Would you like to explore the best of Land's End and Penzance? This guidebook covers 15 of the best short walks in the area (between 2.5 and 8.5km, all under three hours), including St Ives, Mousehole, Penzance, Newlyn, Nine Maidens, Mên-an-Tol, Pendeen Watch, St Michael's Mount, St Just, Gurnard's Head and Botallack Head.

Why choose this guidebook?

• Easy to moderate walks suitable for almost everyone
• Short climbs but no challenging terrain
• Numbered points which tie maps to clear route description
• Details of public toilets and refreshments along the route
• Route Summary Table to help you choose your walk

Cicerone’s Short Walks guidebooks contain everything you need to get outdoors and discover the best of an area. The short walks are perfect if you’re new to walking or looking for something you can enjoy with the whole family. Let the adventures begin!

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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