South West Coast Path – Padstow to St Ives 8 Days

Padstow to Porthcothan

Leaving Padstow’s busy little tourist harbour, follow the shores of the picturesque Camel Estuary to Stepper Point, with views perhaps to Bodmin Moor inland and to the ‘Doom Bar’: an off shore sand bar which has wrecked hundreds of ships over the centuries, largely because the surrounding cliffs take the wind out of the boat’s sails as they try to enter the harbour. In fact, it became so notorious that many vessels would risk being wrecked on the coast rather than negotiate the entrance to Padstow in poor weather.
More coves pass by until you see the limestone and slate Porthmissen Bridge natural arch with colonies of Razorbills and Guillemots. From here continue on to Trevone Bay, a beautiful sandy beach, popular with surfers and onwards to Harlyn, another surfer’s paradise but once famed for fishing pilchards. The coastal path reaches Trevose Head where on clear days you can see both St Ives and Newquay. There is a lighthouse, which may be open in the afternoon. The path then turns south and crosses more sandy beaches around Constantine, passing Trethias Island nature reserve, threading its way through coves to descend to Porthcothan Bay.
Accommodation: Due to no accommodation in Porthcothan, you will be transferred back to your accommodation in Padstow and back to Porthcothan Bay the following morning.

Newquay to Perranporth

Leaving the harbour, the path climbs up Towan Head past the whitewashed Huer’s Hut, where lookouts would shout the arrival of the pilchard shoals to waiting fishermen, and then follow the cliffs around Pentire Point to take the ferry across the Gannel River. The path winds around headlands and coves to Kelsey Head, the site of an Iron Age promontory fort, and then descends to the village of Holywell, named after an ancient well and equally aged inn called ‘Treguth.’ Following golden sands along Perran Beach, pass the tiny ruin of St Piran’s Oratory, said to be the oldest church in Cornwall (8th century) but reburied to protect it from erosion. Depending upon tide levels, you reach the village of Perranporth either by the beach or the cliff.

Accommodation: There is a small selection of Hotels in Perranporth.

Porthtreath to Hayle

Leaving Portreath, there is a strenuous climb up Tregea Hill and 10 km/6 miles of National Trust land, continuing high above the sea along Carvannel and Reskajeage Downs. You then reach a rather sensational breach in the cliffs called Hell’s Mouth. At Navax Point, you might be lucky enough to see grey seals. Walking on to Godrevy Point you will see the lighthouse perched on Godrevy Island, a likely inspiration for Virginia Wolf’s ‘To the Lighthouse.’ The lighthouse marks the landward end of a treacherous line of reefs, called The Stones, which have claimed many wrecks and many of their victims are buried in the churchyard at Gwithian, a sleepy thatched cottage village with an interesting old pub, The Pendarves Arms. The path then meanders through the Towans sand dunes to the busy port of Hayle.

Accommodation: We have some elegant accommodations here in Hayle which we use.

Depart St Ives after breakfast

Arrangements end after breakfast