South West Coast Path: St Ives to Penzance (7 Days & 6 Nights)
- Walk from St Ives to Penzance on the South West Coast Path.
- Remote and exhilarating walking along the clifftops.
- Tasty, local seafood in the bustling towns of St Ives and Penzance.
- Visit Lands End—the most westerly tip of Britain.
- Picnic lunches on the golden sands of the many secluded coves.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in St IvesSt Ives is a bustling fishing village with a wonderful harbour, winding narrow streets, art galleries, and plenty of restaurants. Â
The Pedn Olva, with the sea only thirty feet below and flanked by golden sands, is founded on blue-black granite rocks on the southern shores of St. Ives Harbour and Bay. Each bedroom at the Pedn Olva has stunning views of St Ives and the Cornish coast – light, airy and contemporarily decorated – they have everything you need for a relaxing, memorable and comfortable stay. Whether you choose to dine in their restaurant or relax in the bar, you will be blown away by the unrivalled views of the sun kissed beach of Porthminster, and dramatic shores of the Cornish coastline to Godrevey Lighthouse.
Steeped in history, The Western Hotel is one of St Ives's oldest coaching houses and has been a St Austell Brewery hotel since the 19th century.
Within 72 acres of private grounds, this Tregenna Castle Resort overlooks St Ives and the Cornish coast. You can enjoy 2 on-site restaurants, offering fine food and drink. Meals are made from local ingredients and are cooked fresh to order. Wireless internet is free, and there is free parking on site.
Enjoy a free day in beautiful St Ives, giving you plenty of time to explore before starting your walk.
The Pedn Olva, with the sea only thirty feet below and flanked by golden sands, is founded on blue-black granite rocks on the southern shores of St. Ives Harbour and Bay. Each bedroom at the Pedn Olva has stunning views of St Ives and the Cornish coast – light, airy and contemporarily decorated – they have everything you need for a relaxing, memorable and comfortable stay. Whether you choose to dine in their restaurant or relax in the bar, you will be blown away by the unrivalled views of the sun kissed beach of Porthminster, and dramatic shores of the Cornish coastline to Godrevey Lighthouse.
Steeped in history, The Western Hotel is one of St Ives's oldest coaching houses and has been a St Austell Brewery hotel since the 19th century.
Within 72 acres of private grounds, this Tregenna Castle Resort overlooks St Ives and the Cornish coast. You can enjoy 2 on-site restaurants, offering fine food and drink. Meals are made from local ingredients and are cooked fresh to order. Wireless internet is free, and there is free parking on site.
Head out of St Ives and follow the wild and rugged coastline south to the small village of Zennor. While the elevation isn't anything too demanding today, the undulating paths on rough and rugged terrain make today's hike a challenging one, which is completely worth it for the stunning views across the sea. Zennor is a small village that is a 10-15-minute detour inland from the coast. Post-walk drinks are in order at the local village pub that serves refreshing local Cornish ales!
Ascent:Â +290m /Â Descent:Â -190m
Situated next to the Tinners is the White House, a Grade II listed building. Built in 1838, the White House was extensively restored and modernised by the present owners in 2005. All guest rooms are situated on the first floor. All the luxuriously furnished bedrooms are light and airy with tea and coffee making facilities.
The bathrooms are equipped with powerful showers, and a selection of soft white towels and toiletries.
The Gurnard’s Head is a dining pub with rooms. Their approach to the bedrooms is based on a maxim often forgotten by hotels: that a night’s sleep will only be as good as the bed itself so they source only the best Vi-Spring beds. It is no coincidence that their visitors’ books and inbox are full of requests for their details. There are no TV’s in the rooms but you will find Roberts Radios, fresh flowers, White Company toiletries, local art and warm, Welsh blankets. They have a restaurant which has short, fresh and seasonal menu changes every day according to what is brought to their back door or what their chefs feel is at its seasonal best. The tables in the bar; warmed by log fires and bordered by back copies of Giles cartoon annuals, are as popular as those in the red and blue dining room.
The stretch to Pendeen Watch passes some beautiful little coves to Gunnard’s Head which is a great stop for a picnic. The cliffs of Bosigran can be seen and once you reach Pendeen Watch, visit the lighthouse.
Soon after leaving Pendeen you reach the remains of old tin and lead mines and then the Iron Age Kenidjack Castle—a wonderful place to take a break and look at the views towards Cape Cornwall. St Just is the next place on the map and is worth a detour if you are not stopping here, it is a thriving village with artists and is the most westerly town in the UK!Â
Ascent:Â +575m /Â Descent:Â -550m
This B&B offers a great location in four-star accommodation in the centre of St Just. It has been run by the same family for over 100 years and is well known for its warm welcome. All bedrooms are en-suite with colour televisions, hair dryers, tea and coffee making facilities and are non-smoking. There are drying and ironing facilities available to guests upon request. Meals are served in their newly appointed dining room, which features a cosy log fire, or in their conservatory, which leads onto their patio area when weather permits.
Bosavern House Guest House offers fine quality four star B&B, rooms are comfortably furnished and have all the amenities you require.
Cape Cornwall Club is a Golf Club with legendary views of Cornwall's coast. The South West Coast Path passes by the golf course! It is literally on your doorstep. Recently rennovated, the rooms are sleek and full of character, offering an air of calm and relaxation. Each room is fully equipped with coffee making facilities, en suite bathrooms and great views. The rooms are located next to the clubhouse in a converted barn - the buildings were originally part of a farm. Included in your stay is access to the swimming pool, jacuzzi and gym, relax and unwind after your walk.
From Cape Cornwall to Sennen Cove is a wonderful walk passing the sand dunes to Whitesands Bay. Honey-colored cliffs prevail and keep your eyes peeled as dolphins are a common sight. The route follows the dunes but alternatively, you can walk on the beach until you reach the little village of Sennen Cove.
This day includes wonderful cliff-top walking and reaching Land’s End is a real high point on the South West Coast Path. Here views across to all of the amazing rock formations - The Armed Knight, The Irish lady and Dr Syntax head to name a few can be seen from here. Heading onwards follow the path past many coves and cliffs to the spectacularly located Minack Theatre at Porthcurno Bay. It is perched on top of the cliffs overlooking the bay and from here the steps lead down to the beach and the village.
Ascent: +400m / Descent: -475m
This B&B offers a great location in four-star accommodation in the centre of St Just. It has been run by the same family for over 100 years and is well known for its warm welcome. All bedrooms are en-suite with colour televisions, hair dryers, tea and coffee making facilities and are non-smoking. There are drying and ironing facilities available to guests upon request. Meals are served in their newly appointed dining room, which features a cosy log fire, or in their conservatory, which leads onto their patio area when weather permits.
Bosavern House Guest House offers fine quality four star B&B, rooms are comfortably furnished and have all the amenities you require.
Cape Cornwall Club is a Golf Club with legendary views of Cornwall's coast. The South West Coast Path passes by the golf course! It is literally on your doorstep. Recently rennovated, the rooms are sleek and full of character, offering an air of calm and relaxation. Each room is fully equipped with coffee making facilities, en suite bathrooms and great views. The rooms are located next to the clubhouse in a converted barn - the buildings were originally part of a farm. Included in your stay is access to the swimming pool, jacuzzi and gym, relax and unwind after your walk.
Transfer back to Porthcurno and after beginning your walk you will quickly reach Logan Rock which is a 70-tonne boulder that used to be rocked by pushing it! You pass many coves until you reach Lamorna which is one of the few wooded coves on the path.Â
The next section of the walk passes through a pine forest and then heads inland to Mousehole. From here to Penzance the walk follows a track mainly on tarmac. Soon you will be amongst the buzz of Penzance with its galleries and cafés lining the streets.
Ascent:Â +249m /Â Descent:Â -291m
Elmsdale is a Victorian town house in a terrace of fine town houses leading off Penzance sea front. Elmsdale is within the Penzance conservation area and close to Penlee Park. The Town centre is approximately 600 metres away through the park or via leafy paved pedestrian paths that criss-cross the Town. Guest accommodation is located on the first and second floors and comprises 4 double bedrooms (all en-suite).
This beautiful Victorian house is three stories high and is situated in a large tree lined avenue just off from the seafront. Torwood House run by the same proprietor for over 20 years endeavours to provide you with a warm welcome and will do their utmost to make your stay a pleasurable one. Dating back to the late 1800's Torwood was built as a large family house. All original doors and features where possible have been retained and it has been restored with care to provide all rooms with en suite facilities and modern day comforts!
The Queens Hotel is the gateway to West Cornwall offering comfort and style, as well as great service and food. Located in picturesque Penzance, Cornwall, it boasts a restaurant with views across Mount's Bay, free parking and an on-site hair and beauty salon. Each room at the Queens Hotel features an en suite bathroom, free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee making facilities.
After breakfast your walking holiday will come to an end. See the Travel Info section for some useful details for your onward travel.
This trip has a carbon score of 8kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 8kg is equivalent to 12 pints of local beer at a bar. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?Bustling fishing villages, exhilarating and at times demanding walking, delicious sea food and fantastic views. You can walk this trail over the course of 5, 6 or 7 days. At a fast pace, or taking your time. If this description ticks all your boxes, then this section of the South West Coast Path in Cornwall is for you.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This tour is graded moderate to moderate to strenuous depending on the itinerary you choose. Although you follow the coast quite closely it includes plenty of elevation gains and losses and some steep sections. This is not suitable for anyone suffering from vertigo or fear of heights as there are sections where you are walking along steep cliffside paths. It should be noted also that some stages can be difficult underfoot with walking through sections of rocky and boggy terrain.
One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of the accommodation. You will stay in carefully selected B&B’s, guesthouses, country pubs and small hotels. A delicious breakfast is always included.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
If you require single rooms within your party we will always try and accommodate you subject to availability. A single supplement is payable. This walking tour is available to solo walkers but as we incur additional baggage transfer costs, there is a solo walker supplement payable.
Additional Nights
We strongly recommend adding extra nights in St Ives and Penzance. In high season or weekends some accommodation will not accept one night stays in these locations. Additional nights can be added at any point on the walk.
The route is well way marked and easy to follow. We supply detailed maps and guidebooks so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your way.
- Overnights in B&B’s, small hotels and guesthouses
- Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- Detailed Information Pack, guidebook and map
- 24/7 telephone support from our UK office
- Travel insurance (required)
- Travel to St Ives
- Travel from Penzance
- Lunches & Dinners
- Drinks and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Additional nights before, during or after the walk
You can start your trip on any day between March and October subject to availability. This section of the South West Coast Path is very popular so it is best to book as far in advance as you are able to.
Time of Year
This section of the South West Coast Path is probably best enjoyed in the Spring and Autumn when there are fewer people on the trails, however it is lovely during the summer months also. You can start on any date that suits your travel plans.
By Rail/Bus - Trains run from London to St Erth (5H), where you need to change trains to St Ives (15mins)
By Car - St Ives is a 5H30 drive from London, there is limited parking and the car parks can often be very busy in the summer months.
By Air - Newquay Airport is the closest airport and is served by Flybe and Air Southwest from UK Airports. The closest international airports are Bristol and any of the London Airports.
By Rail/Bus - There is a direct train from Penzance back to London Paddington (6hrs)
By Car - There is parking in Penzance but again it can be very busy. If you need to return to St Ives from Penzance you can do this by bus, it is only 8 miles and takes around 45 mins.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
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South West Coast Path, Adventure Your Way
Join us on a walk from St Ives to Penzance on the South West Coast Path. This remote and exhilarating walk along the clifftops visits the bustling towns, golden sands and secluded coves of Cornwall.
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Walking the South West Coast Path
The South West Path stretches around the south-west peninsula of England, exposing dramatic coastal scenery as the walk unfolds. The route is split into several delightful sections as walking the entire route at once would be rather time-consuming. This video gives you an overview of the route and how best to tackle it. Â
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Hiking10 Most Frequently Asked Questions on the South West Coast Path.Read More3 Min Read29 September 2020
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South West Coastal Path Walks - Which section is for me?Read More4 Min Read29 September 2020
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HikingWhere does the South West Coast Path Start and Finish? - And how do I get there?Read More3 Min Read01 February 2019
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