6 Days & 5 Nights

4.6

South West Coast Path: St Ives to Penzance | Stage 4 | 6 Days

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.

Walk this rugged and remote section of the South West Coast Path in Cornwall from St Ives to Penzance, via Land’s End. Be prepared for some exhilarating walking and follow the trail that hugs the coastline on its way down to Lands End which is the most westerly tip of the UK. Wild flowers on the cliff tops and turquoise seas with golden beaches dominate with fantastic views, plenty of birdlife and delicious seafood all to be found on this 40 mile stretch of coast path. The bustling fishing village of St Ives is your start point, and you will also encounter small fishing communities, such as Sennen Cove, Mousehole and Porthcurno with its spectacular open air theatre situated right beside the sea.

From £535.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in St Ives

St Ives is a bustling fishing village with a wonderful harbour, winding narrow streets, art galleries, and plenty of restaurants.

Overnight St Ives

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Pedn Olva | Hotel

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.

Western Hotel | Hotel

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. It has the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and character in the heart of St Ives, this charming hotel resides within a characterful building, providing a unique and inviting atmosphere.

Tregenna Castle Resort | Hotel

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.

Day 2 Free Day in St Ives

Enjoy a free day in beautiful St Ives, giving you plenty of time to explore or relax on the beach before your tour officially starts. For those looking to do some walking, you can catch a bus or train from St Ives to Hayle and walk back along the coast.

Overnight St Ives

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Pedn Olva | Hotel

Western Hotel | Hotel

Tregenna Castle Resort | Hotel

Day 3 St Ives to Pendeen 14.5 miles / 23 km

Head out of St Ives and follow the wild and rugged coastline south. Undulating paths on rough and demanding terrain make today's walk is a strenuous one, but all worthwhile for the stunning views across the sea. Zennor is a small village which is a 10-15 minute walk inland from the coast. The local museum is worth a visit which is dedicated to Cornish life from Prehistoric times.

The stretch to Pendeen Watch passes some beautiful little coves to Gurnard’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 in the afternoon before you head inland to Pendeen for your overnight.

Ascent: +715m (+2345ft) / Descent: -580m (-1900ft)

Overnight Pendeen

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The North Inn | Country Inn

The North Inn is a traditional ivy-clad Cornish village pub with purpose-built guest accommodation to the rear, with fully tiled bathrooms, television, tea and coffee facilities and balconies on the seaward side. A wide menu is available with prices set to reflect that this is a pub serving food and not a restaurant selling liquor.

Tremorran | Bed and breakfast

Martin and Annie will provide the warmest of welcomes at the Tremorran B&B. A warm, light and spacious home, the Tremorran has all that one requires for a most restful stay. All rooms, are named after the local mines, have a seating area, hanging space, drawers, TV, bottled water, coffee and tea-making facilities and biscuits.

Day 4 Pendeen to Porthcurno. Transfer to Penzance 15.5 miles / 25.5 km

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!

From Cape Cornwall to Sennen Cove is a wonderful walk passing the dunes to Whitesands Bay. Honey-coloured 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. As there is limited accommodation in Porthcurno you will be transferred to Penzance for your overnight accommodation tonight.

Ascent: +580m (+1900ft) / Descent: -640m (-2300ft)

Overnight Penzance

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Elmsdale Guest House | Guest House

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).

Torwood House | Bed and breakfast

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.

Queens Hotel | Hotel

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.

Day 5 Transfer to Porthcurno. Walk Porthcurno to Penzance 11 miles / 18 km

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.

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: +250m (+820ft) / Descent: -295m (-965ft)

Overnight Penzance

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Elmsdale Guest House | Guest House

Torwood House | Bed and breakfast

Queens Hotel | Hotel

Day 6 Onward travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 9kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 9kg is equivalent to 5.5 avocados. 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 on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

Bustling fishing villages, exhilarating and at times demanding walking, delicious seafood and fantastic views. This tour is for experienced walkers with a head for heights and you can walk the trail over the course of 5, 6 or 7 days. If this description ticks all your boxes, then this section of the South West Coast Path in Cornwall is for you.

Trip Type:

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, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails

Coastal Walking

Grade & Terrain

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.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

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

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to St Ives
Travel from Penzance
Lunches & Dinners
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

This is tour is not suitable for anyone suffering from vertigo or fear of heights as there are sections where you are walking along steep-cliff side paths.

Equipment

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.

Travel Insurance

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.

How fit do I need to be? Do I need to be able to navigate? How far in advance do I need to book? Are there upgrade options available? What personal equipment do I need? When is the best time of year? Am I able to take my dog? What happens if I can’t walk a stage? Is this trip suitable for those with vertigo or a fear of heights?

The South West Coast Path

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.
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.