(includes bed and breakfast, bag transfers, maps & info packs, arrival and departure transfers between accommodation and local train stations/car parks. B&B includes the night prior to starting the walk and the night after finishing the walk)
Bed and Breakfast - includes night prior to starting the walk and the night after finishing the walk
Luggage Transfers
Maps & Route Notes
Arrival and departure transfers between accommodation and local train stations/car parks
Help, support and great customer service
Itinerary
Afternoon transfer from Penzance train station to your St Ives accommodation. Arrive early to enjoy time in the town.
Distance:
7 Miles/11 Kilometres
Height Gain:
1621 feet/494 metres
Time Walking:
4 hours 30 minutes excluding breaks
Difficulty:
Difficult. The distance is short but there are several steep hills and rocky/muddy sections.
Description:
This first stage of the walk is a dramatic introduction to the Cornish landscape. Beyond the narrow, sheltered streets of St Ives the path soon leads out into one of the wildest sections of the entire South West Coast Path. Rugged granite moors rise inland, while the narrow strip of land between the windswept cliffs and the hills is studded with tiny farming hamlets and stitched with stone walls dating back to prehistoric times.
The views are spectacular from the craggy headlands, with buttresses of weathered stone dropping dramatically to an often restless sea. This is an isolated area, and it is important to remember that long sections of the coastline are inaccessible and offer no refreshments or relief once you are underway.
Distance:
11 Miles/18 Kilometres
Height Gain:
2215 feet/675 metres
Time Walking:
5 hours 45 minutes excluding breaks
Difficulty:
Moderate to difficult. The path is hilly, narrow and for the first 6 miles it is littered with rocks, making for slow progress.
Description:
Along rocky paths and moorland fringes, the trail passes through hard granite-crowned countryside towards the Pendeen and St Just mining districts.
It is an incredible walk through one of the most dramatic and varied sections of the entire Cornish coast. The region is littered with the relics of Cornwall’s industrial past, with ruined mine buildings perched on cliff tops and nestled in the deepest valleys. Once again the landscape is dominated by high cliffs, cut into narrow zawns and sheer promontories by the often violent storms of the Atlantic.
Distance:
12 Miles/19.5 Kilometres
Height Gain:
392 metres/ 1268 feet
Time Walking:
5 hours 30 minutes excluding breaks
Difficulty:
Moderate. There are no major hills but the path can be uneven and muddy.
Description:
Away from the coast path, the route leads inland across the stunning moors of the Land’s End Peninsula. Narrow paths weave through gorse and bracken into the heart of this granite kingdom, where from high hill tops we can glimpse both coasts and enjoy a fantastic sense of tranquility and isolation.
The moorland is punctuated with ancient remains from the Stone Age right up to the Nineteenth Century mining industry. With over 6000 years of history in just a few square miles, the walk is a tour through time and Cornwall’s rich heritage.
Distance:
11.5 Miles/18.5 Kilometres
Height Gain:
2290 feet/698 metres
Time Walking:
5 hours 45 minutes excluding breaks
Difficulty:
Moderate with several rocky sections and some steep hills.
Description:
This walk takes in the most significant staging post on the entire Cornish coast path – Land’s End, the most westerly spot in mainland Britain. After rounding the storm-lashed cliffs of Land’s End the path traverses open cliff tops that provide sustenance for only a sparse covering of heather and gorse. Further south these give way to open bays and sheltered valleys.
The waters are the clearest you will find in Cornwall and the beaches en route are spectacular. Porthcurno and Porthchapel are real gems, with turquoise water and golden sand. During the warmer months dolphins and basking sharks can often be spotted here, so keep your eyes open.
Distance:
10.5 Miles/17 Kilometres
Height Gain:
1896 feet/578 metres
Time Walking:
6 hours excluding breaks
Difficulty:
Varied. A difficult start with some serious hills to climb. It remains relativley difficult until Lamorna, where boulders litter the path but from then on it is straight forward.
Description:
This walk takes you through more sheltered coastline where patches of woodland reach right down to the shoreline. Tiny fishing hamlets are nestled in steep sided coves, and the path winds its way over high granite headlands. Enjoy the sense of wilderness on the first section of the path, because just around the corner wait the calm waters and hubbub of Mount’s Bay.
The first major settlement, Mousehole, was once the premier port of Mount’s Bay. Today it is the quintessential Cornish fishing village, with a sheltered harbour and a jumble of granite cottages. The busy port at Newlyn is still home to Britain’s second largest commercial fishing fleet, and the shops and cafes of Penzance provide a centre for the surrounding towns and villages.
Map
Interests
Fancy a little luxury at the end of a long day walking?
Why not include a stay in Hotel Penzance?
Let us know if you would like to include upgraded accommodation (surcharges apply).
St Ives, Lamorna, Mousehole, Cape Cornwall are just a few of the locations used to film the popular Rosamund Pilcher television movies and they are all included in this incredible walk.
You can enjoy great food in several of the stop over towns on this walk.
The Cellar Bistro (St Ives) and The Shore (Penzance) boast great reputations.
Mention this when booking and we will try to book your accommodation close to the best restaurants.
Walk through Botallack, Levant, Penberth, Porthgwarra, Porthcurno – all featured in the hit BBC drama.
Terrain
The coast path is much more demanding and time consuming than hill walking and a 10 mile (16 km) hike typically takes five hours.
Throughout most of West Cornwall the coast path is made of compacted earth, sand and natural rock. Steps are often cut into the ground but it is rare that you will find a hand rail to support yourself.
The coast path runs close to the cliff edge and if you suffer from dizziness or vertigo, a coast path walking holiday may not be for you. However it is rare that you will be walking along high cliffs with a sheer drop to the sea. More commonly there is a series of rocky platforms leading down to the sea. The exception to this is on the north coast between Hayle and Perranporth and then Newquay to Padstow where the path meanders to within one metre of the cliff tops and usually there is no barrier.
The are a lot of hills in Cornwall and for every descent down towards the sea there is a corresponding climb back up. Consider that over its total 630 miles, the South West Coast offers an estimated 35,000 metres to climb – that’s almost four times the height of Mount Everest!
The South West Coast Path is a natural trail and signage is minimal. There are discreet signs at most junctions but in some places you will need to use a map.
We provide route notes and 1:25000 maps and most walkers find that as they progress along the path they become quite adept at spotting the coast path signs.
Map reading skills are an advantage but with a smart phone/GPS, our route notes and a little common sense you should be fine. If you feel uncomfortable with this and would prefer a walk with regular sign posts, we advise looking for an alternative holiday.
Accommodation
We are walkers ourselves and we know that at the end of a long day you want a warm welcome and a comfortable bed. That is why we use B&Bs, hotels and guesthouses that we have carefully selected and importantly, visited ourselves. These are chosen for their access from our walking routes, their quality and their friendly atmosphere.
In practice this means that you will not have to walk more than 20 minutes from the coast path to your accommodation, there are restaurants or pubs within a short walk of all the B&Bs, you will be greeted by a friendly owner and enjoy a decent breakfast.
Double room
One bed for two people. The standard UK dimensions are 135cm x 190cm.
Twin room
Two single beds in one room. The standard UK dimensions for a single bed are 90cm x 190cm. These offer less floor space than a double due to space between the beds.
Single room
Smaller rooms, often with a shared or private bathroom. The standard UK dimensions are 90cm x 190cm.
Family room
A double bed plus single bed or a double bed plus bunk beds. These can accommodate three or four people.
Ensuite – Toilet, shower and wash basin are contained within the room.
Private – Facilities are outside the room but are not shared with any other room.
Shared – Facilities are shared with at least one other room.
Travel Information
Most of our international clients arrive at one of London’s major international airports (Heathrow or Gatwick) and then make their way to Cornwall by train (five hours 30 minutes from London Paddington).
Heathrow
Good connections with the main London Paddington to Penzance train and journey time is 6 to 7 hours. Connecting flights to Newquay take less than one hour.
National Express coaches run to Penzance and journey time is approximately 8 hours.
Gatwick
Trains connect with the main London Paddington to Penzance train service at Reading and total journey time is 6 to 7 hours.
Newquay
Cornwall’s own airport receives flights from major cities across the UK and Dusseldorf and Stuttgart.
We can include airport transfers at the start and end of your holiday for an additional cost (typically £20 to £35 per person). Journey times are approximately one hour to St Ives, Penzance and Falmouth.
London Stansted
It is necessary to travel into Central London if you wish to travel to Cornwall by public transport. Total journey time is approximately 7 hours 30 minutes.
Bristol
An express bus service connects the airport to Bristol Temple Meads train station (30 minute journey) from where there are trains to Penzance (4 hours 30 minutes).
If you are travelling to Cornwall by train, we suggest that you come to Penzance, from where we will provide a transfer to your B&B in St Ives. Although St Ives does have a train station, it is not on the main line and requires changing trains at St Erth. Penzance is the last stop on the main line and it is a pleasant 20 minute journey across to St Ives.
There are direct trains to Penzance from London Paddington (via Reading for airport connections) and journey time is 5 hours 30 minutes with trains leaving at approximately hourly intervals.
Driving to West Cornwall is straight forward but journey times can be long and in July/ August heavy traffic can be an issue. Once you leave the motorway (M5), just follow the A30 all of the way to Penzance.
Rental Cars – In addition to a standard rental, one way rentals are also possible, allowing you to pick up a car from anywhere in the UK and return it locally.
Parking – This can be difficult in St Ives, especially in the summer months and so we recommend leaving your vehicle in Penzance. We will provide transfers from your car to the first B&B and then back to your car at the end.
Journey times – For accurate driving times, use a journey planner. The following times are approximate and do not include rest breaks:
Heathrow/Gatwick – 5 hours
Central London – 5 hours 40 minutes
Bristol – 3 hours 15 minutes
Plymouth – 1 hour 45 minutes
Exeter – 2 hours
Dover – 7 hours
The South West Coast Path is Britain’s longest natural trail. That’s 630 miles of beautiful coastal scenery and four times the height gain of climbing Mount Everest.
This is the South West Coast Path in Cornwall, the most westerly and most beautiful section of the trail.
This is your chance to experience life on the South West Coast Path. Superb scenery, excellent hiking, top dining and as much (or as little) adventure as you like.