Walking in the Isles of Scilly

Discover the wild beauty of the Isles of Scilly, a remote Atlantic archipelago off the coast of Cornwall where turquoise seas, white-sand beaches and rugged granite headlands create some of the most distinctive coastal scenery in Britain. With a mild climate, abundant wildlife and peaceful island landscapes, the Isles of Scilly offer exceptional low-level walking across five inhabited islands, where coastal paths, historic sites and hidden coves are never far away.

This Cicerone guidebook, written by expert Paddy Dillon, is the ideal companion for exploring the Isles of Scilly on foot, combining practical route guidance with inspiring insight into the islands’ landscapes and history. Featuring 11 day walks and 4 boat trips, it helps walkers discover the very best day walks in the Isles of Scilly across St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martin’s, St Agnes and Bryher.

The guidebook describes 11 carefully selected day walks across the main islands, allowing you to explore the diverse landscapes of the Isles of Scilly, from windswept granite headlands and sandy bays to peaceful heathland and historic coastal paths
Four recommended boat trips help you experience the wider archipelago, making it easy to reach remote islands and hidden corners of the islands that highlight the region’s maritime character and natural beauty
Walks range from 3 to 14km (2–9 miles), taking in highlights such as the historic harbour town of Hugh Town on St Mary’s and the quiet coastal paths and open heathland landscapes of Bryher
Each walk includes clear step-by-step route descriptions supported by detailed 1:25,000 OS mapping and GPX downloads, helping you navigate coastal paths, ancient field systems and sandy bays across the islands with confidence
Practical travel and planning information helps you organise your Isles of Scilly walking holiday, including advice on island transport, boat services and places to stop for food and refreshments during your walks


With carefully selected routes and practical navigation tools, this guidebook helps you uncover the very best walking on the Isles of Scilly. Follow quiet coastal paths, explore historic island landscapes and experience the freedom of discovering this extraordinary archipelago on foot.

Seasons

mild climate all year round. You should pre-book accommodation in August, as it gets busy.

Centres

Hugh Town, St Agnes, Bryher, Tresco, St Martin's

Difficulty

all easy, low-level walks

Must See

wildflowers, Hugh Town Garrison, Tresco Abbey Garden, boat trips (including the 'Seabird Specials'), bird life

Map Key Introduction Location Geology Ancient history Later history Recent history Getting to the Isles of Scilly Getting around the Isles of Scilly Boat trips Tourist information and accommodation Maps of the Isles of Scilly The walks Guided walks Island flowers Island birds Island animals Marine park wildlife Fishing Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust The Duchy of Cornwall Plan of this guide Safety matters GPX tracks The Walks Walk 1 Hugh Town Trail Walk 2 The Garrison Wall Walk 3 St Mary’s Coast Walk 4 St Mary’s Nature Trails Walk 5 The Gugh Walk 6 St Agnes Boat Trip 1 Annet and the Western Rocks Walk 7 Samson Walk 8 Bryher Boat Trip 2 The Norrard Rocks Walk 9 Tresco Walk 10 Tresco Abbey Garden Boat Trip 3 St Helen’s and Teän Walk 11 St Martin’s Boat Trip 4 The Eastern Isles