9-Day Bude to St Ives Itinerary — Explorer Pace (SWCP Section 2)

Leaving Bude, the South West Coast Path immediately ascends to grassy cliff tops, offering splendid vistas over the town's beaches and harbour, soon passing Compass Point and its striking octagonal Storm Tower. Beyond Efford Beacon, panoramic views stretch north to Hartland Point and south towards Pentire Point, before the terrain becomes more demanding. After navigating Phillip's Point Nature Reserve, a descent leads to the surfer-frequented sands of Widemouth Bay, where the Bay View Inn and cafes provide refreshments. A steep climb follows from Wanson Mouth up Penhalt Cliff, rewarding with superb coastal scenery, before a dramatic drop to Millook Haven, notable for its geologically significant, folded cliffs. The path then traverses Bynorth Cliff, a high point before the intensely challenging Scrade Valley, involving a steep descent to a waterfall and a strenuous climb back out. After easier stretches and further zig-zag descents and climbs at Cleave Strand, the route rounds Castle Point and Pencannow Point before finally reaching the welcome facilities of Crackington Haven, nestled within a cove of dramatically folded rocks.

Leaving Crackington Haven, after a steep ascent to Cambeak headland and a challenging descent (rope needed) to the sandy expanse of The Strangles, the path boldly traverses Cornwall's highest cliff, High Cliff, before continuing over demanding terrain along Beeny Cliff and past Fire Beacon Point. A dramatic plunge deposits you at Pentargon waterfall, a spectacular hanging valley, before a 200-step climb regains the higher ground and leads towards Boscastle Farm Shop for refreshment, followed by the picturesque harbour village itself, offering ample amenities. The route then ascends to Willapark headland, traverses Forrabury Common, and plunges into the wooded gorge of Rocky Valley with its ancient petroglyphs. A final series of climbs and descents, including passing Bossiney Haven, culminates in dramatic views of Tintagel Castle on its island, with the main path leading towards Tintagel Haven and the village providing welcome respite and abundant refreshment options.

From Tintagel harbour, the challenging 23-mile stretch to Port Isaac begins, ascending Willapark headland and crossing Forrabury Common before a steep descent into Rocky Valley, home to Trethevy Mill ruins and enigmatic petroglyphs. After crossing the gorge, the path climbs past Bossiney Haven to Barras Nose, offering views of Tintagel Castle, before reaching Tintagel village, a good spot for refreshments. Continuing over dramatic headlands like Dunderhole Point and through remnants of slate quarries, the route descends steeply to Trebarwith Strand, where the Port William pub provides vital refreshment. The path then becomes extremely demanding, crossing numerous steep valleys, including Jacket's Point and Delabole Point, before climbing Bounds Cliff to Port Gaverne, where the Port Gaverne Hotel offers a welcome stop before the final ascent to picturesque Port Isaac.

The strenuous route from Port Isaac to Trevone begins by climbing steeply over Lobster Point and then navigating a series of undulating ups and downs around headlands like Varley Head, before reaching Kellan Head with its splendid views across Port Quin Bay. Descending to the deserted fishing village of Port Quin, with Doyden Castle overlooking it, the path becomes gentler, passing antimony mine remains before reaching Trevan Point and the offshore island of The Mouls. Further along, Lundy Hole, a natural arch, punctuates the cliff edge, leading towards The Rumps Iron Age fort and Pentire Point, then dropping to Polzeath’s popular surfing beach. Leaving Polzeath, the trail follows the Camel Estuary past Daymer Bay and Brea Hill, before reaching Rock. From Rock, crossing the Camel Estuary is necessary to Padstow. Beyond Padstow, the path climbs steeply and then undulates above the shoreline, passing Harbour Cove and Hawker's Cove, before reaching the distinctive daymark tower at Stepper Point. The final section of this stage involves clifftop terrain with steep ascents and descents, passing the geological feature of Round Hole, before descending into Trevone Bay, offering amenities and a sheltered sandy beach.

The path leaves Trevone Bay, climbing through rough grassland and gorse before reaching Harlyn Bay, a popular sandy beach with a café and facilities. Continuing along undulating clifftops towards Trevose Head, the prominent lighthouse guides the way before the route curves towards Booby's Bay and Constantine Bay, which offers a seasonal coffee van. Treyarnon Bay beckons with its cafe, store, and food vans, after which the path traverses clifftops passing Pepper and Fox Coves, with diversions inland due to unstable conditions, before reaching the sheltered sandy expanse of Porthcothan Bay, equipped with stores and toilets. Beyond Porthcothan, challenging ascents and descents lead over Park Head towards the dramatic rock stacks of Bedruthan Steps, where a café awaits before a gradual descent into Mawgan Porth, its expansive beach offering refreshments from the Merrymoor Inn and beachfront cafés.

Leaving Porthcothan, the path quickly ascends to exposed clifftops offering views towards Bedruthan Steps, which then become a challenging sequence of steep climbs and descents through bracken and heather. After passing Park Head for elevated vistas and the dramatic rock stacks of Bedruthan, a café at Carnewas provides refreshments before the gradual descent to Mawgan Porth, passing smaller coves before revealing its expansive beach and options like the Merrymoor Inn. Continuing along clifftops past Beryl's Point and Beacon Cove, the undulating route, with maritime scrubland, brings you to Watergate Bay, a two-mile stretch of sand with numerous dining establishments like the Beach Hut café and Fifteen Cornwall. From here, the path climbs back onto the clifftops towards Newquay, eventually descending into the bustling harbour area. Beyond Newquay, the trail hugs the coast above beaches such as Tolcarne and Lusty Glaze, before an inland diversion around the Gannel Estuary, offering tidal crossing shortcuts like Fern Pit or Penpol. Rejoining the clifftops past Crantock Beach and the secluded Porth Joke, the route continues through gorse-laden maritime grassland. Several moderate ascents and descents test the walker before a gradual descent into Holywell Bay, with its vast sandy beach, dunes, and the historic holy well, offering refreshment at the Treguth Inn.

Leaving Holywell Bay, with its distinctive sand dunes and the Treguth Inn for refreshments, the South West Coast Path climbs steeply through maritime grassland and gorse onto dramatic clifftops. After passing Ligger Point, offering expansive seaward views, the route keeps to elevated terrain, ducking inland to avoid hazards on Perran Beach at high tide, though a beach walk is possible at low tide. The path undulates through bracken and scrubland before descending towards the immense three-mile stretch of sand at Perranporth, a bustling settlement with extensive facilities including The Watering Hole for sea-view refreshments.

From Holywell, the South West Coast Path ascends through dunes onto undulating clifftops, passing Ligger Point and offering inland glimpses of china clay spoil heaps before reaching Perran Beach. Avoiding high tide dangers, the route veers inland through bracken and scrub, rejoining the coast before Perranporth, a settlement notable for its extensive sandy beach and comprehensive amenities including The Watering Hole. Beyond Perranporth, the path climbs again onto clifftops, tracing a dramatic mining heritage coast past small coves and engine house ruins towards St Agnes. Here, facilities include The Railway Inn and St Agnes Bakery. The trail continues past the iconic Wheal Coates engine house and descends towards Chapel Porth, with seasonal refreshments available at the National Trust car park. Reascending to exposed clifftops, the route progresses towards Porthtowan, a surfing beach with its own facilities like The Blue Bar. Finally, the path winds through more mining remains and challenging terrain, concluding its journey at the historic harbour village of Portreath.

Leaving Portreath, a historic harbour village crucial to the mining industry, the path embarks on a journey of approximately 15 miles towards the artistic hub of St Ives. This section initially traces undulating clifftops past the dramatic ruins of engine houses and mine workings, a testament to Cornwall's industrial past, offering expansive seaward views before descending to Chapel Porth, where seasonal refreshments are available. Continuing along exposed clifftops, the route passes the popular surfing beach and village of Porthtowan, which boasts the Blue Bar and Unicorn Inn for refreshments. Beyond Porthtowan, the terrain becomes more challenging with steep, vegetated sections, winding through the World Heritage mining landscape. The path then descends into Portreath, a vital former port, before emerging onto the expansive sands of Gwithian Beach. Walking along this three-mile stretch of golden sand, at times navigating dune-backed paths, eventually leads towards the Hayle Estuary. After crossing the estuary via the road bridge into Hayle, the route continues along the golden sands of Hayle Towans, running parallel to the railway line. Passing the Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve and intersecting with St Michael's Way, the path offers easy sandy walking or dune paths, with views towards St Ives. After a detour past Carbis Bay, the terrain becomes more undulating around rocky headlands, finally descending to conclude this dramatic stage in the vibrant fishing port of St Ives.