Moderate
Penzance To Falmouth Walk
The Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall is the southernmost part of Britain and an area of astounding beauty. From the start you enjoy views of the well known silhouette of St. Michael's Mount, and go on to see marvellous wild flowers and birds, perhaps catch a glimpse of a Basking Shark, or eat delicious ice-cream at Coverack – not to mention endless views of romantic creeks and breathtaking cliffs and the busy port of Falmouth. A rewarding, moderately strenuous self-guided walking holiday.
Itinerary
Day 1:Arrival Penzance – enjoy this small busy town with long promenade and views to St Michael's Mount.
Day 2:Penzance to Porthleven. 13 miles (21 km) The first stage of today's walk is fairly easy leaving you with enough time to enjoy the views as the path begins to narrow and rollercoaster over the cliffs up to and beyond Praa Sands. St Michael’s Mount dominates as you walk first to the ancient town of Marazion, passing Marazion Marsh with its rich wildlife. Once a Benedictine Priory, a fortress and tin mining port, the Mount can be accessed by a causeway at low tide or by ferry. The path continues through a landscape with obvious evidence of a mining history. Passing sandy beaches followed by a more rugged landscape the granite cliffs turn to Slate where you will find some dramatic vertical cliffs before walking down to the pretty fishing village of Porthleven for overnight.
Day 3:Porthleven to Lizard. 13 miles (21 km) The path is fairly level beyond Porthleven but then becomes narrow in places with some steep ascents and descents. There is a sense of remoteness and wildness on the Peninsula, especially along Mullion and Predannack Cliffs which are part of the Lizard National Nature Reserve where the colour of the rare heathers and wildflowers make for spectacular views. Pass the Loe, largest body of fresh water in Cornwall and separated from the salty sea by the mixture of fine gravel and sand called Loe Bar. Continue past coves and steep cliffs to the white sand and turquoise sea of Kynance Cove – an area of outstanding natural beauty – onto Lizard Point with its beautiful lighthouse and wildflowers. Overnight The Lizard.
Day 4:Lizard to Coverack. 10.5 miles (17.5 km) From Lizard Point you walk to the picturesque fishing village of Cadgwith to Coverack. The walk today is through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You will come across different types of rock from Serpentine (dark green rock with red and white veins) to Granite and Schist. Pass Kennack Sands, once famous for shipwrecks it is now a National Nature Reserve with beautiful cliffs of layered rock and displays of wild flowers. An uphill climb to Beagles Point leads you to far-reaching views of the Coast Path ahead and the possibility of a glimpse of a whale from Black Head. Continue down to the lovely village of Coverack.
Day 5:Coverack to Helford. 13.5 miles (21.6 km) Today's walk follows a variety of landscapes, from clifftops to fishing villages to lush woodland. The walk begins with an easy walk around the edge of the Bronze Age field systems of Lowland Point, then an uphill climb out of Porthoustock begins the inland route to Porthallow, where you then join the sea again and walk round Nare Point to the beautiful Gillan Creek. From here on some sections of the path are wooded and others offer fine views extending to the lighthouse at St. Anthony Head, the Roseland and the headland of Dodman Point. Then cross the creek past St Anthony Church, which is as beautiful as its surroundings, before continuing along the shores of the Helford River to the delightful village of Helford, an old smuggler's haunt. Just upstream is the village of Frenchman’s Creek: This beautiful, wooded creek gave its name to one of Daphne du Maurier’s most popular novels, which tells the story of a love affair between an English lady and a French pirate.
Day 6: Helford to Falmouth. 10 miles (16 km) The day begins with a ferry across the Helford River. Once on the other side you will cross the openings of lush valleys with subtropical gardens. The walking is gentle easy walking through fields and along wooded clifftop paths to Pendennis Castle and on to the interesting and delightful town of Falmouth with its shops, art college and the 3rd deepest natural harbour in the world.
Day 7: Depart from Falmouth after breakfast.
Price:
£740 based on two people sharing a room
£400 single supplement
£180 solo walker supplement
Highlights
Marvel at the famous St Michaels Mount,
Take in the large variety of landscapes,
Enjoy the Fantastic flowers
Daphne du Maurier associations.
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation in Bed and Breakfasts and country inns, all rooms with private bathrooms.
Sometimes it may be necessary to book a bed and breakfast with shared bathrooms, but we would liaise with you to explain why and give you other options (i.e an upgrade to a better hotel) if no other accommodation was available.
WHAT TO TAKE
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit
WHEN TO GO
April to October. Accommodation will be difficult to obtain on UK national holidays unless booked well in advance (and may require an alteration to the programme).
GETTING THERE:
Getting there: Regular bus and trains to Penzance (from London 5.4 hours by train). Nearest Airport – Newquay (flights from Gatwick and Stansted), Exeter, Bristol. Please ask us and we will let you know about onward connections from the airports.
Return: Falmouth Train and Bus Station (London 5 hours)
INCLUDED:
6 nights accommodation and breakfast in rooms with private bathrooms in selected B+Bs, inns and hotels. Luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation, maps and route notes, emergency telephone number.
NOT INCLUDED:
Lunches, dinners, drinks, insurance, anything not mentioned in programme.
INSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.