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Beautiful view of Cornwall's coastline

Cornwall's coastal beauty

Hiking on the South West Coast Path

8 Days / 7 Nights
Mountain Hiking
Beautiful view of Cornwall's coastline

A spectacular long-distance hiking trail awaits you in the southwest of England, connecting dramatic cliffs, idyllic fishing villages, golden sandy beaches, and mystical moorlands. You won’t find any dull moments while hiking, with highlights including Land’s End and the North Cliffs. Numerous cafés, pubs, and restaurants along the route offer local specialties that you absolutely must try.

St. Ives is renowned as a seaside artists' town, and a stroll through its charming streets is the perfect way to kick off a delightful holiday. Start your adventure with a hike along the spectacular North Cliffs and around the Godrevy Peninsula, soaking in the distinctive atmosphere of Hayle’s harbor. The trail to Zennor takes you over cliffs and rocky stretches, offering breathtaking views of the coastline at every turn. On Day 4, you’ll pass the fascinating tin mines of Geevor, spending the night in the picturesque village of St. Just.

With views of the Scilly Islands, you’ll reach Land’s End, the westernmost point of Great Britain, after which the landscape transforms. At Porthcurno, you’ll encounter a nearly Caribbean bay with white sand and sparkling waters. Coves and fishing villages lead you to the maritime town of Penzance, but first, you’ll cross the Kemyel nature reserve. Before your hiking adventure in Cornwall comes to an end, you'll have a day to tailor to your preferences.

  • Spectacular views of the landscape and the sea: The North Cliffs offer breathtaking views from dramatic, 90-meter-high cliffs that plunge steeply into the sea. The South West Coast Path winds through lush vegetation and past fascinating rock formations. This unspoiled coastal landscape is perfect for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts eager to explore the rugged beauty of the Cornish coast.
  • Experience swimming like in the Caribbean: The stunning bay of Porthcurno captivates with its vibrant turquoise waters, soft white sand, and striking granite cliffs. Revel in the breathtaking views and dive into the local culture by visiting the famed Minack Theatre, just a stone's throw away.
  • Maritime flair in Penzance: The picturesque coastal village captivates with its idyllic beaches, historic buildings, and charming gardens. With stunning views of the breathtaking Mount’s Bay and the distinctive St. Michael’s Mount, you can soak in the myriad of impressions all around you.

While hiking in Cornwall offers stunning sea views, the rocky and rugged paths present a challenge. You’ll cover between 11 and 24 kilometers each day, so good fitness is recommended. The pleasant climate, influenced by the Gulf Stream, ensures that Cornwall enjoys mild weather nearly year-round, making your hiking experience even more enjoyable.

Romantic landscapes define the hiking tours in Great Britain, whether you're heading to Scotland, Cornwall, or Pembrokeshire. On our pages, you'll discover a wealth of information, from culture to culinary delights.

Itinerary at a glance

Rugged rock formations and crashing surf await you at Land's End. Admire up-and-coming artists in St. Ives and enjoy the maritime flair of Penzance. An unforgettable coastal adventure!

Arrive in the lively coastal town of St. Ives. Galleries and museums provide variety, pubs and restaurants cater for your physical well-being. Enjoy a walk along the sandy beach and the view of the Atlantic.

Transfer to the North Cliffs. The hiking trail leads above a steep cliff around the headland of Godrevy. With a bit of luck, you may spot seals and birds below you. You reach Hayle harbor via dune paths. After a visit to the church of St. Uny in Lelant, which is well worth seeing, you continue along the pilgrims' path "St Michaels Way" to Carbis Bay and past well-tended front gardens with palm trees and flowers to Porthminster Beach in St. Ives.

You circle the peninsula "The Island". A picturesque chapel provides the perfect photo opportunity here. Past the headlands of Man's Head and Clodgy Point, you follow the Coastal Path westwards. Today's stage is characterized by constant ups and downs high above the sea, some sections are rocky and steep. But the effort is rewarded with views of the sea and the plateaus. At the end of the stage, you reach the small village of Zennor, where the church and pub are well worth a visit. From here, take the double-decker panoramic bus back to St. Ives.

In the morning, you return to Zennor, where you continue your hike along the coastal path. Rocky cliffs and the many ascents and descents once again make for a challenging hike in places. A carpet of gorse and orchids blooms in the meadows and provides a splash of color above the blue sea. In the afternoon, discover the historic tin mines of Geevor with their characteristic chimneys. Continue through the mining areas along the coast, where you reach the tranquil village of St. Just via country lanes and farm roads.

The hiking trail along the coast offers distant views of rugged islands, lighthouses and shipwrecks. The Scilly Isles lie on the horizon and the Cornish coast is particularly impressive here. In Land's End, the most westerly point in Great Britain, you can expect - how could it be any different in England? - a pub in the wilderness. A variety of cliffs, bays and flowering plains characterize the landscape. In the solitude of the plateau stands the coastal surveillance station, where you can learn exciting facts about shoals, storms, orientation with landmarks and the local wildlife. The Caribbean bay of Porthcurno welcomes you with its white sandy beach and turquoise-green water. By bus back to St. Just.

You start in Porthcurno and hike across the plateaus of the southwest coast. Wonderful views of beautiful bays accompany you on the way to the tiny fishing village of Penberth Cove. Past fragrant macchia bushes and shady forest to the bay of Lamorna with its southern flair. You follow the coastal path through the forest of the enchanting Kemyel nature reserve and reach the village of Mousehole in the afternoon. Colorful fishing boats are moored in the harbor like in a picture book. After a break in a cozy café or pub, take the shuttle bus to Penzance.

The last day of hiking offers various options: Take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront over to Marazion, from where you can either walk or take a water cab to the island of St. Michael Mount. The location of the Norman castle fascinates every visitor, as the place is cut off from the mainland or can be reached via a narrow causeway, depending on the water level. The tides are decisive here. If you like a challenge, take the St. Michael pilgrimage route, which leads from the south coast to the north coast. This path through the inland is an exciting contrast to the coastal path: across fields, meadows, small roads and paddocks with horses and cows, you climb up to the viewpoint at the "Steeple", a huge stone pillar that can be seen from afar.

Day
08
Departure or extension

Other variants of this tour

Difficulty level

Mountain Hiking

You hike on varied paths and trails through meadows, dunes and bushes. However, most of the stages lead along rocky coastal paths along the sea. There are some challenging stages over rocky cliffs, alternating with easy sections on well-maintained paths. Short but steep ascents and descents require a good level of fitness. You should be sure-footed for the rocky sections.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Transfers according to program
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • App for navigation and GPS-data
  • Servicehotline

Optional

  • 3 lunch packages, EUR 65 per person, reservation necessary, payable in advance
  • Transfers from/to Newquay, EUR 120 per ride, reservation required, payable on site

Arrival / Departure

  • Train journey from Newquay to St. Ives in approx. 2,5 hours (www.southwesternrailway.com)
  • Newquay or London airport
  • Return journey by train from Penzance to Newquay in 2 hours (1x change) or in approx. 6 hours to London (1x change) (www.southwesternrailway.com)
  • Please note that a valid passport is required for this walking trip.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Sarah Manglberger

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