Moderate – Moderate
20 August 2025
Newquay to Perranporth combines long golden beaches, rugged cliffs, and sweeping Atlantic views. The route passes lively surf spots, quiet coves, and wildlife-rich dunes, with a mix of gentle stretches and steady climbs that make for a varied and rewarding day’s walk.
Points of Interest: Newquay to Perranporth
Here’s what to look out for along the way:
Newquay Harbour & Town Beaches
A working harbour and a string of sandy town beaches, including Towan, Great Western, and Tolcarne.
Fistral Beach & Headland Hotel
Newquay’s world-famous surf beach, backed by dunes and overlooked by the striking Headland Hotel.
Pentire Headland
A wild headland with panoramic views over the Atlantic and the Gannel Estuary.
The Gannel Estuary
A tidal estuary crossing, typically possible two to three hours either side of low tide.
Crantock Beach
A broad sandy bay at the river mouth, framed by dunes and cliffs.
West Pentire & Polly Joke Beach
Wildflower meadows in summer and a quiet, sheltered cove at low tide.
Holywell Bay & Gull Rocks
A sweeping sandy bay backed by dunes, with twin rock stacks offshore and caves, including St. Cuthbert’s Well, at low tide.
Penhale Sands & St Piran’s Oratory
Cornwall’s largest dune system, hiding the remains of one of Britain’s oldest Christian sites.
Perran Beach
Three miles of golden sand stretching into Perranporth, walkable at low tide for a spectacular approach.
Perranporth
A lively seaside town with surf culture, beachside pubs, and the natural Chapel Rock tidal pool.
Logistics
| Sleep (Dog Friendly Accommodation) | Jasmine House, Newquay |
| Eat & Drink | The Tywarnhayle, Perranporth The Farmers Arms, St Columb Minor |
| Parking | Wheal Leisure, Perranporth, TR6 0EY Cornwall County Council Cash, Card or Pay by Phone available £10:50 all day |
| Travel Transport from Perranporth back to Newquay | Number 87 bus runs approximately every 40 minutes from Newquay Bus Station to Portcothan Bay. We took the 08:47 and arrived at 09:29. (Other services at 08:02, 09:24 & 10:04) |
Many sources suggest the Gannel crossing on the official route is usually passable for about two to three hours either side of low tide, but walkers should always check local conditions on the day to ensure it’s safe to cross.
The beach route from Perran Sands across to Perranporth is only accessible at low tide. If the tide is coming in, you may need to take the alternative path that goes up from the beach and along the cliff-top instead.
If you want to visit St. Cuthbert’s Well at the end of Holywell Bay, only attempt it at low tide while the water is receding. This stretch of beach is the first to be covered by an incoming tide, and there is a serious risk of being cut off at other times.
To take all these factors into account, it’s probably best to plan your Gannel crossing about two hours before low tide, so you’ll reach later sections at the right time.