Think of it as three natural sections: coast out → wild headland loop → inland return.
Circular hike: Port Isaac → Port Quin → The Rumps → return loop
Distance: ~10–13 miles (16–21 km)
Time: 4.5–6.5 hours (with stops)
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (long distance + exposed cliffs)
Terrain: Coast path, grassy headlands, farm tracks, uneven clifftops
Step-by-step “map style” route
1. Port Isaac → Port Quin (Coastal approach)
Start: Port Isaac harbour
Leave Port Isaac uphill following South West Coast Path (Polzeath direction)
Climb out via village lanes and steps to reach clifftops
Follow cliff edge west above Port Isaac Bay
Continue along undulating coastal path for ~2.5–3 miles
Key terrain:
Steep initial climb
Exposed grassy cliff tops
Wide Atlantic views
Arrive: Port Quin (hidden cove in valley below cliffs)
2. Port Quin → The Rumps (Headland traverse)
From Port Quin, stay on South West Coast Path heading north-west
Climb out of the valley and continue along increasingly rugged cliffs
Pass small inlets and open pastureland above the sea
Follow signs towards Polzeath / Pentire Headland
After ~2–3 miles, the land narrows into a dramatic finger of rock:
The Rumps (Pentire Headland):
Twin rocky headlands jutting into the Atlantic
Ancient Iron Age fort earthworks visible on approach
Sheer drops on three sides, with powerful surf below
This is the most dramatic section of the walk—windy, exposed, and extremely scenic.
3. The Rumps → inland return via Pentire Farm track
From The Rumps:
Leave the headland and head south-east away from the cliffs
Follow inland footpaths across Pentire farmland
Pass through rolling fields and hedged lanes
Aim for the area above Polzeath
This section is calmer and more sheltered after the exposed coast.
4. Polzeath → Port Isaac return leg (inland coastal loop closure)
From the inland paths above Polzeath, follow signs back toward Port Isaac
Use a mix of:
farm tracks
bridleways
quiet lanes
Gradually curve south-east back toward the coast
Rejoin coastal slope above Port Isaac Bay
Final descent returns you to Port Isaac
Route summary
• Port Isaac
⬇️ coastal climb
• Port Isaac cliffs
⬇️ west along cliffs
• Port Quin (hidden valley cove)
⬇️ north along coast
• The Rumps (wild headland)
⬇️ inland farmland tracks
• Polzeath hinterland
⬇️ lanes + fields loop south-east
• Port Isaac return
What makes this loop special
1. Three completely different landscapes
Fishing village energy at Port Isaac
Hidden “folded valley” isolation at Port Quin
Raw Atlantic headland drama at The Rumps
2. Constant shifts in scale
The walk moves between:
tight village streets
enclosed valleys
vast cliff-edge horizons
3. Strong geological storytelling
You literally trace Cornwall’s structure:
slate cliffs → eroded valleys → granite headlands
⚠️ Practical notes
Wind exposure: especially between Port Quin and The Rumps
Navigation: clear in good weather, but inland return paths are less obvious than coast path
Footwear: proper hiking boots recommended (mud + uneven stone)
No services en route: carry water and food
Tide irrelevant for route, but sea views are better mid-to-high tide
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