Last weekend, some friends and I needed to unwind from our busy lives. We bundled up in coats and boots, loaded a thermos of tea into my bag along with flashlights, and drove down to Newquay for an evening exploring the beach trails by moonlight.
Here’s what happened on our night walks exploring Newquay’s coast.
10. Watergate Bay to Mawgan Porth
Distance: 2.8 miles
Highlights: Hidden beaches, challenging cliffs, star-gazing
Approximate walking time: 1 hour
We started in Watergate Bay and transitioned to Mawgan Porth.
The path is relatively flat, making it a perfect introductory route for night-time adventurers. The wide-open beaches provide excellent dark skies for star-gazing, especially on clear nights.
9. Porth Beach to Whipsiderry Beach
Distance: 1 mile
Highlights: Hidden caves, quiet spots for contemplation
Approximate walking time: 30 minutes
Short but sweet, this walk takes you through some of Newquay’s lesser-known beaches.
The trek from Porth Beach to Whipsiderry exposes walkers to hidden caves and natural rock formations, which feel otherworldly under the moonlight.
8. Holywell Bay Circular
Distance: 3 miles
Highlights: Holywell dunes, coastal panoramas
Approximate walking time: 1.5 hours
This circular route around Holywell Bay offers varied scenery, including sand dunes and expansive sea views.
The dunes are an ideal spot for some nocturnal wildlife spotting, while the panoramic views of the coast are breathtaking by night.
7. Crantock Beach Circular
Distance: 2.5 miles
Highlights: Gannel Estuary, historic sites
Approximate walking time: 1 hour
Winding around Crantock Beach, this walk offers views of the Gannel Estuary and passes by ancient sites, including a quaint old church.
The reflective waters of the estuary paired with the historical ambiance make this walk both picturesque and peaceful.
6. Fistral Beach to Pentire Point
Distance: 2 miles
Highlights: Surf watching, cliffside paths
Approximate walking time: 1 hour
This popular surfing beach transforms at night into a serene walkway. The route to Pentire Point provides elevated cliffside paths that offer stunning views of the Atlantic under the night sky.
It’s also a fantastic spot for watching the first or last surfers catching waves under the sunset or dawn light.
5. Bedruthan Steps to Carnewas
Distance: 2.5 miles
Highlights: Iconic rock stacks, dramatic sea views
Approximate walking time: 1.5 hours
The majestic rock formations known as the Bedruthan Steps are even more impressive under the cover of darkness.
The path, although requiring some caution, rewards walkers with unparalleled views of the rugged coastline and the vast ocean.
4. Towan Headland Loop
Distance: 1.5 miles
Highlights: Panoramic views, Newquay Harbour lights
Approximate walking time: 1 hour
This loop around the Towan Headland offers expansive views of Newquay itself illuminated at night.
You can read more about my experience on this trail here.
The trail offers a mix of urban and natural landscapes, with sights ranging from the lit-up harbor to the wide, starry sky above.
3. Trevose Head Lighthouse Walk
Distance: 4 miles
Highlights: Operational lighthouse, wildlife
Approximate walking time: 2 hours
The walk to Trevose Head Lighthouse provides a longer trek suited for those who like a challenge.
The functioning lighthouse adds a quaint charm to the walk, and the area is known for its biodiversity, especially birdlife.
2. The Newquay Discovery Trail
Distance: Varies
Highlights: Comprehensive tour of Newquay’s coastline, educational plaques
Approximate walking time: Customizable
This self-guided tour around Newquay’s coast comes with educational plaques that explain the historical and natural significance of various landmarks.
It’s a customizable route that can be as long or as short as desired, making it perfect for families or educational groups.
1. Pentire Peninsula to The Gannel Estuary
Distance: 3 miles
Highlights: Sunset and sunrise views, estuary wildlife
Approximate walking time: 1.5 hours
Arguably the most beautiful route for a night walk in Newquay, this path takes you from the dramatic cliffs of the Pentire Peninsula down to the serene Gannel Estuary.
It’s particularly magical during the twilight hours when the sky and sea merge into one.
