6-Day Falmouth to Plymouth Itinerary — Hiker Pace (SWCP Section 4)

Leaving Falmouth, a 20-minute ferry crossing of the Carrick Roads, offering views of Pendennis and St Mawes castles, brings you to the picturesque village of St Mawes. After exploring the Tudor castle and perhaps enjoying a refreshment, a short 10-minute ferry ride from St Mawes harbour takes you across to Place Creek. From Place House, the path turns towards St Anthony Church, then follows field edges past Cellars Beach, with gentle undulations leading towards Carricknath Point. A steep, rewarding climb up St Anthony Head, crowned by its 1835 lighthouse and WWII fortifications, offers commanding views, before descending past Towan Beach and through conserved coastal grassland around Killigerran Head, eventually revealing the clustered harbour buildings of Portscatho, your destination.

Leaving Portscatho, the coastal path soon emerges onto open clifftops, offering views across Gerrans Bay as it traverses low cliffs past Porthcurnick and Portbean Beaches. The terrain remains relatively gentle, following obvious paths through areas of conservation grazing as it heads north towards Carne and Pendower Beaches before a demanding climb towards Nare Head, reaching 90 metres elevation with spectacular panoramic views. The path then becomes notably challenging with steep descents and ascents around The Blouth headland and Kiberick Cove, navigating through gorse and bramble with numerous stiles and gates, before a steep descent into the picturesque fishing village of Portloe. Continuing eastward from Portloe, the path winds through scrub and sloping pastures before descending to the highlight of Porthluney Cove, backed by Caerhays Castle, then through woodland and challenging ascents towards Dodman Point, Cornwall's highest headland at 114 metres, offering breathtaking views and featuring an Iron Age promontory fort before descending past Vault Beach to the charming fishing village of Gorran Haven.

Leaving Gorran Haven's harbour, the path ascends to Turbot Point, known as Bodrugan's Leap, then rounds Pabyer Point across grassy fields to Chapel Point, before descending to Portmellon with its Rising Sun Inn. From Mevagissey, the route climbs steeply, passing Penare Point and the abandoned settlement of Portgiskey, before crossing the St Austell River into Pentewan village. Beyond a steep climb through the Porthowan estate, the path navigates challenging cliff-top terrain with dramatic ups and downs, passing Hallane with its waterfall and rocky cove. After continuing through Ropehaven Cliffs Nature Reserve and past Silvermine Point, the route descends to Porthpean beach. The final approach to Charlestown offers views of its remarkably preserved Georgian harbour, before continuing past Landrion Point and Carlyon Bay, following National Cycle Network paths around Par Sands, a kilometre of expansive beach leading to Par's centre with its refreshment options.

Leaving Charlestown's Georgian harbour, the path detours around Par Sands, contrasting sandy beaches with china clay works, before tackling more challenging terrain towards Gribbin Head. The striking red and white daymark tower perched on this headland, managed by the National Trust, offers spectacular views and distinguishes Gribbin Head for sailors. Beyond, the route plunges into aggressive ups and downs, navigating dramatic inlets and heathland, passing Polridmouth's coves with their literary connections to Daphne du Maurier's work, before ascending towards the Fowey estuary and its historic port. A ferry crosses to Polruan, from which the path relentlessly climbs, offering expansive views across the harbour and unfolding dramatic coastline towards Lantic Bay's beautiful beaches. The strenuous "ups and downs" continue around Pencarrow Head, demanding sustained effort, before finally revealing the picturesque fishing village of Polperro, nestled in its narrow inlet and boasting one of Cornwall's most photographed harbours.

Leaving the picturesque harbour of Polperro, the South West Coast Path immediately begins a challenging ascent through The Warren and along Fore Street, eventually reaching Crumplehorn, before continuing westward. This section is renowned for its strenuous "ups and downs" along demanding clifftop terrain, offering spectacular, though hard-won, views. After passing Downend Point war memorial, the path descends to Talland Bay, where refreshment is available at the Smugglers Rest, before rounding Hore Point and entering Portnadler Bay. The route continues through grassy areas into Looe, a town divided by its river, boasting a distinctive banjo pier and comprehensive facilities. Beyond Looe, the path climbs steeply through country lanes towards Millendreath, then ascends via Bodigga Lane to Bay View Farm campsite, offering superb views over Looe Island and reaching the highest point on Cornwall's south coast. A gradual descent leads to Seaton, an ideal lunch stop with café facilities, before the route follows Brenton Road for a mile to Downderry, a refined coastal village with refreshment opportunities.

From Downderry, a refined coastal village with refreshment opportunities, the path climbs eastward onto clifftops boasting expansive views across Whitsand Bay towards Plymouth Sound. The well-maintained footpath navigates gorse and bracken-covered headlands, descending to Portwrinkle before a 500-metre inland detour to Crafthole’s Finnygook Inn for refreshments. Beyond Portwrinkle, the route winds past Whitsand Bay Golf Course and the imposing Tregantle Fort, though caution is advised due to the active military firing range, necessitating a road diversion if red flags are flying. After passing through Freathy and ascending to Rame Head with its medieval chapel, the path descends into the twin smuggling villages of Cawsand and Kingsand, offering pub refreshments. Continuing past Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, with spectacular views across Plymouth Sound towards Drake's Island, the route finally reaches Cremyll. Here, the passenger ferry crosses the River Tamar to Plymouth, bringing walkers onto The Hoe, a landmark signifying the end of the Cornish section of the South West Coast Path.