The Helford Passage Walk: A Local's Coastal Route Guide

The Helford Passage walk is one of the quieter classics in this corner of Cornwall: a 3-mile loop that drops down through wooded valley to Durgan on the Helford River, slides along the riverside past two of the south coast's loveliest gardens, and ends at the 300-year-old Ferry Boat Inn at Helford Passage village. Estuary views, secluded coves, an old fishing village, and a pub at the finish line.

At a glance

• Distance: 3 miles (return)
• Difficulty: 2/5, well-maintained paths with a couple of steep sections around Durgan
• Time: 1.5 to 2 hours unhurried
• Highlights: Durgan village, Glendurgan and Trebah garden boundaries, Polgwidden Cove, the Ferry Boat Inn
• Park at: National Trust Bosveal car park, Mawnan Smith
• Best for: estuary scenery, a riverside pub lunch, combining with a garden visit

Starting at Bosveal

The walk begins at the National Trust car park at Bosveal, signed off the road from Mawnan Smith. From the car park, head south towards the coast, past the beautiful Bosloe House along a lane lined with the giant towering pines that are a recurring feature throughout the walk.

At the end of this path you meet a road. Turn east towards Durgan. (For a quick beach detour, you can drop south here to Grebe Beach, a small tidal cove on the river.)

Down to Durgan

The approach into Durgan offers some quintessentially Cornish views: a tiny granite-cottage hamlet nestled into the back of the Helford. The National Trust has done a fabulous job preserving its lost-in-time character. Twenty-odd fishermen's cottages around a small boat launch, an old school house, and a sheltered beach. It's worth taking time here to wander the village and splash about in the calm river water.

To the rear of Durgan, the wooded valley rises steeply, and that wooded valley is Glendurgan Garden (also National Trust). The coast path skirts its eastern boundary rather than going through it, so you don't need a garden ticket for the walk. If you want to combine, the garden ticket gets you in from the top of the valley.

Past Trebah, on to Helford Passage

Heading east out of Durgan, the path climbs through thick woods on a couple of hairpin bends before opening onto a wide field with views across the river to the Roseland Peninsula. From there the path drops back down past Trebah Garden's secluded Polgwidden Cove (visible from the path, accessible if you're a Trebah visitor).

Continuing along the water's edge, the walk ends by entering Helford Passage village on the eastern edge of its small beach. It's a popular little spot with plenty going on. There's a small jetty for the seasonal ferry that crosses the river, plus a working fleet of dinghies and small craft on and around the beach.

The Ferry Boat Inn

We recommend timing your walk so you arrive at the Ferry Boat Inn for lunch or an early dinner. It's a 300-year-old riverside pub with comfortable outdoor seating and the kind of view you walk three miles for. Cornish pub food, properly done, with a generous beer garden looking out over the river. Sunday lunches book out in summer, so plan ahead.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Helford Passage walk?

The walk from Bosveal car park, through Durgan, past Glendurgan and Trebah, to Helford Passage village is around 3 miles return. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours at an unhurried pace, longer with stops for the beach, the Ferry Boat Inn, or a garden visit.

Where do I park for the Helford Passage walk?

Use the National Trust car park at Bosveal, which sits at the top of the Glendurgan valley. Free for National Trust members, otherwise pay-and-display. The car park is signed off the road from Mawnan Smith. Postcode for sat-nav: TR11 5JZ.

Is the Helford Passage walk hard?

It's a moderate 3-mile walk on well-maintained paths. There are a couple of steep sections around Durgan (the village sits at the bottom of a wooded valley) but nothing technical. Sturdy shoes recommended in winter when paths can be muddy.

Can you do the walk without going through Glendurgan Garden?

Yes. The coast path between Durgan and Helford Passage runs along the boundary of Glendurgan, not through it. You can do the full walk without paying garden admission. If you want to combine the walk with a Glendurgan visit, the National Trust ticket gets you in from the top of the valley.

Where can I eat at the end of the walk?

The Ferry Boat Inn at Helford Passage village is a 300-year-old riverside pub with comfortable outdoor seating and views across the Helford. Food is good Cornish pub fare. They get busy in summer, particularly Sunday lunches, so book ahead if you're going at peak times.

Can you swim on the walk?

Yes. Durgan beach is sheltered and safe for paddling and swimming. Trebah's Polgwidden Cove (mid-walk) and Helford Passage beach (end of walk) are both calm Helford River swimming spots. None are lifeguarded, so check conditions and tide before getting in.

Is the walk dog friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome on lead along the path. The Ferry Boat Inn at Helford Passage is dog-friendly outside. Glendurgan and Trebah have their own dog policies if you choose to combine the walk with a garden visit.

Is there a ferry across the Helford?

Yes. The Helford Passage Ferry runs seasonally between Helford Passage village (north bank) and Helford village (south bank), generally Easter to October. It's the easiest way to extend the walk onto the Roseland side. Check Helford Ferry's current timetable before you go.

More walks and gardens nearby

If you want to combine the walk with a proper garden visit, Glendurgan Garden is the natural pairing with its maze, the Giant's Stride rope swing, and the village of Durgan at its base. For other walks in the area, see our best South West Coast Path walks in Cornwall guide and the shorter Gylly to Maenporth coast walk closer to Falmouth town.