Backpacking Cornwall: Where You Need To Go
Backpacking across the UK is a great idea for a vacation, but you needn’t work yourself so hard. Cornwall – in the south-west of England – is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Great Britain. Essentially taking the mountain of the UK’s own “Florida”, a visit to this county will make you feel like you’ve stepped into somewhere in the Mediterranean, rather than the ordinary rain-swept locations that the UK has to offer.
What’s that? Cornwall is a place in the UK where it’s actually… sunny? Well, yes but actually no. It does rain in Cornwall, and at times, it can get just as cold as it would do up in the windswept lands of Scotland. But in the summer, it’s a place of beauty.
Speaking of summer, there’s no better way to experience this sunny haven than backpacking from one place to the next. This gives you the freedom to explore the county at your own pace and find a way to avoid the busy crowds of public transport – millions of people visit Cornwall in the summer!
So what’s the best route to take if you want to experience as much as Cornwall as possible on foot? Well, you’ll need to do some tour planning, but before that take a read of our little guide that can give you an idea of where to go:
Truro To Falmouth
Truro is the perfect stepping-on point. This is a city that radiates history and beauty, with a number of beautiful shops and even a cathedral to take a look around. From here, take a walk around the harbour – which takes around three and half hours – and you’ll find yourself in the nearby town of Falmouth.
Falmouth To The Lizard
Falmouth is a student town in Cornwall, but don’t let this put you off! Because of the nearby student accommodations, this place is jam-packed with some of the best places to eat whilst touring Cornwall, a number of brilliant pubs and gorgeous, cosy little cafes. As well as this, there’s the glorious Gylly beach and Swanpool beach to visit. Once this is done, however, get ready for your walk to the Lizard. This is a big one, so it’s wise to stay overnight in Falmouth first. Once you’ve rested up, get your walking boots on and get ready for a nearly six hour walk along the coast!
St Ives To Penzance
After this trek, you’ll want to spend a day or two simply lazing on the beach and taking in the rays. The Lizard is one of the most popular, peaceful places in the UK, so make sure you take advantage of it. When you feel up for more backpacking, get on a coach and take yourself across the county to St Ives. From here, you can take a gorgeous two-hour-and-a-half mainland walk to Penzance.
Penzance To Crows-An-Wra
Penzance, like Truro, is one of the most popular towns in Cornwall. There are so many things to do in Penzance, but we recommend a visit to the Penlee House Gallery when you arrive, and perhaps even a gander around the beautiful Morrab Gardens. Once you’ve made the most out of the town, take a shorter walk to Crows-An-Wra. It is here you’ll begin your final journey!
Crows-An-Wra To Lands End
The best way to finish off your backpacking travels is a walk from Crows-An-Wra to Land’s End. If you were going directly, this would only take about an hour and a half, so we recommend taking a detour and taking in some more fantastic sights. Go from Crows-An-Wra to Cape Cornwall, then follow the coastline through Porth Nanven, to Penwith, Sennen Cove and then finally Land’s End. Here, you can look out towards the ocean, at the most western point of England, and simply take in the sea breeze. Who knows, you might even spot New York somewhere on the horizon!