Enjoying Cornwall - walking Penzance to Marazion

Walking Penzance to Marazion - 3.4 miles

OS Explorer 102: grid reference SW476304 to SW520305 View Map

Walk Duration 2 Hours 30 minutes

Looking across Mount's Bay to the Mount and Cudden Point

Looking West to Penzance from Eastern Green beach

Park your car at the main car park in Penzance. Walk away from the sea passing the Tourist Information Centre and the train station. Look for a wide tarmac pathway leading east towards Marazion (Marghas Yow - Thursday Market). This is actually part of the St. Michael's Way - a route used by pilgrims on their way from the north coast St. Ives and St. Uny Lelant to St. Michael's Mount before embarking on ships to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Continue east alongside the fence rail tracks until you meet a wooden footbridge over the tracks. Now about 30 minutes into your walk, the path narrows slightly and becomes more 'natural' in character. Look across to your left here to see Penzance Heliport - grid ref. SW485311 - offering flights to the beauiful Isles of Scilly. Depending on the state of the tide, pick a route either on or above the beach, and keep heading for St. Michael's Mount. Leave the path and continue along the back of the shingly beach for a further 30 minutes to reach the lifeguard station at Long Rock - grid ref.SW496313. The Station Inn, a public house converted from the old Marazion Train Station offers refreshment if you need it. Just above you, behind the car park lies the nature reserve of Marazion Marsh - a haven for bird watchers! Restart the walk and continue eastwards for about 15 minutes, heading slightly inland to make use of a footbridge over the Red River that bars your way as you reach Marazion beach proper. Walk along the beach for a short while before leaving the beach at the Mount's Bay Sailing Club 'Dinghy Den'. If it is low water and you are sure of the state of the tide, why not walk the 400 metres or so across the cobbled causeway to St. Michael's Mount. You can explore the Castle and Grounds in season, buy a postcard at the shop and post it in the Victorian postbox (No. 119 St. Michael's Mount). There is a small cafe here open most days throughout the year offering excellent hot drinks for the weary walker. If the tide has turned when you are ready to return there are normally ferries running back to the mainland....Check the noticeboard near the harbour or ring (01736) 710265 for details.

St. Michael's Mount from near Long Rock

Approaching St. Michael's Mount along the Causeway

Walk up the metalled road into Marazion (Marghas Yow - Thursday Market), one of the oldest towns in Britain, passing the imposing Godolphin Arms - a great place for a thirst quecher or an evening meal. Now about 2½ hours into your walk take some time out to explore Michael Praed 's Gallery or the Market House Gallery. Others may wish to visit the small, but well set out Maypole Gardens before retracing your steps or catching the frequent bus service back to Penzance.

Previous walk: Newlyn to Penzance
Next walk: Marazion to Perranuthnoe