• Cornwall's Dramatic Northern Coast

• All year (subject to availability)

• 5 nights, 4 days walking: From £550
• 6 nights, 5 days walking: From £650
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

• 6 or 5 nights, 5 or 4 days walking between guest houses
• 4 Walking days: Bude to Padstow
• 5 Walking days: Bude to Porthcothan Bay and transfer by bus to Padstow or Newquay for final night

• Rugged and wild coast with secluded bays and exposed headlands where sheer cliffs plunge to rocky shelves
• Beautiful inlets and bays which harbour traditional Cornish fishing villages full of character such as Crackington Haven, Boscastle, and Port Isaac
• Interesting walking throughout along one of the prettiest parts of the south west coastal path, with numerous coastal formations and pretty landscapes - classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• The delightful estuary village of Padstow and the historic site of Tintagel, the reputed birthplace of King Aurthur
• A mild climate which can be enjoyed throughout the year.

• "Each day had its pluses, met many people along the route and visits to Boscastle, Tintagel and Padstow were all great. We have thoroughly enjoyed the 3 walks we have done with High Point Holidays." R & C. O'Grady, Australia

• A range of guest houses, bed and breakfasts, small hotels and inns. They are good quality guest houses often in historic local buildings chosen for their charm and welcome. Where possible we choose bed and breakfasts which have a 4 star AA or Enjoy England rating. All accommodation is on a B&B basis. Please book early to ensure that we can secure our first choice accommodation.

1. 5 or 6 night's accommodation on B&B basis
2. Transport of luggage between guest houses (1 bag per person)
3. Detailed walking notes with information about the local sites and suggestions for places to eat lunch and dinner
4. OS walking maps

1. All lunches and evening meals
2. Drinks (except at breakfast)
3. Transport to Bude and from Padstow or Newquay
4. Bus transfer for 5 days walking option
5. Travel insurance
6. Any entrance fees

1. Take a look at our other coastal trail walking holidays in Europe

Walking Profile

This independent walking holiday covers a reasonably challenging section of the South West coastal path. The overall walking holiday is graded Moderate to Challenging. Despite the relatively moderate distances involved - between 15km and 20km per day, the amount of ascent and descent is considerable, with an average of over 900m each day. The maximum ascent and descent in any one day is 1230m. The walking ranges from some easy level walking to strenuous ascents and descents on steep ground with paths which in places are narrow or on rough and muddy ground where you need to be sure-footed. Walking experience on hilly terrain is advisable. Although there are no easy days it is possible to catch the bus in certain places to shorten the days.

Day to day

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome, and night at Bude. Explore this attractive seaside resort with its canal and a favourite spot with surfers and holiday makers.

Day 2: Bude - Crackington Haven

Your first day's walking along the north Cornish coast is a relatively easy introduction to your self guided walking holiday, following the grassy cliff path along the back of the beaches from Bude to Widemouth Bay. The path soon becomes more challenging as it passes over a number of sheer cliff tops such as the magnificent cliffs at Phillip’s Point Nature Reserve, where you can try and spot grey seals. Other interesting features on this section, which in the main follows the top of cliffs, are Dizzard forest, which are the remnants from the prehistoric wood that once covered the entire country; a number of beautiful waterfalls and a series of hill tops, such as Pencannow and Castle Point. These cliff tops provide magnificent views along the coast as well as inland as far as the Tors of Dartmoor. The path then descends to the enclosed bay of Crackington Haven - with its tiny village which was once an important local port. 16km, +/-810m

Day 3: Crackington Haven - Tintagel

A superb and challenging days walking. You'll climb away from Crackington and pass above the isolated beaches of the Strangles and their rocky shelves and promontories. Later you'll get breathtaking views from the seat on the highest cliff in Cornwall: High Cliff, at over 700ft (223 metres). These towering cliffs make a great place to bird watch with birds of prey such as Falcons and Kestrels and sea birds including puffins, guillemots and razorbills. In addition, the grazing sheep and goats help to maintain a rich flora which a number of important wild flowers. Boscastle, with its ancient harbour, is a beautiful fishing village in the bottom of a rugged, steep sided valley, which is especially remembered for the devastating flash flood in August 2004. Other highlights on this wonderful days walking is Pentargon inlet where an impressive waterfall plummets 40m into the sea. Just after, the path continues around the cliffs to Penally Point, which has a blow hole and provides spectacular views. You'll finish the day at Tintagel, its rocky promontory being the site of a Roman settlement and a Celtic fortress, with its castle ruins dating from the 13th century and being the reputed birthplace of King Arthur. The pretty village includes a 14th century building used as a post office since the 19th century. 18km, +/-1230m

Day 4: Tintagel - Port Isaac

Your walking trail takes you reasonably gently away from Tintagel along a section of coast which historically was significant for fishing and slate extraction and there are remnants of these trades to be seen on the Coast Path, such donkey tracks around Backway’s Cove and an incredible rock pinnacle left by the quarryman behind Hole Beach. The day then becomes decidedly more strenuous as you climb and descend a series of hills and valleys. Your walking trail descends to the beautiful beaches at Trebarwith Strand with their turquoise waters, lovely sandy beaches, rock pools and sheltering cliffs. The undulating nature of this rugged coastline is well illustrated by your climb from sea level to the top of Dennis Point (300ft, 90m), where you can take in the views before dropping straight back down to sea level. View points such as this and Bounds Cliff are excellent places for bird watching. You'll then continue along the cliffs past the sleepy little harbour of Port Gaverne, once an important fishing port, before reaching the quaint and unspoiled fishing village of Port Isaac. This wonderful village surrounding a picturesque bay has a network of alleyways lined by white-washed historic cottages, including one narrow lane called ‘Squeeze-ee-belly’. 15km, +/-835m

Day 5 Port Isaac - Padstow

Today your walking trail follows a beautiful and unspoiled section of Cornwall's coastal path, including the remote inlet of Pine Haven, the natural harbour at Port Quin (with its partly deserted village) and the historic promontory, known as The Rumps, with its Iron Age fort. The first half of today's walk is challenging as the Cornish coastal path winds it way around a number of spectacular headlands which offer stunning panoramas, as well as traversing several valleys where you'll find pretty coves. Other highlights of this section include the spectacular views from Carnweather Point towards the Rumps and from Pentire Point across the Camel Estuary, as well as the beautiful Lundy Beach with its rock pools, caves and the natural arch called Lundy Hole. The trail then becomes easier as it passes through Polzeath to reach the sandy beaches of Daymer Bay and the 13th century St Enodoc's Church. The path winds through the sand dunes that move over time, before catching the ferry to the historic port of Padstow with its bustling harbour and medieval buildings. 19km, +855m

The shorter 4 day walking option finishes at Padstow, with your holiday ending after breakfast on day 6

Day 6: Padstow - Porthcothan

This optional day's walk allows you to enjoy a series of headlands following relatively low cliff tops, above beautiful tempting beaches such as Hawkers Cove. Heading north along the Camel Estuary, you'll go around Stepper Point back onto the Atlantic Coast before heading out to Trevone Head, one of Cornwall’s most prominent headlands offering wonderful views down the coast ahead. Constantine Bay offers a different experience with a lovely beach where you can relax and watch the surfers before moving onto Porthcothan. You'll then catch a bus from Porthcothan to either Newquay or Padstow. It is also possible to catch a bus at earlier and later stops to make this day longer or shorter as desired. 22km, +/-770m

Day 7: Departure

Departure after breakfast