Penzance to Falmouth

Penzance to Falmouth

Penzance to Falmouth

6 Nights

Average

62 miles / 95 km

total

10 miles / 16 km

Average

1661m / 5449ft

elevation

B&Bs, Hotels

accomodation

1661m / 5449ft

elevation

B&Bs, Hotels

accomodation

Penzance to Falmouth

Penzance to Falmouth

Penzance to Falmouth

difficulty Grade

difficulty Grade

difficulty Grade

Star 1Star 2Star 3

Accomodation Type

Accomodation Type

Accomodation Type

B&Bs, Hotels

B&Bs, Hotels

B&Bs, Hotels

Activity

Activity

Activity

Walking Holiday

Walking Holiday

Walking Holiday

Start/Finish

Start/Finish

Start/Finish

Cornwall/Cornwall

Cornwall/Cornwall

Average Daily cost

COST

COST

Best Months

Best Months

Best Months

May-Sept

costs based on two people sharing

Overview

Overview

Welcome to The Lizard Peninsula - Cornwall’s wild and imposing outpost. This rocky, battered headland has an untamed, end of the world feel to it. It’s an area that sometimes feels like its largely forgotten and walking the South West Coast Path draws you through an isolated and dramatic landscape that provides some of the best walking and coastline, as well as the rarest flora and geology to be found in Cornwall and indeed the South West. ​ The Cornwall Coast Path route is challenging at times but rewarding - On the Lizards battered west side, you climb lonely windswept uplands that break into breathtaking cliffs, pass ghostly ruins of tin mines, hidden smugglers coves and some of the most captivating cliffs & beaches in the UK. Then, as you reach the more sheltered eastern side of the Lizard everything changes as the coast path enters stunning valleys and rounded coombe's that turn into secretive, wooded and mysterious creeks hiding lush sub tropical, gardens en route to the Helford and Fal river estuaries. You will wander through a rich history of lives always shaped by the churning ocean that stalks you. ​ Of lifeboat men risking all for others, of infamous local smugglers, pirates and the Revenue Men who patrolled the Cornish Coast Path to try and apprehend them. ​ With over 400 ships wrecked in these perilous waters you will encounter the misfortunes of the Shipwrecked Mariners as well as follow in the footsteps of the Victorian painters, poets and romantics. A botanists paradise, on the Lizard itself the trail is often a carpet of wild flowers with some 15 of the Uk’s rarest plants growing here in amongst the Cornish heath, gorse and heather. Lining the South West Coast Path you will discover craggy towers and stacks of the remarkable Serpentine rock so called as its colours resemble a reddish snakeskin when wet, along with beaches of huge “dinosaur egg” pebbles or fine sands made up of nothing more than crushed shells. ​ Keep your eyes out to sea as you climb and descend the trail to look for grey seals basking on the rocks and in the caves, dolphins in the larger bays and at the right time of year huge basking sharks, an incredible 500 visited during May in 1998. The Cornish national bird The Chough which died out here for 30 years reappeared in 2001 at Lizard Point, now the only place you are likely to hear or see them, along with Fulmar, Kittiwake and a host of other coastal birds. ​ The good news for any walkers searching for secluded and unspoilt trail is that tourism is still low key here with the lizard tending to attract visitors who want to get away from it all and explore a unique and spectacular terrain without the crowds. A designated Area of Outstanding Natural beauty and a site of special scientific interest, walk the Lizard Adventure and be immersed into an exhilarating, bracing and drama strewn walking trail that never ceases to surprise and captivate throughout its 61 miles.

Itinerary

Itinerary

Section 3 of the Lizard Coast Path runs 10.5 miles from Lizard Town to Coverack and is graded mainly moderate with some strenuous sections. Starting at Lizard Lighthouse, the route features the Lions Den, a large cliff hole from a collapsed sea cave, and climbs Bass Point with the historic Lloyds Signal Station. Passing the still-manned Old Coastguard lookout, walkers encounter Serpentine Steps, Marconi’s restored wireless station, and Church Cove’s fishing ruins. Highlights include the Devils Frying Pan natural arch and the fishing village of Cadgwith, offering refreshments. After Kennack Sands and Beagles Point, known for pirate treasure legends, the path turns north at Black Head with views of Falmouth Bay and the dangerous Manacles reef. The Iron Age cliff castle at Chynhalls Point precedes arrival in Coverack.+
Section 4 of the Lizard Coast Path runs 13 miles from Coverack to Helford Passage and is grqaded moderate. The route begins with an inland detour around Dean Quarries, including a stop at the Giants Quoits standing stones near Rosenithon Village. Passing the remains of a 2nd-century salt works at Trebarveth, the path leads to Porthoustock, historically known for pilchard fishing and smuggling. At Porthallow, the halfway point of the entire 630-mile coast path, you can refresh at the Five Pilchards Inn. The afternoon offers views over Falmouth Bay, passes Nelly’s Cove, Snails Creep, and Nare Head Crags. The trail crosses Gillian Creek to St Anthony in Meneage, with ancient churches and fortifications. Finally, the path reaches Helford Village, famous for cream teas, before ferrying across the Helford River to Helford Passage, with accommodation available a mile inland at Mawnan Smith.+
Estimated Cost Calculator
Itinerary:
68 days – 69 nights / 9 miles daily
Number in group:
Preferred units:
Accommodation Quality
What's Included
Luggage Transfer
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Itinerary
68 Days / 69 Nights9 miles daily avgStandard
Cost £ per person
£10,643Auto-calculated
Based on two people sharing a Double or Twin Room
Total Cost
£21,286

Gallery

TRIP TESTIMONIAL

The highlight is the beautiful landscapes

Kitchen

2 - 3 months

We loved the peace, the colours, the slopes. I would definitively recommend Encounter Walking Holidays.

Antonietta

TRIP TESTIMONIAL

The highlight is the beautiful landscapes

Kitchen

2 - 3 months

We loved the peace, the colours, the slopes. I would definitively recommend Encounter Walking Holidays.

Antonietta

TRIP TESTIMONIAL

The highlight is the beautiful landscapes

Kitchen

2 - 3 months

We loved the peace, the colours, the slopes. I would definitively recommend Encounter Walking Holidays.

Antonietta

Everything You Need to Know

Everything You Need to Know

Everything You Need to Know

What is a self guided walking holiday?

What is a self guided walking holiday?

What is a self guided walking holiday?

How do I choose a route

How do I choose a route

How do I choose a route

How hard are the walks?

How hard are the walks?

How hard are the walks?

Can I walk slower or faster than your suggested itineraries

Can I walk slower or faster than your suggested itineraries

Can I walk slower or faster than your suggested itineraries

Can I add in rest days and activity days?

Can I add in rest days and activity days?

Can I add in rest days and activity days?

Start planning your perfect trip — your trail begins here.

Start planning your perfect trip — your trail begins here.

Start planning your perfect trip — your trail begins here.

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