Walking St. Ives to Carbis Bay - 2.1 miles

OS Explorer Map 102: grid reference SW507414 to SW527389

Walk Duration: 1 hour 35 mins.

Park your car at Barnoon Car Park in St. Ives. Walk towards the exit and take the steps down towards Porthmeor Beach. On reaching the road, cross over and head west passing the small putting green and bowling green. Continue on your way looking ahead to the outcrop of Carrick Du rocks. Just behind these rocks a low-lying point slopes gently down to the sea, this is Clodgy Point. The 'walk proper' starts here... A good guidebook to carry is the National Trail Guide: SW Coast Path - Padstow to Falmouth by John Macadam.

At Clodgy Point, take some time out to admire the view as this vantage point allows an almost unbroken 180º view of the sea. To your left lie the three headlands of Hor Point; Pen Enys and Carn Naun. To your right lies Porthmeor Beach; The Tate Gallery and The Island (St. Ives Head). On the far coast lie the sands of Mexico Towans stretching in a wide arc to the lighthouse at Godrevy Point. In the distance, it may be possible to see the Bawden Rocks at St. Agnes, and the low hill of Carn Brea overlooking the Camborne-Redruth area.

Set off now, heading down the well defined path towards the surfing paradise of Porthmeor Beach. On a sunny day the pink Sea Thrift contrasts with the short grass; the purple foxgloves against the bright green ferns and the waves breaking with white spray against the black rocks in the turquoise sea - a photograph waiting to be taken! On reaching the road above the beach take care and continue on your way east to St. Ives Head. A short walk through the back streets of St. Ives will lead you to the base of the Island. If the weather is good, head up the path around the Island, passing the Coastguard Lookout near its summit. This short stroll takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the traffic for a few moments. Pass the small 'Chapel of St. Nicholas' on your right before descending down into the car park above the small beach of Porthgwidden (St. Ives' smallest).

Walk along the short path linking Porthgwidden with the Harbour passing through an area known as 'The Digey'. Look out for the Pedn Olva Hotel as a marker. Now in the heart of St. Ives, take a few moments to look around. Maybe purchase a quick ice cream or a souvenir. Boats at rest in the harbour are another 'photo opportunity'. Where to Stay?....try St. Ives Cottages.

Walk past 'The Sloop Inn' - built over 600 years ago, making it the oldest in St. Ives. Pass the Lifeboat Station and head up 'The Warren' towards Porthminster. Above you lies the terminus of the St. Erth - St. Ives Branch Line.

Shortly the path runs alongside the back of Porthminster Beach and cafe before climbing a narrow path up to Porthminster Point - grid reference SW525399, purchased by the National Trust in 1961. Cross the railway line by the footbridge and head up the steepening path towards the 'Old Baulking House' - once used by a 'Huer' or pilchard look-out. Coastal footpath markers are hard to find here, but continue up the wide tarmac path passing a gate marked 'Treloyan Manor' in the general direction of Carbis Bay.

Shortly its beach is seen through the bushes to your left. Cross another railway footbridge and head down the tarmac path and steps to Carbis Bay beach. Climb up the short nip to the train station to finish.

Previous walk: Carn Naun Point to St. Ives
Next walk: Carbis Bay to Lelant Saltings