The Isles of Scilly is an archipelago made for walking. Unspoilt, untouched and truly peaceful, you can enjoy the spectacular coastal paths, nature trails, fields of flowers and top-to-toe island walks year round.

Thereʼs nothing better than pulling on a pair of walking shoes, grabbing your rucksack and putting your best feet forward on the Isles of Scilly. Truly amazing views wherever you look, swathes of wonderful flora and fauna, uninhabited islands largely untouched and historic remnants to explore. Plus myriad birds swooping and singing, endless empty beaches to stroll and rolling Atlantic waves to watch on the exposed western rocks.

Scilly is like nowhere else in England and youʼd be hard pushed to breathe air thatʼs any purer. Coupled with the fact that itʼs easy to walk a different island a day, or smaller ones in just a few hours, what’s not to love about this natural paradise?

Resident walking guides, naturalists and ornithologists offer guided walks across Scilly throughout the season – a brilliant opportunity to appreciate island life at its finest. Here’s what some of them have to say about their favourite spots.

WILL WAGSTAFF

Porth Killier on St. Agnes

“The time of year tends to determine my favourite walks; the southern coastline of St. Mary’s in spring is superb for swallows; in autumn I head for the sheltered nature trails. But my all-time favourite spot is on St. Agnes, around Porth Killier and by the Big Pool, where the fields and hedgerows meet the coastline and beaches. And the wading birds, of course! The walk up over the rise and the views it yields are fantastic.”

Will Wagstaff is an ornithologist and naturalist and runs Island Wildlife Tours.

CHAS WOOD

Pentle Bay to Block House Point

“Heading north from Pentle Bay on Tresco up towards Rushy Porth and Block House Point is the best coastal walk on Scilly – particularly when the sun is shining and the tide is low. The white sand and the colours of the sea – from turquoise to royal blue – deliver the ‘wow’ factor in spades as does the look out towards Teän, Round Island, Men-a-vaur, St. Helen’s, Norwethal and St. Martin’s. You’d struggle to beat this spot anywhere in the world.”

Chas Wood of Scilly Walks leads tours including local archaeology, birds, and flowers.

BOB DAWSON

In search of Orange Birdsfoot

“At the eastern end of St. Martin’s, across Chapel Down and the dunes, there is a really nice mix of wildlife, scenery and elevation. Even better is that you can nearly always enjoy it all to yourself. Some years ago, I discovered a very rare plant, Orange Birdsfoot as well as the Red-barbed (or St. Martin’s) ant close to Brandy Point. I often head back to the spot to check how they are getting along.”

Bob Dawson is a naturalist, with particular expertise in birds, bees and butterflies – and spiders!

JACLYN PEARSON

Unbridled, historic Garrison

“When I first arrived on the islands as an Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust volunteer, I was based at the Woolpack bunker on The Garrison. Every morning, I would awaken to views of St. Agnes and Bishop Rock lighthouse, and watch the gannets and gulls frolic across the water. The headland holds so much history too. It’s wonderful to walk its walls and be reminded of the threats of invasion all those years ago.”

Jaclyn Pearson led the Seabird Recovery Project on the Isles of Scilly.