South West Coast Path - Far West of Cornwall
42 miles (67kms) from St Ives to Penzance
5 nights; 4 days walking
Forty two miles of non-stop scenic splendour and exhilarating walking along the rugged coast of West Penwith, and around Cornwall’s most westerly point. The remote and atmospheric heather-clad moorland of West Penwith, which is peppered with evidence of ancient civilisations, rises straight from the coast, so the views inland are as dramatic as those along the clifftops. Every headland opens up a new vista, and every inlet hides a picturesque harbour or a secluded beach. This historic landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the lonely ruins of disused engine houses - the visible remnants of Cornwall’s once great tin-mining industry - add drama to the landscape.
Highlights include the fishing port of St Ives, world-famous as a centre for the influential ‘St Ives School’ of artists; a short diversion to visit the remote moorland village of Zennor; the massive views from Zennor Head, Gurnard’s Head and Pendeen Watch; lofty Cape Cornwall, where the Atlantic currents separate, Land’s End - the most westerly point in Mainland Britain - with its splendid rock architecture; picturesque Nanjizal Bay (a great place for dolphin-spotting); the charming fishing village of Mousehole (pronounced “mowzel”) with its sheltered moorings enclosed by stone harbour arms; and the view across Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount from the final approach to Penzance.
To give you a 'taster' of the landscape take a look at the beautiful aerial photography in this short video.
Approximate daily distances:
- St Ives to Treen (Gurnard's Head) - 9 miles (14 kms)
- Treen to St Just - 10 miles (16 kms)
- St Just to Porthcurno - 11 miles (18 kms)
- Porthcurno to Penzance - 12 miles (19 kms)
move on to the next section of the South West Coast Path
return to South West Coast Path introduction
- All of the above prices are per person, and based upon two guests sharing a double or twin-bedded room.
- Single traveller supplement; £75 per night (more about solo traveller supplements and single room supplements).
- Discounts available for parties of three or more guests.
Currency Converter: All of our prices are in British pounds. To estimate the cost in another currency use the currency converter here.
Rail: St Ives
Onward travel: On foot
Travel information - finish
Rail: Penzance
Onward travel: On foot