46 Portreath to Hayle
A cove full of seals, a magical moment over the rainbow, a famous lighthouse, long sandy beaches and a distant view of St Ives.
The route, day 46.
The coast path from Portreath to Gwythian beach, then through the sand dunes to Hayle. 15 miles/24.5 km, 650 metres ascent.
South from Portreath
Looking back to Portreath
Porthcadjack Cove and a view all the way to Godrevy Point
Easy walking between Hell's Mouth Café and Navax Point
Navax Point
Godrevy Point and lighthouse
Mutton Cove
Godrevy Lighthouse
Gwithian Beach
Hayle
The beach at Hayle, with Godrevy Point and lighthouse
Between Navax Point and Godrevy Point. John Sykes was here, 12 September 2024
47 Hayle to St Ives
An easy walk around the estuary of the Hayle river (photo below) and parallel to a scenic railway along the wooded coast to the resorts of Carbis Bay and St Ives.
The route, day 47
The Southwest Coast Path from Hayle to Porthminster beach at St Ives and up the hill to the station. 7 miles, 11.5 km, 219 metres ascent
River Hayle Estuary
St Ives Bay Railway
After its opening in 1877, this scenic, single-track branch line brought tourism to St Ives. It was saved from the Beeching cuts of the 1960s and now takes passengers from the main line station at St Erth. The days of direct connections to London on the Cornish Riviera Express are long gone.
Leland Saltings station with an estuary view
Between Carbis Bay and St Ives
Lelant Churchyard
The church is dedicated to St Uny one of the numerous obsure Celtic saints from the early Christian history of Cornwall. Uny, or Euny, is said to have been a brother of St Ia, an Irish princess who was a missionary in Cornwall in the 5th or 6th century. St Ives is named after her. The churchyard is the burial place of Henry Jenner (1848–1934), who had a large influence on the revivial of Cornish culture and language.
Porthkidney
Porthminster Beach, St Ives. John Sykes was here, 12 September 2024