South West Coast Path: North Cornwall

Our North Cornwall holidays cover over 140 miles of coastline from Westward Ho! to St Ives, comprising tiny fishing villages with cobbled streets, ancient woodlands, rocky headlands, remote coastal landscapes and golden surf-washed beaches.

You’ll enjoy overnight stays in the popular towns such as Tintagel, Port Isaac, Padstow and of course St Ives itself. There are a great many historical sites along this route as well as museums telling the story of North Cornwall’s hidden past. Highlights along this stunning stretch of coast include Tintagel Castle, the mythical birthplace of the legendary King Arthur. There are a number of Iron Age forts which are of huge interest too. Also on display are abandoned engine houses, relics of a once prosperous tin mining industry.

The first half of the North Cornwall coast features some the wildest and remotest areas on the whole of the South West Coast Path. As a result, the walking can be challenging at times. Be prepared for numerous daily ascents and descents. The second half will see you pass by some of Cornwall’s most popular surfer beaches.

This is a dramatic landscape with magnificent waterfalls crashing from the clifftops onto the rocky beaches beneath. You might be lucky enough to spot grey seals. There’s a wealth of wildlife and wildflowers too. Birdwatchers should look out for stonechats, linnets and meadow pipits as well as peregrine falcons, buzzards and kestrels, while cornflowers, sea pinks and kidney vetch colour the countryside enhancing your experience of this awe-inspiring coastline.

Our Holidays

The South West Coast Path is England’s longest waymarked long-distance footpath and National Trail. We have a range of walking holidays along the entire length of the trail. All routes are well worth undertaking in their own right and you can take on each section separately until you’ve completed the whole path.

We offer 2 holidays walking between Westward Ho! and St Ives on the North Cornwall section of the South West Coast Path. Firstly we have the 80 miles from Westward Ho! to Padstow, followed by the 64 miles from Padstow to St Ives.

Please bear in mind that the distances each day are trail distances only. They do not take into account walking to your accommodation. On some days the accommodation might be on or close to the trail but on other days you may need to walk one or two miles to get to your overnight stop.

Note on transfers: Many of the accommodations on the Cornwall coast operate a two night minimum policy, therefore when booking, please be prepared to be transferred to and from your accommodation on several nights of your holiday.

North Cornwall Coast Path: Westward Ho! to Padstow

Appledore to Padstow 80 miles/128 km

We offer 2 itineraries from Westward Ho! to Padstow. Choose from 7 or 9 days walking, depending on how far you want to walk each day. This is one of the toughest sections of the coast path due to its many ascents and descents in a more remote environment.

After spending your first night in Appledore, we will transfer you to Westward Ho! to begin your walk.

Code Length Average per day Price range
CNE8 7 days walking (8 nights) 11 miles/18 km £982 - £1165 Full Info Book
CNE10 9 days walking (10 nights) 9 miles/14 km £1273 - £1508 Full Info Book

North Cornwall Coast Path: Padstow to St Ives

Padstow to St Ives 64 miles/102 km

We offer 2 itineraries from Padstow to St Ives. Choose from 4 or 6 days walking, depending on how far you want to walk each day. This walk hugs a rugged coastline past bays and beaches, along beautiful cliff tops, to the most strenuous section of the entire path taking in steep, overhanging cliffs and spectacular rock formations.

Code Length Average per day Price range
CNW5 4 days walking (5 nights) 16 miles/26 km £637 - £741 Full Info Book
CNW7 6 days walking (7 nights) 11 miles/18 km £852 - £1009 Full Info Book

Client Feedback

I just completed my fourth trip with Mickledore and have been consistently delighted with their service. Their routes are terrific, attention to details in the trip planning process has been thorough, accommodations very good. We are already planning our next trip! Great work, Mickledore! It’s a delight to work with such a reliable partner.

South West Coast Path: North Cornwall, September 2022
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The whole trip was just fantastic, I have recommended it and you to so many people. All we had to think about was the walk each day and what we were going to see. The organisation of it all was faultless and left us to just enjoy it all.

West Highland Way, September 2023
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The staff are very friendly and efficient, the info packs with supporting info are great, the accommodation options are varied and excellent.

Lady Anne’s Way, August 2023
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