St Ives to Zennor on the coast path
The toughest and best stretch of the Cornish coast path near a town, to a village with a mermaid in its church.
- Distance
- 10.2 km
- Ascent
- 250 m
- Time
- 2.5–3.5 h
- Grade
- Moderate
- Route
- Linear
- High point
- 129 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
St Ives to Zennor on the coast path is a moderate 10.2 km linear walk with 250 m of ascent, taking 2.5 to 3.5 hours. It starts at St Ives station (grid reference SW 519 401). The start can be reached by public transport.
West of St Ives the South West Coast Path turns rough: boulders, bog, headlands and coves, with the Atlantic on one side and the granite moors of Penwith on the other. It's slow going and wonderful. Zennor, at the end, has a pub, a church with a 600-year-old carving of a mermaid, and a bus back to St Ives.
Route
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1
The coast path
Follow the coast path west from Porthmeor beach round the headlands to Zennor.
Summit
On the way
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Porthmeor BeachBeach · 400 m from the route
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Porthgwidden BeachBeach · 700 m from the route
Questions about this walk
- How long does St Ives to Zennor on the coast path take?
- Most walkers take 2.5–3.5 hours for the 10.2 km route, which has 250 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at St Ives station (grid reference SW 519 401). Car parks in St Ives (charge); park and ride at Lelant Saltings.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Trains to St Ives from St Erth; bus back from Zennor. Check times on Traveline.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded moderate. A rough, rocky and boggy coast path with many short climbs.
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Keep well back from the cliff edge, and keep dogs on a lead.
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