Walk - Portreath to Hayle

11.7 miles (18.8 km)

Portreath Hayle

Moderate - Moderate

After leaving Portreath the Coast Path follows the cliffs with some beautiful views of rocky coves, such as the wonderfully named Ralph’s Cupboard, apparently a favoured smugglers spot for stashing loot. After just a couple of steep climbs the Path soon levels and walking becomes fairly straightforward. As you follow the sheer cliffs, surrounded by brightly coloured spring and summertime flowers, such as blue sheep’s bit, primroses and yellow rattle, look down to the contrastingly raw, jagged reefs below.

Seals are a common sight around the waters of Godrevy and Gwithian and sunfish and basking sharks have been spotted from the North Cliffs. The dunes behind the spectacular beach which stretches from Godrevy Point to the entrance of the Hayle estuary are also rich with wildlife.

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There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

The Painters Cottage Bed and Breakfast

01736 797626

Small friendly guest house set in historic former artist's residence with arts and crafts period features. Ideal for exploring West Cornwall and the South West Coast Path. One night stays, 4 full ensuite rooms. Evening meal available

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Cohort St Ives

01736 791664

Family rooms, private rooms, dorm rooms. Hostel-style accommodation in the centre of St Ives & minutes from the coastal path. Free WiFi, kitchen, TV room, lounge & bar.

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Ayr Holiday Park

01736 795855

We offer luxury holiday caravans, s/c apartments, touring & camping pitches with amazing views and facilities. Less than half a mile from beaches, town centre & harbour. Town centre 10 minute walk from the park or a short bus/taxi ride.

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Tolroy Manor Holiday Park

01736 753 082

With an Old Cornish Manor at its heart, the Park is a haven for wildlife & nature and a charming base for your walking holiday. Stay in a cottage or house and eat out in our conservatory style restaurant. Just 1 mile from Hayle Towans beach

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Una St Ives

01736 257 000

Luxurious lodges & villas with spa, leisure facilities & award winning Una kitchen - ideal base for exploring area.

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Portreath Lighthouse Hill Camping

Dog friendly site, 20 minutes from Portreath beach. Some facilities (cold showers)

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You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Portreath Arms

01209 842259

The Portreath Arms is a family owned and run Bar, Restaurant and Hotel located in the centre of the village. The menu features good home cooked food with ever changing specials and daily locally caught fish dishes

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What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

St Ives Information Centre

01736 796297

Find places to stay, eat and visit on your trip to the St Ives area

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Whythra

07576521238

We provide guided running tours of the spectacular Cornish countryside and coastline

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Highlights

The views from the top of Western Hill down to the harbour of Portreath and to Western Cove and the cliff paths ahead.

The contorted rock strata of Greenbank Cove.

Crane Castle: standing on the site of an Iron Age cliff castle, almost entirely lost to erosion, you look out to Crane Islands and to the Path ahead along the Reskajaege Downs, which are covered in swathes of wildflowers and heather in spring and summer.

The overwhelming mass of cliff and sheer drop to the sea at Hell’s Mouth.

Seal spotting from Navax Point, which is covered in wild flowers, pink heather and gorse in the summer months.

The National Trust have brought in a small herd of Shetland ponies to graze at the Knavocks and help maintain the habitat favoured by small birds and butterflies.

Godrevy Island and octagonal lighthouse (now solar-powered) is three and a half miles across St Ives Bay, and is thought to have been the inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s novel `To The Lighthouse'. The island is covered in bright flowers in springtime.

Spotting the guillemots, razorbills, fulmars and cormorants from the North Cliffs.

The Red River which once carried the red iron oxide residue from the tin mines up the valley out to the sea at Gwithian.

Gwithian and Hayle Towans: the second largest dune system in Cornwall is home to hundreds of different species of plants, butterflies, moths and glow-worms. Apparently, St Gothian's Chapel has been buried three times under the shifting sands.

The 100 year-old swing bridge at the entrance to Hayle harbour.

The birds of Hayle Estuary.