Walk - St Ives to Pendeen

13.7 miles (22.0 km)

St Ives Pendeen

Challenging - Severe. This is one of the toughest sections of the entire Path, due to the rocky and sometimes boggy ground, and so progress is slower than you may anticipate - but the views make up for it.

A fairly gentle walk out of St Ives to Clodgy Point soon becomes a strenuous journey of roller coaster climbs as the Coast Path plunges down towering cliffs into beautiful coves and back up again. This is a particularly difficult section and there is a real feeling of remoteness here, unlike any other part of the Coast Path.

The landscape is beautifully wild and rugged and the area around the parish of Zennor is designated both an Environmentally Sensitive Area and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The path can be narrow and rough in places and all amenities require inland detours, so it is advisable to allow plenty of time and stock up on provisions at the beginning of the day.

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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.

Boswednack Manor B&B

01736 794183

Quiet B&B in spacious Edwardian farmhouse. April -Oct. Lovely views from all rooms- see our website! Cottage with self-catering weeks all year.

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The Gurnard's Head

01736 796928

With the South West Coast Path just a 5-minute walk from the back door, the 7-bedroom Gurnard’s Head hotel offers "the simple things in life done well".

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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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St Johns House B&B

01736 786605

B&B accommodation in the centre of Pendeen-2 mins walk to pubs,shop,bus. 2 double rooms (1 with ensuite shower),1 twin shared bathroom. Rates charged per room basis.

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Cohort Hostel

01736 791664

Newly renovated hostel: Centre of St Ives & minutes from the coastal path. Dorms & private rooms, free WiFi, kitchen, TV room, lounge & bar.

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The Western Hotel

01736 795277

In the heart of St Ives with good breakfasts, comfy rooms and live music at night. Just steps away from the harbour, local art galleries and Coast Path. Baggage transfers.

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St Ives Holidays

01736 794686

St Ives Holidays is one of the leading holiday cottage specialists in St Ives with nearly 250 cottages in and around the area.

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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.

Explore In Cornwall

01736 740234

Guided walking with a qualified Mountain Training Instructor and professional ecologist exploring everything about the path

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Highlights

Seal spotting from Mussel Point and watching the Atlantic crashing against the offshore Carrack Rocks.

Crossing the stream and looking at the rugged cliffs and giant fingers of granite above Wicca Pool.

Fantastic views from Zennor Head to Pendour Cove below. You may be able to see dolphins from here. The field systems in this area date from the Bronze Age and are still farmed sensitively so as to enhance wildlife and protect historic features.

Pendour Cove, with views beyond to Gurnard’s Head. This cove is also known as Mermaid’s Cove and legend has it that if you sit above the cove at twilight on a summer’s evening you may hear the singing of a man who fell in love with a mermaid and followed her out to sea.

Standing on the windswept rocky headland of Gurnard’s Head. There are remains of an ancient settlement and cliff castle here.

Bosigran Castle: the site of an Iron Age cliff fort. This rocky area is very popular with climbers.

Portheras Cove: there are often seals spotted around this secluded, sandy cove. Although incredibly beautiful and fairly unpopulated, please note that it is inadvisable to swim from this beach, or to walk on it barefoot, due to the possibility that there may still be metal fragments left from the dynamited wreck the Alacrity which ran aground in 1963.

Pendeen Lighthouse opened in 1900 to aid ships along what is said to be one of the most dangerous stretches of coast in Britain. Part of the lighthouse can be rented as holiday accommodation through Trinity House and Rural Retreats.