North Cornwall Coast Path Guided Trail
Discover some stunning sections of the South West Coast Path National Trail as you traverse the rugged cliffs of the Penwith Peninsula from Treyarnon Bay to Cape Cornwall. Explore miles of stunning sea views and visit places awash with centuries-old stories of smugglers, piracy, and plunder as you walk the best of the North Cornwall Coast Path. You’ll cross the heather-clad uplands of St Agnes Head, learn about the region’s tin mining past at Geevor and Botallack, and discover the remains of WWII defences.
What you’ll love
- Walking coastal paths from Treyarnon Bay to Cape Cornwall
- Soaking up views of imposing cliffs, headlands, and sandy coves
- Learning more about the region’s tin mining heritage
- Passing the Levant Mine buildings, now owned by the National Trust
- Soaking up panoramic views both inland and out to sea
- Staying at Chy Morvah, our charming country house in St Ives
- A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 15 people)
What’s included
- Comfortable en-suite rooms in our country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
- All transport to and from walks where necessary
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00 in 2026. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.
Starting at the sandy beach of Treyarnon Bay on the North Cornwall coast, we walk through Porthcothan and around Park Head to the spectacular Bedruthan Steps where the beach is studded with highly individual rocky stacks. Then on to Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay, to finish the day at Porth on the eastern outskirts of Newquay.
11 miles (18 km), with 2,250 feet (680m) of ascent – mostly fairly easy but the path may be steep and narrow at times.
We cross the River Gannel at Newquay, the choice of route (tidal footbridge, ferry or road detour) depending entirely on the tide. The path winds around the National Trust cliffs of Pentire Point West and Kelsey Head, before dropping to Holywell Bay en route to Penhale and Ligger Points. The last couple of miles into the seaside town of Perranporth are along Perran Sands.
11½ - 14½ miles (18.5 - 23.5km), with up to 1,600 feet (480m) of ascent – a comparatively easy day of headlands and sandy beaches, complicated initially by a tidal inlet.
We leave Perranporth around Cligga Head with spectacular views, aiming for Trevellas Porth and Trevaunance Cove, along a cliff top path with terrain like the surface of the moon at times because of old mine workings – Trevaunance was once a harbour, shipping ore from the mines of nearby St Agnes. After the superb high level route around St Agnes Head, the route passes the restored Towanroath Engine House, part of the old Wheal Coates mine, before dropping into Chapel Porth, a secluded cove managed by the National Trust. After that, it’s along the cliffs (with two sharp steep descents and ascents) to finish the day at the one-time industrial harbour of Portreath.
12 miles (19.5km), with 2,800 feet (850m) of ascent – rugged cliffs often featuring narrow stony paths with some short steep ascents and descents.
Leaving Portreath, the route lies along Caravannel and Reskajeage Downs to the spectacular setting of Hell’s Mouth. We track around Godrevy Head with views of Godrevy Island and lighthouse (a good place for seal spotting), and the panorama of St Ives Bay. A short coach transfer from the Red River at Gwithian to Lelant Church avoids the built-up areas around the Hayle Estuary. The route back leads past Porth Kidney Sands, over Carrack Gladden and around Carbis Bay.
10½ miles (17km), with 2,150 feet (650m) of ascent – easy cliff and headland walking with a couple of steep sided little valleys.
From St Ives we go around Clodgy Point (“clodgy” is Cornish for leper). Then it’s undulating cliff walking all the way to the distinctive Gurnard’s Head, passing River Cove (good for seal spotting both in the cove and on the Carracks, two rocky islands a short distance from the shore), Mussel Point and Zennor Head along the way.
9½ miles (15.5 km), with 2400 feet (740m) of ascent – rough and remote with short, steep ascents and descents, one of the more difficult stretches.
From Gurnard’s Head, the coast path leads past the Iron Age cliff castle at Bosigran and on to Pendeen Watch lighthouse before re-entering tin mine country. We pass the Levant Mine buildings – now owned by the National Trust and with a restored beam engine (one of only two working beam engines in the county and the sole steam-driven example) – and then Geevor with its arsenic condenser and the spectacular Crown Mines buildings at Botallack low down on the cliff just above the sea. The whole Geevor site is a Scheduled Monument. The Kenidjack Valley with more scenes of tin mining dereliction soon follows, before the week finishes at Cape Cornwall, once thought to be the most westerly point in England and the original “Land’s End”.
9 miles (14.5 km), with 1,800 feet (540m) of ascent – rough and remote with short, steep ascents and descents, another of the more difficult stretches.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Chy Morvah
This beautiful property is just steps from the centre of St Ives – the seaside town that has inspired generations of artists with its working harbour, proud fishing community, white-sand beaches, and stunning Cornish landscape. Enjoying an elevated position with sweeping views over St Ives Bay, Chy Morvah means ‘house by the sea’ in Cornish and you'll find four great beaches nearby - Porthmeor, Porthminster, Harbour, and Porthgwidden - plus plenty of walking routes along the Penwith peninsula. It’s also a short drive to St Michael’s Mount – the tidal island crowned by a medieval church and castle.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Chy Morvah has 39 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.
We love: The guest rooms that make the most of the sea views are easily the best.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
*Please note, pool opening hours are: 07:00am – 09:00am and 16:00pm – 18:30pm
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Seasonal dining, tailored for you
Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a 40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.
Welcome Cream Tea
What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home. A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.
A hearty breakfast to start the day
Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.
Our famous picnic lunch
Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.
3-course evening meals
Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Chy Morvah
Getting to Chy Morvah
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
Chy Morvah
Bishops Road
St. Ives
Cornwall TR26 2DB
Tel: +44 (0)1736 796314
By train
The nearest rail station is St Ives. Chy Morvah is a short 10-minute walk uphill from the station. Exit the station, turn left and walk through St Ives Station car park, take the walkway on your left to Terrace Road A3074. Turn left, cross the road and continue uphill on a No Entry road to reach Pendolver Terrace. Turn left on Pendolver Terrace and follow the road around uphill to the right. Chy Morvah is signposted ahead.
An alternative to St Ives rail station is St Erth, which is connected to many mainline services. Please check National Rail for train times and route planning.
By taxi
St. Ives station is only half a mile away, but it’s a steep uphill walk.
St. Erth is four miles away and the journey takes just over 10 minutes.
For pricing, please contact Ace Cars directly.
Ace Cars
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Ace Cars*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1736 797799
Email: acecars2@aol.com
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Chy Morvah.
*Ace Cars is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
By car
Head to Cornwall via the A30 then take the A3074 signposted to St. Ives. At the next two small roundabouts, go straight across the first and take a right at the second towards Lelant. Pass through Lelant and Carbis Bay on the same road.
As you approach St. Ives keep left at the fork, which heads slightly uphill, following signs to visitor parking and the leisure centre. Follow the road and turn left up the steep hill. Almost immediately the road turns left again, but instead of following the road, turn off and head directly up the hill on Porthminster Terrace.
Chy Morvah is at the top of the hill. To reach the car park you’ll need to drive left past the front of Chy Morvah and turn immediately right behind the back of the building. The car park is on the right 15 yards along Bishop's Road.
By air
The nearest airport is London Heathrow Airport.
First take the train to London Paddington station from where you’ll find direct trains to St. Erth, and a short train journey to St. Ives.
A morning arrival into Heathrow would be best as you’ll need around 6.5 hours to complete the journey.
The airports at Bristol and Newquay are also nearby, but there aren’t as many flight options.
Check National Rail for routes and train times.
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)
- Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Gloves and a warm hat
- Rucksack with waterproof liner
- Flask for hot drinks
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- Sunscreen
- UV sunglasses
Recommended
- Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)
- Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters
- First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent
- Sit mat
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
- Camera
- Walking poles
Chy Morvah Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Members save £30 on all prices. Join today! Click here or call us to find out more.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||||||||
|
18 Apr - 25 Apr 2026 7 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £1,159 pp |
from £1,159 pp |
Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
|
06 Jun - 13 Jun 2026 7 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double Call to Enquire
|
Call to Enquire | Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
||||
|
29 Aug - 05 Sep 2026 7 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £1,329 pp |
from £1,329 pp |
Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
|
03 Oct - 10 Oct 2026 7 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £1,159 pp |
from £1,159 pp |
Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
168Kg of CO₂e
Average carbon footprint per person Learn More
