Zennor to St Ives (via bus)

A fairly demanding but rewarding one-way coastal walk, made circular via an initial bus journey, along the rugged coast between St Ives and Zennor, passing Seal Island which may have given rise to the legend of the mermaid of Zennor and - thanks to some imaginative naming - ice cream (Moomaid of Zennor). The walk is in the optimal direction to remove time pressure and for panoramic views across St Ives bay.

Get the app to guide you around the walk

App Store

Download iPhone/iPad app from App Store

Scan with your phone to get the Apple app

Google Play

Download Android app from Google Play

Scan with your phone to get the Android app

Download the (free) app then use it to purchase this walk.

Phone showing Google navigation to start of walk

The app will direct you to the start of the walk via satnav.

Hand holding a phone showing the iWalk Cornwall app

The app guides you around the walk using GPS, removing any worries about getting lost.

Phone showing walk directions page in the iWalk Cornwall app

The walk route is described with detailed, regularly-updated, hand-written directions.

Each time there is a new direction to follow, the app will beep to remind you, and will warn you if you go off-route.

Phone showing walk map page in the iWalk Cornwall app

A map shows the route, where you are at all times and even which way you are facing.

Phone showing facts section in iWalk Cornwall app

Each walk is packed with information about the history and nature along the route, from over a decade of research than spans more than 3,000 topics.

Person looking at phone with cliff scenery in background

Once a walk is downloaded, the app doesn't need wifi or a phone signal during the walk.

Phone showing walk stats in the iWalk Cornwall app

The app counts down distance to the next direction and estimates time remaining based on your personal walking speed.

We keep the directions continually updated for changes to the paths/landmarks - the price for a walk includes ongoing free updates.

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

Fullscreen map

Highlights

Rugged coastline between Zennor and St Ives
Panoramic coastal views from Zennor Head
Marine wildlife including seals, seabirds including gannets and coastal birds including choughs
Heather flowers in July and August
Sandy beaches of Porthgwidden, Porthmeor and around Carrick Du
St Ives historic harbour and buildings
Tate Art Gallery and a myriad of small galleries

Considerations

The coastal section includes some scrambles over boulders of varying sizes. Springs drain into a couple of sections of the coast path so the path and rocks are wet here.
Route includes paths close to unfenced cliff edges.

Dogs

Small and less athletic dogs may need a lift to climb over some of the boulders on the coastal section. There are a couple of stone stiles on the coast path that most dogs that can manage the boulders elsewhere should be able to negotiate. There's a fairly low chance of encountering livestock on the route. An area on Trevalgan Cliff is sometimes used for grazing.

The walk is available through the iWalk Cornwall app for Apple and Android for £3.29 which each include everything listed here.

This removes worries about getting lost by tracking you using GPS, reminding you when you need to follow the next direction and warning you if you wander off the route.

To install on your phone, search the app store for “iwalk cornwall” to download the (free) app. Then either use it to scan the code at the top-right of the page to locate this walk or search for the walk title in Walks Shop > Search All Walks.

Once you've installed the iWalk Cornwall app from the app store, click on the button below to locate this walk:

Open walk in iWalk Cornwall app

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Vital statistics

OS Explorer: 102
Distance: 7.7 miles/12.4 km
Steepness grade: Moderate-strenuous
Recommended footwear: Waterproof walking boots
Pub: ✓
Café: ✓

Pubs on or near the route

The Hain Line
The Lifeboat Inn
The Sloop Inn
The Tinner's Arms

Points of interest

Links for this walk

Tide times
Short URL: https://iwkc.co.uk/w/332

Alternative walks

Adjoining walks

Zennor to Gurnard's Head

Walks nearby