Cornish Coastal Walking Adventure - 6 Day Small Group

What You'll Do

Become totally immersed in the ruggedly beautiful landscape of Cornwall by exploring some of the 630 miles of incredible trails that snake their way across jaw-dropping clifftops and through lush green hillsides. Your local guide will help you dig beneath the surface of this magnificent natural playground, and truly get to know Cornwall like a local.

This Cornish walking tour starts in the beautiful seaside town of Padstow and finishes in the jewel of Cornwall that is St Ives, immersing you in Cornwall’s stunning coast and history.

It’s ideal for those who want to get back to nature, walking through Poldark country, along beautiful stretches of coastal paths and visiting incredible sites including St Michaels Mount and Sennan Cove.

Cornwall’s awesome rugged coastal trails are part of a 630 mile Coast Path stretching around the edge of the entire South West, and you’ll take full advantage of its trails in a walking week full of beautiful views, high cliffs, beaches, harbours and charming coastal villages, where you’ll discover the real Cornwall.

With breath-taking panoramas around every corner, excellent accommodation, wonderful pubs and delicious cuisine, this is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry.

Experience
Highlights

Swim with seals in the stunning Cabris Bay

Explore stunning coastal paths and beautiful fishing villages with your local guide showing you the best routes

Discover incredible sights like St Michael's Mount and St Edenoc Church

Experience Itinerary

Arrive in Cornwall

Pre Trip

You may choose to arrive the day before the start of the tour, to settle in and explore the local area. Arrive into Bodmin Parkway, a 4.5 hour direct train from London Paddington and, after a short 10-15 minute transfer into Padstow (which we can help arrange), you’ll have the evening and next morning to look around this gorgeous harbour town.

Day 1

Your guides will collect those arriving today from Bodmin Parkway Train station in the late morning, and transfer into Padstow in the support vehicle. Here, those who have just arrived meet the group members who have stayed in Padstow the evening before, and get to know our group over a café lunch or a traditional Cornish pasty on the beach.

Catch the foot ferry across the Camel estuary to the small seaside village of Rock and walk through the sand dunes to the famous and partially buried St Enodoc Church with its peculiar spire, which sir John Betjeman described as ‘bent like a crooked witch’s hat’

Though partially buried, the church remains in use to this day. You’ll spend the afternoon walking along the idyllic beaches of Polzeath and Daymer Bay before returning to Padstow by foot ferry in the late afternoon. You’ll dine on Rick Stein’s famous fresh caught Fish and Chips in the evening and then head to our hotel in the centre of town.

Accommodation

Handpicked hotel or bed and breakfast

Experience the Cornwall Coast

From Padstow, you’ll walk out of town and along the coastal path to the East. Heading up to the cliffs at Stepper Point, take the opportunity to chat with the volunteer coastguards about their job at the lookout.

With panoramic views, they proudly guard the entrance to the Camel estuary and have many stories to tell! Keep an eye out for Peregrine Falcons, the fastest birds in the world, known to fly and nest in this area, as you traverse the coast and beaches towards lunch in Trevone or Harlyn Bay.

Catching the minibus back across the headland in the afternoon gives you plenty of time to explore the town, with further walking options available. Tonight dinner is not included, so time for you to explore and chose from the wealth of restaurants by the harbour.

Accommodation

Hand-picked hotel or bed and breakfast

In the morning you will transfer further south to Lelant, for a walk into the jewel in the Cornwall crown that is St Ives. Best known for its spectacular light and as a haven for painters for the last few hundred years, it’s now home to the Tate Art Gallery, and is a truly magnificent town.

Your stunning coastal walk passes by historic churches, misty beaches, and Carbis Bay before entering the town. Why not take a dip and a swim along Carbis Bay?

Look out for seals, regularly spotted perusing this coastline and, with their natural curiosity, happily floating alongside swimmers. Enjoy lunch at one of the wonderful seafood cafes and have plenty of time to walk around and visit the Tate St Ives or Barbara Hepworth’s Sculpture Garden.

You dine as a group in the Gannet Inn, your hotel for the evening, which also has access to the spa at Carbis Bay for those looking for some pampering in the evening.

Accommodation

The Gannet Inn

Discover St Michael's Mount

Today, you’ll walk out of St Ives on a coast-to-coast trip to Marazion. This beautiful inland walk, along the Monarch’s Way, forms a part of the Santiago Di Compostela pilgrimage!

Passing through high cliffs and narrow valleys to discover the real Cornwall, this is a walk you will not forget. You reach the South Cornish coast at Marazion for a late lunch and in the afternoon cross the causeway – tide permitting – to the mysterious 14th Century castle on St Michael’s Mount, perched atop a great granite crag.

Steeped in legend and folklore, the island has panoramic views across to Land’s End and to Lizard Point, the most Southerly point in Britain. We transfer back to St Ives and our hotel for the night, dining on your own in one of the many great restaurants in town.

Accommodation

A hand-picked hotel or bed and breakfast

Land's End

Today you’ll travel to ‘the end of the world’ at Land’s End. This stretch of coast marks the most Westerly point of England and one of the world’s most famous landmarks.

From the breath-taking 200ft high granite cliffs you can see the Isles of Scilly and, beyond that, out to the Atlantic Ocean and North America. Walk the rugged coast to lunch at the beach café in Sennan Cove, then transfer back towards St Ives for a pretty afternoon coastal walk from Zennor into town.

Celebrate your last night together and share your favourite moments of the trip during a delicious dinner out at the Porthminster Kitchen in the centre of the harbour, enjoying a memorable last evening by this stunning coast.

Accommodation

Handpicked hotel or bed & breakfast

Departure Day

There is no walking on the last day. After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to St Erth station, just outside town, where your guides will help you with your ongoing travel arrangements.

Location Information

The adventure begins at Bodmin Parkway Station, where you’ll be met by your guides and your support vehicle, and transferred to the beautiful harbour town of Padstow, where the itinerary begins.

You can reach Bodmin Parkway on a direct train (4.5 hours) from London Paddington. We often suggest that guests catch the train a day before the itinerary is due to begin, so that they can settle in for the evening and explore Padstow, as well as rest up properly before the walking begins on day 1.

If you choose to arrive a day early, let us know and your guide will still help you arrange your transfer from Bodmin Parkway to Padstow.

Your adventure ends in St Ives, where you will be transferred to St Erth station, just outside the town, where your guides will help with all ongoing travel arrangements.

FAQs

This tour is rated 3/5 for difficulty meaning it’s appropriate for guests going for a good walk and able to handle an incline or two. The terrain we cover is varied. You’ll enjoy some gently rolling hills and a few steeper walks which will be a bit more demanding.

Your holiday, however, will be tailored by your guide to suit each group. Rewarding views are guaranteed. Daily distances range from 4-10 miles and options for shorter or longer walks are available on all days.

We have handpicked a selection of hotels and bed and breakfasts in ideal locations along the beautiful Cornish coast, with great access to into towns and views over the harbours and ocean.

There is a wealth of great restaurants and gastro-pubs in each location and your hotels are the perfect place to rest your legs and relax at the end of each adventure-filled day.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE