Route: From St Ives to Plymouth

Overview

Fancy a challenge?  ...but a challenge with amazing, memorable views and experiences?

Walk the Trail has split the entire 630 mile coast path down into 3 parts

Commencing from St Ives, the Land's End Peninsula with its unspoilt heather covered moors and rugged granite cliffs, passing engine houses, chimneys and winding gears - important reminders of Cornwall's tin mining heritage - along the way.  Pause at dramatic Lands’ End...next stop America!

Be enthralled by the magnificent Minack Open Air Theatre, which perches dramatically on the cliff edge of Porthcurno, pass through picturesque, pretty Mousehole and bustling Newlyn harbour before arriving at vibrant Penzance in the far west of Cornwall, close to beautiful St Michaels Mount,  the walk moves on to the unspoilt Lizard Peninsula, with smugglers coves aplenty before crossing the tranquil Helford River to bustling Falmouth.

Then cross the water on to Roseland Peninsula, un-crowded even in the height of the season, one of the most picturesque and unspoilt areas within the United Kingdom. 

A rugged roller-coaster walk now begins, along the Cornish Riviera from Portloe to Looe; easy walking along scenic clifftops, through coastal woodland and country parks. Pass through the ports of pretty Mevagissey and atmospheric,  historic Charlestown, and beautiful Daphne du Maurier country surrounding  Fowey, before entering Devon and the vibrant city and naval port of Plymouth.

Walk the Trail offers 3 itineraries along this route to cater for all levels of walker.  If, you feel that you'd like something different, just ask.


INCLUDED

All our holiday packages include:

  • Overnight accommodation staying at carefully selected B&Bs, Inns and Hotels
  • A detailed holiday pack
  • Luggage transfers
  • Transport from path to accommodations if necessary
  • Maps
  • Guidebook
  • Emergency support.

NOT INCLUDED

Our holiday packages do not include:

  • Transport to and from the start and end of the holiday, unless stated.  We can help you with your options.
  • Packed Lunches and Evening Meals
  • Travel Insurance

Itinerary & Costs

This itinerary is walking average distances each day and most walkers would choose this option.

At 630 miles long, the South West Coast Path to most is considered too much to walk in one go. But, if you'd still like to complete it and have just over 2 weeks spare you may want to consider walking 1/3 of the path.


The Daily Itinerary

Click on a day for further information.

- Day 2:
St Ives to Zennor
Distance: 6.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Due to a lack of accommodation in Zennor, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

Day 3:
Zennor to St Just
Distance: 11.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous
- Day 4:
St Just to Porthcurno
Distance: 11.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Due to a lack of accommodation in Porthcurno, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

Day 5:
Porthcurno to Penzance
Distance: 11.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate
Day 6:
Penzance to Porthleven
Distance: 14 miles Difficulty: Easy/Strenuous
Day 7:
Porthleven to The Lizard
Distance: 14 miles Difficulty: Moderate
Day 8:
The Lizard to Coverack
Distance: 10.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
- Day 9:
Coverack to Helford
Distance: 13 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Gillan Creek is tide dependent.
Due to a lack of accommodation in Helford, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

- Day 10:
Helford to Falmouth
Distance: 10 miles Difficulty: Easy

Cross Helford River by small ferry.

- Day 11:
Falmouth to Portloe
Distance: 13.5 miles Difficulty: Easy/Strenuous

Two ferry crossings are required on this stretch.
Due to a lack of accommodation in Portloe, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

Day 12:
Portloe to Mevagissey
Distance: 12 miles Difficulty: Strenuous/Easy
Day 13:
Mevagissey to Charlestown
Distance: 7 miles Difficulty: Strenuous
Day 14:
Charlestown to Fowey
Distance: 10 miles Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Day 15:
Fowey to Looe
Distance: 12 miles Difficulty: Strenuous/Moderate

A ferry is required between Fowey and Polruan.

- Day 16:
Looe to Portwrinkle
Distance: 8 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Due to a lack of accommodation in Portwrinkle, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

- Day 17:
Portwrinkle to Plymouth (Barbican)
Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Easy

A ferry is required between Cremyl and Plymouth.

Day 18: Depart
Plymouth (Barbican)
 

What's Included

  • Accommodation for the length of your holiday including the night before you start walking and the evening after your final day's walking in good quality B&Bs, Inns and small hotels. This will be en-suite wherever possible.
  • Breakfast - This may be a full cooked or continental option depending on accommodation. Evening meals can be arranged with certain accommodations for an additional charge.
  • A Personalised Holiday Pack containing maps and addresses for accommodations, pick up points and daily mileage information.
  • Luggage transfers between each accommodation. 1 bag per person up to 20 kilograms. Additional bags can be added upon request.
  • If you are crossing a river using a ferry or on foot at low tide then we will provide you with the relevant information to assist.
  • If required, path to accommodation or round river transfers (free of charge)
  • Phone line support between the hours of 0900-1900, 7 days a week for the length of your holiday.

Optional Extras

The following items are optional and can be removed to reduce the cost of your holiday.

Not Quite Right?
Try our Tailor Made Service here »

Important Information

Reviews

0/5 Cheryl from Vermont, USA
I'm home from my trip and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it! It was wonderful to have the elves take my luggage every day and to have it show up at the next place. It was a fairly rainy week but the scenery was magnificent and I truly enjoyed the walking. Thank you for all your arrangements --- people at the B&B's were all friendly and kind. I'll go back again someday! Thank you all!
0/5 Steve from West Sussex
Just returned from my West Cornwall walk and would just like to say a big thankyou for sorting out my accommodation and luggage transfers. All the arrangements worked out fine which left me free to concentrate on the walking. Saw some amazing coastal scenery and returning to my starting point in St Ives via the St Michael's Way was a nice contrast. I still have lots more of the SW coast path to walk and I am sure I will be back in touch with you at some point in the future. Many thanks.
0/5 Kate from Canada
I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful two-and-a-half weeks. All of the bed and breakfasts I stayed in were friendly, comfortable and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Every day when I arrived my bag was there, like a faithful dog. All in all an excellent trip. As an aside, I would also like to say that, as a female walking alone on the SWCP I had no problems at all and always felt perfectly safe.
0/5 Kathleen from Germany
It was an unique, fantastic and unforgettable experience with hurting feet and legs in the beginning and total fitness in the end ;-). I met interesting people and saw great landscapes. I experienced the coldest spring after over 60 years but with the right clothes - everything was under control ;-). I`d like to make you a compliment for your organization, fast answers and friendliness! The luggage transfer worked really well. Almost all B&B were lovely and the people very friendly.
0/5 Ludwig from Germany
I have to say we had a very nice holiday in Cornwall. We had a wonderful time and are sure we will use your holiday company again in the future. Thanks for your excellent job.
0/5 Julia from Germany
We are back home from our walking holiday, what a marvellous experience! Thank you for your great organisation, everything worked without any problems. It was great to arrive at the accommodation and find our luggage already there, often even in our room. All the best, we will definitely be recommending your business!
0/5 Julie from Australia
We are now home from our travels and have had time to reflect. What a fabulous holiday. Thank you very much for planning our South West coast walk. It all went very well, the B&Bs were superb, we have no complaints at all. Thanks for organising a memorable walk.
0/5 Joan from Australia
Would recommend your organisation to anyone, and will do so. Can't thank you enough for a trouble free adventure.
0/5 Roland & Andrea
Thank you very much for our perfectly organised walking holiday. Our baggage was always there when we arrived and all the accommodations were great.
0/5 Sasha From Cornwall
Jess (my dog) and I are back after the most wonderful experience! Thank-you all for making it so wonderful, all the B&Bs were comfortable and welcoming and all were brilliant. All in all it was brilliant and very dog friendly. Thank you again and the very best luck for the future with your wonderful company.
0/5 Carleen
There is no doubt I loved the walk, arduous at times, but wonderful scenery and always very friendly people. Certainly, I will recommend your company, especially for the convenience and your professionalism (good documents etc.). Cheers.
5/5 Karl Humphrey
Excellent | The planning was flawless. Equally the baggage transfer, which I believe is run by them, was always delivered promptly. Even when I arrived early at my next destination my baggage was there.
Holiday Summary

Select:

Itinerary

16 Days / 17 Nights 11.5 miles daily avg


Difficulty

Rating: 3


Walkers

Number in Group: 2


What's Included
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Cost £2,032 per person

Based on Two people sharing a Double or Twin Room


Total Cost £4,064

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