3
moderate
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in hotels and guesthouses
Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1100GBP

Overview

Trip Code: WCN

Padstow to St Ives Trip highlights


  • Cornish coastal hiking with dramatic cliffs and golden beaches
  • Explore Padstow, home to Rick Stein’s famous seafood restaurants
  • Discover Newquay, the UK’s surfing capital with its vibrant atmosphere
  • Visit the galleries of St Ives, a fishing village turned artist haven
  • Step through the history of tin mining and stories of smugglers
  • Follow in the footsteps of Raynor Winn on "The Salt Path"

This spectacular section of the South West Coast Path, stretching from Padstow to St Ives, offers some of the most rewarding coastal walking in Cornwall —and indeed in all of the UK. The route combines iconic Cornish towns, like the culinary hotspot of Padstow and the artists’ enclave of St Ives, with untouched natural beauty and heritage-rich landscapes. Along the way, you’ll pass through Newquay, renowned for its surfing beaches, and discover historic fishing villages, remnants of Cornwall’s once-booming mining and maritime industries. Rugged cliffs, sandy bays, and turquoise waters provide a constant backdrop, while hidden coves, windswept headlands, and offshore reefs whisper stories of shipwrecks and smugglers. This part of the South West Coast Path is a perfect blend of natural drama, cultural heritage, and classic seaside charm, making it an unforgettable walking holiday destination.

Countries:

England

Starting Point:

Padstow

Finishing Point:

St Ives


Make your way to Padstow. Padstow is a picturesque fishing port on the north coast of Cornwall, known for its charming harbour, sandy beaches, and vibrant food scene. Once a busy hub for the pilchard trade, today it draws visitors with its maritime heritage, narrow streets, and renowned seafood restaurants—most famously those of chef Rick Stein. The town is named after St. Petroc who came here circa A.D 500. The church of St Petroc is one of a group of three said to have been founded by the Saint. Accommodation: Two nights at a local inn in the village.

Meals:  Nil

Leaving Padstow’s busy little tourist harbour, follow the shores of the picturesque Camel Estuary to Stepper Point, with views 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 maybe 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. Taxi (included) return to Padstow.

Meals:  B

Start your day with a short taxi ride (included) to Porthcothan to begin your hike. From the bay the path climbs up to Park Head, which provides wonderful views of Bedruthan Steps, a set of rock stacks that have been a popular tourist feature since the railway reached Newquay in 1875 bringing the first travellers to the area. Passing the village of Mawgan Porth the route follows the cliff top above Watergate Bay. Approaching Newquay, the path arrives at Trevelgue Head and the largest Iron Age fort remains in the county. Continuing over Barrowfields, with its three Bronze Age barrows, the path descends to Newquay. The town overlooks fine golden sands, which cushion the Atlantic rollers and make this Britain’s surfing capital. Before surfing fame, Newquay was another famous fishing port, seining out the millions of pilchards that arrived every July. It was also a silver and lead mining centre. Accommodation: ovenight in a local hotel with sea views.

Meals:  B

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 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: Overnight in a local hotel within its own grounds overlooking Perranporth, minutes from the coastal footpaths.

Meals:  B

Today is more gentle as the coast path follows the cliffs around Cligga Head, past mineshafts, now home to horseshoe bats, and the remains of tin mines, with dramatic views of the mine buildings and chimneys dotting the landscape further on around St Agnes. Enroute you drop into Trevellas Porth and then Trevaunance Cove which has a waterside pub. It is then pleasant ascending to St Agnes Head past bird nesting cliffs, to the little village with the same name and terraces of miners' cottages including an interesting little museum in an old chapel. The path descends past the ruins of Wheal Coates Mine to the sandy inlet of Chapel Porth. Returning to the cliff tops, the path goes past the Wheal Charlotte Mine, drops down to the beach at Porthtowan and then follows the cliff top path to the harbour at Portreath, from where minerals were exported from the mines at Redruth. Accommodation: Overnight at a local bed & breakfast, 2 minutes walk from a sandy beach and situated on the coast path.

Meals:  B

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, probably the 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: Overnight at a local hotel constructed in 1838. It is the oldest hotel in the town but all rooms are tastefully furnished and ensuite.

Meals:  B

Today is a short day to enable you to discover beautiful St. Ives, with its museums and galleries. Skirting the Hayle Estuary, which is noted for its seabirds and waders, the path passes along the dunes above Porth Kidney and then passes beautiful Carbis Bay to reach the town. St Ives dates back to AD460, when the missionary St. Ia, daughter of an Irish chieftain, landed here and gave her name to the settlement. Protected from Atlantic storms, St Ives was once the most important fishing port in Cornwall, but like elsewhere on the surrounding coast, by the beginning of the 20th century, the fish stocks became depleted and the fishing fleet largely disappeared. However as early as 1811 Turner visited to paint the seascapes and by the late 1880s there were several artists installed and the town became famous for its vibrant artists' colony. This perhaps reached its heyday during the late 1940s and the 1950s. Today their work can be seen in the St Ives Tate Gallery, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and the Bernard Leach Gallery. Accommodation: There is a variety of accommodation in this busy town, and our 1st choice is a 4 * guesthouse set in the quieter part of St Ives.

Meals:  B

Depart St. Ives after breakfast

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 7 breakfasts
  • 7 nights accommodation in hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities where available
  • Return taxi from Porthcothan to Padstow
  • One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kg.
  • Digital information pack including Navigational App, maps and route notes
  • Emergency hotline

  • Lunch, Dinner and drinks
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • Excess luggage
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self-guided walking holiday

Accommodation


Trail Surface


Suitability

moderate

3

This trip is graded Moderate. Days range from 9km to 21km/5 - 13miles, and there are some tough ascents and descents following rugged trails and walking on sand in places. This is a coastal path, and the route undulates as it follows the Cornish coastline of headlands and beaches. The trail is generally well waymarked. After rain, the trails can become muddy and slippery so care should be taken. Good boots with ankle support are essential, as is a reasonable level of fitness.


Departure dates

Daily from 1 Mar to 20 Oct

Notes

M
Mid Season
H
High Season
DN1
This section of the South West Coast Path is preceded by the Westward Ho! to Padstow (code WPS) trip and succeeded by the St Ives to Penzance (code WCS) or St Ives to Mevagissey (code WTR) trip.
DN2
Mid Season is from 1 Jul to 31 Aug and High Season is from 1 May - 30 June & 1-30 Sep. A supplement applies for mid and high season departures.

Priceper person from

£1100GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementGBP£590
  • Single Supplement - Mid & High SeasonGBP£650
  • Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£700
  • Solo Traveller Supplement - Mid & High SeasonGBP£770
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

Since the release of the book by Raynor Winn's titled "The Salt Path", many have come to know the South West Coast Path as “The Salt Path,” although the official name remains as the South West Coast Path.

Padstow is a renowned foodie destination in Cornwall, with several famous restaurants that attract visitors from across the UK and beyond. Here are some top recommendations:

Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant

The flagship of Rick Stein’s culinary empire, this iconic seafood restaurant offers fresh, locally sourced fish and shellfish with a fine-dining twist.

Cuisine: Seafood

Booking: Essential, especially in peak season

Paul Ainsworth at No.6

A Michelin-starred restaurant set in a beautiful Georgian townhouse, offering innovative British cuisine with seasonal Cornish produce.

Cuisine: Modern British

Award: 1 Michelin Star

Prawn on the Lawn

A laid-back and creative seafood bar offering fresh fish dishes and small plates. Often described as one of the best casual dining spots in Cornwall.

Cuisine: Seafood & Tapas-style plates

Vibe: Cool and casual

The Cornish Arms (by Rick Stein)

Located just outside Padstow in St Merryn, this relaxed pub serves up hearty British classics with a Cornish twist.

Cuisine: Gastropub

Great for: A more informal, family-friendly atmosphere

The Basement

A local favourite, this harbourside restaurant offers quality dishes made with local produce and has a charming, relaxed vibe.

Cuisine: Modern British & European

Known for: Friendly service and outdoor seating

The ideal time is between May and September when the weather is generally milder and the days are longer. Spring offers blooming wildflowers, while autumn provides quieter trails. Be prepared for variable weather conditions year-round.? The path is rich in wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and occasionally dolphins. Spring and early summer are excellent times for birdwatching and spotting wildflowers.?

There are some famous beaches on this walk and it would be a shame to miss out on swimming where you feel like it. Be aware of local conditions though such as tides, rocks etc, and any red flags.

You will encounter some tin mining ruins around St. Agnes Head, including Wheal Charlotte and Wheal Cotes Mines.

This is to give you plenty of time to enjoy St. Ives with its beaches, pubs and art galleries.

Accommodation there is very limited and difficult to arrange for a single night. This means you don't have to pack your bags on your second day and can enjoy a second night in the lovely harbour town of Padstow.

Yes there is a train station there. It maybe a bit of a walk with luggage from your accommodation, so you may like to request a taxi.


Padstow to St Ives Trip reviews


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Padstow to St Ives Videos

South West Coast Path