Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
13.0Kg CO2e
Printed route
directions
Cornwall has the longest coast in the UK and much of it is designated as 'An area of Natural Beauty (AONB)' This stunning walk follows the coastal paths, from wild cliffs and heath-land to golden sands and charming harbours, these are five days of exceptional walking in It is one of the UK's most spectacular and unique regions. The coast is wild in this area with stunning scenery and this holiday takes in Cape Cornwall, Sennen Cove, Land's End, the Minack Theatre and Mousehole. This twin centre holidays is based on 3 nights in St Ives and 4 nights in the historic harbour town of Penzance, transfers are included in order to fufill the itinerary.
You walk starts in picturesque St Ives, a beautiful town which seems to have it all, sandy beach, charming harbour and narrow streets full of interesting craft and art shops and galleries, not to mention the restaurants and cafes with their tempting treats, the trail heads West following the coast each day. The natural scenery often competes with human history for your attention, stunning beaches and impressive cliffs are punctuated by hill top forts, bronze age burial chambers and reminders of Cornwall's tin mining history along the way. As you reach the most westerley tip of mainland UK the geological feautures surround Lands End with its arches and stacks and the pink hued cliffs of Portcurno Bay are a beautiful sight. Flora and fauna are visible at every turn on this impressive coastline, wonderful wild flowers, including sea pinks line the coast, look out for the sea birds and if you are really lucky you may see grey seals bobbing about in the waters below.
Arrival in picturesque St Ives where you stay for the next three nights
You stay at Tregony Guest House.
Mastercard
Visa
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Tea/coffee
Tregony Guest House is a beautiful three-storey end of terrace townhouse, with spectacular panoramic views of the St. Ives coastline and the Atlantic Ocean and is only minutes from Porthmeor Beach, and the cobbled streets of the old town and fishing quarter of St. Ives.. The rooms are comfortable and stylish.
A dramatic introduction to the Cornish landscape today; beyond the narrow, sheltered streets of St Ives the path soon leads out into one of the wildest sections of the entire Southwest 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. In sheltered spots flowers find sustenance in the thin soil, while myriad seabirds make their homes on the cliffs, facing the full brunt of the Atlantic Ocean. Transfer back to St Ives at the end of your walkng day.
Transfer to Zenoor to start your walk. Todays route passes along rocky paths and moorland fringes, 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?).Sections of the path take you away from the sea edge and there are grand views of the granite hills (carns) that back the coast. Particularly impressive are the Carn Galvers and Watch Croft. Finally, passing by beautiful Portherras beach, the coastal path winds past Pendeen Watch lighthouse before reaching Pendeen where you are transferred back to St Ives.
Transfer to Pendeen. Along this exceptional stretch of coast, the natural beauty competes with human history for your attention. Proud headlands are crowned with Iron Age hill forts, towering cliffs are home to Bronze Age burial chambers and at every turn are reminders are of Cornwall's mining heritage. The end of the north coast is rugged and impressive, with high cliffs cut by steep inlets and moorland hills rolling away in land. This is the St Just mining district, perhaps the birth place of the Cornish tin mining industry and a world leader in tin production in its heyday. Engine houses perch in the most precarious of positions and the remains of stamping mills and arsenic works are found in sheltered valleys. Moving on to the West coast, the scenery remains grand and impressive. From the treacherous Brisons reef to the golden sands of Sennen beach, the sea scape dominates. With lovely sheltered valleys and a path that constantly rises and falls, one minute you are at sea level and the next way up above, looking down on the gulls as they circle below. From here you are transferred to Penzance where you spend the next 4 nights.
You stay at Tremont Hotel.
MastercardVisaHairdryerWiFiTVTea/coffee
The Tremont B&B is situated in the Conservation area of Penzance in a row of Victorian houses built about 1855 when the railway came to Penzance. The building is set over 3 floors, with many of the original features still remaining. Penzance is a historic port on the south facing shores of Mount's Bay and has one of the mildest climates in the UK.
Free day to explore the historic harbour town of Penzance. Discover the many wonderful local granite stone buildings centred around the two central town parks. Explore Chapel Street which runs from the town centre to the harbour with an ecletic mix of buildings, many dating back to the 18th century and before; there is even the Egyptian House which has colourful Egyptian styling and sphinx like adornments. Penzance has a thriving artistic community in the town which is reflected in the numbers of galleries to visit.
Transfer to Sennen. A short walk packed full of incredible scenery today. From the vaulted cliffs and sea arches of Lands' End to the outstanding pink hued cliffs of Porthcurno Bay. Add to this crystal-clear water and a profusion of wild flowers and the region's popularity is easily understood. The coast path can be busy at either end of this walk but remains relatively quiet in between. With Lands End and the Minack Theatre, it is a region that draws many visitors but it doesn't take long to get away from the commotion. With just over six miles to cover, it is an easy walk with plenty of time to stop off and enjoy the incredible views before your transfer back to Penzance from Porthcurno.
A morning transfer to Porthcurno. Leaving behind the beaches and windswept cliffs of the West coast, there is a significant change upon reaching the more sheltered South coast. Numerous deep valleys here are filled with palms, fuscia and gunnerera and even the highest cliff tops proudly display a good selection of wildflowers. The rocky sea line between Lamorna and Mousehole is lovely and the last section of open countryside until after Marazion. Mousehole is a working fishing village every bit as picturesque as the post cards suggest. Narrow streets run down to the tiny harbour where you can enjoy the sea breeze before your transfer back to Penzance.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 01606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
13.0Kg CO2e
Printed route
directions
