Trevone to Padstow around Stepper Point

Five and a half level miles of dismantled railway along the Camel estuary, about two hours each way on a hard all-weather surface that stays walkable in the wettest week of the year. It starts beside the old station at the head of Padstow harbour; the harbourside pay-and-display car parks are the nearest and fill by mid-morning from Whitsun onwards, and Wadebridge has its own car park at the far end if you prefer to walk it inland to sea. There are no stiles, no livestock and no cliff edge, but this is a shared cycleway carrying fast bikes in both directions, so a short lead is the sensible default; the estuary itself is fenced off from the trail for most of the way.

A three-mile loop out of Padstow along the estuary shore to two sandy coves and back over the fields, an easy hour and a half with one short pull up from the beach. It leaves from the harbour and the war memorial, so any of the Padstow car parks work; the walk is also the obvious use of a bad-weather day when the coast beyond Stepper Point is unwalkable. Only one stile, beside a gate, and no livestock as a rule; dogs may use Harbour Cove all year and there is a stream running onto the sand for a drink, but St George’s Cove is inside the council summer restriction and the coast path above it is unfenced.

Harbourside St Austell Brewery inn a few steps from the Camel estuary and the start of the Camel Trail. Dogs are allowed with you in all areas of the pub except the main restaurant, and a handful of bedrooms are set aside for them. Leads in the public areas, and let the team know at booking so you are seated somewhere sensible.