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.

Isles of Scilly - Quick Facts

Guidebook name: Walking in the Isles of Scilly
Location: Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, England, UK
Area type: Britain's smallest National Landscape; Atlantic island archipelago of five inhabited islands
Routes included: 11 day walks and 4 boat trips
Distance range: 3–14 km / 2–9 miles per walk
Typical duration: Half-day to full-day walks
Islands covered: St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martin’s, St Agnes, Bryher
Route format: Circular and island-crossing day walks
Navigation: Step-by-step route descriptions with 1:25,000 OS mapping and GPX downloads
Terrain: Coastal paths, sandy bays, granite headlands, heathland and historic field systems
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, all low-level routes – suitable for most walkers
Best season: Mild climate suitable for year-round walking; August will be busy
Highlights: Hugh Town harbour, island wildlife, beaches, historic coastal landscapes

Author Highlight

“The Isles of Scilly may be small in extent, but the eye is deceived and readily imagines vast panoramas and awesome seascapes. Views to the sea take in jagged rocks that have ripped many a keel and wrecked many a ship. The islands are clothed in colourful flowers, both cultivated and wild, and attract a rich bird life, including native breeding species and seasonal migrants. And always, there is the sea.”

- Paddy Dillon, author of Walking in the Isles of Scilly 

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

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

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