7-Day St Ives to Falmouth Itinerary — Hiker Pace (SWCP Section 3)

Leaving St Ives from West Pier, the challenging route heads towards Clodgy Point, soon offering spectacular sea vistas westward. Beyond Trevalgan Cliff and its inland stone circle, a boardwalk crosses boggy ground before Trevega Cliff presents Carn Nuan Point with its trig pillar. The terrain becomes increasingly dramatic with plunging granite cliffs and rocky coves, leading to the rewarding climb to Zennor Head, where Pendour Cove and the distant Pendeen Watch lighthouse come into view. A detour to Zennor village accesses The Tinners Arms for refreshments. Continuing west, the wild, remote coastline continues with steep ascents and descents, passing Porthglaze, Treen, and Porthmeor Coves before Gurnard’s Head lighthouse comes into prominence. The landscape becomes mining-scarred, passing Iron Age Bosigran Castle and Portheras Cove, all before reaching Pendeen Watch lighthouse and the village of Pendeen, where The North Inn and a village store offer respite.

The route from Pendeen to Porthcurno traverses a dramatically wild and remote coastline, initially heading west past Porthglaze Cove and around Carnelloe Long Rock, with views towards the distinctive Gurnard's Head. After rounding this granite promontory, where a detour to Treen village and its pub offers refreshment, the path ventures through a landscape scarred by tin mining, passing coves like Porthmeor and the Iron Age fort of Bosigran Castle. Further on, Portheras Cove appears before the prominent Pendeen Watch lighthouse, built in 1900, signals the journey south. The path then winds past Geevor and Levant Mines, showcasing Cornwall's industrial heritage, before reaching the iconic engine houses of Botallack. A detour to St Just, offering a range of refreshments, precedes Cape Cornwall, England’s only true cape, with its distinctive chimney stack and views towards the Brisons Rocks. Continuing south, the route passes Ballowall Barrow and the geologically interesting Porth Nanven, before reaching the expansive Whitesand Bay, including Gwenver Beach, with its views towards Longships lighthouse. Sennen Cove, a traditional fishing village, provides further refreshment opportunities before the path climbs for 2km to the famous Land's End. From here, the dramatic granite cliffs lead past Enys Dodnan and the "Song of the Sea" rock arch at Nanjizal (Mill Bay), before crossing headlands like Carn Les Boel and rounding Porth Loe. The final approach to Porthcurno is via Gwennap Head, passing Hella Point, to the charming hamlet of Porthgwarra with its cafe, and finally traversing the Porthcurno valley, past St Levan church, to comprehensive facilities at Porthcurno itself, including the Minack Theatre.

Heading southeast from Porthcurno, the path skirts spectacular granite cliffs, passing geological wonders like Enys Dodnan and the Armed Knight, before descending to Nanjizal with its "Song of the Sea" arch and the Diamond Horse rock. Beyond, the route navigates headlands such as Carn Les Boel and Carn Barra above Pendower Coves, rounding Porth Loe. After Porthgwarra, featuring a seasonal cafe, the trail crosses the Porthcurno valley, near St. Levan church, before reaching the Minack Theatre. Ascending to Logan Rock, the path then descends to the unspoilt Penberth Cove, after which strenuous climbing begins around Boscawen Point, passing Tater Du lighthouse. Approaching Lamorna, the landscape shifts with disused granite quarries, a village with a pub and cafe, and the Kemyel Crease Nature Reserve. After a steep climb to Penzer Point, the path plunges into historic Mousehole, then follows the coast past Newlyn and Penzance's Jubilee Pool. Finally, an easy seafront promenade leads along Mount's Bay towards Marazion, with its iconic tidal castle.

Beginning in Marazion, after a gentle start along Mount's Bay's promenade with views of St Michael's Mount, the South West Coast Path rises to clifftops, passing Perranuthnoe village and its beach café. Rounding Cudden Point, the route skirts the historic Prussia Cove before traversing Kenneggy Sands and the former mining spoil heaps near Praa Sands, a popular surfing spot with ample refreshments. The path then climbs past iconic Cornish mining heritage at Rinsey Head and Trewavas Head, descending through Trequean Valley to Porthleven, a bustling traditional harbour with numerous amenities. Crossing the Loe Bar, a unique sand and shingle barrier separating the vast freshwater Loe from the sea, the trail continues to Gunwalloe, home to the picturesque Church of St Winwaloe at Church Cove and the welcoming Halzephron Inn. Finally, after passing Poldhu Cove, the route concludes its 24-mile [approximately] journey to Mullion Cove, with Mullion village offering plentiful refreshments slightly inland.

The trail begins with a steep ascent from Mullion Cove, quickly reaching exposed headlands that showcase dramatic serpentine cliffs, smoothed by Atlantic waves. Continuing past the narrow inlet of Gew Graze, historically used for soapstone quarrying, the path traverses the relatively gentle undulations of Predannack Downs. Kynance Cove, with its stunning white sand beaches and serpentine rock stacks, offers refreshments at a National Trust cafe. Beyond Kynance, weathered cliffs lead to Polpeor Cove and mainland Britain's southernmost tip at Lizard Point lighthouse, where refreshments are available at Polpeor Cafe. Following the cliff tops, the route passes the old lifeboat station at Church Cove and the dramatic collapsed sea cave of the Devil's Frying Pan. Descending through thatched cottages, the journey concludes in the picturesque fishing village of Cadgwith, where the historic Cadgwith Cove Inn awaits, famous for its seafood and shanty nights.

Leaving Cadgwith, the trail ascends, then traverses the historic Poltesco Valley, once home to a serpentine factory, before reaching the expansive Kennack Sands. The terrain becomes more rugged around Black Head, offering spectacular views, before descending into Coverack, a village well-equipped for refreshments with several hotels and restaurants. From Coverack, the path progresses to Lowland Point, affording views of the treacherous Manacles reef, and skirts the abandoned Dean Quarry, transitioning to rough, rocky ground. After descending to Godrevy Cove, the route heads inland to Rosenithon, with an optional detour to St Keverne. Continuing through Trenance and Porthoustock, the path leads to Porthallow, the midpoint of the South West Coast Path, a village steeped in fishing history. The final stretch climbs past Nare Cove and Nare Point before turning inland to navigate Gillan Creek, and then heads towards Dennis Head, ultimately following the wooded southern shore to the picturesque village of Helford, boasting the historic Shipwrights Arms pub.

From Porthallow beach, the clifftop path climbs past Nare Cove to Nare Point, offering expansive views. The route then turns inland to navigate Gillan Creek at St Anthony-in-Meneage, with a potential low-tide stepping-stone shortcut or seasonal ferry alternative before continuing around the creek and heading towards Dennis Head. After passing through the picturesque Helford village, with its Shipwrights Arms pub and Helford Stores, one crosses the Helford River via ferry to Helford Passage. From there, the path meanders along the estuary, passing Trebah Gardens and the historic hamlet of Durgan, before reaching Porth Saxon and climbing Rosemullion Head. Descending to Maenporth’s sandy beach and pub, the trail then undulates along clifftops towards Falmouth, passing Swanpool and Gyllyngvase beaches, before encircling Pendennis Point and its imposing castle. Finally, the route follows Falmouth’s busy waterfront, past the marina and ferry terminals, concluding at Market Street.