Walking The Western Tip of Cornwall

Overview

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 heathland to golden sands and charming harbours, these are five days of exceptional walking in 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.

Starting 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 Porthcurno 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.

Staying in pretty villages all along the coast, starting in St Ives and continuing to Pendeen with excellent views across the coast. Stay in Sennen Cove, one of the finest stretches of sand in Cornwall and Porthcurno, the home of the Minack theatre (our B&B is only 400 yards away) before concluding your holiday in the charming fishing village of Mousehole.

Why not enjoy an extra night at the end or the beginning of you holiday to fully explore St Ives or Mousehole?

Key Information

Activity: Walking & Trekking
Activity Level: Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you
Trip Code: W06IM
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: United Kingdom
Terrain: Walks on this holiday are on coastal paths. There are parts that are rocky.

What's Included

All breakfasts
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers

Highlights

Spectacular scenery throughout as you follow the coastal path around the most westerly part of Cornwall
Crystal clear waters with flora and fauna in abundance, wild flowers and sea birds a plenty
Lands End; the most westerly point in Britain and the incredible Minack outdoor theatre
Beautiful beaches, gorgeous fishing villages and excellent sea scapes

Itinerary

First Destination: St Ives
Next Destination: Mousehole

Meals included:None

Distance:11 km / 6.8 miles
Meals included:Breakfast

Distance:12 km / 7.5 miles
Meals included:Breakfast

Distance:15 km / 9.3 miles
Meals included:Breakfast

Distance:11 km / 6.8 miles
Meals included:Breakfast

Distance:12.5 km / 7.5 miles
Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: St Ives
Next Destination: Mousehole

The tour starts in St Ives

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.

Distance:11 km / 6.8 miles
Meals included:Breakfast

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.

Distance:12 km / 7.5 miles
Meals included:Breakfast

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.

Distance:15 km / 9.3 miles
Meals included:Breakfast

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.

Distance:11 km / 6.8 miles
Meals included:Breakfast

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 visitors enjoy the sea breeze.

Distance:12.5 km / 7.5 miles
Meals included:Breakfast

Depart Mousehole after breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Need flights or extra nights? Book through us and fly with confidence

Call us: 020 3733 5948

Your Group, Your Adventure

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View Details

Accommodation

Hotels

THE PAINTERS COTTAGE, ST IVES
The Painters Cottages is a small and friendly guest house that provides all the features of modern hospitality in the setting of an historic former artist’s residence. Ideally situated to explore the ancient landscape of West Cornwall, the South West Coast Path, St Michael’s Mount and other local National Trust attractions. All of the rooms have been decorated with quality furnishings and fabrics that are evocative of the original artworks or artefacts featured in the room. Each room has a theme that is based upon the origins of the house and the legacy of artists and artisans associated with West Cornwall.

TINNERS ARMS, ST IVES
Built in 1271, The Tinners Arms has been at the heart of village life in Zennor for over 700 years. Originally built to accommodate the masons who constructed St Senara’s Church, famous for its mermaid, you’ll find little has changed over the years. Modern life slips away as you step inside.

THE FIELD HOUSE, PENDEEN
The Field House is a contemporary guest house with modern guest rooms and views across fields to the ocean. There are fantastic views to Poldark country, as the property is set just above the cliff tops of Levant and Botallack mines where much of the filming took place. Delicious breakfasts with finest local produce and a welcome Cornish cream tea on arrival.

OLD SUCCESS INN, SENNEN
The Old Success inn is situated in Sennen Cove, one of the finest stretches of sandy coastline in Cornwall. This charming bed and breakfast combines the contemporary with the characterful, providing somewhere to eat, drink or stay with magnificent views. The modern rooms make a comfortable base. The unrivalled location in Sennen Cove offers a slice of authentic Cornish culture!

SEA VIEW HOUSE, PORTCURNO
Sea View House was built in 1910 Seaview House and is the oldest Guest house in the Valley. It’s situated approximately 400 yards from the National Trust Beach, South West Coastal Footpath and Minack Theatre. The bed and breakfast enjoys spectacular views along the Porthcurno valley, and is able to offer guests comfortable and modern rooms. Porthcurno is an ideal base to explore the entire Lands End peninsula where you will find excellent and dramatic cliff top and inland walking. The Minack theatre, Porthcurno beach, the South West Coastal Footpath and the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum are all well within walking distance. A little further away you will find the beautiful town of St Ives, the quaint fishing village of Mousehole, the stunning St Michaels Mount and the world famous Lizard peninsula.

THE SHIP INN, MOUSEHOLE
The Ship Inn is the perfect place to stay in the heart of Mousehole. Explore the narrow winding streets of this fishing village and historic harbour, the bijou boutiques and chocolate box cottages before returning to your comfortable bed and breakfast base and relaxing next to the stunning harbourside view.

Essential Information

Walking Conditions
Classification: Self-Guided
Activity Level: 3 (Leisurely/Moderate)
Average daily distance: 12km (7.5ml)
No. of days walking: 5
Terrain and route: This is perfectly suited to walkers who want to experience the coastal paths of beautiful Cornwall. The route passes over rocky sections and moorland fringes.
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with route directions so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next.

It is important that you are happy following route directions, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes directions contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

This holiday does not include any flights or rail.

Alternative transfers
It may be possible to arrange transfers from Penzance station at an additional charge if required.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

United Kingdom

Travellers from the US, Canada, and the EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom, but do need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (or ETA), which you can apply for at www.gov.uk/eta/apply.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

All breakfasts included.

Enjoy the local cuisine in a mixture of restaurants, inns, pubs and seaside cafes. Cornwall is famous for its fish and shellfish, dairy produce, wine, beer and of course the humble Cornish Pasty. There are also plenty of traditional fish and chip shops to choose from.

With Cornwall being located on the Southern coast of the UK, it is no surprise that the sea has a noticeable influence on the weather and climate of the area.
In the summer, the average maximum temperature is around 19°C but can get into the late 20’s.
Rain falls year round so bringing hooded waterproof coats and hats will ensure visitors are prepared for any spells of wind and rain the region may experience.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.