4-Day Bude to St Ives Itinerary — Trail Runner Pace (SWCP Section 2)

Leaving Bude, the South West Coast Path initially follows grassy cliffs past Compass Point's Storm Tower, then offers expansive views from Efford Beacon. The terrain grows demanding, descending to Widemouth Bay's surfer-friendly beach with its refreshment options, before a steep climb up Penhalt Cliff. A dramatic drop leads to Millook Haven’s folded rocks, followed by a passage over Bynorth Cliff. The arduous Scrade Valley requires a steep descent and climb, leading on through fields and zig-zag descents to Crackington Haven, a settlement nestled within the impressive Crackington Formation, offering amenities. The path then climbs steeply to Cambeak headland and crosses fields towards The Strangles, with a steep rope-assisted descent to the beach below High Cliff, Cornwall's highest point. Challenging terrain with steep ascents and descents defines the journey along Beeny Cliff and past Fire Beacon Point, before a dramatic drop to Pentargon waterfall and a 200-step climb. After passing Boscastle Farm Shop, the picturesque harbour village offers ample refreshments. From Boscastle, the route climbs past Willapark, crosses Forrabury Common, and descends into Rocky Valley with its ancient mill ruins and petroglyphs, before reaching Grower Gut. After crossing Rocky Valley, the path ascends past Bossiney Haven and Barras Nose, with Tintagel Castle visible, before reaching Tintagel Haven and the village's extensive facilities. This challenging section towards Port Isaac involves crossing seven steep valleys, passing the isolated church of St Materiana and Glebe Cliff. The path continues over dramatic headlands, remnants of slate quarries, and descends steeply to Trebarwith Strand's beach, where the Port William pub provides vital refreshment. Beyond, the route becomes extremely challenging, climbing Dennis Point and traversing multiple valleys, including the notorious Jacket's Point, with warnings of unstable cliffs. The approach to Port Isaac's Bounds Cliff, rich in birdlife, involves further descents through valleys to reach Port Gaverne, where the hotel offers refreshments before the final ascent to the picturesque fishing village itself, famed for "Squeeze-ee-belly" alley and offering many well-earned dining options.

From Port Isaac, the South West Coast Path embarks on a challenging yet rewarding journey towards Porthcothan, initially climbing around Lobber Point and descending into Pine Haven, then navigating a series of undulating ascents and descents past headlands like Varley Head and Downgate Cove. The dramatic views from Kellan Head unfold across Port Quin Bay, leading to the abandoned fishing village, with the folly of Doyden Castle perched above. Beyond Port Quin, the terrain softens, passing antimony mine remains at Gilson's Cove and leading to Trevan Point, offering vistas of The Mouls offshore, before reaching Lundy Bay with its collapsed sea cave arch. The path then continues past coves and headlands, with the Iron Age fort at The Rumps and Pentire Point marking the route before a descent to Polzeath’s surfing beach, a hub for refreshments. A final, gentle section follows the Camel Estuary, leading to Rock.

The walk from Porthcothan Bay to St Agnes is a substantial undertaking, beginning with ascents onto exposed clifftops offering extensive views towards Bedruthan Steps. After passing the dramatic rock stacks of Bedruthan, where refreshments are available at Carnewas café, the path continues above Mawgan Porth's sandy beach with multiple dining options. It then undulates along clifftops, passing Beacon Cove before descending to the magnificent two-mile stretch of Watergate Bay, boasting a range of excellent cafés and restaurants. From here, the path re-ascends for further clifftop walking before a descent into Newquay. Post-Newquay, the route traces the coastline above several beaches, navigating the Gannel Estuary via a tidal footbridge or boardwalk, before continuing onto clifftops overlooking Crantock Bay and Holywell Bay, where the Treguth Inn provides refreshments. The terrain becomes increasingly shaped by Cornwall’s mining heritage as it approaches Perranporth, a popular beach settlement with plentiful amenities, eventually leading to St Agnes, a historic mining village offering essential services.

Leaving St Agnes, with its pubs and bakeries, the path ascends to undulating clifftops heavily marked by Cornwall's mining heritage, passing the iconic Wheal Coates engine house. Descending to Chapel Porth for a brief refreshment at the National Trust car park, then climbing again past Porth Towan's surfing beach, the route continues through challenging terrain with steep sections and rough vegetation, offering views of china clay landscapes before arriving in the historic harbour village of Portreath. Transitioning to the expansive sands of Gwithian Beach, the path follows its three miles towards the Hayle Estuary, navigating mudflats before crossing to Hayle town. The final stretch winds along Hayle Towans' golden sands, intersecting St Michael's Way, before taking in views of St Ives and Carbis Bay’s sheltered cove, finally descending past Porthminster Beach into the picturesque fishing port of St Ives.