Section: Hayle to St Ives

Length: 6 miles (10km)

Distance from Minehead to Hayle: 227.7

Distance from St Ives to Poole: 399.3

Grading: Moderate

Height gained (and also lost): 663ft (202m)

Summary:

The route from Britain’s oldest swing bridge leads you along roads following the Hayle estuary. You are able to take small detours in places in order to reach the muddy flats which are home to many different species of birdlife. Hayle was once the most important industrial port in Cornwall and a centre of copper mining and smelting. The Path also follows part of the ancient pilgrim route called St Michael’s Way which led pilgrims across Cornwall from Lelant to Marazion, near Penzance, where they would then travel on to the Cathedral of St James in Santiago de Compostela in North West Spain. Follow the railway line to St Ives, passing Carbis Bay and passing through the wooded outskirts of the town before arriving at the large, sheltered expanse of golden sand that is Porthminster Beach.

Highlights along the path:

• The 100 year-old swing bridge at the entrance to Hayle harbour.
• The birds of Hayle estuary
including curlews and oystercatchers. Winter is the season to see the most birds, in fact as many as 18,000 birds have been recorded here in the cold season.
• Hayle’s mining and rail heritage. Little remains of the Carnsew foundry of Harvey & Co near the railway viaduct in the town centre, yet at one time it was a thriving business exporting Cornish beam engines and other mining equipment all over the world. You can find out more information from the town library and Tourist Information Centre in Commercial Road.
• The RSPB hide at Ryan’s Field open to visitors and containing information and identification charts.
• St Uny’s Church, Lelant, with its ancient Cornish crosses. It is believed that the churchyard is built on the site of a Roman fort. This is the starting point of St Michael’s Way.
• The views of the dunes and out to Godrevy from above Porth Kidney Sands. This beach is often deserted due to lack of parking facilities.
• The large, sheltered sandy beaches of Carbis Bay, which are perfect for picnics.
• Exploring all that St Ives has to offer, including a wealth of art and crafts, fantastic cafes and restaurants and of course the beautiful beaches.

Worth a look (interesting places close to the path):

• The Tate Gallery at St Ives.
• The museum of St Ives full of information about St Ives’ cultural links as well as maritime and mining history. Tel: 01736 796005.

Shorter option:

Carbis Bay (4.5 miles, 7 km)

Longer option:

It is not easy to lengthen this walk due to lack of accommodation close to the Coast Path.

Public transport info:

First Great Western trains run directly from the mainline station in Plymouth to Hayle and from Plymouth to St Ives, changing at St Erth. The National Express Coach services 500 and 330 run from Plymouth bus station to St Ives. There are regular buses between Hayle and St Ives, including the 14, 501 and 314. For further details visit Traveline or phone 0870 6082608

Refreshments:

Refreshments are available from many places along the route, including Lelant and Carbis Bay. For locally sourced produce try the Big Barn members the vegetarian Woodcote Hotel at The Saltings, Lelant, tel: 01736 753147 or The Garrack Hotel in Burthallan Lane, St Ives, Tel: 01736 796199, which was awarded the AA restaurant guide’s Best Use Of Local Produce.

Nearest Car park:

Hayle (Postcode for Sat Navs: TR27 4HQ) Lelant, Carbis Bay and St Ives.

Toilets:

Hayle, Carbis Bay, Porthminster Beach and St Ives.

More information:

Hayle Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01736 754399 Email: hayle.library@cornwall.gov.uk
St Ives Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01736 6297

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