Walking In Bude

There’s no better way to explore than on foot. Numerous, well marked foot paths and bridleways start, finish and pass through Bude ensuring you never need walk the same path twice during your stay.

South West Coast Path

The Coast Path takes you south to Crackington Haven, and further on to Boscastle, Tintagel and Port Isaac. A 10 mile (16km) walk to Crackington Haven has an easy starts at Bude Canal and takes you past the "Tower of the Winds" where on a clear day you can see inland Devon and Dartmoor Tors. Pass Widemouth Bay and the walk gets tough; down to the deserted cove of Millook where the cliff strata is unmissable, through Butterfly Valley and past the stunted ancient Oak's at Dizzard. A cream tea or pint of Cornish Ale will certainly be needed when you reach Crackington Haven. Continue for 6.7 miles (11 km) into Boscastle or catch the regular bus back to Bude!

Head north to Morwenstow, and perhaps onto Hartland Quay (15 miles / 24km). With relentless assents and descents, this is possibly the hardest stretch of the South West Coast Path. Here, the sandy beaches become rugged and the path gets steeper. Pass Sandymouth and Duckpool and Coombe Valley is a welcome rest spot, where in July the Glow Worms are a fascinating sight. Head towards the large Satellite Dishes (the secretive GCHQ base and WWI airbase), and finish the coastal walk at Hawkers Hut, the National Trust's smallest property where you head inland to the famous pub and tearooms.

Puffins, Basking Sharks, Sunfish, Grey Seals, red admirals, pearl-bordered fritillaries, ringlets and meadow browns are amongst the wildlife you may see.

Circular Walks, Village and Town Trails

There are many circular walks in the area covering the coast path, town and villages of various lengths and difficulty.

Walking the Bude Canal

Starting at the Sea Lock gates, adjacent to Summerleaze Beach, the Bude Canal travels over two miles inland. Follow the flat, level under-foot towpath past the Canal interpretation centre and nature reserve, several locks and inclined plains. The Canal terminates at Helebridge near Maramchurch. From here, return to Bude, but for different scenery, follow the cycle path through the nature reserve and along the river Neet back to the Tourist Information Centre.

Extend the walk from 90 minutes to 2 ½ hours, and stop off at the Woodland Tea Rooms and Community Woodland for their famous Cream Tea's. From here, join the coast path for a fairly easy coastal walk, past Compass Point, down Breakwater Road and back to the Tourist Information Centre.

Along the canal, if very possible that you will see our family of Otters and a few Kingfishers.