St Ives to Lizard Head for standard walkers: 6 days

Alternative: Pendeen to Coverack (Sennen, Lamorna, Marazion, Porthleven, Lizard)

Our most popular walk runs from picturesque St Ives on the north coast, along granite cliffs and headlands round to the dramatic west coast coves and valleys and on to the gentle south coast. From here it is through towns and along shingle beaches down to the beautiful Lizard Peninsula.

The loveliest beaches and wildest landscapes make up this isolated region where you more often alone than anywhere else on the Southwest coast. The most dramatic headlands, cliffs, beaches, bays and harbours are all found, at regular intervals on this walk and although sometimes hard going, every day is a joy.

Itinerary

Day 1

Start Point: St Ives
Finish Point: Zennor

Distance: 7.5 miles
Time walking: 4 hours excluding breaks

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. The path encounters several steep climbs approaching Zennor and in parts it is very rocky.

Add On: Whilst in Zennor, you may wish to investigate the church and the carved pew that is an eternal reminder of the village's famous mermaid.

This is a walk through what is probably the emptiest and most isolated section of coast along the entire Southwest coast path. It is a granite-strewn and harsh landscape on the very edge of the West Cornwall moors. Jagged cliffs and rocky outcrops are incised by zawns (narrow coves) and inland barren hill tops keep watch over the wild seas.

Almost immediately after leaving the comforting and busy St Ives streets, the path runs into rocky ground and a sense of wilderness prevails. It is difficult going for large sections, but there is no hurry in this land where time seems to have stood still.

The headlands on this section of coast are superb and worth trekking out to. Carn Naun and the lovely Zennor Head offer fantastic views and the dark cliffs splashed with purple heather and set against dark blue seas are some of the most beautiful we have seen.

Day 2:

Start Point: Zennor
Finish Point: St Just

Distance: 11 miles
Time walking: 5 hours excluding breaks

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. Although there are few serious hills, the path is often narrow and up to Morvah, is littered with rocks, making the going much slower.

Add On: Visit Geevor tin mine at Pendeen for an underground tour of the mine workings.

This part of the walk takes you up to the beginning of the heart of West Penwith’s mining industry. Along rocky paths and moorland fringes, the route passes through hard countryside littered with blocks of granite, towards the Pendeen and St Just mining districts. The harsh landscape maintains a beauty in its wildness, one that inspires countless stories of piskies and giants (how else can you explain the lumps of granite thrown across the land?). Contemplate the ancient settlement remains at Bosigran and you may come up with a few stories of your own.

Much of the path takes you slightly inland and there are lovely views of the granite hills (carns) that back the coast. Particularly impressive are the Carn Galvers and Watch Croft. Finally, passing by beautiful Portherras, we approach Pendeen and enjoy a close up view of its lighthouse.

Day 3:

Start Point: St Just
Finish Point: Porthcurno

Distance: 12 miles
Time walking: 5 hours 30 minutes excluding breaks

Difficulty: Moderate with a little bit of scrambling required in one or two places.

Add On: To watch a performance on a summer’s night at the open air Minack Theatre is a magical experience. Advance booking is essential and definitely worth the effort.

Beginning on the West coast, the walk heads round Lands End and on to the spectacular southwest coastline. High empty cliff tops with only a sparse covering of low grass and hardy gorse give way to open bays and sheltered valleys on the south coast; green and luxuriant in an otherwise rugged landscape.

The waters are the clearest you will find in Cornwall and the few beaches en route are just as spectacular. Porthcurno and Porthchapel are real gems and worth stopping off in. It is a common part of the coast to observe seals and basking sharks (summer time only) so keep your eyes open.

Well known spots such as the outdoor Minack Theatre and Lands End are surpassed by the natural beauty and it is no wonder that many retired authors and artists choose to make this region their home.

Day 4:

Start Point: Porthcurno
Finish Point: Penzance

Distance: 11.5 miles
Time walking: 5 hours 30 minutes excluding breaks

Difficulty: Varied. Initially there are two serious climbs but the path is typically moderate and becomes easy from Mousehole on to Penzance.

Add On: Visit St Michaels Mount, Newlyn Harbour and Chapel Street in Penzance.

Aside from Porthcurno and Lamorna, tiny fishing hamlets are the only signs of habitation on this coast, until you reach Mousehole. Enjoy the sense of wilderness because just around the corner wait the calm waters and towns of Mounts Bay. This is perhaps West Cornwall’s economic centre and it has maintained a seaside charm that draws thousands of visitors every year.

It is a picturesque working district that caters for visitors and locals alike. The busy harbour at Newlyn is still home to the country’s second largest fishing fleet, Mousehole receives visitors along side local catches and the shops and cafes of Penzance provide a centre for the surrounding towns and villages.

The towns share a history dating back to pre Roman times and the short distance to be covered allows ample chance to wander the streets, investigate the busy harbours and even pay a visit to St Michaels Mount.

Day 5:

Start Point: Penzance
Finish Point: Porthleven

Distance: 14 miles
Time walking: 6 hours 30 minutes excluding breaks

Difficulty: One third easy, one third moderate and the last third has some difficult sections

Add On: The beautiful Loe Bar just outside Porthleven is Cornwall's largest fresh water lake and a lovely place to relax, if you have the energy to continue walking.

Continuing eastwards, the route goes by small coves and rocky outcrops where during the summer, the waters sparkle as they lap on to shingle beaches. Winter time can see some great storms as the southwest winds batter the coastline and spray from the waves in sent high into the air. Progressing towards Porthleven, the coast becomes evermore open and the storms increasingly fierce.

The flowered hedge rows and cultivated slopes between Marazion and Cudden Point mark the edge of the sheltered Mounts Bay and soon change to narrow coves and high overhanging cliffs sandwiched between proud headlands.

The highlights are plentiful on this section of coast, but mention must be given to the delightful Prussia Cove, sombre Rinsey Head, and the tranquil Hendra at the end of Praa Sands. The narrow coves and prominent headlands mean that in all but the worst weather, you can find a sheltered spot to rest and recover.

Day 6:

Start Point: Porthleven
Finish Point: Lizard Head

Distance: 14 miles
Time walking: 5 hours 45 minutes excluding breaks

Difficulty: Generally moderate with several difficult sections.

Add On: Visit the Marconi Centre at Poldhu, a short distance from the coast path.

Porthleven is a quiet fishing town that maintains the calm beauty of times gone by. It is typical of this section of coastline where empty beaches and lonely cliff tops dominate an almost untouched landscape. From here the path reaches out towards the Lizard, passing by Loe Bar and the cool waters of the lake trapped behind. Some say that this is the lake where King Arthur’s Excalibur lies.

From here on its high cliffs and beaches where the Cuttle fish shells outnumber the footprints left in the sand. Occasionally the path plunges down into the coves that protect the beaches and it is often a steep climb up the other side. Passing by the charming Church Cove and imposing Poldhu, where Marconi conducted his famous wireless experiments, the path continues towards the Lizard.

The sheer beauty of Mullion marks the start of an empty and wild land, hard and unrefined. There is a primitive feel to the wilderness of the Lizard Peninsula that only adds to the spectacle of the grand old cliffs and jagged out crops.

Arriving at Lizard Head (the other Land’s End) it is possible to look back at the enormous Mounts Bay, with Carn Du way back in the distance and headland after headland jutting out in between.

Useful Information:

Many people prefer to arrive in Penzance and use our free transfer service to St Ives. Trains run direct from London Paddington and the Midlands and it then only a 20 minute transfer.

St Ives and Penzance lie close to the A30 and can be easily reached by car.

Nearest large town is St Ives/Penzance/Hayle.

The Lizard is rather isolated and we recommend using our transfer service to return to Penzance or St Ives.

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Distance:

70 miles

Av. distance per day:

11.7 miles

Difficulty:

Moderate

Overnight:

Zennor, St Just, Porthcurno, Penzance, Porthleven

Price:

6 days/ 7 nights £460*

Camping 6 days/ 7 nights**
Tent only: £290
Fully equipped: £335

*Price per person based on two people sharing a room. A supplement may apply for those who require a room for one person only.

*Price includes: bed and breakfast, baggage transfers, information packs, advice and support, inital and ultimate transfers.

**Price based on two people sharing a tent. Includes equipment rental, camping pitch fee, tent and baggage transfers, information pack, advice and support, initial and ultimate transfers. Refundable damage deposit also required.