Cornish Coast Highlights Self-Guided Trail

  
38 miles. 5½-9 miles and up to1,860ft of ascent in a day

 Day 1: Arrival day

Day 2: St Ives to Gurnards Head - Leaving St Ives by Clodgy Point (“clodgy” is Cornish for leper), we pass Economy Cove. Watch out for seals on the Carracks, two islets a short distance from the shore. Continuing past Mussel Point, we follow the coast path towards Zennor Head. A brief excursion to Zennor can be made to visit the church with its famous mermaid carved on the old bench. Today’s journey finishes at Gurnard’s Head. 8½ miles with 1,820 feet of ascent

Day 3: Gurnards Head to Pendeen Watch - A rough hilly path takes us past Porthmeor Cove, where the path is sometimes re-routed, watch out for signs. From here we continue towards Bosigran Cliff and the Bosigran Iron Age Cliff Castle. The route is abundant with evidence of the industrial history of the area: old chimneys, engine houses, forts. Your next point of reference is Pendeen Watch lighthouse. The lighthouse is situated on one of the most dangerous stenches of coastline in the UK. 5½ miles with 1,370 feet of ascent

Day 4: Pendeen Watch to Sennen Cove - Views of the crumbling tin mines surround you today. Explore the history of this traditional Cornish industry, with a detour to the Geevor Tin Mine. Further along the coastal path you will see the picture-postcard image of the Levant tin mine, one of the most famous Cornish scenes. Tin mines now give way to classic Cornish cliff walking en route to Cape Cornwall, once thought to be the most westerly point in England, and the original “Land’s End”. Rugged paths take us from the Cape, past Carn Ballawall, towards Porth Nanven where the path becomes easier as we make our way to Whitesand Bay & the stunning little fishing harbour of Sennen Cove. 9 miles with 1,860 feet of ascent

Day 5: Free day

Day 6: Sennen Cove to Porthcurno (Minack Theatre) - Traverse granite cliffs to the modern Land’s End, and continue over some of the most spectacular stretches of Britain’s coastline. The granite cliffs continue on past Mill Bay, over Gwennap Head, and down to Porthgwarra, a delightful cove with unusual tunnels through the cliffs. The coast path takes us from there, along to the Minack, a fitting finale to today’s journey. If time permits, take in an afternoon show at this delightful open air theatre, or come back in the evening for a night-time performance. 6½ miles with 1,850 feet of ascent

Day 7: Porthcurno to Mousehole - Leaving Porthcurno we climb up to Treryn Dinas, home of the Logan Rock, before we drop down to the unspoilt Penberth Cove (National Trust). Further ascents and descents bring us to sheltered St Loy and its boulder strewn beach. We then have a short section through luxuriant vegetation before returning to rougher sections as we approach Lamorna Cove and continue to Mousehole. 8¼ miles with 1,650 feet of ascent

Day 8: Departure day