What are the best autumn walks near Falmouth?

The coast path between Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and Maenporth, the Helford walk to the Ferryboat Inn, the Trelissick woodland circular above the Fal, Loe Bar and Porthleven, the St Anthony Head circular on the Roseland, and St Agnes Head to Chapel Porth on the north coast. For something shorter, Pendennis Point is a headland loop ten minutes from town.

Is autumn a good time to walk in Cornwall?

Yes, arguably the best. The coast path is quiet, the paths are usually still firm, the light is low and golden, and the river valleys are colourful through October. November brings shorter days and bigger seas, which suit shorter, more dramatic walks.

Are there walks near Falmouth with a pub?

Several. The Helford walk finishes at the Ferryboat Inn at Helford Passage, and the Loe Bar walk reaches Porthleven, where the Ship Inn sits on the harbour. Trelissick has a cafe, and Falmouth's beach walk has cafes at Gyllyngvase and Maenporth.

Can you walk to St Anthony Head without a car?

Until the end of October: take the passenger ferry from Falmouth to St Mawes, then the Place ferry across the Percuil River, which lands on the St Anthony Head loop. The Place ferry may run on request in quieter periods, so check first. Otherwise, it is about 45 minutes by car via the King Harry Ferry.

Is it safe to swim at Loe Bar?

No. Loe Bar has dangerous currents and a steep underwater shelf, and there are no lifeguards. Walk it and watch the sea, and swim at a lifeguarded beach instead.

Do you need a ticket to walk at Trelissick?

No. The woodland and parkland circular is free to walk; you only pay to park, which is free for National Trust members. The cafe and the secondhand bookshop are open to walkers too.

What should I wear for autumn walking in Cornwall?

Waterproof boots, layers and a waterproof jacket. Woodland paths get muddy after rain and the coast path is exposed to the wind. Carry a torch in November, when it gets dark early.

Are there walks from Trewena without driving?

Yes. Argal Reservoir is a fifteen-minute walk through the Mabe lanes, with a two-mile loop around the water, and Verdant's taproom in Penryn is a fifteen-minute walk too.

8 Autumn Walks Near Falmouth

By Rich Abrahams· Runs Trewena Cottages near Falmouth

Published 28 September 2026

The coast path above the Fal at St Anthony Head, with yellow gorse and wind-shaped pines on the slope, low sun glittering on the water, and the white St Anthony lighthouse on the point in the distance.

Autumn is the best time of year to walk this corner of Cornwall. The coast path empties, the river valleys turn, and the low sun lights everything from the side. These are the eight walks we send our guests on in October and November, all within easy reach of Trewena, and most with a pub, a cafe or a pasty along the way.

1. Falmouth's beaches: Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and Maenporth

Falmouth faces south, which makes its beach walk one of the sunniest in Cornwall on an autumn afternoon. The coast path links Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and Maenporth, climbing over low headlands between each one, with Falmouth Bay beside you the whole way.

From Trewena: ten minutes.
Stop for: coffee at Gylly Beach Cafe, a drink over the sand at Maenporth.
Full guide: Gylly, Swanpool and Maenporth walk.

2. Argal Reservoir, from the door

The one you can walk to. Argal Reservoir is fifteen minutes on foot from Trewena through the Mabe lanes, and the two-mile loop around the water is flat, quiet and properly local. In autumn the woods turn gold and there is often mist on the water first thing.

From Trewena: fifteen minutes' walk.
Full guide: Argal lake walk.

3. The Helford: Durgan to the Ferryboat Inn

You can be at the Helford in under fifteen minutes. This three-mile loop drops through the woods to the fishing hamlet of Durgan, runs along the river past Glendurgan and Trebah, and arrives at the Ferryboat Inn at Helford Passage.

Distance: about 3 miles, 1.5 to 2 hours.
Stop for: the Ferryboat Inn, looking down the river.
Full guide: Helford Passage walk.

4. Trelissick woodland circular

A three-mile loop around the National Trust's Trelissick estate above the River Fal: the view from the house down to Falmouth, two quiet creeks, the riverbank past the King Harry Ferry and back through the woods. No garden ticket needed, and the cafe and one of Cornwall's best secondhand bookshops are open to walkers.

From Trewena: about 15 minutes.
Distance: about 3 miles, 430 ft of climbing, around 1.5 hours.
Full guide: the Trelissick woodland walk.

5. Loe Bar and Porthleven, with lunch at the Ship

From the National Trust car park at Chyvarloe, walk down onto Loe Bar, the shingle bank between Loe Pool and the sea, then along the coast path into Porthleven for a pasty on the harbour wall or lunch at the Ship Inn.

From Trewena: about half an hour.
Distance: about 4 miles each way, half a day with lunch.
Good to know: never swim at Loe Bar. The currents and the steep shelf are dangerous.
Full guide: Loe Bar to Porthleven.

6. St Anthony Head circular

Our favourite loop in south Cornwall. Round the tip of the Roseland past the lighthouse, along the open coast, down to the Percuil River and the church of St Anthony-in-Roseland, and back with the view across to Pendennis and Falmouth. Walk it anticlockwise for the best of the views.

From Trewena: about 45 minutes via the King Harry Ferry, or until the end of October by ferry from Falmouth to St Mawes and on to Place.
Distance: 3.75 miles, 525 ft of climbing, 2 to 2.5 hours.
Full guide: the St Anthony Head circular walk.

7. St Agnes Head to Chapel Porth

The north coast in an hour and a quarter. From the free National Trust car park at St Agnes Head, follow the clifftops past the Wheal Coates engine houses and drop into the cove at Chapel Porth, then back over the heath. The best view is the distant one: the mine on the cliff with Chapel Porth below it.

From Trewena: about 40 minutes.
Distance: 2.6 miles, 530 ft of climbing, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Stop for: a hedgehog ice cream at the Chapel Porth cafe (seasonal).
Full guide: St Agnes Head to Chapel Porth.

8. A short one: Pendennis Point

For an hour, not a day. Drive ten minutes to Pendennis Point and walk the headland loop below the castle, with Falmouth Bay on one side and the harbour mouth on the other. Best when the wind is up.

More detail: Pendennis Castle.

Walking in Cornwall in autumn: a few tips

Light goes early. After the clocks change on the last Sunday of October, it is dark by about five. Start longer walks by late morning.
Paths get muddy. Boots after rain, especially in the Helford and Trelissick woods.
Check ferries and opening times. Seasonal services and cafes cut back through October and November.
Respect the sea. Autumn swells are big. Stay back on Loe Bar and the headlands.

Plan your autumn

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Occasional Cornwall updates from Rich at Trewena. Around four times a year, never more.

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