Independent Trails: Fact File.CACS2
Trail Facts
Total distance:
66 miles (105km)
Duration: 7 nights, 6 days walking (hiking)
Minimum/maximum daily distances: 5 ½ miles (9km)/13
miles (21km)
Average Daily Distance: 11 miles (17.5km)
Waymarking: The route is very clearly waymarked with South
West Coast Path National Trail acorn waymarks and is very easy to follow.
Season: All year
Starting point of holiday: Padstow
End of holiday: St Ives
Code: CACS2
Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Padstow where your first nights accommodation has been booked.
Day 2:
Padstow to Treyarnon. 11 miles (17.5km)
From Padstow's bustling harbour quay, the path follows the shores of the picturesque
Camel Estuary to Stepper Point, marked by the Daymark Tower. The point provides
marvellous views of the notorious Doom Bar, responsible for the loss of more
than 300 vessels. The path continues along the coast, with distant views of
the Merope Rocks, which shelter Padstow's lifeboat station, to Trevone Bay and
then follows the coast around to Harlyn. Harlyn was once a thriving pilchard
seine and The Cellars across the beach stored the catch. The inscription over
the door - 'Lucri Dulsis Odor' - means 'Sweet is the scent of riches'! At Trevose
Head, which provides exceptional views stretching along the coast to St Ives,
the path turns south and crosses the sands of Constantine Bay to the hamlet
of Tryarnon.
Day 3:
Treyarnon to Newquay. 13 miles (21km)
From Treyarnon the path meanders around a succession of tiny coves then descends
to Porthcothan Bay before climbing up to Park head, which provides wonderful
views of Bedruthan Steps, a series of rock stacks. The rock formations include
Queen Bess Rock, who lost her head a few years ago, and Samaritan Island, the
site of the wreck of the Samaritan, which indeed gave succour to the local population.
Approaching Newquay, the path arrives at Trevelgue Head and the extensive remains
of the most heavily defended Iron Age cliff castle in Cornwall. Continuing over
Barrowfields, with its three Bronze Age barrows, the path descends to Newquay.
Overlooking fine golden sands and Atlantic rollers, the former fishing port
and silver and lead mining centre of Newquay is now Britain's surfing capital.
Day 4:
Newquay to Perranporth. 11 ½ miles (18.5km).
Leaving the harbour, the path climbs up Towan Head past the whitewashed Huer's
Hut, where lookouts would shout the arrival of the pilchard shoals to waiting
fishermen, and then follows the cliffs around Pentire Point to the ferry across
the Gannel River. After crossing the river the path winds around headlands and
coves to Kelsey Head, the site of an Iron Age promontory fort, and then descends
to the village of Holywell, which boasts a 'healing well' and ancient inn. From
here the path goes around Ligga Head and then follows the golden sands of Perran
Beach, past the ruin of tiny St Piran's Oratory, to the village of Perranporth.
Day 5:
Perranporth to Portreath. 12 ½ miles (20km)
From Perranporth the coast path follows the cliffs around Cligga Head past the
remains of buddles and other processing works at the Cligga Wolfram and Tin
Mine, with dramatic views of the mine buildings and chimneys dotting the landscape
around St Agnes. St Agnes is a pleasant little village with terraces of miners'
cottages and an interesting little museum in an old chapel. Continuing around
St Agnes Head, where kittiwake, guillemot and razorbill nest, the path descends
past the evocative ruin of Wheal Coates Mine to the sandy inlet of Chapel Porth.
Returning to the cliff tops, the path goes past the Wheal Charlotte Mine, drops
down to the beach at Porthtowan, and then follows the cliff top path to the
harbour at Portreath, which once served the mines at Cambourne and Redruth.
Day 6:
Portreath to Hayle. 12½ miles (20km)
Leaving Portreath, the path climbs Western Hill, which provides good views of
Portreath and its difficult harbour, and then continues high above the sea along
Reskajeage Downs. After the sensational chasm of Hell's Mouth, the coast path
goes around Navax Point, where seals are often seen. Godrevy Point provides
sensational views of the lighthouse perched on Godrevy Island, the inspiration
for Virginia Wolf's To the lighthouse. The lighthouse marks the landward end
of a treacherous line of reefs, The Stones, which have claimed many wrecks.
After descending to the sleepy little village of Gwithian with its pretty thatched
cottages and interesting old churchyard packed with the graves of shipwreck
victims, the path meanders through the sand dunes of Upton Towans to the busy
port of Hayle.
Day 7:
Hayle to St Ives. 5 ½ miles (9km)
Skirting Hayle Estuary, which is noted for its seabirds and waders, the path
passes along the dunes above Porth Kidney Sands to reach the beautiful town
of St Ives. St Ives dates back to AD460, when the missionary St. Ia, daughter
of an Irish chieftain, landed here and gave her name to the settlement. Protected
from the ravages of Atlantic storms by its east-facing pier, St Ives was once
the most important fishing port in Cornwall. So productive were the offshore
waters that sixteen and a half million fish were caught in one net in a single
day in 1868. At the time it was reported that the smell of fish was so great
at times as to stop the church clock! By the beginning of the 20th century,
the fish stocks became depleted, the fishing fleet largely disappeared and the
town became famous for its vibrant artists' colony. Today their work can be
seen in the St Ives Tate Gallery, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and the Beranard
Leach Gallery.
Day 8:
Depart from St Ives after breakfast.
Extra nights/Rest days
Padstow with its lively harbour is an ideal place to relax and unwind before
starting the tour. Newquay with its beautiful beaches is a popular choice for
a rest day. If you prefer somewhere quieter, consider Portreath. The delightful
town of St Ives with its narrow streets and alleyways that invite exploration,
its fascinating museums and galleries and its lovely beaches is a good choice
for an extra night.
What's included?
Travel Information
Detailed instructions on
how to get to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent
to you on booking. A summary is given below.
Most convenient International airport: London
Outward journey from London to Padstow: The nearest railway
station to Padstow is Bodmin Parkway. There is a regular bus service between
Padstow and Bodmin Parkway. There is a regular train service from London Paddington
to Bodmin Parkway (4 hours)
Return journey to London at the end of the holiday: There
is a frequent service from St Ives railway station to London Paddington via
Exeter (6 hours).