St Ives to Padstow for standard walkers: 6 days
This six day walk looks at the magnificent stretch of coast between two of Cornwall’s most famous and picturesque fishing villages turned summer get-aways, St Ives and Padstow. The coastline is exceptional passing from rocky headland to hidden cove and on to expanses of golden sand. There are tiny villages nestled into the cliffs and seemingly never ending beaches – the play grounds of surfers and sun seekers galore.
The natural beauty is maintained throughout the walk and the surprises are constant. Hidden beaches, natural caves and secluded valleys pop up continuously and the comforts of a thriving town are never far away. It’s high cliffs and golden sands that characterize this dramatic stretch of coast line, with a noticeable change in surroundings as you travel northeast. Abandoned mines haunt the cliffs and empty moors role away in to the distance for much of the walk.
Itinerary
Day 1
Start Point: St Ives
Finish Point: Gwithian
Distance: 10.5 miles
Time walking: 3 hours 45 minutes excluding breaks
Difficulty: Moderate to easy. There are few difficult hills but the sand dunes from Gwithian to Hayle can be tiring.
A great walk that divides nicely into three parts. To begin with the route works its way along behind the splendid beaches of St Ives and Carbis Bay. With calm blue seas and golden sand, these lend a touch of paradise to West Cornwall should you be fortunate enough to catch them on a sunny day. Leaving the busy town centre behind and concentrating on the long sandy stretch on the other side of St Ives Bay, there is a lovely sense of adventure as you head out into unknown.
From Lelant to Hayle harbour is a much less pleasant section, which takes you alongside buildings and busy roads– a stark contrast to the emptiness suggested by the views from St Ives. This is only for a couple of miles however, as the path circumnavigates Hayle Estuary and it soon returns to the idyllic Cornish scenery.
The beaches at Hayle make up three miles of golden sand. With the Towans, Gwithian and Godrevy all exposed at low tide, it is possible to walk from the mouth of the River Hayle all the way to the end along fine beach. Through the dunes or along the beach, this is a very pleasant, although somewhat tiring finish to the day.
Day 2:
Start Point: Gwithian
Finish Point: Porthtowan
Distance: 11.6 miles
Time walking: 5 hours excluding breaks
Difficulty: Easy with five difficult climbs. Very flat path in great condition for most of the route but there are several very steep climbs later on.
High cliffs and knife-like stacks make much of this section of coast inaccessible and consequently it is a natural landscape untainted by buildings and industry. There is only one harbour and one coastal settlement throughout this entire section and it is a windswept region with little shelter from the elements both on land and at sea. The heights can be dizzying as the path runs right up to the edge of vertical cliffs, where gulls circle above tiny inaccessible beaches.
This is a popular section of coast path and due the proximity of the north coast road there are a notable number of walkers all year round. For much of the route, the path is flat and in very good condition, also making it more inviting for day walkers.
Despite the lack of visible mining remains on the coast (until Portreath), there is something of an industrial feel to the weather worn uplifted and twisted sediments exposed in the cliff faces. This rugged beauty is reflected in the heath land leading off inland and the obvious remains of the working port at Portreath.
Day 3:
Start Point: Porthtowan
Finish Point: Holywell
Distance: 13 miles
Time walking: 6 hours excluding breaks
Difficulty: Moderate.There are several climbs but nothing extremely difficult and the path is generally in good condition.
Following Porthtowan, the coast path is marked by rugged cliffs and small coves. A fine example is that of St Agnes – a picturesque town with outstanding views from the prominent headland.
A stretch of rocky outcrops and the ever present mines mark the walk all the way to Perranporth, taking you around Cligga Head and on to Perran Sands. Depending on the tides, you can stroll along the 3 miles of beach, watching the surfers and beach goers. Otherwise, it is through the sand dunes that back the beach along a well worn path and past the final resting place of the patron saint of Cornwall, St Piran.
The last stretch of this walk passes Penhale Point with its fantastic views and then the beautiful beach at Holywell.
Day 4:
Start Point: Holywell
Finish Point: Porth
Distance: 10.5 miles
Time walking: 5 hours 30 minutes excluding breaks
Difficulty: Moderate.There are several climbs but nothing extremely difficult and the path is generally in good condition.
Passing by the extensive dunes at the end of Holywell beach, there is a moderate climb up to Kelsey Head, from where there are stunning views of St Agnes and Bawden Rocks on clear days. Then it’s down to the sheltered Porth Joke (known locally as Polly Joke) and its lovely array of summertime flowers.
Past West Pentire and the inlets of Vugga Cove awaits Crantock and the first views across to Newquay town. The path is relatively easy-going in this region with few climbs and it is generally good underfoot. Perhaps this is a sign of increased summer tourism in this region of Cornwall – something that is highly notable around Newquay. Before passing this busy town however, there are the dunes of Crantock and the grassy region of Rushy Green.
Porth lies just past Newquay and a good distance from the hustle and bustle of the summer crowds.
Day 5:
Start Point: Porth
Finish Point: Porthcothan
Distance: 8 miles
Time walking: 4 hours excluding breaks
Difficulty: Moderate.There are several climbs but nothing extremely difficult and the path is generally in good condition.
From Porth, the route crosses the impressive and now famous Watergate Bay. This expanse of golden sands and cliffs is is renowned for its fine restaurants as well as the surfers and holiday makers that flock to its beaches.
Soon it’s the dunes of Mawgan Porth that grab our attention as the path weaves between the sandy hills at this popular resort. The rocks of Bedruthan Steps lead down through the cliffs to a great little beach below and due to the short distance of today's walk, you want to investigate this. Beyond here is the protected moorland of Park View that leads us up to Porthcothan.
Day 6:
Start Point: Porthcothan
Finish Point: Padstow
Distance: 13.6 miles
Time walking: 6 hours excluding breaks
Difficulty: Moderate.There are several climbs but nothing extremely difficult and the path is generally in good condition.
Leaving the beach at Porthcothan, the route runs across a series of coves and beaches, culminating in the spectacle of Consantine Bay. Also known as Booby’s Bay (a local name for a gannet), this is a popular surfing beach and attracts a good crowd in the summer time.
The next section of coastline is full of outcrops and coves, headlands and craggy ravines. The dramatic scenery matches the dramatic history of this region and its no wonder that tales of pirates are often heard above the crashing waves. The most dramatic headland of all is Trevose Head. Here the views stretch right back to St Ives when the visibility is good and on beyond the River Tamar into Devon. The lighthouse at Trevose is also superb and definitely worth investigating.
Following the headland, it is just a short trek via Stinking Cove into the lovely village of Trevone and then on to our final destination, Padstow.
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.
Padstow is easily reached by car and bus, but we recommend using our transfer service to return to Penzance or St Ives.
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Distance:
67 miles
Av. distance per day:
11.2 miles
Difficulty:
Moderate
Overnight:
Gwithian, Porthtowan, Holywell, Porth, Porthcothan
Price:
6 days/ 7 nights £450
Price includes: bed and breakfast, baggage transfers, information packs, advice and support, inital and ultimate transfers.
