South West Coast Path: Padstow to St Ives | Stage 3

Great for first-time and experienced hikers alike.

The trail follows the coast closely, with plenty of ups and downs and some steep sections along the way. As a National Trail, the trails are generally well maintained and easy to follow. You’ll also hike some short stretches of quiet country road, which link up villages, viewpoints and beaches you’d otherwise miss.

This route is graded easy-to-moderate. Daily difficulty can vary within each tour, so some days may feel a little easier or tougher than the overall rating suggests.

Looking for something more relaxing?

• Highlights of Cornwall in Comfort (8 days): Easy to moderate. Not the full Padstow to St Ives route, but a relaxed trip taking in the best of the Cornish coast, with stays in harbor hotels and waterside inns.

Accommodation is a mix of hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&Bs, hand-picked to give you a warm welcome, traditional hospitality and hearty local food.

During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodation that isn't listed in the day-by-day description; any alternative will be of the same or better standard as described.

Yes, solo travellers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Breakfast is included each morning, while lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation may be able to provide a packed lunch on request, bookable and payable on arrival, and our app also points out recommended lunch spots along the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs and restaurants.

You can hike from Padstow to St Ives from late March through early October, starting on any date that suits you. For the best of the coast, we recommend April through June, when the clifftops are bright with wildflowers, or late September and early October, when the summer crowds have gone home. July and August bring long, warm days, but the beaches and harbor towns can get very busy.

During peak season and on weekends, some of our preferred accommodations in Padstow and St Ives don’t accept one-night stays. Adding an extra night at the start or end of your trip usually solves this, and gives you more time to explore.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved to your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

It's vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

The South West Coast Path is well waymarked and easy to follow, with the National Trail acorn symbol guiding you along the way.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Recommended Reading
Although not essential, if you'd like more information on the route, we recommend:

• Guidebook: Trailblazer Cornwall Coast Path - Part 2 (Bude to Plymouth)
• Map: SWCP Harvey Maps 1 - Minehead to St Ives

Getting to the start

The easiest way to reach Padstow is by train and bus. Most trips follow two simple steps:

1. Get to Bodmin Parkway. Direct trains run from London Paddington, taking about 3 hours 40 minutes.
2. Catch the bus or take a taxi to Padstow. From Bodmin Parkway, catch a connecting bus to Padstow, or book a taxi (paid locally).

Arriving by plane?

The closest international airports are London and Bristol.

• London airports: Make your way to London Paddington, then follow the steps above.
• Bristol Airport (BRS): Take the bus to Bristol Temple Meads, then a train to Bodmin Parkway and follow the steps above.

It’s also possible to fly to Newquay Airport in Cornwall via a domestic flight from various airports in the UK.

• Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY): Take a taxi to Padstow.

Getting from the end

Getting home from St Ives is easy by train. Most trips follow two simple steps:

1. Get to St Erth. Take the scenic St Ives Bay Line train or a local bus to St Erth, about 15 minutes away.
2. Connect to your onward journey. From St Erth, direct trains run to London Paddington, taking about 5 hours.

Flying home?

• London airports: Take the train to London Paddington, then the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express to Heathrow.
• Bristol Airport (BRS): Take the train to Bristol Temple Meads, then the bus to the airport.
• Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY): Take a taxi to the airport. Fly to another major transport hub in the UK for your connecting flight home.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation

Padstow to St Ives is generally less exposed than other parts of the South West Coast Path, with plenty of beaches, dunes and lower cliffs along the way. That said, some clifftop stretches run close to the edge, so it may not suit anyone with a strong fear of heights or severe vertigo.

You won’t need to take any mandatory ferries between Padstow and St Ives, but there’s one crossing to plan for at the Gannel Estuary, just south of Newquay. From late May through September, the small Fern Pit ferry runs across the estuary at high tide, while at low tide, you can walk across a footbridge. Outside the ferry season at high tide, you’ll need to take a slightly longer route inland, or you can skip this stretch by public transportation. You’ll find full details on how to cross safely in your Macs Adventure App.

Macs Adventure Pocket Guides to Padstow and St Ives

Your hike starts in Padstow, a bustling fishing port famous for its seafood, including celebrity chef Rick Stein’s restaurants, and finishes in St Ives, a trendy harbor town packed with art galleries, independent shops and sandy beaches. Make the most of your time in both with our handy pocket guides on the Macs Adventure App. They’re full of our favorite spots, so you can explore the harbors, winding streets and best places to eat like a local.

Are accommodation upgrades available?

Some accommodations along the trail offer room upgrades for an additional fee. For a little extra comfort throughout, we recommend our Highlights of Cornwall in Comfort trip, which takes in some of the best of this coastline, with stays in upgraded harbor hotels and waterside inns.