St Ives to Zennor Walk
This is a popular circular walk from St Ives to Zennor along the South West Coast Path. It's about a 6 mile walk along the coast path with the option of returning through the countryside. It then becomes a lovely 12 mile circular walk. Most of the path is pretty good but there is some climbing and scrambling required on some sections of the path. There's wonderful coastal scenery with dramatic cliffs rising hundreds of feet above the sea, beautiful beaches and delightful coves.
You start at St Ives head and then head west passing Porthmeor beach and the Tate Gallery. You then head to Zennor Head passing Hor Point, Pen Enys Point, Carn Naun Point and Gala Rocks. There are also views over to the Carracks, home to a colony of Grey Atlantic Seals. Boat trips to the island are available from St Ives.
When you reach Zennor head you turn away from the coast towards the little village. Here you will find the Church of Saint Senara which dates from the Norman period and the 13th and 15th centuries.
The return leg takes you from Zennor back to St Ives via some beautiful countryside. You'll pass Tremedda and Trevalgan before passing through the outskirts of the town and returning to St Ives Head.
To extend your walk you can follow the coast path to the lovely Carbis Bay.
St Ives to Zennor Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
St Ives to Zennor Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
St Ives to Zennor OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
St Ives to Zennor Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Tinner Arms is a historic pub of some note. It was built in 1271, meaning the pub has been at the heart of village life in Zennor for over 700 years. The pub was originally constructed to accommodate the masons who built the Norman St Senara’s Church. It has a charming olde worlde interior which is like stepping back in time. They do very good food and have a lovely large garden area to relax in on warmer days. You can find them at a postcode of TR26 3BY for your sat navs.
The area around the village is also worth exploring with the fine old church of St Senara to see. In the church you will find of only two remaining bench ends portrays the Mermaid of Zennor, depicted admiring herself in a mirror. You can see this on the "Mermaid Chair" which also has carvings of fish on the seat, and which is believed to be at least 600 years old. Also nearby is the Zennor Quoit. This historical site is located on a moor about a mile (1.6 km) east of the village. Here you will find a ruined megalithic burial chamber dating from 2500–1500 BC.
Dog Walking
The bracing cliff top walk is a good one for fit dogs though you are advised to take car because of the drops. The Tinner Arms pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head west of Zennor and you can pick up the Gurnard's Head Walk. The route visits a rocky promontory shaped like the Gurnard fish. There are more excellent views down the coast in both directions from here. The walk starts and finishes at the noteworthy Gurnard's Head Hotel in Treen. The pub boasts a large car park and a lovely garden area to relax in on warmer days. It's in a fine location with views to the coast and also has a good menu. You can find them at postcode TR26 3DE for your sat navs. Just south of the headland you can also pick up the Penwith Moors and Men-An-Tol Walk. This fascinating walk visits several ancient sites including Men-An-Tol standing stones and the Lanyon Quoit dolmen. You'll also pass the remains of the old Ding Dong Mines and climb to the fine viewpoint at Carn Galver.
In St Ives you could pay a visit to the Tate Gallery which displays modern works by artists with links to the St Ives area. You can find them at Porthmeor Beach with postcode TR26 1TG. There's also the lovely Barbara Hepworth Museum which includes a delightful sculpture garden displaying her works. She purchased the site in 1949 and lived and worked there for 26 years. The studio and garden have been left in much the same state. You can find the museum at Barnoon Hill, Saint Ives TR26 1AD.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cornwall Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Footpath to Zennor 1. Looking east on the St Ives to Zennor footpath. In the distance are the dunes at Gwithian.
Footpath to Zennor 2.
The St Ives to Zennor footpath heads towards Trowan.
The first of many granite stiles as the footpath from St Ives to Zennor leaves Burthallan Lane.
Rocks at Enys Point With Hor Point and Clodgy Point in the distance.
Trevega Cliff
Mussel Point
Zennor Head. With The Carracks visible in the distance. At this point on the walk the cliffs rise over 60 metres (200 ft) from the sea with the high point of the Zennor Head at 96 metres (314 ft). Between 1915 and 1917, writer D. H. Lawrence lived near the village of Zennor. It was during this time that he finished the novel Women in Love.
The View west from Zennor Head. Gurnards head is prominent in the middle distance. Pendeen Watch lighthouse can be seen as a patch of white on the distant headland.