podge of pretty much everything your dog could want from a breakaway.
We personally absolutely love the walks in Cornwall. Of course, the above list and guide is not exhaustive. These are just the best that we feel the region has to offer right now! Take a look around and see if you can find a few other trails close to some of the holiday lets in Cornwall which are pet friendly.