Maenporth to Budock Water

A circular walk between the beaches in Falmouth Bay and where one of the most dangerous marine rescues of modern times took place, requiring the rescue helicopter to fly backwards.

Get the app to guide you around the walk

App Store

Download iPhone/iPad app from App Store

Scan with your phone to get the Apple app

Google Play

Download Android app from Google Play

Scan with your phone to get the Android app

Download the (free) app then use it to purchase this walk.

Phone showing Google navigation to start of walk

The app will direct you to the start of the walk via satnav.

Hand holding a phone showing the iWalk Cornwall app

The app guides you around the walk using GPS, removing any worries about getting lost.

Phone showing walk directions page in the iWalk Cornwall app

The walk route is described with detailed, regularly-updated, hand-written directions.

Each time there is a new direction to follow, the app will beep to remind you, and will warn you if you go off-route.

Phone showing walk map page in the iWalk Cornwall app

A map shows the route, where you are at all times and even which way you are facing.

Phone showing facts section in iWalk Cornwall app

Each walk is packed with information about the history and nature along the route, from over a decade of research than spans more than 3,000 topics.

Person looking at phone with cliff scenery in background

Once a walk is downloaded, the app doesn't need wifi or a phone signal during the walk.

Phone showing walk stats in the iWalk Cornwall app

The app counts down distance to the next direction and estimates time remaining based on your personal walking speed.

We keep the directions continually updated for changes to the paths/landmarks - the price for a walk includes ongoing free updates.

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

Fullscreen map

The route ascends the valley from Maenporth to Penwarne then follows footpaths across the fields to Budock Water. After passing through the woods and beside the church the walk enters Falmouth passing the Boslowick Inn on the way to the Swanpool Nature reserve. After reaching the beach at Swanpool, the final stretch is along the Coast Path to Maenporth.

Highlights

Mature woodland with chestnuts, hazelnuts and beechnuts in Autumn
Swanpool nature reserve
Views along the Falmouth coastline towards the Lizard
Sandy beaches at Swanpool and Maenporth

Considerations

The path to Nangitha Farm is susceptible to summer vegetation growth. If you have secateurs, take them along to snip any brambles.
Note that most coastal walks in Cornwall have paths close to unfenced cliffs.

Dogs

Beaches with seasonal dog restrictions: Maenporth, Swanpool. Athletic dogs may be able to negotiate all the stiles on the route; less nimble dogs may need help with a couple. For the stile before Penwarne Barton, small-medium dogs may be able to squeeze around the gate but keep an eye on the barbed wire.

The walk is available through the iWalk Cornwall app for Apple and Android for £3.29 which each include everything listed here.

This removes worries about getting lost by tracking you using GPS, reminding you when you need to follow the next direction and warning you if you wander off the route.

To install on your phone, search the app store for “iwalk cornwall” to download the (free) app. Then either use it to scan the code at the top-right of the page to locate this walk or search for the walk title in Walks Shop > Search All Walks.

Once you've installed the iWalk Cornwall app from the app store, click on the button below to locate this walk:

Open walk in iWalk Cornwall app

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Vital statistics

OS Explorer: 103
Distance: 7.2 miles/11.5 km
Steepness grade: Moderate
Recommended footwear: Walking boots in winter. Walking shoes or trainers in summer
Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

OS Explorer 103

Beaches

Points of interest

Links for this walk

Tide times
South Coast Western AONB info
Short URL: http://iwkc.co.uk/w/237

Adjoining walks

Walks nearby