3-Day Falmouth to Plymouth Itinerary — Trail Runner Pace (SWCP Section 4)

The journey begins by crossing to St Mawes via ferry from Falmouth, offering views of Pendennis and St Mawes castles. After exploring St Mawes, a short ferry to Place Creek precedes the walk along field edges and past Cellars Beach to Carricknath Point. The ascent of St Anthony Head, marked by its lighthouse and WWII fortifications, provides commanding views before the path descends towards Towan Beach. Gentle undulations through conservation grazing land lead to Portscatho, followed by Porthcurnick Beach and a section of low cliffs to Carne and Pendower Beaches. The demanding climb to Nare Head, rich in wartime history and ancient earthworks, offers panoramic vistas before strenuous cliff-top walking around The Blouth and past Kiberick Cove, eventually descending steeply into Portloe. Leaving Portloe, demanding terrain winds past Caraglooze Point to East Portholland and the stunning Porthluney Cove, overlooked by Caerhays Castle. Steeper ascents through woodland and over Greeb and Gell Points lead to the challenging climb up Dodman Point, Cornwall's highest headland, featuring its prominent granite cross and extensive Iron Age earthworks. The path then continues along challenging cliff-top terrain, passing Vault Beach and descending to Gorran Haven, before becoming easier towards Chapel Point, notable for its striking Arts and Crafts houses and wartime remains. The route descends to Portmellon, then climbs for a final spectacular approach to Mevagissey, a historic fishing port with a distinctive double-walled harbour.

Leaving Mevagissey's bustling harbour, the path ascends steeply into open coastal terrain, offering expansive views across St Austell Bay as it passes Penare Point and undulating pastureland towards Pentewan Beach. After crossing the St Austell River into Pentewan village, the route continues its strenuous climb through the Porthowan estate, characterised by constant fencing, before descending into the wooded dell at Hallane with its rocky cove and waterfall. Beyond Ropehaven Cliffs Nature Reserve and the demanding switchback terrain, the path navigates challenging ascents and descents past Silvermine Point and Phoebe's Point, descending eventually towards Porthpean beach, before climbing again around Carrickowel Point towards Charlestown’s remarkable Georgian harbour. This section concludes after passing Landrion Point and Carlyon Bay, traversing Par Sands beach, and approaching the distinctive red and white daymark tower of Gribbin Head, a navigational aid marking the entrance to Fowey's deep-water harbour. From Fowey, the path traverses the Polruan ferry crossing and then enters a period of particularly challenging, strenuous cliff walking with dramatic ups and downs, passing Lantic Bay and Pencarrow Head before finally descending into the picturesque, narrow inlet of Polperro, a famously photographed fishing village.

Leaving Polperro's picturesque harbour, the path immediately begins a strenuous ascent, navigating demanding clifftop terrain around headlands and descending towards Lantic Bay with its steep, technical access. The route continues its classic "ups and downs" pattern, a challenging stretch offering spectacular views towards Gribbin Head and beyond, before reaching Talland Bay where refreshments are available at the Smugglers Rest. Rounding Hore Point and entering Portnadler Bay, the path then heads towards the twin towns of Looe, divided by its river and featuring a distinctive banjo pier. Further east, after steep climbs and passing near the Monkey Sanctuary, Seaton offers a welcoming café stop before a stretch of road walking along Brenton Road to Downderry, another village with refreshment opportunities. The path then traverses the gorse and bracken-covered clifftops of Whitsand Bay, requiring caution and awareness when passing through the Tregantle Military Firing Range, before ascending towards Rame Head and descending into the historic smuggling villages of Cawsand and Kingsand. The final leg follows the shoreline of Cawsand Bay and the edge of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, offering views across Plymouth Sound before a passenger ferry from Cremyll completes the journey into Plymouth.