4-Day St Ives to Falmouth Itinerary — Trail Runner Pace (SWCP Section 3)

Departing St Ives from West Pier, the path embarks on a dramatic and demanding traverse towards Land's End, initially tracing the coastline to Clodgy Point before offering spectacular westward vistas. Beyond Trevalgan Cliff, past the Trevalgan Stone Circle inland, a boardwalk navigates a boggy stretch, leading to Trevega Cliff and Carn Nuan Point with its trig pillar. The challenging terrain features plunging granite cliffs and rocky coves like River Cove, with increasingly wilder, remote sections punctuated by the iconic Gurnard's Head headland and the mining heritage around Porthmeor Cove, Bosigran Castle, and its distinctive engine houses near Botallack. Detours inland to Zennor, offering The Tinners Arms, and Treen for The Gurnard's Head pub, provide sustenance, as do refreshment stops in Pendeen village and St Just town centre. Cape Cornwall, with its chimney stack, marks England's true cape, before the path meanders past Priest's Cove, the Ballowall Barrow, and the geologically interesting Porth Nanven. Sweeping along Whitesand Bay, past Gwenver Beach, views extend to Longships lighthouse and the Isles of Scilly, eventually reaching Sennen Cove, a former fishing haven with ample amenities like The Old Success Inn, before the final 2km climb to Land's End amidst stunning coastal panoramas, diverse birdlife, and the iconic signpost.

The journey from Sennen Cove begins with a climb to the clifftops guiding you towards Land's End, passing Pedn-mên-du and offering glimpses of the Longships lighthouse and abundant seabirds atop dramatic granite cliffs, with refreshments available at The Land's End Hotel. Beyond Land's End, the path traces spectacular granite formations including Enys Dodnan and the Armed Knight, descending towards Nanjizal's "Song of the Sea" arch and the remnants of an old mill. Crossing headlands like Carn Les Boel and Carn Barra, the route rounds Porth Loe before reaching the hamlet of Porthgwarra near Gwennap Head, a popular spot for wildlife and offering a cafe. The path then leads to the Porthcurno valley, close to St. Levan church, and onward to Porthcurno itself, home to the Minack Theatre and a museum. Further along, the formidable Logan Rock headland, crowned by Treryn Dinas, marks a historical point before a steep descent towards the unspoilt fishing hamlet of Penberth Cove. The terrain becomes challenging, navigating jumbled boulders around Boscawen Point and passing the Porthcurno Tater Du lighthouse, before revealing extensive granite quarries near Lamorna, which supplied stone for significant constructions. Ascending Carn Du after Lamorna, the route traverses Kemyel Crease Nature Reserve and Penzer Point for panoramic views before a descent into historic Mousehole with its tiny harbour. The path follows the coast road through Newlyn and past the Penlee lifeboat memorial to Penzance, with its Jubilee Pool and extensive amenities. From Penzance, a pleasant, flat promenade follows Mount's Bay eastwards, past Long Rock and Marazion with its causeway to St. Michael's Mount, and onwards to Perranuthnoe's sheltered beach. Rounding Cudden Point and passing Prussia Cove, the route then overlooks Kenneggy Sands and the surfing destination of Praa Sands before climbing to Rinsey Head to witness the iconic engine houses of Wheal Prosper and Wheal Trewavas, testament to Cornwall's mining heritage. After navigating further mining remains and descending through Trequean Valley, the path finally approaches Britain's most southerly port, Porthleven, via Mount Pleasant and Ocean View roads, with plentiful amenities awaiting.

The journey from Porthleven traces Cornwall's dramatic coastline, initially crossing the Loe Bar, a sand and shingle barrier, before reaching Halzephron Cove and the unique Church of St Winwaloe at Church Cove. Continuing along exposed cliffs towards Poldhu Cove and Mullion Cove, the path then ascends to traverse serpentine cliffs around Gew Graze. Kynance Cove, with its white sands and serpentine rock stacks, offers refreshments at a National Trust café, before the route passes Pentreath Beach and Polpeor Cove, leading to Lizard Point, mainland Britain's southernmost tip, with café facilities. From Lizard Point, the path winds past the Devil's Frying Pan into the picturesque fishing village of Cadgwith, offering fresh seafood at Cadgwith Cove Inn. The route then proceeds through the historic Poltesco Valley and the expansive Kennack Sands, before a more challenging climb around Black Head descends to Coverack. Further along, the notorious Manacles reef is visible from Lowland Point, past the abandoned Dean Quarry, eventually bringing the walker to the industrial spoil of Godrevy Cove and the hamlet of Rosenithon. The path concludes by passing through Trenance and descending to Porthoustock, before rejoining lanes to Porthallow, the official halfway point of the entire South West Coast Path, marked by a granite sculpture and the historic Five Pilchards Inn.

Continuing from Rosenithon, the route dips to Porthoustock's quarrying village before a road and field path return you to lanes for Porthallow, the official halfway point of the South West Coast Path, marked by the Five Pilchards Inn. From Porthallow beach, the path ascends clifftops past Nare Cove to Nare Point's coastwatch station, then turns inland to negotiate Gillan Creek at St Anthony-in-Meneage where a low tide shortcut offers stepping stones, or a seasonal ferry. The trail then threads through Dennis Head and the wooded southern shore towards Helford village, boasting the Shipwrights Arms pub and Helford Stores. Crossing the Helford River by ferry to Helford Passage, the path traces the estuary past Trebah Gardens and Durgan, Captain Vancouver's historic home, before skirting Porth Saxon and climbing Rosemullion Head's pastures towards Maenporth beach. Leaving Maenporth, clifftop undulations lead through Swanpool and past Gyllyngvase beach before culminating at Falmouth, passing Pendennis Castle and the busy waterfront, ending at Market Street.