Penzance to Falmouth

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Day 1 : Travel to Penzance where your first nights accommodation has been booked.
Penzance is an attractive small town that is worth exploring. Places of interest include the Market House, the extraordinary Egyptian House, the Maritime Museum and the National Lighthouse Centre.

 

Day 2: Penzance to Porthleven. 13 miles (21km)
The path from Penzance follows the beach around Mount's Bay to the ancient island castle of St. Michael's Mount. Approached by a granite causeway at low tide or by boat at high tide the little harbour, village and dramatic castle perched on top of this rocky island is a delight to explore. Returning to the mainland, cliff top paths lead around Cudden Point to Prussia Cove. Taking its name from the King of Prussia inn, run by the notorious smuggler John Carter, the cove was the base of the Carter family 'business', with storage caves, a landing and roadway from it - the ruts in the rock above the beach bear witness to the scale of operations. The path crosses the lovely beach at Praa Sands before returning to the cliff top to pass the beautifully restored engine house and chimney of the Wheal Prosper Mine. Further along the cliffs are the impressive ruins of Wheal Trewavas Mine.  After a while the path descends into the attractive fishing village of Porthleven.

 

Day 3: Porthleven to Lizard. 13 miles (21km)
After passing the old coastguard station you follow the natural shingle bank of Loe Bar, the sea ano one side and a large freshwater lake noted for its birdlife on th other. Above the bar is a memorial to Henry Trengrouse who invented the rocket-fired lifeline after witnessing the loss HMS Anson that was beached in a storm in 1807, with the loss of 120 lives. The path continues along the cliff edge to Gunwalloe church, which has an unusual detached bell tower cut into the cliff-face, and then drops down to Polurrian Cove before climbing back up and and down to the delightful fishing village of Mullion Cove. Exhilarating walking along the cliff top path past Rill Point leads to the outstanding beauty spot of Kynance Cove. With its islands, stacks and arches of serpentine rock. Around the islands' bases and the cliffs bordering the cove are several exciting and interconnected caves and blowholes. The path then winds past the old serpentine workings before reaching Lizard Point, Britain's most southerly point.

 

Day 4: Lizard to Coverack. 11 miles (18km).
Lighthouse, Coastguard station and lifeboat station are passed in succession as you turn around the headland and follow the cliff edge past the Devil's Frying-pan, a vast chasm caused by the collapse of a sea cave, to Cadgwith, another beautiful Cornish fishing village with thatched, whitewashed cottages and a small harbour. The route continues past the ruin of an old serpentine works before dropping down to Kennack Sands, renowned for its multi-coloured pebbles of serpentine, granite, gabbro and gneiss.  The cliff top path goes around Black Head Point to Coverack, whose name - hideaway- suggests that smuggling, rather than fishing provided its main source of income.

Day 5: Coverack to Helford. 13 miles (21km)
The cliff top paths leads around Lowland Point, which provides thrilling views over the Manacles, a notorious reef that has caused countless shipwrecks over the centuries. After visiting the former fishing villages of Porthoustock and Porthallow, the path continues around Nare Point, with glorious views over the Helford River, to Gillan Harbour. Cross the pretty Gillan Creek and past St Anthony Church, which is as beautiful as its surroundings, before you continue along the shores of the Helford River to the delightful village of Helford, an old Smuggler's haunt of snug thatched cottages with an ancient inn. Just upstream of the village is Frenchman's Creek, one of many creeks and inlets branching off the river that was the inspiration for Daphne Du Maurier's novel of the same name. Her description of it still holds true: “ still and soundless, surrounded by trees, hidden from the eyes of men”.

 

Day 6: Helford to Falmouth. 10 miles (16km)
After you take the ferry across the Helford river (there has been a ferry crossing here continually since the middle ages) you proceed through Durgan and onto Rosemullion Head, the views from here of The Helford river and south to the Manacles and north to the lighthouse at St Anthony are truly magnificent. The path continues towards Falmouth taking you to Maenporth, then Swanpool and finally Gylinvase beaches (each has a beach cafe that can provide refreshment).  The path then curls around Pendennis Point to reach the town of Falmouth. There are many places of interest here, firstly Pendennis castle with its magnificent views and history of royalist resistance in the English civil war is a must. The National Maritime museum should not be missed either.

 

 

 

An extra day gives you the chance to relax and explore or take part in an another activity. Coverack is a lovely Cornish village with a good beach. Helford is a magical place and a stop here would allow you to explore “Frenchman’s Creek” made famous by Daphne du Maurier or any of the 3 great gardens located in this area. St Mawes is a beautiful village reached by ferry from Falmouth and would be a great place to extend your holiday, a days kayaking can be pre-booked.
 

WHAT WE PROVIDE (All walks)

Accommodation	Overnight Bed and Breakfast accommodation.  Full English Breakfast or Continental Included
Personal Itineries	A personal itinerary setting out each overnight stop including large scale maps of, and directions to, each accommodation, to ensure you find it easily. Along with recommendations of the best places to eat each evening.
Guide Books	South West Coastal Path daily guide leaflets
Maps	Harvey's Coastal Path Maps
Emergency Telephone Support	Help should anything go wrong
Other Useful Information	Details of services found along the route.  For example good places for lunch, cash points, post offices, good pubs etc.

OPTIONS

Luggage Transfer	One upto 20 kg bag per person transfered between your overnight accommodation (the coastal path is quite hilly and we strongly recommend this option)
Off road parking	We can arrange off road parking for your car.  This cost can vary, we will advise costs for your point of detarture.
Arrange for return transport to your car at the end of the walk	We can arrange transport back to your car.  If public transport is the best option we will advise.

 

Wandern in Cornwall