The famous and quaint bustling fishing port of Padstow is positioned in a small valley on the sheltered westerly side of The River Camel. The small busy harbour is full of both fishing and pleasure boats and is surrounded by shops, pubs and places to eat, adding to the charm and vibrancy of the town. Local fishermen supply the many famous restaurants including those of celebrity chefs Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth. Padstow is also world famous for its Obby 'Oss festival which is an ancient form of the May celebrations welcoming in the Spring.
Leaving Padstow, the journey moves onwards to scenic Porthcothan Bay; the vibrant seaside resort of Newquay; the wide open sandy beach of Perranporth.
Travel onward to the small narrow harbour at Portreath, steeped in Cornish history, once a busy hub, where coal was imported and copper exported.
Experience the endless sweeping sand dunes at Hayle Towans, with panoramic views across the bay to your destination - the stunning seaside town of St Ives.
"...to cobbled streets, full of history, legend and tradition, winding between pretty fisherman's cottages..." St Ives has the kind of simple beauty that stops you in your tracks.
This journey will take you along the glorious and dramatic coast of North Cornwall, passing by sleepy coves and wonderful beaches, across dramatic cliff-tops and headlands, witnessing many remains of the Cornish Mining history, with the Atlantic Ocean providing an ever present and breathtaking back drop.
Walk the Trail offers 3 itineraries along this route to cater for all levels of walker. If, you feel that you'd like something different, just ask.
INCLUDED
All our holiday packages include:
Overnight accommodation staying at carefully selected B&Bs, Inns and Hotels
A detailed holiday pack
Luggage transfers
Transport from path to accommodations if necessary
Maps
Guidebook
Emergency support.
NOT INCLUDED
Our holiday packages do not include:
Transport to and from the start and end of the holiday, unless stated. We can help you with your options.
Packed Lunches and Evening Meals
Travel Insurance
ROUTE PROFILE
Recommended dates to walk this route
This walk can be done all year round but the weather in the winter months may make the walk a little more difficult.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Itinerary & Costs
This is our most popular itinerary on the Padstow to St Ives stretch of the Coast Path.
Setting off from Padstow, the bustling port now made even more famous by the chef Rick Stein and ending amongst the cobbled streets of beautiful St Ives the journey will take you along the beautiful and dramatic coast of North Cornwall, a much loved part of the South West Coast Path, passing sites of Cornwalls' mining heritage and glorious unspoilt beaches and coves. A true taste of all this lovely part of the world has to offer.
The distance above is based on crossing The Gannel at Fern Pit Cafe, either using the bridge (low tide) or the ferry (high tide / operates May to mid September). There are 2 alternative bridges to take a little further upstream. Penpol Bridge +1 mile or Trenance Bridge +2.5 miles.
Day 5: PerranporthtoPortreathDistance: 12 milesDifficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
Day 6: PortreathtoSt IvesDistance: 17.5 milesDifficulty: Moderate/Easy
Accommodation for the length of your holiday including the night before you start walking and the evening after your final day's walking in good quality B&Bs, Inns and small hotels. This will be en-suite wherever possible.
Breakfast - This may be a full cooked or continental option depending on accommodation. Evening meals can be arranged with certain accommodations for an additional charge.
A Personalised Holiday Pack containing maps and addresses for accommodations, pick up points and daily mileage information.
Luggage transfers between each accommodation. 1 bag per person up to 20 kilograms. Additional bags can be added upon request.
If you are crossing a river using a ferry or on foot at low tide then we will provide you with the relevant information to assist.
Phone line support between the hours of 0900-1900, 7 days a week for the length of your holiday.
If required, path to accommodation or round river transfers.
Optional Extras
The following items are optional and can be removed to reduce the cost of your holiday.
We have completed our holiday and have all made it back in one piece! The bag transfers were superb, our bags were always waiting for us on arrival at each accommodation. In all we had a brilliant week, due in the main to your arrangements. Many thanks, we will be in touch for the next leg, possibly next Spring.
Thanks again.
Sam & Elaine, from Berks
Massive thanks for sorting out our taxi today - Jordan came to meet us and we got home safe and sound.
Thanks too with your flexibility it was really appreciated.
We had an awesome time (as always) and look forward to booking our next bit of the SWCP with you next year.
Thanks again,
Cheryl from Vermont, USA
I'm home from my trip and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it! It was wonderful to have the elves take my luggage every day and to have it show up at the next place. It was a fairly rainy week but the scenery was magnificent and I truly enjoyed the walking. Thank you for all your arrangements --- people at the B&B's were all friendly and kind. I'll go back again someday! Thank you all!
Kate from Canada
I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful two-and-a-half weeks. All of the bed and breakfasts I stayed in were friendly, comfortable and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Every day when I arrived my bag was there, like a faithful dog. All in all an excellent trip.
As an aside, I would also like to say that, as a female walking alone on the SWCP I had no problems at all and always felt perfectly safe.
Kathleen from Germany
It was an unique, fantastic and unforgettable experience with hurting feet and legs in the beginning and total fitness in the end ;-). I met interesting people and saw great landscapes. I experienced the coldest spring after over 60 years but with the right clothes - everything was under control ;-).
I`d like to make you a compliment for your organization, fast answers and friendliness! The luggage transfer worked really well. Almost all B&B were lovely and the people very friendly.
Katherine from Twickenham
I have just come back from walking between Penzance and Padstow and wanted to say an enormous thank you to you all - it was a wonderful, wonderful time and everything worked perfectly!
Ludwig from Germany
I have to say we had a very nice holiday in Cornwall. We had a wonderful time and are sure we will use your holiday company again in the future. Thanks for your excellent job.
Julia from Germany
We are back home from our walking holiday, what a marvellous experience! Thank you for your great organisation, everything worked without any problems. It was great to arrive at the accommodation and find our luggage already there, often even in our room. All the best, we will definitely be recommending your business!
Alan from Bristol
We just wanted to say thanks for a great holiday. The weather was mixed but we didn't get too wet. Luggage Transfers were superb and worked very well. Our bags were there ready for us at each B&B. Thanks for everything; we had a great trip and are looking forward to planning another cycle trip.
Julie from Australia
We are now home from our travels and have had time to reflect. What a fabulous holiday. Thank you very much for planning our South West coast walk. It all went very well, the B&Bs were superb, we have no complaints at all. Thanks for organising a memorable walk.
Ian
We had a really great holiday, thanks to you all.
Joan from Australia
Would recommend your organisation to anyone, and will do so. Can't thank you enough for a trouble free adventure.
Roland & Andrea
Thank you very much for our perfectly organised walking holiday. Our baggage was always there when we arrived and all the accommodations were great.
Sasha From Cornwall
Jess (my dog) and I are back after the most wonderful experience! Thank-you all for making it so wonderful, all the B&Bs were comfortable and welcoming and all were brilliant. All in all it was brilliant and very dog friendly. Thank you again and the very best luck for the future with your wonderful company.
Carleen
There is no doubt I loved the walk, arduous at times, but wonderful scenery and always very friendly people. Certainly, I will recommend your company, especially for the convenience and your professionalism (good documents etc.). Cheers.
Viggo from Norway
We enjoyed a super walking experience in Cornwall. The weather was good at least most of the time! In general we are very happy with the whole holiday. All the accommodations you booked for us was of a high standard, with friendly people and good service. The luggage transfers were 100%. We are all very satisfied and plan to come back in the future!
Gillian from Leeds
Thank you for organising such a wonderful trip for us. It was a wonderful success, we loved it all! All the accommodation was lovely. I can also safely say that all the food was great that week. We think the Jurassic Coast might be a possibility for next year!
Phil Maude
The trip was well organised and although the days were long it was an enjoyable trip
James Langford, Australia
The information provided was excellent.
Andrew & Janet Longden
Flexible, helpful, local… and good value. | A superb trip - faultless luggage transfers and some of the very best B&B’s/small hotels, all of which were on or close to the trail.
Anne Laffont
Excellent | L'organisation, les contacts pour avoir informations complémentaires, avant et après avoir acheté le voyage, la réactivité, l'amabilité, tout est très bien et très aimable
Simone Amend
Unkompliziert | Unkomplizierte Absprache per Email und perfekte Abläufe. Schnelle Rückmeldungen bei Fragen. Tolle B&Bs
Richard John Gale
A perfect service | We have used Walk the Trail for three years now on the South West Coast Path and everything always goes without a hitch and the quality of the accommodation they book is generally very good to excellent. Cannot fault their service.
Michael Arthur
I phoned for advice about the best itinerary for my needs and got what felt like sound advice from someone who really knew the South West Coast Path - really looking forwards to my walking holidays with you.
Trusted Customer
Super route, reliable service, trustworthy partner
Trusted Customer
Zuverlässig, hilfsbereit. | Perfekt organisiert. Gepäcktransport hat sehr gut geklappt, auch Buchungen der Unterkünfte.
Jason McGrath, USA
This past June was the second time I used Walk the Trail for hikes along the Southwest Coastal path. They are responsive with questions via email, even during my walk I had issue. They answered right away. I would use them again as I continue my hike along the path. Coming from USA they take care of everything helps with all the logistics.
Trusted Customer
Great service, a friendly and professional team. | I find it really easy to book with Walk the Trail. The website has loads of information about the itinerary options, and the team always responds promptly to any specific queries and to clarify details.
Trusted Customer
They were very helpful when I rang to discuss my trip with them and gave me superb hints and tips. The website is well thought-out and suggested a wonderful itinerary based on my choice of distance and number of days.
Mark Crisp
Great booking experience. | The whole booking experience is straightforward and clear. It makes organising a trip like this so much simpler.
TM, Netherlands
Exactly what we hoped for | Really customized and friendly; perfectly arranged walking four weeks on the swcp trail
JoannePrescott, USA
Top notch reservation service for the Southwest Coast Path | Everyone at Walk the Trail was super helpful and responsive while I was planning the trip. If I asked a question via email, I always received a response the next day (which given the time difference in the U.S. is immediate). I loved the walker portal and how everything was organized on-line. And on the walk itself, all of the lodging choices were very good to excellent and our bags were there waiting for us when we arrived. I have already recommended Walk the Trail to others and would not hesitate to use them again.
Sandy Melnyk, Canada
Excellent communication and answers to all our questions. | The response to all our inquiries and emails were answered promptly. The options available for accommodation was given clearly.
Very happy with our communication which is both professional and kind.
Look forward to continuing our booking for this upcoming June.
Trusted Customer
Excellent service and a pleasure to deal with.
Andrew Dennis
Spot on service | I have already recommended to 3 seperate folk at work for their efficient and personal service
Trusted Customer
I am happy with the service and can fully recommend Walk the Trail.
Nick Windsor
Really passionate and flexible | Very responsive when I wanted a bespoke itinerary. Offered very useful options and suggestions (clearly knowledgable about their walking routes) and sorted my route super quickly. Thanks
Phil Maude
The trip went smoothly. WTT provided good quality accommodation and the luggage transport worked well.The only blob was a lack of en suite accommodation at Porthcurno after I had understood that I had booked en suite for the trip.
Trusted Customer
Everything perfect!
Jean Medford, USA
Challenging, beautiful and amazing. | Absolutely LOVED the hike and entire experience. The B&B's were so very accommodating and comfortable. This adventure would have gotten 5 stars if there had been better directions to the B&B's. They are difficult to find in St. Just, Zennor and St. Ives. The maps the company provides are not specific and it is rare and/or difficult to find street and road signs. After hiking the distance, we still spent almost an hour trying to locate our B&B's. It's a good thing people in the area are so helpful. One B&B told us that this company is the only company who's clients have difficulty finding them. I would suggest that Walk the Trail consider providing better directions for weary hikers at the end of their day. I will say that being lost and wandering around looking for our beds was just as interesting and adventurous as the hike.
John Haselden
Great website and good response | The website allowed me to chose the exact holiday I wanted and the response from Walk the Trail was quick. I like the Walkers area on website where I can see all of the information relating to my holiday and can message them if I have any queries.
Trusted Customer
Gute Beratung für individuelle Planung | Linda, Mike and their team worked out a perfect itinerary for our SWCP walk next June extremely fast, our main problem (parking the car at the destination, getting to the starting place) was solved quickly - we are looking forward to walking the way ...
Ray Eaton, UK
Excellent customer service from our first email replies from the other side of the world.
Timothy Meyers
So far, their response time is great. They heard what I wanted. They provided just enough of humor along with the service. Nice options for things I did not know I wanted.
Peter Carne, London
Brilliant service ... I'd fully recommend! | I think Walking the Trail's service is brilliant. With great thought and care for our wishes, expectations and needs, they organise the perfect itinerary of day lengths, start and finish locations and accommodations. That's why we've used them again for our second stretch of the SW Coast Path.
Veronica Pettifer, Australia
I started with an inquiry re walking in Cornwell and have been assisted every step of the way, from planning the walk, duration and assistance with accommodation. My group have been varied with their request but Mike and Linda have been most accommodation all the way. They have also replied to all my inquiries promptly.Very happy.
Holiday Summary
Select:
Itinerary
5 Days / 6 Nights13 miles daily avg
Difficulty
Rating: 3
Walkers
Number in Group: 2
What's Included
Cost £793 per person
Based on Two people sharing a Double or Twin Room
Total Cost £1,586
You will be redirected to a booking form to confirm your details and make secure payment.
Steve & Party from Leicester
Katherine from Twickenham 
Ian
Trusted Customer
