Walk - The Lizard to Coverack

10.4 miles (16.7 km)

The Lizard Coverack

Challenging - Moderate to strenuous

A walk through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty awaits as you set off from the most southerly point of Great Britain. There are a few relatively short steep ascents and descents as you leave Lizard Point, followed by some more strenuous climbs, until you pass Cadgwith and begin the approach to Coverack, which is a lot easier.

You will see some extraordinary geology along this stretch as the Path crosses serpentine, granite and schist. Serpentine is a dark green rock veined with red and white which is easily carved and can be polished to a really beautiful sheen. It was very popular in the 19th century when it was used for shop fronts and fireplaces.

Some of the stiles along this stretch have been built of serpentine: beautiful but slippery when wet. Kennack Sands, once famous for shipwrecks, is a National Nature Reserve with beautiful cliffs of layered rock, with veins of talc, and lovely displays of wildflowers. A steep climb up to join the seabirds around Beagles Point marks the beginning of a stretch with particularly far-reaching views of the Coast Path ahead.

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.

Little Trevothan Camping & Caravan Park

After your fabulous day on the Coast Path, pitch your tent/tourer, or rest in one of our holiday caravans. You will be assured of the warmest welcome.

Silver Sands Holiday Park Ltd

Ideal base to explore the Lizard peninsula. Lodges,Holiday Homes, Touring and Camping. A short 10 minute walk to the SW Coast path and Kennack Sands beach

Heron's Pool Bed & Breakfast

Adult Only Bed & Breakfast. Free transport to the Accommodation on the day of arrival.

The Old Bakery B&B

The Old Bakery was built around 1935 & is situated on the edge of the village. It is only 2 minutes walk to the village centre. The Coast Path and a number of beaches are within walking distance.

The Top House Inn

Mainland Britain’s most southerly Inn- The Top House Inn is unique. En-suite rooms in an adjoining building are contemporary in style and offer guests a touch of luxury.

Coverack Camping at Penmarth Farm

Campsite for tents and caravans situated above Coverack fishing village

Journeys End

Journeys End holiday let with surrounding seaview's

Penmenner House Bed & Breakfast

A warm welcome awaits walkers at Penmenner House. 4 ensuite rooms all with sea views, and a delightful Cornish breakfast. Perfectly situated to explore the amazing Lizard peninsula.

YHA Coverack

Shared and private rooms, bell tents and pitch up camping. Self-catering kitchen and shared meals. Dog Friendly camping.

The Bay Hotel

Overlooking the beautiful fishing village of Coverack, The Bay is situated on the South West Coast Path on the Lizard, a perfect destination for hikers and walkers.

Polurrian on the Lizard

Breathtaking coastal views, stylish interiors, two pools, health club, tennis court and 12 acres of gardens leading to the beach.

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.

Coverack Village Stores Ltd

Village Food Stores, open 7 days a week. All your basic grocery needs plus fresh fruit, veg and bread. Take away hot drinks, home made sausage rolls and pasties.

Wavecrest Café ~ Lizard Point

Wavecrest Café has panoramic sea views overlooking Lizard Point, the most southerly tip of mainland Britain. Dogs welcome & super-fast broadband for customers.

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.

Telstar Taxi & Private Hire

The Lizard peninsula is a remote part of Cornwall, public transport can be sparse. Ideally located to assist with one way South West Coast Path walkers.

Interactive Elevation

Highlights

  • Trinity House-The Lizard Lighthouse. This is a particularly hazardous stretch of coast and there has been a Trinity House lighthouse here since 1751. Apparently, there was a certain amount of resistance to the building of a lighthouse as it was seen to damage the wrecking industry!
  • Spotting the black dorsal fin of a basking shark: seen on a clear summer’s day, these magnificent, gentle creatures are the world’s second largest fish and can grow up to 10 metres long.
  • The lifeboat station at Kilcobben Cove: opened in 1961, the station is fairly well protected by the cliffs and therefore allows relatively safe launching in all weather conditions. The station is linked to the boathouse at the bottom of the cliff by a roller slipway. Open to the public on weekday mornings.
  • Keeping a lookout for the famous Cornish Choughs. These acrobatic birds are members of the crow family and have a red beak and red legs. They are England’s rarest breeding variety, but thanks to careful farmers and landowners who work alongside initiatives like The Cornish Chough Project these beautiful birds are gradually returning to the Cornish Coast.
  • Enjoying a rest or picnic on The Chair: this group of rocks was undoubtedly used by pilchard spotters, or huers, as a comfortable lookout point.
  • The Devil’s Frying Pan: the roof of this cave collapsed leaving an impressive arch and 100-metre deep hole. Depending on the weather, you may see a calm pool of water or a foaming, boiling sea.
  • Cadgwith: this pretty fishing village on the east coast of The Lizard is said to hold the record for catching the most pilchards in one day: a staggering 1.3 million. Look out for the old pilchard cellars, which have now been converted into holiday accommodation. Cadgwith was the setting for the 2004 film Ladies in Lavender starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, which tells the story of a young man shipwrecked and taken in by two spinster sisters.
  • Poltesco and Carleon Cove: once the site of a successful pilchard fishery and processing plant, the buildings were then used as a water-powered factory for working serpentine.
  • Kennack Sands: a good spot to rest and watch the surfers or search for marine life in the fantastic rock pools exposed at low tide.
  • Watching the kestrels and buzzards flying above the wildflowers of the Eastern Cliffs.
  • The Iron Age Cliff Castles of Lankidden and Chynalls Point.
  • Spectacular views from Black Head: it is no wonder that there is a coastguard lookout situated here. Views extend over Coverack Bay, the Fal Estuary and out to Nare Head and the Dodman.
  • Visiting the ice cream parlour in Coverack at the end of the day. Positioned in a sheltered bay, this tiny fishing village has quite a colourful past. Some of the cottages are said to still have secret passages and cellars from their smuggling days.

Shorter option

Cadgwith (3.5 miles, 5.6 km).

Longer option

Porthallow (an additional 4.9 miles, 7.9 km).

Public transport

The nearest mainline station is Truro, from where you can catch buses to Lizard village and coverack by changing at Helston. The T2 bus service runs 4 times a day between Helston and Coverack. There are also buses available from Ruan Minor, near Cadgwith, to Lizard, Helston and Coverack. 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.

Parking

Lizard Point (Postcode for Sat Navs: TR12 7NU), Church Cove, above Devil’s Frying Pan, Cadgwith, above Kennack Sands and Coverack.

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