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

8 Days£1030GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: WTR

Penzance to Mevagissey Trip highlights

  • Walk the stunning Cornish coastline from Penzance to Mevagissey
  • Explore The Lizard, the southernmost point of mainland Britain
  • Discover the hidden coves & tidal creek of the Roseland Peninsula
  • Gaze out to St Michael’s Mount as you walk along “The Salt Path”
  • Discover Cornwall’s colourful gardens thriving in the mild climate
  • Follow in the footsteps of Daphne du Maurier and Virginia Woolf

Discover one of the most scenic stretches of the South West Coast Path as you walk from Penzance to Mevagissey, a route rich in natural beauty, cultural history, and coastal charm. This journey takes you through dramatic cliffs at The Lizard—Britain’s southernmost point—along wooded estuaries, sheltered tidal creeks, and the tranquil Fal River. The region is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, known for its lush gardens, palm-lined paths, and unique microclimate. Along the way, you’ll encounter tiny fishing villages, secret smugglers’ coves, and stories of shipwrecks that inspired authors like Daphne du Maurier and Virginia Woolf, and latterly Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path. Whether you're admiring the birdlife, exploring subtropical gardens, or simply taking in a spectacular Cornish sunset, this moderate week-long walk offers a deeply memorable experience for both nature lovers and literary enthusiasts alike.

Countries:

England

Starting Point:

Marazion

Finishing Point:

Mevagissey

Itinerary

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Make your way to Penzance, located the far west of Cornwall. Penzance, whose name means "holy headland" in Cornish, has long been a vital port and trading hub, with a history dating back to the medieval period. In more recent times, the town has become a popular holiday destination, known for its subtropical gardens, mild climate and rich maritime heritage. The imporessive Georgian and Regency architecture, combined with cultural attrractions such as the Egyptian House, the Maritime Mueseum and the National Lighthouse Museum, make Penzance a delightful place to explore. The town also offers plenty of options for dining, including seafood restaurants that celebrate the local seafaring history. Accommodation: Overnight in guesthouse/B&B accommodation in this busy town.

Meals:  Nil

Today you hike along the scenic coastline of Mount’s Bay, with St Michael’s Mount standing majestically in the sea as a backdrop, to the charming harbour town of Porthleven. From Penzance, the walk to Marazion is flat and pleasant, following the broad beach of Mount’s Bay. If the tide is out, you might even enjoy walking barefoot along the sand all the way to Marazion. After Marazion, the path becomes more rugged as you leave the bay, passing cliffs with remnants of old tin mines. The route continues past secluded bays and inlets, once associated with smugglers, before reaching Porthleven. This picturesque fishing harbour, protected by wooden baulks during storms, is a perfect spot to enjoy fresh seafood at a local inn or at one of the restaurants along the quay. You can make this day shorter by taking the bus (own expense) from Penzance through to Marazion and starting your walk from there. This would reduce your walk down by 17.75km/11 miles. Accommodation: A quayside inn with old stone flags on the floor, oak beams and wood paneling. The bar retains the ambience of an old fisherman’s pub, and offers friendly service in traditional surroundings.

Meals:  B

Today you walk to The Lizard peninsula via the stunningly beautiful white sands and turquoise waters of Kynance Cove and the pretty village of Mullion. The trail becomes more rugged as you head south. Look out to see as you pass by Hazelphron Cliff, this area is steeped in shipwreck history. You will also pass by Poldhu Point, site of Marconi's pioneering transatlantic wireless transmission in 1901. This section of the trail includes some of the finest walking on the the entire South West Coast Path as you wind your way south to Lizard Point. The Lizard is remote and the southernmost point of Britain, with a historic lighthouse and expansive sea views. Accommodation: A small hotel at The Lizard, set in its own grounds with views of the famous Lizard lighthouse.

Meals:  B

Beginning at The Lizard, the southernmost point of mainland Britain, the trail meanders past dramatic cliffs, secluded coves, and the fishing villages of Cadgwith and Coverack. You may wish to make a detour from the coast to visit St Keverne to view its pleasant village square and remarkable churchyard where over 400 shipwreck victims of the nearby Manacle Reef are buried. Notable landmarks along the route include the historic lifeboat station at Kilcobben Cove and the serene beaches of Kennack Sands. The journey culminates in Porthallow, a charming village known for its whitewashed cottages and shingle beach, marking the halfway point of the entire South West Coast Path. Accommodation: A local guesthouse where your host will make you more than welcome.

Meals:  B

Leaving Porthallow, the trail meanders over heath and grassland, passing through areas rich in history and natural beauty. The path continues through the picturesque village of Helford where a ferry crossing leads to Helford Passage, from there the route follows the Helford River, offering views of secluded beaches and wooded valleys before reaching the bustling town of Falmouth known for its maritime heritage. Along the way, explore Frenchman's Creek, a secluded tributary of the Helford River, made famous by Daphne du Maurier's novel of the same name and there is great pub here for a lunch stop. Close to Falmouth, the trail also passes close to the impressive Trebah Gardens. This is a long day, which can be shortened by taking a taxi to Gillan. Accommodation: Overnight at a guesthouse/B&B in Falmouth.

Meals:  B

Today's walk begins with the ferry ride from Falmouth to St. Mawes, a remote pleasant little yachting harbour at the end of the Roseland Peninsula, which boasts a clover leaf castle built by Henry VIII in 1542. En route pass by Caerhays Castle, designed by John Nash, and its beautiful gardens. Then through Veryan noted for its thatched round houses. You arrive at the understated beauty that is Portloe, a tiny sheltered harbour with old streets. Accommodation: Overnight at a local inn on the water's edge in the centre of the village.

Meals:  B

The trail begins with a rugged ascent from Portloe, leading to softer pastures near Caerhays Castle and Porthluney Cove. As you progress, the path becomes more demanding, especially around Hemmick Beach and Dodman Point, offering panoramic views of the coastline. The route then descends into Gorran Haven, a fishing village, before continuing past Chapel Point and Portmellon. The final stretch into Mevagissey, a bustling fishing port with a double-walled harbor, provides a satisfying end to this scenic coastal journey. Accommodation: A guesthouses or B&B in the bustling village.

Meals:  B

Depart Mevagissey 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

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts
  • 7 nights accommodation in hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities where available
  • 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
  • Guide - this is a self guided walking holiday
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room

Accommodation

Hotels, guesthouses & country inns

You will stay in a range of hotels, B&Bs, inns and guesthouses, all chosen for their local character, proximity to the walking route and comfort. Rooms will usually have private bathrooms, TVs, and tea and coffee making facilities. An English breakfast is often served. Note that for the dates of your tour, we may not be able to get you into the accommodation described. We will endeavour to get you into a similar standard of accommodation nearby, but please appreciate that there are limited options in parts of rural Cornwall. Although we aim to get ensuite rooms, this is not always possible in some of the smaller and more traditional B&Bs where despite limited facilities, the welcome remains warm!

Trail Surface

Cliff top paths, sandy beaches, rugged trails

Between Penzance and Mevagissey, , the South West Coast Path offers a varied mix of trail surfaces that reflect the changing coastal landscape. Walkers will encounter grassy cliff-top paths, sandy stretches near beaches, and narrow, rugged trails hugging the coastline. There are also sections with stone or compacted earth tracks, especially near villages and popular viewpoints. After rain, some parts—particularly around headlands and valleys—can become muddy or slippery, so sturdy boots that are well worn-in with good grip are essential. While the route is well-marked, the undulating terrain and uneven surfaces require a reasonable level of fitness and attention underfoot.

Suitability

moderate

3

This trip is graded Moderate. Days range from 19 to 26km/12 to 16.5miles. The coastal path is hilly as it descends to beaches and low-lying coastal areas and then ascends to clifftops and headlands with many ascents and descents each day. The underfoot conditions can be rugged and rough underfoot, and there are some short sections of easy scrambling. The route 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, trekking poles are strongly recommended and you should have a good level of fitness and be accustomed to walking on hilly trails for consecutive days.

Departure dates

Daily from 01 Mar to 20 Oct

Priceper person from

£1030GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementGBP£470
  • Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£500
  • 2026 Single SupplementGBP£500
  • 2026 Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£530
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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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. Raynor Winn's book is a 2018 memoir that chronicles the transformative journey she and her husband, Moth, undertook along the 630-mile South West Coast Path in England. After losing their home and livelihood due to a failed investment and legal complications, and facing Moth's diagnosis with a terminal illness, the couple embarks on this challenging trek with minimal resources. Their journey becomes one of resilience and healing, as they confront the physical demands of the trail and the emotional toll of their circumstances. The memoir has been praised for its honest portrayal of adversity and the restorative power of nature, earning accolades such as the RSL Christopher Bland Prize and inspiring a film adaptation starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs released in 2025.

Hopefully you will have time on your day of arrival, assuming you arrive by about midday. You can either walk to the Mount or you could take a bus along Mounts Bay and back to access the island, just to save more time. Alternatively you could stay an extra day in Penzance to enable you to do this without rushing. Talk to our team about adding extra nights to your itinerary.

There are 3 ferries Helford, Falmouth - St. Mawes and the Place Ferry. All need to be paid for locally

Most the days are quite long, but if you have the time and energy you can visit the Trebah and Durgan gardens near Helford.

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.

Penzance to Mevagissey Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.

Penzance to Mevagissey Videos

South West Coast Path