Perranporth to St Ives Coastal Walk

30.4 miles (49 km)

The Perranporth to St Ives Coastal Walk is a spectacular 30-mile journey that captures the raw, industrial beauty and natural wonder of the North Cornwall edge. Leaving the wide golden sands of Perranporth behind, the path climbs steeply onto the clifftops, leading you toward the iconic silhouette of the St Agnes coastline.... This stretch is a highlight of the trek as it passes St Agnes Head, where the red-earthed cliffs and the ruins of the Towanroath Pumping House provide some of the most photographed heritage scenery in the UK.
As you push further west, the terrain becomes a series of challenging valleys before dropping down into the historic harbour of Portreath. This village marks a natural breaking point for many walkers, offering a brief respite before the path ascends again toward the high, windswept plains of the North Cliffs. The scenery then shifts dramatically as you approach the jagged offshore rocks and the famous white lighthouse found on the Godrevy Head. This area is a haven for wildlife, and you will often see grey seals basking in the sheltered coves far below the path.
Rounding the corner of the bay, the rugged cliffs give way to the sprawling "Towans" or sand dunes that flank the Hayle Estuary. Navigating this section requires a bit of road walking to cross the Copperhouse Pool and the river, but the effort is rewarded as the path returns to the coast for the final, gentler leg of the journey. The trail then winds through the subtropical greenery and turquoise waters of Carbis Bay, offering a final mile of easy, paved walking with elevated views over the Atlantic before concluding in the narrow, cobbled streets of St Ives.