Best walks near Penzance by train

Hayle Station to Camborne Station (Cornwall)

15m direct from Penzance.

occasional flashes of beautiful farming and coastal wetlands. After a quiet urban exit the route opens into farming country and coastal wetlands, with mostly well-marked footpaths and many distinctive old granite stiles and before a lively urban footpath into Camborne.

Tough: steep ascents. 11km.

A footpath appears not to exist at Polmeanor Farmhouse; continue and follow the woodland path to switch back and pick up the trail.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

St Ives Station to Hayle Station (Cornwall)

15m direct from Penzance.

amazing views, lovely, excellent views over Carbis Bay. A coastal walk of two halves: the first along the busy B-road around the Hayle estuary on the flat, with wide estuary views over salt marshes and mudflats, a slightly eroded waterside path; the second a fun, more strenuous footpath sandwiched between the railway and the cliffs, through dunes and a golf club and with many short ups and downs on steps. Part of the South West Coast Path. Follows the South West Coast Path and St Michael's Way; the railway runs close by throughout and the St Ives branch line offers a recommended return. Passes the complex that housed the 2021 G7 Summit. The churchyard at Lelant is a good picnic spot.

Tough: steep ascents. 8km.

The coastal footpath has steep, tricky sections and many ups and downs on steps, and can be muddy; a waterside path near Hayle may flood at very high tide.

Lunch: No shortage of eating, drinking and snacking opportunities en route, with facilities at Lelant and Carbis Bay.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Redruth Station to Penryn Station (Cornwall)

30m direct from Penzance.

The views around Lanner were crazy, stretching for miles across Cornwall. A fantastic, surprisingly direct rural route with a nice mix of footpaths, quiet back roads and grassy fields, plus the old Mineral Tramways Mining Trail. Not too hilly, very peaceful and with some heavily overgrown field sections in summer and a few difficult stiles and gates; some rights of way have been adapted by landowners. Uses the Mineral Tramways Mining Trail. Easy buses back from both Redruth and Penryn.

13km.

Several heavily overgrown sections, especially around Tresevean in summer, where field edges may be easier than the path line. A few difficult stiles and gates. Crossing the A39 is tricky, requiring patience for a gap.

Lunch: A pub at Stithians, roughly half way. Shops at Stithians and Lanner.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Penryn Station to Falmouth Town Station (Cornwall)

1h from Penzance, with one change.

great views; beautiful scenery. A short, scenic estuary walk mostly along the Penryn river edge, with a short ferry crossing and views to Falmouth. The narrow path is uneven and muddy in places, with stiles, gates and steps and tree roots underfoot; one section crosses a reed-bed walkway and a beach. The walk uses the Flushing Ferry, which runs daily (hourly in winter, every 30 minutes in summer, last sailing late afternoon); an alternative road route is needed outside ferry hours.

4km.

The beach and reed-bed walkway section may not be passable at high tide, though alternative sections are available.

Lunch: Two pubs and a general store in the village of Flushing; a range of eateries at either end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Camborne Station to Penryn Station (Cornwall)

15m direct from Penzance.

Tough: steep ascents. 20km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Camborne Station to Redruth Station (Cornwall)

15m direct from Penzance.

the magnificent Carn Brea; the route over the top of Carn Brea offers much better views. A direct, enjoyable and fairly easy walk between two adjacent towns, mostly on good paths with a few loose-stone lanes and a little straightforward field walking, passing various mining relics. There are several large granite stiles and all different. Largely follows National Cycle Network route 3 (the Cornish Way) and part of the Great Flat Lode Trail, one of the Mineral Tramways Trails in Cornwall. The route mostly stays below Carn Brea, but climbing over the summit, or up to the Basset Monument, is a recommended alternative for better views. A short train ride returns you to the start.

Tough: steep ascents. 6km.

Walk Whitecross Hill with care as cars are fast, though it is only a short section between two footpaths. Climbing over the top of Carn Brea involves some narrow paths.

End-of-walk reward: Rowes bakery cafe.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route