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Day 1 Arrival in Padstow
From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to Padstow.
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Day 2 Padstow to Porthcothan Bay
13.5 Miles / 22 Km 5-8 Hrs 500 MetresAfter wandering through the delightful narrow streets of Padstow in the morning, you soon find yourself overlooking the spectacular sandy beaches that populate the mouth of the River Camel. Indeed, turning a corner to discover another of these hidden strands is a fabulous way to start your walking holiday. From Porthcothan, a short transfer brings you to your accommodation in Padstow.
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Day 3 Porthcothan Bay to Newquay
10.5 Miles / 17 Km 4-6 Hrs 450 MetresAfter a short transfer to Porthcothan Bay, there are wonderful coves and golden beaches around every corner as you head further south along the Cornish coastline. Pop in for lunch at one of the many lovely restaurants in Watergate before you continue into the more urban environs of Newquay – the bustling surfing capital of the UK and the perfect place to enjoy some nightlife including many vibrant pubs, bars, restaurants and shops.
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Day 4 Newquay to Perranporth
10.5 or 17 Miles / 17 or 27 Km 5-8 Hrs 550-600 MetresAfter negotiating the River Gannel (keep an eye on tide times), the trail subsequently follows grassy clifftop paths before later leading you through sand dunes (good for those calf muscles!) and along long sandy beaches – particularly Perran Beach just past the Penhale Army Training Area. From Perranporth, a short transfer brings you to your accommodation.
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Day 5 Perranporth to Portreath
12.5 Miles / 20 Km 5-7 Hrs 680 MetresFrom Perranporth, you pass into an area with a rich mining history as evidenced by the old chimneys that dot the landscape. Wild gorse and heather scrub replace farm holdings as you make your way around St Agnes Head and onwards to Porthtowan and Portreath.
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Day 6 Portreath to Hayle
12 Miles / 19 Km 5-7 Hrs 410 MetresAfter a few short, but rather steep, climbs out of Portreath the trail settles down and continues at a more gentle gradient. A beautiful walk around Godrevy Head is followed by a challenging section along the dunes or, tides permitting, a stretch of wonderful sandy beach as far as Hayle. Transfer from Hayle and overnight in St Ives.
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Day 7 Hayle to St Ives
6.2 Miles / 10 Km 2-3 Hrs 190 MetresA short (and optional) walk gives you ample opportunity to explore the beautiful seaside town of St Ives with its many art galleries and quirky little shops. A prolonged section of road-walking from Hayle takes you inland around the Hayle River Estuary. From Lelant, a stunning coastal path leads you all the way into St Ives.
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Day 8 St Ives - Gurnard’s Head
9.5 Miles / 15 Km 5-7 Hrs 750 MetresThe path becomes more rugged south of St Ives, but you’ll be rewarded with magnificent wilderness and spectacular scenery. Although this walk may seem rather short at first glance, it involves numerous climbs to reach and leave the coves, which requires good stamina. Make sure you stock up on provisions before setting off, as there are no shops or cafés along the route. From Gurnard’s Head, a transfer will take you to your accommodation.
The walk between St Ives and Pendeen Watch Lighthouse is considered the most challenging section of the entire South West Coast Path due to the rocky terrain and the frequent, sometimes steep, ascents and descents. Furthermore, there are no villages or amenities directly along the path. -
Day 9 Gurnard’s Head - St Just
12.5 Miles / 20 Km 6-8 Hrs 715 MetresYour day starts with a lovely walk around Whitesand Bay and onwards into Sennen Cove. From here, it’s not long until you reach Land’s End – the UK’s most south-westerly point. After passing this busy area, the trail becomes more remote again. Perfect for exploring the many cliffs dotted with arches and holes until you reach Porthcurno with its famous open-air Minack Theatre.
The first section of this walk, between Gurnard’s Head and Pendeen Watch Lighthouse, is one of the most challenging stretches of the South West Coast Path due to the rocky terrain and the frequent, sometimes steep, ascents and descents. -
Day 10 St Just to Porthcurno (via Land's End)
12Miles / 19 Km 5-7 Hrs 700 MetresYour day begins with a pleasant walk around Whitesand Bay, then continues on to Sennen Cove. From there, it’s just a short walk to Land’s End, the south-westernmost point of the United Kingdom. Once you’ve passed this busy stretch, the path becomes more secluded again. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the many cliffs dotted with arches and caves as you make your way to Porthcurno and its famous open-air theatre, the Minack Theatre.
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Day 11 Porthcurno (via Land's End) to Penzance
11 Miles / 18 Km 4-6 Hrs 520 MetresInitially, the trail is quite remote with picturesque little coves and tiny settlements from Porthcurno to the wonderfully named village of Mousehole – a good place to stop for refreshments. From Mousehole, the trail mainly follows asphalt roads/paths through the fishing port of Hamlyn and onwards into Penzance.
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Day 12 Departure from Penzance
There are regular bus & train services from Penzance to London and other destinations in the UK. Your hosts can usually provide the most accurate local details, but if you need additional guidance, our team is happy to help.
> England Hiking Tours > South West Coast Path (Cornwall) > Moderate Hikes > 12-Day / 11-Night Moderate
South West Coast Path (Cornwall)
Read More About The South West Coast Path (Cornwall)Your Self-Guided Hiking Tour Includes:
- Top Accommodation
- Route Notes & GPS Tracks via HiiKER app
- Baggage Transfer
- Top Accommodation with Breakfast
- Local Tips & Historical Facts to enrich your walk
- 24/7 Support
- Hillwalk Tours Account for on-the-go documents
from
£1499
per person*
*An additional Single Supplement Charge also applies where a single room is booked (A room for one person)
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