Discover the wild beauty of Land’s End and Penzance with this collection of 15 carefully selected short walks, showcasing the area’s most spectacular scenery, from iconic coastal headlands to ancient moorland, picturesque fishing villages, and legendary landmarks. 

Each route is designed to be completed in under three hours (ranging from 2.5 to 8.5km), making this guidebook the perfect companion for families, newcomers, and anyone eager to explore the dramatic landscapes and rich heritage of Cornwall’s far west.

• Each of the 15 Land’s End and Penzance walks features clear, easy-to-follow maps alongside step-by-step route descriptions, with numbered points that link directions directly to the maps for straightforward navigation.
• Practical details are provided for every walk, including information on parking, public toilets, refreshments, and route highlights, so every outing is enjoyable, accessible, and well-planned.
• Discover the region’s most memorable sights, from the dramatic cliffs at Sennen Cove and Land’s End, the mystical stones of Mên-an-Tol and Nine Maidens, to the evocative mining remains at Botallack and Pendeen Watch, and the timeless charm of Mousehole, St Ives, and St Michael’s Mount.
• Routes begin from welcoming towns and villages such as Penzance, St Just, Newlyn, Hayle, and St Ives, with suggestions for public transport, including bus and train options, for added convenience.
• Experience the best of Cornwall’s hospitality, with advice on local accommodation options in Penzance, Hayle, St Ives, and St Just, ranging from simple campsites to stately hotels and cosy self-catering cottages, ideal for extending your stay after a day’s adventure.

Part of Cicerone’s trusted Short Walks series, this guide to Land’s End and Penzance brings together everything you need for a memorable day out amid the ever-changing beauty of Cornwall’s western tip. Whether you’re a local resident, a day visitor, or planning a scenic getaway, this guide is your key to discovering the best of Land’s End, Penzance, and the surrounding area at an easy, enjoyable pace.

15 Short Walks in Cornwall – Land’s End and Penzance: Quick Facts

Location: Land’s End, Penzance, and West Penwith, Cornwall, UK (including St Ives, Mousehole, Newlyn, Hayle, St Just and surrounding areas)
Total walks: 15 selected short walks
Typical duration: Under 3 hours each
Distance per walk: 2.5–8.5 km (1.5–5 miles)
Walk type: Easy day walks on circular, there-and-back, or linear routes
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; short climbs, well-marked coastal and moorland paths, no challenging terrain
Navigation: Clear route maps and step-by-step descriptions with numbered points included
Highlights: Sennen Cove and Land’s End, Chapel Carn Brea, Cot Valley, Cape Cornwall, Botallack and Crowns Engine Houses, Pendeen Watch, Chûn Castle, Mên-an-Tol, Nine Maidens, St Ives Bay, Hayle Estuary, St Michael’s Mount, Newlyn, Mousehole, Porthcurno, and Penberth Cove
Best season: Walkable all year round (weather and conditions permitting; take extra care on clifftop paths, especially in strong winds or mist)

Author Highlight

"The wild moorland and rugged coastline that forms the western tip of Cornwall is a world away from the tourist-thronged golden beaches depicted on postcards. This remote area offers the visitor miles of quiet walks through a landscape of heather and tors, interspersed with glimpses of Neolithic settlements and long-abandoned mining activity. Most of the moorland and clifftop walks in this book make use of waymarked trails, often with the familiar acorn of the South West Coast Path or yellow public footpath arrows." 

- Phil Turner, author of 15 Short Walks in Cornwall: Land's End and Penzance

Map key
Overview map
Using this guide
Route summary table
Introduction
Walking in Land’s End and Penzance 
Things to see
Travel
Where to stay
The walks
1. Sennen Cove to Land’s End
2. Chapel Carn Brea, Bartinney and Caer Bran
3. Cot Valley from St Just
4. Cape Cornwall and Kenidjack Valley
5. Botallack and the Crowns Engine Houses
6. Boscaswell and Pendeen Watch
7. Chûn Castle and Quoit
8. Mên-an-Tol and Nine Maidens
9. Bosigran and Porthmeor Cove 
10. Gurnard’s Head
11. St Ives Bay
12. Hayle Estuary nature reserves
13. Penzance to St Michael’s Mount
14. Newlyn to Mousehole
15. Porthcurno and Penberth Cove
 
Useful information

Seasons

This book can be enjoyed all year round, although some routes can be particularly muddy after rain. Trails that are busy in July are often deserted in November. However, several walks run along cliff tops and require particular care in strong winds. The West Penwith moors can be a forbidding environment in poor weather.

Centres

Penzance, Hayle, St Ives, St Just, Mousehole, Newlyn

Difficulty

Cornwall is a rural county with most footpaths rough and occasionally muddy. In this county of innovators and engineers, many gates and stiles are creative and may require a clamber. Expect some ascent on all but one of the walks.

Must See

Beautiful, rugged cliffs above turquoise sea; towering engine houses standing silent guard over post-industrial landscapes; miles of golden sand and irresistible fishing coves; atmospheric megaliths surrounded by remote moorland; centuries-old pubs providing cosy sanctuary from coastal storms

July 2025

Walk 3 - footbridge closed

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