Penzance Trip Overview
The South West Coast Path is one of the UK’s National Trail footpaths, running 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset, round the South West tip of England to Bournemouth in Dorset. This itinerary focusses on the South Cornwall Coastline, running from Penzance to Plymouth. This includes the popular landmark of Lizard Point.
What’s included?
Breakfast included, other meals excluded
Luggage Transfers between accommodation providers
Fully comprehensive tour pack with maps, available in English, German, French and Italian as standard. (Other languages available on request)
Access to a smartphone digital app which offers GPS tracking for the routes (downloaded prior to save on data costs)
Access to a 24/7 helpline in case of any emergencies
Exclusions
Entry or admission fee
Landing & facility fees
Individual travel to the UK
Lunch & Dinner
Travel Taxes
Entry fees to attractions
Please note
Passport required
Passport needed if travelling to UK from other countries
Additional Info
Duration: 12 days
Starts: Penzance, United Kingdom
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Penzance Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Penzance, England, United Kingdom
The South West Coast Path is one of the UK’s National Trail footpaths, running 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset, round the South West tip of England to Bournemouth in Dorset. This itinerary focusses on the South Cornwall Coastline, running from Penzance to Plymouth. This includes the popular landmark of Lizard Point.
What’s included?
Breakfast included, other meals excluded
Luggage Transfers between accommodation providers
Fully comprehensive tour pack with maps, available in English, German, French and Italian as standard. (Other languages available on request)
Access to a smartphone digital app which offers GPS tracking for the routes (downloaded prior to save on data costs)
Access to a 24/7 helpline in case of any emergencies
Exclusions
Entry or admission fee
Landing & facility fees
Individual travel to the UK
Lunch & Dinner
Travel Taxes
Entry fees to attractions
Please note
Passport required
Passport needed if travelling to UK from other countries
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Penzance
Stop At: Penzance, Penzance, Cornwall, England
Penzance was originally a fishing village, but was ransacked by the Spanish fleet in 1595. Some of the village survived and being on a peninsula, many of the town’s historic visitors arrived by sea. A railway line was added in 1850 (the last stop on the line) and now the town of Penzance has built up around it. It can be busy but still pleasant in the height of summer. Many enjoy exploring the nearby, historic St Michael’s Mount, which can be accessed via causeway when the tide is out, or by ferry when the tide is in. You can also visit St Michael’s Mount on the first day after walking to Marazion as you should have time.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in local B&B
Day 2: Penzance to Porthleven
Stop At: Porthleven, Porthleven, Helston, Cornwall, England
Beginning your trip with easy walking, the path from Penzance to Marazion offers an easy route with limited hills. Gradually, the path becomes more rugged past Perranuthnoe and ends with a much steeper gradient to reach Porthleven. The path begins right at the edge of the coastline, overlooking the beach all the way to Marazion. Marazion has been a settlement in one form or another since 308BC and Henry III granted it a Royal Charter in 1257. Detouring slightly into Marazion, the path returns to the shore, following Trenow Cover, around Basore Point where you can see ‘The Bears’ stone stack and on past Perran Sands. The path continues around Hoe Point before descending onto Praa Sands where you can stop for refreshments. The path from here climbs back to the cliff tops and has a number of ascents and descents on the approach to Porthleven. Porthleven features an early 19th Century granite harbour and fishing remains important to the town.
Daily Distance: 22 km/ 13.75 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in local B&B
Day 3: Porthleven to Lizard Point
Stop At: Lizard Point, Leuchtturm, Lizard England
With natural coastal features including a sand bar, there is plenty of natural and historic sites of interest on today’s trip. The terrain is fairly easy to Mullion and relatively flat for the area, finishing with a number of little valleys and slopes on the way to Lizard Point. Leaving Porthleven, the path quickly reaches Loe Bar, a natural sand bar blocking off a freshwater lake from the sea. The path crosses the sands here and continues straight all the way to Gunwalloe – a historic fishing cove where you can still see evidence of the trade. Following the cliffline, you will reach the very narrow Poldhu Cove where you can stop for refreshments at the café, or continue to the nearby Marconi Monument. The path continues past Mullion Cove, continuing to hug the cliffs all the way to Lizard Point. Here you will climb 85 steps for a view of the lighthouse, and you can also look out for the multi-banded rock that the area is famous for.
Daily Distance: 22 km/14 miles.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at local B&B
Day 4: Lizard Point to Porthallow
Stop At: Porthallow, Porthallow, Looe, Cornwall, England
The route begins with a few short ascents and descents before levelling out and heading somewhat inland away from the coastline. Leaving Lizard Point behind, the path hugs the cliffs and passes a number of communication landmarks including The Lizard Wireless Station, the Lloyds Signal Station and the National Coastwatch Station at Bass Point. Watch out for the curious little houses of Church Cove as well as the natural landmarks of ‘The Chair’, the ‘Devil’s Frying Pan’ and ‘Carn Barrow’. Passing through Cadgwith, you can stop here to enjoy the thatched houses and small fishing boats before picking up the path and meandering all the way to the very pretty village of Coverack. Walking from here to Lowland Point, the path turns inland, passing through St Keverne before arriving at Porthallow. Porthallow is the official halfway point of the whole South West Coastpath, although not of this itinerary.
Daily distance: 24 km / 15 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in a local B&B
Day 5: Porthallow to Falmouth
Stop At: Falmouth, Falmouth, Cornwall, England
It is worth checking the local tide tables for today’s trip as a number of areas can only be forded if the tide is out, otherwise there are a couple of detours or short ferry trips required. The terrain has a few small ascents and descents but is otherwise considered easy and is often very scenic. Leaving Porthallow, the path climbs 40 steps to reach the top of the cliffs. Crossing a number of fields, the route continues around Nare Point and all the way to Gillan Harbour. As long as the tide is out, there is a short walk across the Harbour, otherwise you will need to detour for about an hour around the creek before returning to the path and tracking the coastline to Helford. There are a number of amenities at Helford where you can wait for the ferry (payable locally) to take you across the river to Helford Passage. The route continues along the coastline, passing through a number of wooded areas and past Trebah Gardens all the way to Falmouth.
Daily Distance: 26 km/ 16 miles.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at local B&B
Day 6: Falmouth to Portloe
Stop At: Portloe, Portloe, Roseland Peninsula, Truro District, Cornwall, England
Beginning the day with two ferry journeys (payable locally), the path starts out relatively easy but becomes progressively more challenging as the day goes on. It is important to check the ferry times as you will first need to catch a ferry from Falmouth to St Mawes and then the linking ferry from St Mawes to Place. The walking doesn’t start until you are at Place, where the route heads inland initially before returning to the coast. The first landmark is the bunker at St Anthony’s Head (where you will also find toilets) before the route gives way to mostly local cliff landscape for several miles. The route ends at Portloe, having enjoyed all the local scenery and breath taking views.
Daily distance: 22 km / 14 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in local B&B
Day 7: Portloe to Mevagissey
Stop At: Mevagissey, Mevagissey, Cornwall, England
Today’s route has some rugged stages, interspersed with some easier flatter stretches. Leaving Portloe behind, the path is initially rugged, crossing Hartriza Point and across a footbridge followed by a 70-step flight. The path undulates gently before reaching more steps at Caragloose Point and then a short stint inland through a wooded area. You will then reach the tiny villages of West Portholland and East Portholland and can opt to stick to the coast path between the two, or walk along the sea wall that connects them. The coast path enters woodland before running alongside Caerhays Castle and Porthluney Cove. From here, the next stretch of coast path features several quick ascents and descents, following the coastline around the promontory at Dodman Point. The village of Gorran Haven is the next opportunity for refreshments and from here the path hugs the coastline around Chapel Point before reaching Mevagissey.
Daily distance: 19.5 km / 12 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Stay overnight in a local B&B
Day 8: Mevagissey to Polmear
Stop At: Polmear, Par PL24 2AR, UK
The first part has numerous ascents and descents although only a few are steep. Looking inland, many mistake the view for snow-capped peaks in the distance, but in fact these are the spoil heaps from the china clay works around St Austell. The route heads inland briefly at the village of Pentewan where there is also a beautiful beach, before returning to the coastline. The next major landmark, following the cliff path along the coastline, is the village of Charlestown, just outside St Austell. Charlestown traded extensively in china clay and there’s an interesting Shipwreck and Heritage Centre here. If you aren’t feeling too tired, many also divert inland to St Austell for a while; it is one of the biggest towns in Cornwall and was an important mining town and porcelain producer. Continuing the coast path, you have the option to cross the sands or follow the cliff path at Carlyon Bay and again at Par Sands. Just beyond Par Sands is Polmear.
Daily distance: 19 km / 12 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in local B&B
Day 9: Polmear to Polperro
Stop At: Polperro, Looe, UK
One of the more tiring stretches of the route, it starts off fairly easy before becoming steeper towards the end of the day. The route is typified by headlands and coves one after another. Following the cliff path out of Polmear, look out for the hidden cove at Polkerris. Today, you will walk around Gribbin Head, which has a red and white daymark that was erected in 1832. Continuing around the headland, the route brings you to Southground Point and on to Readymoney where the tiny beach is overlooked by the 16th century Catherine’s Castle. Entering the town of Fowey, you need to catch the regular ferry (payable locally) across the estuary to Polruan (please note in bad weather, the ferry departs from Town Quay further towards the centre of Fowey). From here, the path gradually gains height to overlook Lantic Bay and around Pencarrow Head. Follow the cliff line through West Coombe and then East Coombe to be rewarded with a stunning view of Polperro.
Daily distance: 21 km / 13 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at local B&B
Day 10: Polperro to Portwrinkle
Stop At: Portwrinkle, Torpoint, UK
Most of the day’s walk is easy to moderate with a few short challenging bits, but plenty of easy interludes. The path is easy out of Polperro to Talland Bay and on to Hore Stone with a stunning view of St George’s Island. Following the path past Portnadler Bay and Hannafore Point, you will reach the town of Looe and see the distinctive ‘Banjo Pier’ with its circular tip. The town is divided in half (West and East) and you can walk through the town to the small footbridge or opt for the short ferry ride which saves about half a mile. Leaving Looe behind, get back on the coast path heading towards Seaton and past the National Trust managed Bodigga Cliff. From Seaton, it is a short walk to the village of Downderry; some of the route here is along the road so walk with care, but if the tide is out, you can instead walk along the sea wall and beach. Finally, the day ends with a short walk to Portwrinkle – your stop for the night.
Daily distance: 21.5 km / 13.5 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in local B&B
Day 11: Portwrinkle to Plymouth
Stop At: Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, England
Much of the day’s walking is through woodland today and is mostly classed as easy. Not long after Portwrinkle there are two options for the route; the first sticks to the coastline all the way to Tregantle Fort but is part of a military training zone and cannot be used on active firing days. The second tracks inland around the Fort. Continuing on past Sharrow Point there is a short stretch near to Tregonhawke which runs along the road after the footpath was closed a few years ago. It quickly returns to footpath and on to Captain Blake’s Point before reaching Rame Head. Leaving one headland to walk immediately around the next at Penlee Point, it is not long until you reach Cawsand and Kingsand, both of which have refreshments and amenities. From here, the path follows the cliff line through Mount Edgcumbe Country Park and past Fort Picklecombe to Devil’s Point in the Estuary. Here, you will need to catch the ferry across (payable locally) to Plymouth.
Daily distance: 20.5 km / 13 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at local B&B
Day 12: Depart
Stop At: Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, England
Depart Plymouth for your onward journey. Plymouth is the biggest City anywhere on the South West Coast Path and there is plenty to see and do.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.