St Ives to Hayle
A station-to-station walkCornwallSouth West England
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.
Coastal: almost all along the coast.
Lunch: No shortage of eating, drinking and snacking opportunities en route, with facilities at Lelant and Carbis Bay.
Warnings: 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.
Credits
Walk details: Slow Ways.