Our Great Outdoors

	The coastline surrounding St Ives is remarkable for both its rugged beauty and for its historic interest. You do not need to walk far in either direction to come across spectacular costal views, wonderful and unusual wildlife and flora & fauna, which can only be seen in Cornwall. You'll find some examples of our favourites below with how to get there and back. For those with more energy there are surfing beaches which can change depending on the weather from small waves, perfect for the beginner to waves over ten feet high, best viewed from the shelter of the beachfront cafes !. If you would rather take things at a more leisurely pace there are stables, which can teach you to ride in the splendour of the moors and hills or perhaps you could learn to dive in the Atlantic waters of the bay. Or for those who wish to enjoy a great game of golf there are some excellent courses within a short drive of the town including the West Cornwall Golf Club at Lelant, which boasts a 5884 yard par 69 links course with spectacular views sweeping across St Ives Bay.
	Godrevy Lighthouse Difficulty: Easy Drive around Hayle on the A30 and at the Marks and Spencer’s roundabout take the first left to Hayle. At the mini roundabout by Lidl, turn right towards Gwithian, follow this road for about 2 miles, through the village and turn left into the National Trust car park just after the Sandsifters. To take a walk on the beach there is a carpark and tea rooms after a few hundred yards but in summer it is better to drive about half a mile along this road to a large green field carpark by Godrevy Lighthouse. Leave the car here and take the coast path past the lighthouse and along the cliff tops. There are a number of inaccessible coves along this walk that often harbour colonies of seals and seabirds. There is no public transport in this area so when you have seen enough, turn around and walk back to the car.
		Lelant to St Ives 4 miles Difficulty: Easy From St Ives take the train to Lelant and walk back along “The Saltings” going left up Green Lane to the Church. Take the footpath next to the church which passes over the golf course and railway line to the Sand Dunes and Porthkidney Beach (Don’t forget to duck if you hear someone shout FORE). This is a lovely place to stop for a swim in the summer but be sure to use the lifeguarded areas as there can be strong rip currents near the mouth to Hayle estuary. Where the footpath crosses the railway line, turn left and from here getting back to St Ives is simply a case of keeping the sea to your right and taking the footpath. The path will take you over the dunes, around Hawke’s point crossing the railway line over another footbridge and then to Carbis Bay beach. From here take the path below the gardens of the Carbis Bay hotel and over the railway line again which will lead you onto Hain Walk and eventually Porthminster beach back in St Ives.
	St Ives to Zennor 8 miles Difficulty: Moderate to Severe This walk is only for experienced walkers and will take at least 4 hours as the path rises and falls from the coves to the cliffs. It is spectacular though and takes you to areas of the coast that are not accessible by any other means. The path starts at Porthmeor beach in St Ives and is well marked and easy to follow. The path, which is very rocky in places, ends at Mermaids Cove by the village of Zennor where legend has it that if you sit above the cove at twilight on a summers evening you may hear the singing of a man who fell in love with a mermaid and followed her out to sea. At Zennor you can have a well earned drink at the Tinners Arms then catch a bus back to St Ives. There are no towns or villages along the route and little mobile phone reception in this area so please make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected home and take appropriate walking gear, bad weather clothing & drinking water.

Read : A Round Trip to Zennor, By Mr Christopher Somerville
who wrote this while staying with us in 2005

Tel. 01736 794686 | Fax. 01736 794840 | Email. mail@stivesholidays.com

St Ives Holidays, Lanhams, High Street, St. Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1RS, UK