Best walks near Falmouth by train
Cornwall · South West England | Walks by foot
Stations: Falmouth Docks · Falmouth Town
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Redruth Station to Penryn Station (Cornwall)
7m direct from Falmouth Town.
The views around Lanner were crazy, stretching for miles across Cornwall. A fantastic, surprisingly direct rural route with a nice mix of footpaths, quiet back roads and grassy fields, plus the old Mineral Tramways Mining Trail. Not too hilly, very peaceful and with some heavily overgrown field sections in summer and a few difficult stiles and gates; some rights of way have been adapted by landowners. Uses the Mineral Tramways Mining Trail. Easy buses back from both Redruth and Penryn.
13km.
Several heavily overgrown sections, especially around Tresevean in summer, where field edges may be easier than the path line. A few difficult stiles and gates. Crossing the A39 is tricky, requiring patience for a gap.
Lunch: A pub at Stithians, roughly half way. Shops at Stithians and Lanner.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Hayle Station to Camborne Station (Cornwall)
45m from Falmouth Town, with one change.
occasional flashes of beautiful farming and coastal wetlands. After a quiet urban exit the route opens into farming country and coastal wetlands, with mostly well-marked footpaths and many distinctive old granite stiles and before a lively urban footpath into Camborne.
Tough: steep ascents. 11km.
A footpath appears not to exist at Polmeanor Farmhouse; continue and follow the woodland path to switch back and pick up the trail.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
St Ives Station to Hayle Station (Cornwall)
1h from Falmouth Town, with one change.
amazing views, lovely, excellent views over Carbis Bay. A coastal walk of two halves: the first along the busy B-road around the Hayle estuary on the flat, with wide estuary views over salt marshes and mudflats, a slightly eroded waterside path; the second a fun, more strenuous footpath sandwiched between the railway and the cliffs, through dunes and a golf club and with many short ups and downs on steps. Part of the South West Coast Path. Follows the South West Coast Path and St Michael's Way; the railway runs close by throughout and the St Ives branch line offers a recommended return. Passes the complex that housed the 2021 G7 Summit. The churchyard at Lelant is a good picnic spot.
Tough: steep ascents. 8km.
The coastal footpath has steep, tricky sections and many ups and downs on steps, and can be muddy; a waterside path near Hayle may flood at very high tide.
Lunch: No shortage of eating, drinking and snacking opportunities en route, with facilities at Lelant and Carbis Bay.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Lostwithiel Station to Liskeard Station (Cornwall)
1h from Falmouth Town, with one change.
some beautiful streams and woodlands; great views. A fairly direct but hilly route, mainly on very quiet back roads and traversing small valleys with beautiful streams and woodlands. Includes one stile (avoidable via a short detour). A short stretch beside the busy B3359 and a section without pavement in and out of Lostwithiel. No supply stops along the route, so stock up at Lostwithiel or Liskeard. The section between Scorn Mill and through the Deerpark is a delight.
21km.
A 100-metre stretch beside the busy, fast B3359 (good verge and visibility), and a section of Lanwithan Road with no pavement, especially care heading south on the hill.
Lunch: No places to stop for supplies along the route, so stock up at either end.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Bugle Station to Lostwithiel Station (Cornwall)
1h from Falmouth Town, with one change.
A hilly route that climbs out of Bugle through woodland before following generally quiet lanes for a long stretch, then crossing sheep and cattle fields. Field paths are often unmarked on the ground, with stiles in poor repair and the approach into Lostwithiel is steep and gravelly. The unusual round granite boulders in the fields are keystones of the St Austell batholith, a local geological feature. Luxulyan village has toilets and a shop.
12km.
The lanes are only just wide enough for vehicles, including agricultural traffic, especially around Luxulyan, so take care. Cattle are present in many fields. Field navigation west of Lanlivery is tricky and the final stile into Lostwithiel is in poor repair. The B3269 crossing is awkward.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Camborne Station to Penryn Station (Cornwall)
7m direct from Falmouth Town.
Tough: steep ascents. 20km.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Par Station to Looe Station (Cornwall)
1h from Falmouth Town, with one change.
beautiful views. Coastal path. Sunday service only runs in summer (bus link in winter); Includes a short ferry crossing.
Tough: 31km, steep ascents. 10h.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Camborne Station to Redruth Station (Cornwall)
45m from Falmouth Town, with one change.
the magnificent Carn Brea; the route over the top of Carn Brea offers much better views. A direct, enjoyable and fairly easy walk between two adjacent towns, mostly on good paths with a few loose-stone lanes and a little straightforward field walking, passing various mining relics. There are several large granite stiles and all different. Largely follows National Cycle Network route 3 (the Cornish Way) and part of the Great Flat Lode Trail, one of the Mineral Tramways Trails in Cornwall. The route mostly stays below Carn Brea, but climbing over the summit, or up to the Basset Monument, is a recommended alternative for better views. A short train ride returns you to the start.
Tough: steep ascents. 6km.
Walk Whitecross Hill with care as cars are fast, though it is only a short section between two footpaths. Climbing over the top of Carn Brea involves some narrow paths.
End-of-walk reward: Rowes bakery cafe.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Penzance Station to Hayle Station (Cornwall)
1h from Falmouth Town, with one change.
A largely good coastal-fringe walk on A-road, lanes and farm paths. The farm paths just after Crowlas are in very poor condition, with blockages and liquid silage and but the rest of the route is good.
12km. Moderate ascents.
The farm paths after Crowlas are not fit for purpose; it is better to stay briefly on the A road and use the lanes to the right.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Lostwithiel Station to Looe Station (Cornwall)
1h from Falmouth Town, with one change.
some wonderful scenery. A long, demanding route through beautiful Cornish countryside, woodland and riverside, with a lot of stiles and over 600m of ascent. Steep bridleways and uphill climbs, stepping stones over rivers and mud, several poorly-maintained sections through fields with no obvious path and overgrown stiles and brambles. The final section to Looe through woodland and along the West Looe estuary is a joy. Wildlife seen along the route includes kingfishers and little egrets near the West Looe estuary.
Tough: 24km, steep ascents.
Several sections are overgrown and poorly maintained with brambles and nettles hiding stiles, and field paths can be unclear; stepping-stone river crossings may require the bridge at high tide. You need stamina for the distance and ascent. Can be muddy.