Walk The Trail

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Route: From Penzance to Falmouth

Overview

Penzance is situated in the shelter of Mount's Bay and enjoys the most temperate climate of the British Isles; this produces many sub-tropical plants such as ferns, palm trees, banana plants, magnolias and camelias which are on display in the local Gardens.

As well as a market town, Penzance features an attractive promenade and harbour and is a popular tourist destination for culture with music, theatre and art festivals throughout the year.

This walk starts off relatively easily, giving you time to take in the views at Marazion, especially of St Michael's Mount, a unique and stunning landmark. This can be reached by a causeway at low tide or a ferry boat if the tide is in. The scenery then gives way to cliff walking taking in Perranuthnoe and Praa Sands with lovely sandy beaches and onto the fishing village of Porthleven and the magnificent Loe Bar.

Porthleven to The Lizard and onward to Coverack is arguably the most unique and beautiful stretch of the whole South West Coast Path and is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty with amazing cliff top views and wildlife. Finally onward to Helford and Falmouth, with many changes of scenery including woodland, fields, the Gillan Creek crossing and River Helford crossing, it's likely you will see many bird species, maybe even the now rare kingfisher.

Simply a beautiful journey on a beautiful stretch of the South West Coast Path.

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

ROUTE PROFILE

Recommended dates to walk this route

This walk can be done all year round but the weather in the winter months may make the walk a little more difficult.

Also we advise that the ferries required at Gillan Creek and Helford only operate between Easter and the end of October. However, outside these times a taxi can be arranged where necessary.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Itinerary & Costs

This walk is designed for those who are experienced in walking high daily mileages.

Leaving Penzance, with iconic St Michaels Mount always in view, you walk through differing landscapes from the high clifftops onto sandy beaches, passing through picturesque Porthleven, as you make your way to your first stop at Mullion. Travel from Mullion onwards to the wooded valleys which bring you to Gillan Creek via the pretty fishing villages of Coverack and Cadgwith. Taste the wine from the vineyards at Porthallow as you walk towards your next stop, or buy a bottle to celebrate the end of the days walk when you reach Gillan. Crossing historic Helford creek by ferry prepares you for the historical maritime traditions of your last destination in Falmouth, with its numerous restaurants, pubs and shops as well as its castle watching over you at Pendennis Point. Falmouth has links to the main line rail network via the branch line, and coach and bus links to the rest of the country.

Itinerary: Number in group:

The Daily Itinerary

Click on a day for further information.

Day 1: Arrive

Penzance

Day 2: Walking

Penzance to Porthleven

Distance: 13.5 miles Difficulty: Easy/Strenuous

Day 3: Walking

Porthleven to The Lizard

Distance: 13.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Walking

The Lizard to Porthallow

Distance: 15.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

- Day 5: Walking

Porthallow to Falmouth

Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Easy

There are 2 river crossings to consider today. Gillan Creek can be waded 3 hour either side of low tide and there is a small ferry operating 3 hours either side of high tide April til October. The Helford can be crossed throughout the day using the ferry. During Spring tides, there are occasions were the Helford ferry is unable to operate for 1-3 hours if the tide is extremely low.

Day 6: Depart

Falmouth

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 required, path to accommodation or round river transfers (free of charge)
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.
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.

A comprehensive guide book for the area in which you are walking. This will detail important information about each town and village you visit.
Map(s) for the area you are walking, specifically designed for walkers.
Your holiday pack posted to your home address. Unticking this box, indicates that you would prefer to print the pack yourself.

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Important Information

Note: We would not recommend this particular itinerary be undertaken between the months of November and February only due to the reduced daylight hours at that time of year.

Reviews

Peter & Lisa from Australia

We are now two weeks back from our recent holiday......grim.....but could not let the opportunity pass to say a big thank you for your work in making the SWCP section of our holiday so fantastic We could not fault anything - the guide book superb, the overall map invaluable, the accommodation absolutely perfect, the luggage transfer such a treat......just a shame about the fog at Lands End....we may as well have been in Perth!?!? We are keen to use you again to do the section from Minehead to Hayle.....and I have been singing your praises to lots of people.....hopefully you will get a booking from my work colleagues - in due course Till next time Cheers

Janine & Ruth from Switzerland

Having just returned from England I wanted to say thank you for your great organising of our holiday in Cornwall. Starting in Penzance and ending in Mevagessay with some sightseeing as well was a great idea. All places we visited were very nice and we could enjoy every step of our journey. All the accommodations were great and charming.The hosts were extremely friendly and helpful too. So thank you!