Cornwall is a wonderful place for a dog walk, and since Teddy arrived in our lives, I’ve had the best time discovering lots of new paths and places.
We always like to be prepared when we go out for a dog walk in West Cornwall, so as well as the usual poo bags and water bowl, I take a cool bag for the human treats and a flask for nice chilled drinks. As ever, be prepared for all weathers on a Cornish dog walk, with sunblock and waterproofs.

Let’s grab our leads and head out.

Sea dogs


What could be lovelier than a seaside scamper or a coastal walk with your four-footed friend? The beautiful footpaths are one of the reasons so many dog owners are choosing to holiday in Cornwall. Before we carry on, we’d better touch on Cornwall’s beach dog restrictions. You may have heard that many beaches have a “dog ban” in the summer. This isn’t strictly true, as in most cases, dogs aren’t banned at all but the permitted hours are restricted. You can normally walk your dog on most Cornish beaches before 10 am and after 6 pm. In the summer, these are actually far better times for walkies, as the sand is cooler on delicate paws.

The best guide is the Cornwall County Council website, which gives you a full list of the current beach restrictions for dogs.

Marazion to Perranuthnoe
It’s about two miles (in each direction) to walk along the coast between Marazion and Perranuthnoe. There are a couple of car parks in town, or park in the council car park opposite the RSPB reserve to extend your walk.

Pop your pooch on a lead to walk through Marazion, and continue right through the town. Pass the Fire Engine Inn (dog friendly) and as the houses begin to thin out, start looking for the coast path off to the right.

Then it’s simply a case of hugging the coast along the path, passing several lovely little coves along the way. Pop down to Trenow Cove (National Trust) for some off-lead time or a paddle.

You’ll eventually emerge in the car park at Perranuthnoe. The sandy beach here is absolutely beautiful, but please note that there are seasonal dog restrictions. There are loos in the car park, as well as a choice of places to grab a bite to eat. Your pooch will probably choose The Cabin Beach Cafe for a spot of lunch or Cornish Cream Tea.

Lelant to Porthkidney
This is one of the best places in West Cornwall to give your dog a good run. The sand is golden, the sea is always blue, and the views of St Ives and the Hayle Estuary are breath-taking.

Porthkidney is a beautiful stretch of beach, reached from a footpath next to the church in Lelant. Find a spot to park in the village, then head to the church to pick up the path. You’ll soon have the pleasure of a huge expanse of dog-friendly beach to explore.

However, you’ll need to watch the tide here as it comes in quickly. I really recommend the Surfers Against Sewage app, which gives you the daily tide times as well as updates on water quality. After your walk, it’s good to know that dogs are welcome in most areas of the Badger Inn in the village.

Woodland walkies
Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the bustle of the beaches and enjoy the calm of the woods. Try these lovely spots with your dog.

Trevaylor Woods
This shady wooded valley is a locals’ best-kept secret (ssssh), mostly due to no car parking or signage. It’s just outside Gulval near Penzance, on the Newmill road. Park on the roadside then look out for a pathway heading down into the trees, opposite Trevaylor Manor Care Home (TR20 8UR).

Once in the woods, you enter a tranquil, dappled world, which is rarely busy. It is however, often muddy, so dress for this, and be aware that you’ll probably end up wading through the stream at some point. The cool clear water is much loved among Penzance’s pooches and young kids!

Steeple Woods
Steeple Woods is a 40-acre nature reserve just outside St Ives. Find a roadside spot in Carbis Bay or catch the bus from St Ives, then make for The Cornish Arms pub on the main road through town. To the side of the pub, you’ll spot a narrow lane (Steeple Lane), which will lead you into the woods.

It’s a lovely walk through the trees, climbing upwards towards Knill’s Monument where there are fantastic views across St Ives Bay.

Walks on the wild side
Head out to the wild west for spectacular scenery and the freshest sea air. We love it up here, and all of us, human and canine, come back feeling refreshed after a hike through the heather.

Chapel Carn Brea
This is one of our favourite walks. Drive right out west towards St Just, making for the National Trust Chapel Carn Brea car park (TR19 6DJ) near Land’s End Airport. A gate from the car park takes you to the pathway that leads up the hill.

Chapel Carn Brea is grazed by Dartmoor ponies. They’re super-cute, but not too sure about dogs, so please keep your pooch on the lead. When you reach the summit, you’ll have the most gorgeous views out across West Cornwall: look out for Longships Lighthouse on a clear day. Other things to spot include the remains of the medieval chapel and much older Neolithic traces. Treat yourself to a Moomaid ice cream in St Just before heading home.


Bartinney Nature Reserve
To reach the wild and beautiful Bartinney Nature Reserve, park in the Chapel Carn Brea car park again. This time, cross the road and look out for a track opposite the car park. Take the first track on the left, which is smaller, and impassable in wet weather.

Still, on a dry day in summer, there’s nowhere nicer. Please keep your furry companions on their leads, as there are ground-feeding birds as well as livestock. As well as all sorts of birds (skylarks, stonechats, short-eared owls and snipe), look out for Bartinney Castle, an Iron Age fort. And of course, the views of the landscape and the Atlantic are amazing.

Do you have a favourite dog walk in Cornwall? I love hearing about good spots for dog walking, so please let me know!