- Difficulty
- Moderate
Moderate
- Start
- Hayle
- Finish
- St Ives
- Length
- 6.1 miles (9.8 km)
- Summary
The route from Britain’s oldest swing bridge leads you along roads following the Hayle Estuary. You are able to take small detours in places in order to reach the muddy flats which are home to many different species of birdlife. Hayle was once the most important industrial port in Cornwall and a centre of copper mining and smelting.
The Path also follows part of the ancient pilgrim route called St Michael’s Way which led pilgrims across Cornwall from Lelant to Marazion, near Penzance, where they would then travel on to the Cathedral of St James in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. Follow the railway line to St Ives, passing Carbis Bay and through the wooded outskirts of the town before arriving at the large, sheltered expanse of golden sand that is Porthminster Beach.
- Public Transport
The nearest train stations are Hayle & St Ives. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the train station and bus stop symbols, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.
- Nearest car park
Hayle (Postcode for Sat Navs: TR27 4HQ), Lelant, Carbis Bay and St Ives.
- Nearest toilets
Hayle, Carbis Bay, Porthminster Beach and St Ives.
- Nearest refreshments
Refreshments are available from many places along the route, including Lelant and Carbis Bay.
For locally sourced produce try the vegetarian Woodcote Hotel at The Saltings, Lelant, or The Garrack Hotel in Burthallan Lane, St Ives, which was awarded the AA restaurant guide’s Best Use Of Local Produce.
