Distance 26 miles (41.8km)
Classification Challenging
Duration 13 hours over two days
Begins Place Quay
Ends Mevagissey harbour
OS grid refs SW855322, SX0144

Walk in a nutshell
This two-day jaunt along the South West Coastal Path is dominated by three major headlands as you make your way around the Roseland peninsula to Nare Head and Dodman Point, before ending up in the attractive harbour town of Mevagissey. An overnight stay in the fishing village of Portloe breaks the walk conveniently into two almost equal sections.

Why it's special
The Roseland peninsula is arguably the most tranquil corner of one of Britain's most beautiful counties. In a little world of its own, some of its smaller villages and hamlets look pretty much as they must have done centuries ago (though the gibbets have come down and the wells are filled in). The coastal path provides a joyful rollercoaster ride over Roseland's statuesque cliffs and untrammelled beaches.

Keep your eyes peeled for
The remains of an underground ammunition magazine at St Anthony Head, where large guns were sited (due to the presence of bats, it's open just one day a year – on 9 September in 2012). Shortly after Porthbean beach you'll pass an ancient barrow known as the "round house". Further on, Nare Head sports a reminder of the cold war – a small underground nuclear observation post that was occupied from 1963 until 1991.

Finally, the southernmost part of the Dodman headland is enclosed by an impressive man-made earthwork, known as the Bulwark, forming the largest iron age cliff castle in the south-west of England.

Stay overnight
At the 17th-century Ship Inn , a former fisherman's cottage in the picturesque fishing village of Portloe.

Recover afterwards
… At the oldest (and, arguably, the best) pub in Mevagissey, the 15th-century Fountain Inn , where the chef is fond of using locally produced ingredients.

If it's tipping down
Slope off to the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, whose exhibition, Search & Rescue, has just opened.

How to get there
In summer, you can jump on board the ferry to St Mawes from Falmouth docks, then take another, smaller ferry to the start of the walk.

Step by step

Day one

1 From the Place ferry landing slipway, look for the signpost for the coast path and St Anthony Head and follow the path indicated. Follow the signs along leafy lanes and across fields for about half an hour until you come to the National Trust sign for St Anthony Head. Go past the battery buildings.

2 Continue along the level coastal path for about an hour, with views of Porthmellin Head in front. The path follows the contours of the coast, before dropping down towards Porthbeor beach. Continue, following the signpost towards the NT's Porthmellin Head and Killigerran Head. Past the headland, the path follows the curve of Towan beach. Stay on the grassy path above the sand. Continue across the cliffs of Greeb Point. Follow the cliff path and after a mile or so you meet the road leading into Portscatho.

3 Continue to follow the coastline, keeping the sea on your right, heading north to Porthcurnick beach. Cross the beach, go up a concrete ramp on to a road and past the NT sign for Pednvadan. Stay with the path as it hugs the coast across the headland and down on to Porthbean beach. After a short distance the path climbs away again between hedges and across fields before passing another small beach. Pay particularly careful attention to the signposts. Keep straight on before passing to the right of an ancient barrow known as "round house".

4 Proceed around Creek Stephen Point then pass through a small wooded area as you enter the NT-owned Treluggan Cliff. Continue along the path as it climbs and passes behind a hotel to a road; bear right following the coastal path sign. Continue onwards over the dunes towards Spires Point and Carne.

5 Follow the road for a few metres before again picking up the footpath signposted towards Carne. Passing Carne beach, the route then takes in Nare Head.

6 Walk through the fields along the low cliffs, running parallel with the coast beyond Carne beach. Climb gradually, negotiating more stiles as you near Pennarin Point. Follow the path up and around the inlet before dropping down to the stream at the valley floor. Cross the footbridge and ascend again. Keep straight on to the summit of Nare Head.

7 Leaving Nare Head, bear right towards the coast path and continue across Rosen Cliff and around Kiberick Cove. Follow the path a little way inland then head coastwards again, curving round Caragloose Cove, Manare Point and into Portloe.

Day two

1 Continue north-east from Portloe following signposts for the coast path and West Portholland. Pass the NT sign for the Flagstaff and along the path to Hartriza Point. Continue over a stream to Caragloose Point.

2 Pass a coast path marker before descending towards Tregenna then climbing steeply. There's another ascent over Perbargus Point before dropping down to sea level and West Portholland. Continue to East Portholland then climb steadily for a short distance before following the cliff path, descending along a road to Porthluney Cove and Caerhays Castle.

3 From the castle, follow the coast path signs, climbing over the headland then down steps to Lambsowden Cove. Cross a small stream and climb to the crest of Greeb Point. The path levels off for a while as it approaches the Dodman. The steep climb on to the imposing headland of the Dodman comes shortly after passing Hemmick beach.

4 From the Dodman, a mixture of rocky cliffs and softer farmland lead past the coastal village of Gorran Haven and on to Mevagissey.

5 Continue north along the coastal path as it follows the cliffs around Vault beach to Lamledra. Passing Cadythew Rock, continue on a level path to Maenease Point and climb over a small rocky headland. Leaving Lamledra, stay on the footpath to Gorran Haven.

6 Follow the signs for the coast path through Gorran Haven and continue along the cliff path above Great Perhaver beach to Pabyer Point. Follow the coastal path to Chapel Point and descend towards Portmellon. Climb one last headland and pass above Polkirt beach, following the road before descending into Mevagissey.