Boscastle to Tintagel Coastal Walk
Cornwall
The stretch of coast between Boscastle and Tintagel is regularly listed in the top five walks in Cornwall, and you can see why: the South West Coast Path threads along slate cliffs, sea arches and offshore islands the whole way, with Tintagel Castle waiting at the end. It is a dog friendly route either as a linear with the bus back or as a tougher there-and-back, and Tintagel Haven and Bossiney Haven are dog friendly beaches all year for a paw-cool finish.
The route includes long sections close to unfenced cliff edges and crosses farmland where livestock graze, so leads are essential on those stretches. There are a handful of stiles, all reported as passable for large dogs, plus several steep climbs in and out of valleys that add up to a serious day out. Boscastle has a National Trust pay and display by the harbour and the largest car park in Tintagel sits a couple of minutes from the castle entrance, with cafes and dog friendly pubs at both ends.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.0 km (5.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Duration
- 4 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafes, pubs and toilets at both Boscastle and Tintagel; nothing in between.
- Parking
- Pay and display car parks at Boscastle harbour and at Tintagel for a bus or taxi shuttle return.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boscastle to Tintagel Coastal Walk dog friendly?
Yes, this is a dog friendly route with a rating of 7 out of 10. Dogs are welcome along the full length of the South West Coast Path between Boscastle and Tintagel, and both Tintagel Haven and Bossiney Haven are dog friendly beaches all year round — a great spot for a paw-cool at the end of the walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Boscastle to Tintagel Coastal Walk?
There are sections where leads are essential rather than optional. The route includes long stretches close to unfenced cliff edges and crosses farmland with grazing livestock, so you'll need to keep your dog on the lead in those areas. That said, there will be quieter stretches where a well-behaved dog could have more freedom, but this is a walk that requires you to be lead-ready throughout.
What should I know before visiting Boscastle to Tintagel Coastal Walk with my dog?
This is a serious day out — the route involves several steep climbs in and out of valleys, and there are a handful of stiles, though all have been reported as passable for large dogs. There are no facilities between the two ends, so bring plenty of water for you and your dog. You can walk it as a linear and catch the bus back, or tackle it as a tougher there-and-back; parking is available at both Boscastle harbour and Tintagel, with cafes and dog friendly pubs at each end.
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