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Penzance coastal walk
An epic adventure awaits you along the South West Coast Path from Penzance to Land’s End.

The South West Coast Path offers up a wonderful and waymarked way to explore the beauty of the South West regions. Out of the full 630 miles of coastal path, the Cornwall coastal path section stretches for around 286 miles.

This route from Penzance to Land’s End incorporates the use of local bus routes and sightseeing. You can simply set off from your Cornwall holiday cottage in the morning, explore the natural beauty of the region, before returning to the comfort of a cosy home from home.

We have split this route up into three separate routes; Penzance to Mousehole, Mousehole to Porthcurno and finally Porthcurno to Land’s End. In total this Penzance to Land’s End walk measures 21 miles, so is ideal for the novice walker, or those seeking a simple and easily accessible route.


Walking Essentials

Person wearing walking boots walking along coast with sea in background

We would definitely recommend having some proper walking shoes, walking boots or a good pair of trainers for these walks. Some of the sections feature some steep slopes and rocky and uneven ground, so a walking pole can be useful too. Ensure you pack plenty of snacks and water along with a waterproof and windproof jacket.


Day 1: Penzance to Mousehole Walk – 7 miles/11 km

View of St Michael's Mount in Marazion, Penzance

Begin this Penzance coastal walk with a bus journey! From Penzance, catch a bus to Marazion and alight at St Michael’s Mount. If you check out the tide times beforehand, you can walk over to this picturesque tidal island at low tide, or catch the ferry at high tide.

Explore the history here within the castle, church and gardens, before walking back along the beach to Penzance. From here, continue the walk from Penzance to Mousehole, passing through the pretty fishing village of Newlyn.

Mousehole (pronounced Mouse-el) is home to a beautiful harbour surrounded by narrow streets and yellow lichened houses huddled on the coast. Finish the day by catching the regular bus from Mousehole to your Penzance holiday cottage.


Day 2: Mousehole to Porthcurno walk – 8 miles/13 km

Mousehole Harbour in Cornwall, England

Catch an early morning bus to begin your walk from Mousehole. Be ready for some tough walking on this stretch of the route, with rocky scrambles and plenty of ups and downs.

Follow the South West Coast Path first from Mousehole to Lamorna Cove, passing through Kemyel Crease Nature Reserve. Once you emerge from the woodland, a series of steps, cobbles and cliff edges follow before the route reaches Lamorna Cove.

Explore this beautiful rocky beach before continuing along the path past sights including Tater Du Lighthouse and Logan Rock. Finally come to the coastal town of Porthcurno, home to the famous open-air Minack Theatre perched on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic ocean. Visit Porthcurno’s museum of global communications, PK Porthcurno, and the beautiful beach too before getting a bus back to Penzance.


Day 3: Porthcurno to Land’s End Walk – 6.6 miles/10.5 km

View of Land's End sign in Cornwall, England, with the sea in the background

Catch a morning bus from Penzance to Porthcurno. This walk starts out tough (so be prepared!) but becomes easier as the day progresses.

Discover some amazing sights along the way, including the cave tunnel at Porthgwarra, the Gwennap Head Daymark and Najizal Beach. The latter is home to a secluded beach, a rock arch and natural sea pools, perfect for a scenic and relaxing pit stop.

This Cornwall coastal walk continues north up to the most westerly point of England; Land’s End. It’s a popular tourist attraction so you can expect it to be busy, especially at peak times. Get a selfie in front of the famous signpost and enjoy an ice cream as you look out to the sea.

Extend this adventure just a little bit further by enjoying a walk from Land’s End to Sennen Cove to round off the day. A gentle path leads to this beautiful surfing beach where you’ll find beachside cafés and bars to enjoy before hopping back on the bus to Penzance!


Before you go…

Buses are a great way to enjoy a walking holiday. Remember to always check the bus services and timetables before you embark on your walking adventures, as times and routes can vary according to the seasons. You may also have to walk a little inland to find a bus stop. Check the bus times in advance with Traveline.

Although the South West Coast Path is well signposted, it can be a good idea to carry an Ordnance Survey map just in case you get lost, need to cut a route short, or extend it further. The OS Map 102 covers the area for this walk.

If you’re in search of further walks, why not continue this coastal journey up to St Ives? The walk from Sennen Cove to St Ives is a further 23 miles, which you can break into two or three shorter segments!


There are plenty of amazing sights and attractions to enjoy across Cornwall. Enjoy one of the many Cornwall boat trips available, providing an immersive way to experience the coast and sea.

Or incorporate a walk into a trip to one of Cornwall’s best surfing beaches, with most beaches offering surf hire so you don’t have to carry a board!


Choose your wonderful walking base from the selection of holiday cottages in Penzance with Cornish Cottage Holidays.