Via Ferrata Cornwall

The Via Ferrata near Helston is a proper adrenaline rush if you're after something beyond the usual coastal walks. It's a fixed-rope climbing route - essentially a safeguarded path up rock faces using metal rungs, cables and pegs hammered into the stone. You're clipped in throughout, which takes the edge off the fear factor without removing the thrill entirely.

The route itself follows natural rock formations and offers decent views across the Cornish landscape once you're up there. It's not a casual stroll - expect to be using your arms and legs equally, navigating exposed stretches where the drop is proper evident. Most people allow two to three hours depending on fitness and how long you linger on the easier sections to recover.

This appeals most to adults and teenagers with decent upper body strength. Young children will struggle unless they're already seasoned climbers. Solo walkers and couples tend to get more from it than families with mixed ages, though small groups can work if everyone's reasonably fit.

If you're based at one of the glamping spots nearby - Stay Wild or Little Menherion are both within three miles - it's a worthwhile half-day activity to break up a park holiday. Pair it with a visit to Helston itself, a proper working market town with reasonable cafes. The route fills the gap between lazy beach days and full-on hiking, though I'd book ahead and check current conditions. Cornish weather can close it at short notice.