England: Cornwall (Lands End Circuit)

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in St Ives

Arrive in St Ives, check in to your accommodation and then get your bearings around the pretty town and its coast. Perhaps visit a gallery if time allows and certainly eat well tonight.

Day 2 - St Ives to Marazion and St Michael’ Mount: The St Michael’s Way

The St Michael’s Way is part of a network of paths that lead to Santiago de Compostela, so today’s leg stretching walk is a mini pilgrimage in its own right. Follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims who arrived from Ireland and Wales and abandoned their ships to walk across the peninsula rather than navigate the treacherous waters around Land’s End, converting the locals as they went.

Starting in pretty St Ives, wend your way across to impressive Carbis Bay before heading inland and up to Knill’s Monument with some fabulous views of St Ives Bay. Then comes Bowl Rock, said to have been created by a giant (they feature large in Cornish folklore and are much blamed for the rocky landscapes you will encounter), before a short climb up and over Trencom Hill, a Neolithic hillfort. Ludgvan is the next place of interest – the church was used as a meeting point for pilgrims and is worth a visit, before you descend through the bird-filled Marazion marshes and on to the village of Marazion itself, and St Michael’s Mount at the end of the causeway. Finish with a bus to your accommodation in Mousehole or Penzance. (Medium: 4¼ hrs walking (allow 5¾ hrs), 14¼ kms (9 miles), CUSs 530m).  

Alternatives: No shortening options.

VISITING ST MICHAEL’S MOUNT: At low tide you can walk to St Michael’s Mount, and small ferry boats run when the causeway is impassable. A visit to the castle and the island (and ferry if needed) must be pre-booked at www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk. Closed on Saturday. National Trust property – free entrance to members.

Day 3 - Mousehole to Porthcurno

A fabulous but tough and long day of walking, with something for everyone. Mousehole (pronounced ‘Mau zel’) is where the exciting coastal walking begins.

Mousehole, so named after the small entrance to its harbour, is a pretty village and it’s easy to get distracted by its charms. But don’t linger for long as Lamorna is not without appeal – seals reside in the harbour and can be seen hunting for breakfast and lazily eating their spoils, whilst floating on their backs.

From here, the path wends its undulating way along the coast with dramatic scenes around each headland: lighthouses, smugglers’ coves and even an iron age hillfort to explore. Today’s journey ends in pretty Porthcurno. Either stay in Porthcurno for the night, or take a transfer on to Sennen Cove. (Medium-Hard: 6 hrs walking from Mousehole (allow 8 hrs), 13¼ kms (8½ miles), CUSs 530m. If starting at Penzance, add 1½ hrs/5½ kms.)

Day 4 - Porthcurno to Sennen Cove

Another lovely day of dramatic coastal walking beginning in pretty Porthcurno, probably best-known for its internationally renowned Minack Theatre, fascinating Telegraph Museum and stunning natural beauty. Plan to spend some time here (the Minack and the museum must be pre-booked) before striking out across the cliffs, with views around every corner, some as far-reaching as the Isles of Scilly.

A paddle at Porthgwarra Beach is on the cards today before enjoying the lookout from Gwennap Head and then the long, relatively uninterrupted walk around Land’s End, iconic in its own right. Having posed for the ubiquitous selfies beside the signpost, leave the madding crowds behind and enjoy an easy walk down to Sennen Cove to find your accommodation, right on the coast path. (Medium-Hard: 4½ hrs walking time (allow 6 hrs), 11 kms (7 miles), CUSs 650m)

Day 5 - Sennen Cove to Pendeen

Today’s walk begins by heading around the enormous golden expanse of Whitesand Bay, popular with surfers as they catch the Atlantic rollers. Pass mineshafts (be sure to stick to the marked path), pretty coves, fantastic headlands and ancient burial grounds on your way to Cape Cornwall, originally thought to be England’s most westerly point and certainly more charming than its successor.

Having taken some time to climb to the Cape’s lookout station, the path now passes around the Kenidjack Valley and the remains of a mining industry long past. Chimneys and old mine buildings make their indelible mark on this industrial landscape, culminating for the day just beyond the Botallack mines. Head inland to peaceful Pendeen, for your accommodation tonight, and a much-deserved, home-cooked dinner. (Medium-Hard: 5¾ hrs walking time (allow 7¾ hrs), 13½ kms (8½ miles), CUSs 800m).

Day 6 - Pendeen to St Ives

A day of choices. For those who want to see a little more of the interior of West Penwith, follow the ancient Tinner’s Way all the way to St Ives, passing by stone circles, quoits and menhirs along the way. Woon Gumpus Common, Men-An-Tol, Ding Dong Mine and the Nine Maidens are like sirens, luring the unwary walker along the trail. The Tinner’s Way probably dates back as far as the Bronze Age and the introduction of metal working, and offers a sense of isolation that’s missed on the busier coastal path. As you begin your descent back to the sea, you can see both north and south coasts, giving a real sense of journey’s end. (Tinner’s Way: Medium-Hard: 6¼ hrs walking (allow 8¼ hrs), 20 kms (12½miles), CUSs 790m)