Coastal Walking in Cornwall - St Ives to Penzance

You make your way to St Ives on your own. Protected from Atlantic storms, St Ives was once the most important fishing port in Cornwall, but like many places in the area, fish stocks were depleted in the early 1900s and the fishing fleet has largely disappeared.

Accommodation in St Ives

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off on your first stage which involves some tough ascents and descents. Around St. Ives Head you pass St. Nicholas' Chapel and the number of hikers you'll see becomes fewer and fewer. After River Cove you go down to the cliffs where you can sometimes see seals basking. A final steep climb takes you inland to the village of Zennor where you spend the night.

Accommodation in Zennor

You return to the coastal path and walk through beautiful coves to Gurnard's Head. Just before you reach Pendeen you pass "Geevor tin mine" which is open for guided tours March - October.

Accommodation in Pendeen Watch

The first part of today's hike is relatively easy. You pass the Levant mine which was closed in 1919 after an accident that took 31 miners' lives. The path continues inland beside Cape Cornwall, which was once thought to be England's westernmost point, until it was discovered that it was actually Land's End. You continue hiking to Carn Gloose and then past the small village of St Just. Finally you make your way via the beach at Whitesand Bay to Sennan Cove.

Accommodation in Sennan Cove

Today you have a somewhat shorter hike ahead of you which gives you plenty of time to discover the sights at Land's End. This is a highly developed commercial site, with various "attractions" including an amusement park! When you then continue the hike you pass the attractive villages of Porthgwarra and St. Levan and finally reach the outdoor theatre at Minack Point. Steep stairs then take you down to the beach and the village of Porthcurno.

Accommodation in Porthcurno

The South West Path follows the cliffs with a detour to Logan Rock, an 80-ton stone owned by the National Trust. Then follows a more challenging section towards Penberth Cove and Porthguaron which are both lovely places to stop at. You will pass through Lamorna, with a famous once illegal old pub "Lamorna Wink". The hike continues around Penzer Point with views over Mounts Bay. After that you come to your destination Mousehole (pronounced Mowzl).

Accommodation in Mousehole

Today you can choose to walk along the roads and coast to Newlyn. If you want to walk along a somewhat quieter route you can go inland via the village of Paul. After Newlyn you continue all the way to Penzance which is the trip's final stop.

Accommodation in Penzance

The trip ends after breakfast.