Walking & Cycling Tours in Cornwall

Cornwall

Highlights
  • Explore the tiny streets of enchanting Cornish fishing villages like Mousehole and Newlyn
  • Follow St Michael’s Way to its abbey and complete an official Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route
  • Visit the village and ruins of Tintagel and discover its mystical connections to King Arthur
  • Cycle the Celtic Kingdom of Kernow, alongside sparkling blue seas and golden beaches
  • Discover the unforgettable landscapes of TV's Poldark and Doc Martin
  • Savor freshly-caught fish and chips, or an afternoon cream tea with a view

Cornwall comprises the westernmost part England’s South West Peninsula and is about 4 to 5 hours from London by train. It derives its name from the Celtic Cornish word kernou, meaning horn, which aptly describes its shape. Cornwall is bordered to the north and west by the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel to the South and to the east the River Tamar forms a natural border with the county of Devon. Its coastline is famous for dramatic cliffs and deep glacial rias, or inlets, that run open to the sea, forming a series of estuaries and tidelands. 

The windswept headlands, sandy beaches, beautiful azure waters and colorful fishing villages make Cornwall one of the most alluring regions of England, and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It is home to England’s longest coastal hike, the South West Coast Path which requires nearly 60 days to complete and is typically taken on in stages. Since 2008, Macs has been offering this iconic hike, along with other Cornwall walking or cycling tours that allow travelers to enjoy this captivating coastal landscape at their own pace, whether on foot or by pedal power. And as always, our self-guided hiking or cycling Cornwall tours below offer handpicked accommodations, baggage transfer, and full support for your Cornwall adventure.

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Our Tour Types

Discover Cornwall

  • Download our Free Guide to the South West Coast Path

    The South West Coast Path National Trail is a treasure of England. Stretching 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset, through delightful towns and villages such as Padstow, St Ives, Newquay, and Falmouth, it is a trail that should be on every hikers bucket list! Visit our online home for the South West Coast Path, or download our custom 'SWCP' guide to learn more:

    Download your Free South West Coast Path Guide

    Download our Free Guide to the South West Coast Path
  • Lights, Camera, Action in Cornwall!

    The picturesque landscapes of Cornwall have inspired many a film-maker and TV producer and here we list some of the famous locations used as sets which you can keep an eye out for whilst you are walking!

    Doc Martin - this popular TV series featuring Martin Clunes was largely filmed in the colourful fishing town of Port Isaac. Fern Cottage in Port Isaac is the fictional Doctor Ellingham's surgery and St Nonna's Church is the setting of Doc Martin's wedding. 

    Poldark - with its famous large collection of ships, Charlestown was the location for the TV series Poldark, which has captured the hearts of many! Other Cornish locations used in this series are the mines at Botallack, Bodmin Moor, Porthcurno Beach and Kynance Cove. 

    James Bond Die Another Day - the opening beach of this blockbuster which features a "Korean" beach is actually Holywell Bay in Cornwall!

    Ladies in Lavender -  this romantic comedy featuring Dame Judi Dench and Maggie Smith is set in several locations in Cornwall including Cadgwith Cove, Penzance and Helston. 

     

     

    Lights, Camera, Action in Cornwall!
  • Some Cornish food for thought!

    One thing is sure - you will not go hungry whilst walking in Cornwall! Home to some of the finest seafood and with an abundance of fresh local produce, Cornwall is a great place to explore for any food-lovers! Here are some of the regional delights you can expect to find;

    The famous Cornish Pasty - great fuel for any walker, this treat is made with short crust pastry and traditionally filled with diced potato, swede, onion, diced or minced beef. Tradition dictates for them to be a proper pasty they must have 20 crimps (the little design on the side).

    Cornish Cream Tea - perfect as a treat in the middle of the afternoon (or any time really!) the Cream Tea consists of fruit scones served with clotted cream and jam, accompanied by a fresh pot of tea. Interestingly, in Devon cream tea's are also very popular but there they serve them with the cream on the bottom and jam on the top, whereas in Cornwall it is the other way round! 

    Saffron Cake - a delicious fruit bun made with the most expensive spice in the world, Saffron! Apparently Saffron arrived in Cornwall when Phoenician traders arrived to trade it for tin from the mines.

    Rick Stein's Padstow - the famous Seafood Restaurant owned by Rick Stein is a Cornwall institution, in operation since 1975. They serve the freshest fish and shellfish and your experience here is sure to be a memorable one - just make sure you book in advance!

    Cornish Yarg - for cheese-lovers, you'll be right at home in Cornwall where there are over 60 varieties produced. The Yarg is one of the most famous, which is a hard cheese made from cow's milk and a rind made from nettle. 

    Stargazy Pie - originating in the tiny village of Mousehole, this unique pie combines eggs, potatoes and pilchards. What makes it so striking is the fact that the pilchards are left sticking out of the pastry on top - or stargazing as such! 

    Some Cornish food for thought!

  • South West Coast Path, Adventure Your Way

    Join us on a walk from St Ives to Penzance on the South West Coast Path. This remote and exhilarating walk along the clifftops visits the bustling towns, golden sands and secluded coves of Cornwall.

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  • Walking the South West Coast Path

    The South West Path stretches around the south-west peninsula of England, exposing dramatic coastal scenery as the walk unfolds.  The route is split into several delightful sections as walking the entire route at once would be rather time-consuming.  This video gives you an overview of the route and how best to tackle it.  

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