Cornwall: a walk of wonders Back to News

Just in time for Christmas, we bring you a walk of wonders.

We invite you to set foot in one of the six Celtic lands so steeped in legend and mystery that by the time your holiday is done, you will believe you have walked among giants and caught the sunlight glinting off a mermaid’s scales in the waves below. Welcome to On Foot’s Cornwall.

The tin miner, the fisherman and the chough stand proudly on the Cornish Crest and these three things comprise the essence of On Foot’s route. The fisherman represents the leaping waves and the merciless razor-edged cliffs; the tin miner acknowledges the industrial heritage reaped from the mineral-rich earth (cue ‘Poldark!’ growled in your best Cornish accent); and the chough signifies one of the most famous of all legends – that of King Arthur and his immense impact upon Cornish, Celtic and British culture.

In a little cove to the east of the Celtic Sea lies the town of St Ives and here our walk begins. An important fishing port since medieval times, the town has now transitioned into a thriving artistic community, home to the Tate St Ives as well as the Barbara Hepworth Museum, amongst others. Walking south from coast to coast, have your binoculars handy for Marazion Marshes and its abundant wildlife before raising your eyes to the imposing shadow of St Michael’s Mount.

Onwards to Lamorna Cove, sanctuary for seals and walkers alike, then to Porthcurno, home to the world-famous Minack Theatre: an open-air theatre where the drama is created by more than just nature alone. Continue across the cliffs to Porthgwarra beach where you can swim in the crystal-clear waters (spoiler: Poldark won’t be there) before heading on to Sennen Cove – eyes peeled for surfers and ears tuned for the Sennen Whooper (a benevolent piskie).

The route then heads north up the coast through a landscape dotted with the remains of towering chimneys – lonely sentinels to their long-abandoned mines. Choose your route for the final day: opt for the Tinner’s Way for mystical megaliths and cautionary tales of dancing on the Sabbath (you get turned into stone), or choose the undeniable glory of the South West Coast Path, and return triumphantly into the haven of St Ives.

Then…relax and revel in the wonders you have seen.

This 6-night route is available to walk from April 2021 and is graded medium to medium/hard. Accommodation consists of boutique B&Bs and traditional inns – upgrade accommodation is available so please ask us for advice on the best options for your personal preferences. Enjoy!