The South West Coast Path near Land's End — open clifftop path above the Atlantic.

Cornwall · Walks · St Ives

Walks near St Ives.

St Ives is surrounded by some of the finest coastal walking in west Cornwall — from the easy Island headland to the wild, moorland-backed cliff path towards Zennor.

Photograph — Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

St Ives · West Cornwall

The walks from St Ives divide along a clear axis of difficulty. East, the path to Carbis Bay and on to Lelant is easy, pastoral, and above a beach chain that could plausibly be marketed as the Cornish Riviera without too much exaggeration. West and north, everything changes register abruptly. The Coast Path from St Ives towards Zennor traverses a stretch of cliff that backs directly onto moorland — no roads, no settlements, no phone signal for long stretches — and the character shifts from holiday Cornwall to something older and more serious within twenty minutes of leaving the Tate steps.

The Island — the headland above St Ives harbour that gives the town its distinctive peninsular shape — is the essential first walk for any visitor. The views from the chapel at its tip take in the full panorama from Godrevy Lighthouse east to Cape Cornwall west, and the headland itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its coastal grassland flora. It's a twenty-minute stroll from the town; the serious walkers use it as a warm-up before heading west on the path to Zennor.

The Island is the headland that gives St Ives its characteristic shape — a grassy promontory rising above the harbour with St Nicholas Chapel at its tip. The path from Porthmeor Beach takes fifteen minutes to the summit, where the view spans Godrevy Lighthouse, the Hayle Estuary, and on clear days the Lizard Peninsula. The wildflower grassland on the seaward slopes is a designated SSSI. An essential short walk; combine with Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches for a one-mile circuit of the headland.

Best for

Panoramic harbour views and coastal wildflower grassland

The Hain Walk is a sheltered cliff path east from St Ives that follows a former mineral railway ledge above Carbis Bay — arguably the prettiest easy walk in west Cornwall. The path is broad and well-maintained, dropping gently to Carbis Bay beach (sandy, sheltered, and excellent) in around forty minutes. Continue along the coast to Lelant Saltings for birdwatching on the Hayle Estuary — the RSPB reserve here is excellent in autumn and winter. Three miles to Lelant; return by train on the St Ives Bay Line.

Best for

Easy scenic walking with a train return

The five-mile Coast Path west from St Ives to Zennor is one of the finest stretches of walking in Cornwall. The path immediately leaves the road network behind, climbing to a clifftop backed by open moorland with no development visible in either direction. The Gurnard's Head promontory at the halfway point is a scheduled Iron Age cliff castle. Zennor — a hamlet with a pub and a medieval church — is the destination. Return by taxi or the seasonal bus.

Best for

Wild moorland-backed cliff walking and complete solitude

Five miles east of St Ives across the Hayle Estuary, the National Trust headland at Godrevy is one of the most rewarding short walks in west Cornwall. The path from the NT car park loops around Navax Point and out towards the lighthouse — on its island, inaccessible but photogenic — with grey seal colonies visible on the rocks below year-round. The clifftop above the Red River valley adds industrial colour. Three-mile circular; bus from St Ives in season.

Best for

Grey seal colonies and Virginia Woolf's lighthouse

The first section of the Zennor coast path, stopping at Clodgy Point and Man's Head rather than committing to the full five miles. From Porthmeor Beach the path climbs steeply to Clodgy Point — an abrupt headland with views back over the entire St Ives Bay — before continuing to the Man's Head promontory. Two miles from town and back; offers the wild character of the Zennor path without the logistical challenge of the full route.

Best for

Wild coast in miniature and a manageable taster of the Zennor path

Practical notes

Getting there: St Ives is served by the St Ives Bay Line branch from St Erth — the scenic approach is part of the experience. By car, the B3306 from the A30. Park-and-ride from Lelant Saltings station is strongly recommended July–August.
Difficulty: The Island and Hain Walk are easy and suitable for most. The Zennor route is strenuous — 800 feet of ascent — and not suitable in poor visibility without navigation experience. Godrevy is easy on good NT paths. Clodgy Point is moderate.
Distance: The Island circuit: 1 mile. Hain Walk to Carbis Bay: 1.5 miles (3 miles to Lelant). St Ives–Zennor: 5 miles one way. Godrevy circular: 3 miles. Clodgy Point: 2 miles there-and-back.
Dogs: Dogs welcome on all routes. The Island headland is a local favourite for evening dog walks. Zennor coast path is excellent off-lead on open clifftop. Keep leads near livestock on the Zennor section. Carbis Bay beach allows dogs outside summer restricted hours.
Best time to visit: The Zennor route is incomparable in April–May when the gorse is in full gold bloom. Godrevy is best October–February for seal pups and winter birds. The Hain Walk is excellent year-round. The Island at dawn, before the town wakes, is a special experience.
What to bring: OS Explorer 102 (Land's End) for the Zennor route — essential. Compass for Zennor in mist. Full waterproofs and layers for the exposed western path. Binoculars for Godrevy seals. Train timetable for the Carbis Bay or Lelant return.

Walks near St Ives.

The Island (St Ives Head)

Hain Walk to Carbis Bay

St Ives to Zennor

Godrevy Lighthouse and Navax Point

Clodgy Point and Man's Head

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