Lizard Peninsula Circular Walk – Lizard Point, Kynance Cove, Cadgwith & Housel Bay Coastal Hike, Cornwall

Region: Cornwall – Lizard Peninsula, South West Coast Path, England

Places To Stay: Base yourself in Lizard village for the closest access to Lizard Point, Kynance Cove and this circular route. Mullion is another good option with coastal walks, coves and pubs nearby, while Helston gives you more shops, places to eat and easy access to the wider Lizard Peninsula. Looking for more English walks? Head to my ‘England Hiking Guides’ page to see more routes across Cornwall, Dorset, the New Forest and beyond.

Below are a few ideas for day tours & trips around Cornwall. GetYourGuide makes it easy to book + see more here.

For a bigger selection of Cornwall accommodation, Booking.com has plenty of cottages, lodges and hotels to browse.

This 12 km circular walk around the Lizard Peninsula is one of those routes that feels properly Cornish from start to finish. You begin near Polpeor Cliff and Lizard Point, the most southerly point of mainland Britain, before following the coast north towards the famous turquoise water and serpentine rocks of Kynance Cove. From there the route heads across quieter inland paths towards Cadgwith, a traditional fishing village that still feels full of character, before returning along the coast past Housel Bay.

It’s a walk packed with variety: dramatic cliffs, rare geology, old lifeboat and shipwreck history, fishing cottages, hidden coves and big Atlantic views. Kynance Cove will probably be the busiest section, especially in summer, but the full circular gives you a much better feel for the whole peninsula rather than just doing the short out-and-back to the famous viewpoint.

Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map

• Start/Finish: Parking near Polpeor Cliff / end of Lighthouse Road, close to Lizard Point. – Google Maps pin.
• Parking: Parking is available near Lizard Point, but it can get busy in peak season. Arrive early if walking in summer.
• Transport: Bus services run to Lizard village from Helston, with a short walk down towards Lizard Point.
• GPX: Download the GPX file here.
• Route Finder: Follow this route on my Outdooractive profile.

Travel Data: I use eSIMs to stay connected — quick setup and no roaming faff when I’m heading further afield. Sim Local has been solid in Europe with good prices and coverage. Plus you get 10% Discount using WELSHMAN.

Hike Profile

• Distance: ~12 km / 7.5 miles circular.
• Duration: 3.5–5 hours depending on stops.
• Ascent/Descent: ~350 m
• Highest Point: Coastal high ground above the Lizard Peninsula.
• Difficulty: Moderate — not technical, but there are cliff paths, ups and downs, and exposed coastal sections.
• Terrain: Coast path, rocky coves, grassy cliff-top paths, inland tracks, village lanes and uneven sections.
• Best for: Coastal views, geology, photography, wildlife, fishing village history and classic Cornwall scenery.

Route Overview

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Hike Description

The walk starts near Polpeor Cliff, right down at the end of Lighthouse Road, and straight away you know you’re somewhere special. This is the far southern tip of mainland Britain, with the Atlantic stretching out in front of you and the cliffs dropping away on either side. You’re also close to Lizard Point, a place with a long history of shipwrecks, lighthouse warnings and coastal watching. It’s the kind of start where you’ll probably spend ten minutes just looking around before you’ve even properly started walking.

From here, head west along the coast path towards Coastguard Cliff and Lizard Point. The path is easy to follow, but don’t rush it. This whole first section feels like standing on the edge of the country. The sea can look calm and blue one day and completely wild the next, and you can see why this coastline needed lighthouses, lookout points and rescue crews for generations.

As you continue north-west, the route follows the South West Coast Path towards Kynance Cove. This is one of the most famous stretches of coastline in Cornwall, and for good reason. The cliffs, stacks and coves keep changing as you walk, and every bend seems to give you another view worth stopping for. It’s not a flat stroll, there are little climbs and descents along the way, but nothing too difficult if you’re used to coastal walking.

Kynance Cove is the big showpiece of the route. The white sand, turquoise water and dark red-green serpentine rocks make it feel completely different from most other beaches in the UK. The geology here is a huge part of what makes the Lizard special. Instead of the usual granite and slate you get across much of Cornwall, this part of the peninsula has unusual serpentine rocks, polished by the sea into colours and textures that almost look unreal.

This is also the section where you’ll probably meet the most people. Kynance is popular, especially on warm days and around low tide, but it’s still worth taking time here. Drop down if the tide and conditions allow, grab photos, maybe stop for a drink, and then enjoy the fact that your route doesn’t simply turn around like many visitors do. You’re carrying on to see more of the peninsula.

Leaving Kynance behind, the walk turns inland and heads north-east across quieter paths and lanes towards Cadgwith. This middle section gives the legs a break from the cliff edges and shows another side of the Lizard: fields, hedges, quiet tracks and little glimpses back towards the coast. It’s a nice contrast after the drama of the cliffs, and it helps the walk feel like a proper circular rather than just a coastal out-and-back.

Eventually you reach Cadgwith, and it’s one of those villages that still feels properly connected to the sea. Fishing boats are pulled up on the shingle, cottages sit tightly into the slope, and narrow lanes drop towards the cove. Historically, Cadgwith grew from fishing cellars and cottages above the beach, and that working fishing character is still part of its charm today. It’s a great place to pause before the final coastal stretch.

From Cadgwith, turn south and rejoin the coast path. This part of the route feels wilder again, with the path rising and falling above small coves and rougher cliff scenery. It’s quieter than Kynance and has that classic Cornish feel: sea on one side, fields on the other, and the path always teasing you with the next headland ahead.

As you pass towards Housel Bay, the walk starts to feel like it’s closing the loop. Housel Bay is tucked beneath the cliffs near Lizard Point and gives you one final beautiful coastal moment before you head back towards the lighthouse area. Depending on the tide and weather, the water here can look unbelievably clear, with steep cliffs sheltering the bay below.

The final stretch brings you back towards Polpeor Cliff and the end of Lighthouse Road. By now you’ve seen the Lizard from both sides: the famous cliffs and coves around Kynance, the quieter inland lanes, the fishing history of Cadgwith, and the rugged return along the eastern coast. It’s not a huge mountain day, but it’s a proper coastal journey and one of the best ways to understand why the Lizard Peninsula is such a special corner of Cornwall.

Places to Stay in Cornwall

For a bigger selection of Cornwall accommodation, Booking.com has plenty of cottages, lodges and hotels to browse.

Recommended Stays

The Bay Hotel

The Bay Hotel in Coverack offers direct beachfront access, a sun terrace, and a lush garden. Guests can relax by the shore or enjoy the outdoor seating area.

Check availability

Little Hallegan-with private woodland

Little Hallegan-with private woodland offers a serene retreat in Camborne. Guests enjoy a private garden and free WiFi, perfect for relaxation.

Check availability

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Practicalities

• Start early: Kynance Cove and Lizard Point can get very busy in summer, so an early start makes the whole walk calmer.
• Cliff edges: Stay well back from the edge, especially in wind, rain or poor visibility.
• Footwear: Trail shoes are fine in dry weather, but walking boots are better after rain as coastal paths can be slippery.
• Tide: Check tide times if you plan to go down onto Kynance Cove beach.
• Food & water: Options at Lizard Point, Kynance in season and Cadgwith, but still carry water and snacks.
• Weather: The Lizard can feel very exposed. Pack a waterproof and warm layer even if it looks bright at the start.
• Dogs: Dogs are allowed on much of the route, but keep them close around cliffs, livestock and seasonal beach restrictions.
• Navigation: The coast path is generally clear, but the inland link towards Cadgwith is where a GPX is most useful.
• Wildlife: Look out for seals, seabirds and, if you’re lucky, dolphins or choughs around the cliffs.
• Best season: Spring to early autumn is ideal, but the route is walkable year-round in settled weather.

Lizard Peninsula Circular Walk FAQs

Walk this route yourself in 3D!

The video is a 3D walkthrough of this route; it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect before you set foot on the mountain.

I’ve created 3D videos of my walks and shared them with the Outdooractive and Welsh Man Walking communities.

Lizard Coastal Walk from Lizard Point via Cadgwith – 3D Walkthrough

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