Cornwall's coastal beauty

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.