Isles of Scilly Walks: Coast Path Circuits on Every Island
Walk the coast path around every inhabited island on the Isles of Scilly. Distances, times, highlights, tide tips for Gugh, dog rules, guided walks and the Walk Scilly festival, all in one practical guide.
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Every inhabited island on Scilly has a coast path that takes you all the way round. You can walk St Agnes before lunch or spend a full day circling St Mary's. Paths are low, quiet and close to the sea, so you are never far from a beach, a café or the next boat back.
This guide covers each island circuit, with distances, times and the best things to see on the way. It also explains tides, boats, dogs and guided walks, so you can plan a walking holiday with confidence. If you are already here, check today's boats and tides on Scilly Live before you head out.
Key Takeaways
- St Mary's has the longest circuit at about 9 to 10 miles, which takes most of a day.
- St Agnes and Bryher have the shortest loops at around 5 miles each, so they fit easily between boats.
- On the off islands, always check the last boat back and the tide times before you start walking.
- Dogs must be on leads in seabird breeding areas from 1 April to 30 September.
- The Walk Scilly festival each April offers guided walks across all five islands.
Isles of Scilly walks at a glance
The islands are small, and that is part of the appeal. Cicerone's planning guide notes that the whole group covers just 16 square kilometres and is Britain's smallest National Landscape. That means short, varied walks with no big climbs, and a new view every few minutes.
| Island | Circuit | Allow | Start from |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's | About 9 to 10 miles (14 to 16 km) | 5 to 6 hours | Hugh Town quay or Porthcressa |
| St Martin's | About 9 miles (14 km) | 4 to 5 hours | Higher Town or Lower Town quay |
| Tresco | About 6.5 miles (10 km) | 3 to 4 hours | New Grimsby or Carn Near quay |
| Bryher | About 5 miles (8 km) | 2.5 to 3 hours | Church Quay or Anneka's Quay |
| St Agnes | About 5 miles (7 to 8 km) | 2 to 3 hours | St Agnes quay at Porth Conger |
Distances come from Islandeering and Explore the South West Coast Path, and vary a little depending on how closely you follow the shore. Times allow for a steady pace with short stops. Add an hour if you plan to swim, picnic or linger at the ancient sites along the way.
St Mary's coast path
How long does it take to walk around St Mary's? Islandeering measures the circuit at 16 km with nearly 500 metres of ascent, while GPS Routes puts it closer to 14 km. Either way, allow five to six hours. The path is easy to follow and you can join it almost anywhere.
Highlights on the way
- The Garrison walls, with views over Hugh Town to Samson, Bryher and Tresco
- Buzza Tower, an old windmill tower above Porthcressa
- Peninnis Head, with giant weathered granite and the 1911 lighthouse
- Old Town Bay, a sheltered bay with its old church and quay
- Pelistry Bay, a quiet sandy cove on the east coast
- Innisidgen, two Bronze Age burial chambers looking over Crow Sound
- Bant's Carn and Halangy Down, a burial chamber beside the remains of an ancient village
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You do not have to walk the full loop in one go. Many visitors split it into two half days. The Garrison and Peninnis make a lovely morning from Hugh Town. The quieter north and east coast, from Porthloo round to Pelistry, works well as an afternoon with a café stop.
Islandeering lists places for refreshments near the path at Porthloo, Old Town, Porthcressa and close to Pelistry Bay. Browse our eat and drink directory for opening times before you set off, as some places close early outside the main season. Carry water and a snack just in case.
St Martin's coast path
St Martin's is long and narrow, with white beaches on the south side and rugged cliffs to the north. Islandeering measures the circuit at 14.2 km with 330 metres of ascent. That is a full morning and afternoon at a relaxed pace, so catch an early boat and aim for a late one back.
- St Martin's Day Mark, the red and white beacon from 1683 on Chapel Down
- Great Bay, a long sweep of sand on the north coast
- Par Beach and Lawrence's Bay, calm and shallow on the south side
- White Island, reached over the rocks at low tide only
Chapel Down is open heath with some of the widest views on the islands. On a clear day you can look out over the Eastern Isles, where grey seals haul out on the rocks. If you would like a closer look, our guide to Isles of Scilly seal trips explains the best boats.
Tresco coast path
Tresco's circuit is about 10.4 km with 201 metres of ascent, according to Islandeering. Explore the South West Coast Path puts it at around six miles. The south is gentle and sandy, while the north turns wild, with heather, granite and two old castles guarding the channel.
- Cromwell's Castle and King Charles's Castle, above New Grimsby harbour
- Piper's Hole, a sea cave on the rugged north coast
- Pentle Bay and Appletree Bay, two of the island's finest sandy beaches
- Tresco Abbey Garden, a paid extra if you have time to spare
Boats land at New Grimsby or Carn Near depending on the tide. Explore the South West Coast Path points out that you may need to walk an extra stretch of coast to close the loop. Check which quay your return boat uses before you set off, as it can change with the tide.
Bryher coast path
Bryher is small but full of contrast. Islandeering puts the loop at 8.2 km, while Explore the South West Coast Path calls it five miles. The east side looks across a calm, shallow channel to Tresco. The west faces the open Atlantic, and on a rough day Hell Bay lives up to its name.
- Shipman Head, a wild headland with an Iron Age cliff castle
- Rushy Bay, a sheltered sandy beach on the south coast
- Samson Hill and Heathy Hill, low hills with views over Samson and the Norrard Rocks
- Watch Hill, a short climb for a view over the whole island
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St Agnes and Gugh
St Agnes feels like the edge of the world. Islandeering measures the coast path at 7.7 km, which is around two to three hours of easy walking. You pass Wingletang Down and its odd granite shapes, look out over the Western Rocks and finish near the Turks Head pub by the quay.
- St Agnes Lighthouse, built in 1680 and now a private home
- Troy Town Maze, a small stone labyrinth on the west coast
- Nag's Head, a striking granite stack on Wingletang Down
- Burnt Island, joined to St Agnes at low tide
Crossing the bar to Gugh
Gugh is joined to St Agnes by a sandbar called The Bar, which is only safe at low tide. Islandeering advises crossing only within two hours either side of low water, and never if any water covers the sand. The current can be strong, so time your walk and keep an eye on the clock.
Gugh has no shops or cafés. Instead you get two houses, a standing stone called the Old Man of Gugh and Kittern Hill, with fine views back to St Mary's. A loop of Gugh adds about an hour. Today's tide times are on Scilly Live, so you can plan the crossing from your phone.
Planning a walking holiday on Scilly
When to go
Spring and autumn suit walkers best. In April and May the verges fill with wild flowers and the paths are quiet. September and October bring migrant birds and warm seas. Cicerone says the mild climate allows walking all year, but advises booking well ahead for August. See our guide to the best time to visit.
Walk Scilly festival
The Walk Scilly festival opens the season every spring. In 2026 it ran from 10 to 19 April and marked its 20th anniversary, according to Visit Isles of Scilly. The programme pairs easy shoreline rambles with harder routes over rocky headlands, and guided walks on history and wildlife run across all five islands.
Accommodation and travel get busy that week, so book early. Keep an eye on What's on for the 2027 dates once they are announced.
Guided walks
A guide brings the islands to life. Scilly Walks has been running since 2000 and is led by Dr Katharine Sawyer, a qualified archaeologist living on St Mary's. Her 2026 programme runs from April to October and includes trips to uninhabited islands. Call 01720 423326 or see the Scilly Walks listing for details.
For wildlife, naturalist Will Wagstaff leads regular walks on different islands. The Tourist Information Centre's 2026 What's On sheets list them at £10 for a half day or £20 for a full day, plus the boat fare. Pick up the weekly sheet to find the island and meeting time.
Walking holidays
Prefer someone else to plan it? HF Holidays runs guided walking breaks on Scilly with six nights' accommodation, and 2027 dates are already on sale. Its itineraries stay flexible, since weather and tide shape every day here. Many visitors simply book a cottage on St Mary's and hop to a different island each day instead.
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Maps and guidebooks
The OS Explorer 101 map covers all the islands at 1:25,000. Paddy Dillon's Walking in the Isles of Scilly, published by Cicerone, describes 11 walks from 2.5 to 16 km and four boat trips, with GPX downloads. The paths are well trodden though, and most walkers manage happily with a simple island map.
Before you set off
Boats and the last boat back
On the off islands, your walk is shaped by the boats. Most leave St Mary's quay mid morning, and return times change with the tide and weather. Note the last boat back before you start, and leave time to reach the right quay. Our guide to Isles of Scilly boats explains how it all works.
Dogs and livestock
Dogs are welcome on most paths and beaches. The Council of the Isles of Scilly requires dogs on leads in designated seabird breeding areas from 1 April to 30 September. It also asks owners to take extra care on coastal paths, as livestock may be grazing the land nearby. A few areas are off limits to dogs altogether.
Respecting the land
Around half of Scilly is cared for by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. The charity says it clears 85 km of paths every year so people can reach the wild places. Stick to the paths, shut gates and take litter home. Ground nesting birds and rare plants depend on it.
What to bring
- Proper walking shoes, as paths cross granite, sand and uneven heath
- Water and snacks, since cafés can be far apart and some close early
- A waterproof and a warm layer, even in summer, as the wind picks up fast
- Sun cream and a hat, because there is little shade on the heath
- A charged phone with Scilly Live saved for boats and tides
Isles of Scilly walks: common questions
How long does it take to walk around St Mary's?
Allow five to six hours for the full circuit of about 9 to 10 miles. That includes short stops for views and a drink. You can also split it into two half days from Hugh Town, and pick up the path again wherever you left off.
Which island has the easiest walk?
St Agnes and Bryher have the shortest loops at around five miles, and Tresco's southern paths are mostly level and sandy. All three suit families with school age children. Bryher's west coast and Shipman Head are rougher, so younger walkers may prefer the sheltered east side.
Can you walk between the islands?
Only on the biggest spring tides. Isles of Scilly Travel explains that the channel between Tresco and Bryher drains just enough to cross on foot, which is when the Low Tide Festival is held. Never try it alone or without local advice. The rest of the time, the inter island boats are the way to go.
Is Scilly good for a walking holiday?
Yes. Cicerone describes the islands as ideal for low level walking, with mild weather and no need for a car. Stay a week and you can walk a different island each day, using the boats to hop between them.
