Cape Cornwall to Levant Circular Walk
Cornwall
Cape Cornwall is England's only cape, a rocky headland west of St Just topped by the chimney of an old mine. This 8.6km circular walk, best done with a dog on a lead given the open mineshafts and unfenced cliff edges, follows the South West Coast Path north from the cape, drops into the Kenidjack Valley, where the stream once powered around 50 waterwheels, and climbs past the Iron Age ramparts of Kenidjack Castle. Beyond lie the Crowns engine houses perched on rock ledges at Botallack, and Levant Mine, whose tunnels ran for miles beneath the Atlantic and whose restored beam engine still works. The return runs inland across fields and lanes. Expect roughly 250 metres of climbing on rocky, uneven coast path, with stiles on the inland section and unfenced cliff edges along the way.
This is a dog friendly walk in the sense that dogs are welcome throughout, but it is one for a dog that is happy on a lead. The National Trust asks for dogs to be kept on leads anywhere along the coast path here and through farmland where cattle graze, because of steep drops and open mineshafts across the old mining ground. Some dogs will need a lift over the stiles inland. There is little shade and no reliable fresh water, so carry plenty for your dog. Priest's Cove below the cape has a seasonal dog ban from Easter Sunday to 30 September. The Queens Arms is in Botallack, and St Just has pubs and cafes.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.6 km (5.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 50 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Queens Arms in Botallack near the route; pubs and cafes in St Just. No toilets confirmed at Cape Cornwall car park.
- Parking
- Cape Cornwall car park, National Trust, pay and display, free for NT members.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Cape Cornwall to Levant Circular Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in CornwallFrequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Cornwall to Levant Circular Walk dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome throughout this 8.6km circular walk, which earns a 6/10 dog-friendly rating. It's best suited to dogs that are comfortable walking on a lead for most or all of the route, given the combination of unfenced cliff edges, open mineshafts, and farmland along the way.
Can dogs be off lead at Cape Cornwall to Levant Circular Walk?
Dogs should be kept on leads throughout this walk. The National Trust requires leads along the coast path and through farmland where cattle graze, and the terrain — with steep drops and open mineshafts across old mining ground — makes this a firm requirement rather than just a guideline.
What should I know before visiting Cape Cornwall to Levant Circular Walk with my dog?
There is little shade on this route and no reliable fresh water, so carry plenty for your dog before you set off. The inland section has stiles that some dogs will need help over, and it's worth noting that Priest's Cove below the cape has a seasonal dog ban from Easter Sunday to 30 September. After the walk, the Queens Arms in Botallack is close to the route, and St Just has pubs and cafes where you can both take a well-earned break.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk3.4 mi awaySennen Cove to Land's End Circular
Cornwall
Heather and seabirds keep a dog's nose busy on this short clifftop route, ending at Land's End and Sennen's beach cafe.
Walk4.7 mi awayMen-an-Tol, Nine Maidens and Lanyon Quoit Circular
Cornwall
A dog with good recall can roam this open moor between Bronze Age stone circles and the famous holed stone at Men-an-Tol.
Beach6.2 mi awayPorthcurno Beach
Cornwall
Visually one of Cornwall's most striking beaches, but summer restrictions mean it is best saved for an off-season visit.
Attraction6.5 mi awayTregiffian Burial Chamber
Cornwall
A Neolithic chambered tomb cut through by the road so you see it in section, in the densest prehistoric landscape in England for you and your dog.
Attraction7.4 mi awayChysauster Ancient Village
Cornwall
Nine Romano-British courtyard houses on an open Cornish hillside, quiet enough that you and your dog will often have the place to yourselves.
Walk7.5 mi awayZennor Head to Gurnard's Head Coastal Walk
Cornwall
A wild Penwith coast loop linking Zennor Head and Gurnard's Head along the Atlantic cliffs, dog friendly but technical and not for nervous paws.