8-Day Bude to St Ives Itinerary — Hiker Pace (SWCP Section 2)

Beginning in Bude, the trail traces grassy cliff tops past Compass Point's octagonal Storm Tower and Efford Beacon, offering sweeping vistas north to Hartland Point and south to Pentire Point. The terrain toughens, descending to the surfer-frequented sands of Widemouth Bay, where refreshment is available at the Bay View Inn and local cafes. A steep ascent from Wanson Mouth, via Penhalt Cliff, rewards with dramatic coastal panoramas before a vertiginous scramble down to Millook Haven's geologically fascinating folded cliffs. Beyond Bynorth Cliff, the notoriously challenging Scrade Valley demands a steep descent and arduous climb, before easier sections lead to Cleave Strand. A final zig-zag descent and climb, passing Castle Point and Pencannow Point, brings you to Crackington Haven, a welcome haven with the Coombe Barton Inn, tea rooms, and facilities, nestled within spectacular folded rock formations.

Commencing at Crackington Haven, the path immediately ascends to Cambeak headland, affording sweeping vistas of the rugged Cornish coast. Beyond the spectacular sandy beach of The Strangles, the route tackles the imposing High Cliff before continuing over challenging terrain, including the exposed Beeny Cliff and a dramatic descent to the impressive Pentargon waterfall. Refreshments are available at Boscastle Farm Shop before reaching the picturesque harbour village of Boscastle itself. From Boscastle, a steep climb towards Willapark headland leads to Rocky Valley with its enigmatic petroglyphs. After crossing multiple inlets and passing Tintagel Castle, the demanding coastal section enters its final, arduous phase, navigating seven steep valleys. Key resupply points include the Port William pub above Trebarwith Strand. The route traverses wild headlands such as Dennis Point and Jacket's Point, eventually descending to Port Gaverne, where the hotel offers welcome respite before the final climb into the iconic fishing village of Port Isaac, notable for its distinctive "Squeeze-ee-belly" alley.

From the harbour at Port Isaac, the trail immediately ascends over Lobber Point before a "rollercoaster" descent into Pine Haven and a series of smaller undulations around ragged headlands like Varley Head, Greengarden Cove, and Downgate Cove. At Kellan Head, dramatic views stretch across Port Quin Bay towards The Rumps, leading to a descent into the deserted fishing hamlet of Port Quin, shadowed by Doyden Castle. Beyond, the path becomes gentler, passing antimony mine remains at Gilson's Cove, then Trevan Point with its views of The Mouls, before reaching Lundy Bay and its intriguing Lundy Hole. Continuing past coves and headlands, the route arrives at The Rumps, an Iron Age fort, before reaching Pentire Point with its poignant memorial. Finally, a descent leads to Polzeath's popular surfing beach, a welcome reward with its plentiful refreshment options.

The route from Polzeath to Porthcothan traverses a varied and scenic coastal stretch. Leaving Polzeath, the path initially follows the Camel Estuary, offering fine views and passing Trebetherick Point, Daymer Bay, and Brea Hill. After a brief run alongside St Enodoc Golf Course, it crosses grassy sand dunes to Rock, necessitating a ferry or water taxi crossing of the Camel Estuary to Padstow. From Padstow, the path climbs steeply before undulating above the shoreline, past Harbour Cove and Hawker's Cove, to the prominent daymark tower at Stepper Point. Beyond, clifftop terrain with steep ascents and descents leads to Trevone Bay, which offers refreshments and facilities. Continuing through rough grassland and gorse, the path reaches Harlyn Bay before approaching Trevose Head, crowned by its distinctive lighthouse. The route then heads towards Booby's Bay, Constantine Bay, and Treyarnon Bay, with cafes and refreshment points, before continuing over clifftops through coves like Pepper Cove and Fox Cove, culminating at the sheltered sandy beach of Porthcothan Bay.

Leaving Porthcothan Bay, with its sheltering sands and summer refreshments at the Stores, the path immediately climbs onto exposed clifftops, offering increasingly dramatic views towards Bedruthan Steps. This section involves steep ascents and descents, passing the impressive rock stacks at Carnewas where a café provides sustenance and panoramic vistas. The route then gradually descends towards Mawgan Porth, a broad sandy beach with plentiful amenities including the Merrymoor Inn, before continuing along undulating clifftops past Beryl's Point and Beacon Cove towards the spectacular two-mile expanse of Watergate Bay. Here, surfers and beachgoers can find excellent refreshment options at the Beach Hut café, Fifteen Cornwall, and the Watergate Bay Hotel. Finally, the path climbs once more onto clifftops, maintaining elevated terrain with views towards the approaching urban landscape of Newquay, before descending into the town centre itself, offering abundant accommodation, dining, and supply choices.

The South West Coast Path journey from Newquay to St Agnes begins by winding along clifftops past Towan, Great Western, Tolcarne, and Lusty Glaze beaches, traversing maritime grassland with dramatic cove views before reaching the Gannel Estuary, where tidal crossings offer shortcuts. Climbing back onto the clifftops above Crantock Beach, the undulating path leads past Porth Joke and continues through gorse-clad terrain towards Holywell Bay, known for its sand dunes and ancient well, with the Treguth Inn providing refreshments. From Holywell, steep climbs onto clifftops reveal expansive seaward views and distant china clay spoil heaps before the route heads inland to bypass potentially hazardous Perran Beach, eventually descending towards Perranporth for its extensive sands and amenities. The path then resumes its exhilarating clifftop promenade above coves and inlets, its terrain a mix of grass and rock, whilst inland the remnants of Cornwall's mining heritage become increasingly apparent, culminating in a gradual descent into St Agnes, a historic mining village offering traditional pubs and local produce.

From St Agnes, the path embarks on a spectacular stretch of the South West Coast Path, initially tracing undulating clifftop terrain heavily marked by Cornwall's industrial past. Passing iconic landmarks like the Wheal Coates engine house perched dramatically overlooking the sea, the route offers breathtaking views and showcases the dramatic spoil heaps and ruins that define this mining heritage coast. After descending towards Chapel Porth, with its distinctive Cow and Calf rocks offshore, the path climbs back onto exposed clifftops, continuing past more mining remains before nearing the popular surfing beach and village of Porthtowan. Here, refreshments are available at the Blue Bar and Unicorn Inn. The final miles involve increasingly challenging, steep sections through rough coastal vegetation before descending into the vital, historic harbour village of Portreath, a fitting conclusion to this visually rich stage.

The route from St Agnes to St Ives is a journey rich in Cornwall's mining heritage, commencing with undulating clifftop terrain past iconic engine house ruins like Wheal Coates, offering dramatic seaward views before descending to Chapel Porth, where seasonal refreshments are available near the Cow and Calf rocks. Continuing along exposed clifftops, past more industrial remnants, the path reaches Porth Towan featuring the Blue Bar and Unicorn Inn for refreshments, before an increasingly challenging ascent through rough vegetation, revealing expansive views of china clay landscapes, finally descending into the historic harbour village of Portreath, well-equipped with pubs and cafés. From Portreath, the walking softens as the path follows the three-mile stretch of golden sand at Gwithian Beach, navigating around the Hayle Estuary, a vital bird habitat, and crossing into Hayle town. The route then continues along Hayle Towans' sands, parallel to the railway, intersecting St Michael's Way before rising above Carbis Bay and finally descending into the artistic fishing port of St Ives.