Falmouth and Pendennis Head circular walk

Falmouth and Pendennis Head

A circular walk around the thriving town of Falmouth, which didn't exist until Elizabethan times when Sir Walter Raleigh suggested that the largest natural harbour in Europe would be a good place to build a port town.

Get the app to guide you around the walk

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Download the (free) app then use it to purchase this walk.
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The app will direct you to the start of the walk via satnav.
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The app guides you around the walk using GPS, removing any worries about getting lost.
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The walk route is described with detailed, regularly-updated, hand-written directions.
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Each time there is a new direction to follow, the app will beep to remind you, and will warn you if you go off-route.
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A map shows the route, where you are at all times and even which way you are facing.
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Each walk is packed with information about the history and nature along the route, from over a decade of research than spans more than 3,000 topics.
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Once a walk is downloaded, the app doesn't need wifi or a phone signal during the walk.
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The app counts down distance to the next direction and estimates time remaining based on your personal walking speed.
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We keep the directions continually updated for changes to the paths/landmarks - the price for a walk includes ongoing free updates.

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

The walk begins through the bustling streets of Falmouth and then heads past the National Maritime Museum to the quiet wooded paths of Pendennis Point to reach the blockhouse. From here the route follows the seafront to Gyllyngvase beach and joins the coast path to Swanpool beach. The walk passes around the lake within the nature reserve and then crosses the railway line to descend back into Falmouth via Killigrew Street and complete the circular route.

Highlights

  • Historic port of Falmouth
  • Pendennis Castle and Little Dennis Blockhouse
  • Gyllynvase and Swanpool beaches
  • Swanpool nature reserve

Considerations

  • Note that most coastal walks in Cornwall have paths close to unfenced cliffs.

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Vital statistics

  • OS Explorer: 103
  • Distance: 5.3 miles/8.6 km
  • Steepness grade: Easy-moderate
  • Recommended footwear: Walking shoes, or trainers in summer
  • No stiles: ✓
  • Pub: ✓
  • Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

Click or tap on map for more info (blue=laminated)

Pubs on or near the route

  • 5 Degress West
  • The Chain Locker
  • The Cutty Sark
  • The Grapes
  • The Kings
  • The Moth and the Moon
  • The Prince of Wales
  • The Quayside Inn
  • The Seven Stars

Adjoining walks

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

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