Cornwall's Atlantic Coast - South
Walk the South West Coast Path along Cornwall's Atlantic Coast on a self-guided walking holiday.
Cornwall's Atlantic Coast - South
https://www.contours.co.uk/cornwalls-atlantic-coast-south
An epic walk along the coastline of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.
From £355 per person
At 630 miles (1,008 km) in length, the South West Coast Path is Britain’s longest waymarked footpath and the ultimate challenge for any long distance walker. The route curls around the entire peninsula of Devon and Cornwall, rounds the south-western tip of England at Land’s End, and follows the southern shore through the dramatic scenery of Dorset, constituting a major portion of the England Coast Path.
Although we provide some gentler itineraries, on most holidays, expect stiff climbs on jaw-dropping coastal trails; mile after mile of sea views; and plenty of cream teas and Cornish pasties enjoyed in seaside towns. Walking the South West Coast Path is a challenge, but an immensely (and often tastily) rewarding one.
We’ve broken the full SWCP into ten stages so you can pick and choose your favourite stretches of coast. We also offer a choice of short breaks along the path, which you can find on the South West Coast Path Short Breaks page. If you’re looking for a circular tour, take a look at our walking holiday around the far point of Land’s End Peninsula and inland along St Michael’s Way, or stitch in the Tamara Coast to Coast Way.
Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.
From £775 per person
Fishing harbours, clusters of thatched cottages, and plenty of Iron Age cliff castles and Bronze Age barrows make this one of the most varied legs of the South West Coast Path.
The coastal landscape here is all-inclusive, populated by broad, sandy bays; rocky promontories; and the dramatic rock stacks of Giants Stepping Stones.
Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
---|---|---|---|---|
CACS1 | From Padstow to St Ives | 5 days walking | £775 | |
CACS2 | From Padstow to St Ives | 6 days walking | £895 | |
CACS3 | From Padstow to St Ives | 8 days walking | £1145 | |
CACS4 | From Padstow to St Ives | 10 days walking | £1390 |
Travel to Padstow where your first night's accommodation will be booked
Padstow to Porthcothan(L). 14 miles (22km) / 1378 ft (420 m) ascent
Porthcothan(L) to Newquay. 11.5 miles (18.5km) / 1421 ft (433 m) ascent
Newquay to Perranporth. 11.5 miles (18.5km) / 1296 ft (395 m) ascent
Perranporth to Portreath. 12.5 miles (20km) / 2234 ft (681 m) ascent
Portreath to St Ives. 18 miles (29km) / 1906 ft (581 m) ascent
Depart from St Ives after breakfast
This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.
Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.
The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.
Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.
Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
Spying seals, bottlenose dolphins, and even basking sharks down beneath the foam-capped waves.
Enjoying lesser-known beauty spots, including the hidden beach of Porth Joke and the old swing bridge on the approach to Hayle.
Clambering over rocky shorelines to reach broad, sandy beaches.
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:
The most convenient major city and international airports are Exeter, Bristol and Newquay.
The nearest rail station to the start of the trail (Padstow) is at Bodmin Parkway (about 19.5 miles away). There is a railway station at the end of the trail (St Ives).
A bus runs from Bodmin Parkway station to Padstow. Various bus services run from St Ives.
Trains run from London Paddington station to Bodmin Parkway. From there you a bus/taxi will be required to Padstow.
The easiest way to return to the start of the trail is to take a taxi, as public transport options are somewhat lengthy.
To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:
“The tour went without hitch & we were blessed with excellent weather. It is our intention to book next years tour with you soon.”Mrs Wood, UK
“Overall the B&B's were very good.”Mr French, UK
“A very enjoyable week despite some bad weather. An excellent walk with beautiful scenery. A very enjoyable experience not to be missed. I have now had 2 holidays with Contours Walking Holidays and I have found them both well organised and very enjoyable experiences.”Mr Nichols, UK
“Excellent organisation as usual.”Dr Begley, UK
“Great Britain is always worth the journey! Everything, really everything worked great! I did recommend to others already, I'm totally thrilled! We will book another holiday with Contours one day for sure!”Mrs Henke, Germany
“The walking was excellent.”Ms Wismayer, UK
“Fantastic weather, fantastic scenery.”Mrs Horrocks, UK
“Fabulous weather and excellent walking.”Mrs Brewer, UK
“We had a superb time, helped by super weather for most of the walk (just one slightly grey day and no rain!) Loved it. I love the flexibility you offer with your holidays”Mr Ward, UK