Adaptable St Ives Bay walk that’s PERFECT for summer
Many believe that St Ives Bay epitomises Cornwall.
From Clodgy Point, where you have a vantage over the town, to the golden beaches itself – this hike is mesmerising.
St Ives Bay hike overview
Starting at Clodgy Point, you descend down towards Porthmeor.
Within minutes, you’ll step into the artistic bustle of St Ives itself and then glide east on an easy-going path that shadows the branch-line railway above a chain of beaches – Porthminster, Carbis Bay, Porthkidney – before finishing in quiet Lelant for a train ride back.
It’s roughly 9 km/ 5½ miles and fits neatly into half a day, leaving room for a café stop in St Ives or a swim at Carbis Bay.
The route packs in bird-rich estuary views, Bronze Age field systems and the constant backdrop of turquoise-and-white surf.
A GWR branch line handles the return leg, so there is no need to retrace your steps!
Route notes: step-by-step from Clodgy Point to Lelant
Start – Clodgy Point
Firstly, Clodgy Point is an optional extension onto this walk – you can also start at Porthmeor Beach (and shave off just under a mile of walking).
However, I would recommend it to see another side to St Ives.
Either walk westward along the South West Coast Path to the point – there’s a bit of uphill, but you’ll enjoy mesmerising views of the town sprawling beneath you – or if you don’t like backtracking you could walk through the town toward Penbeagle and on access paths through fields to reach the point (you’ll need a map for this route).
From Clodgy Point, simply follow the South West Coast Path down back towards town. The track skirts Carrick Du’s black rocks, then narrows across springy turf where stonechats flit between gorse clumps.
After approximately 1 km, keep an eye out for the low ruins of a medieval leper hospice that gave Clodgy its name – klav-ji, ‘sick house’ in Cornish (I didn’t see them, but they are there!).
Into St Ives
The path drops to Porthmeor Beach. Keep the surf on your left, thread Barnoon Steps, and reach Fore Street for supplies.
Harbour toilets sit beside Smeaton’s Pier. Walk the quay, then climb past St Ives Station to regain the way-marks.
St Ives to Carbis Bay
A well-tended track runs above Porthminster Beach and flirts with the railway, giving broad views across the bay. In summer the sea here is calm enough for a cooling dip, and the café on the sand dishes up quick lunches.
Carbis Bay to Porthkidney Sands
Re-join the path just beyond the hotel, keeping the rails close by. The trail traverses low cliffs tufted with sea thrift, then swings inland to cross Hawk’s Point, where oystercatchers patrol the tideline.
At low tide you can drop to the firm sand of Porthkidney and stride the final kilometre; at high tide stay on the signed dune track bordering West Cornwall Golf Club.
Finish – Lelant (9 km)
Pass St Uny Church – worth a quick look for its carved bench-ends – then bear right for Lelant Station.
Trains to St Ives typically run twice an hour in summer and hourly off-season, though it’s always advisable to check the latest GWR timetable for current schedules.
Practical details and insider tips
Terrain & grading
Mostly easy underfoot with two short, steep pulls (cliff steps near Carrick Du and above Porthminster). Trainers or trail shoes suffice in dry weather; switch to boots after heavy rain. Dogs can manage the whole way, but check the seasonal beach restrictions at Porthminster and Carbis Bay.
Timing & tides
Allow 3–3½ hours walking time plus stops. If you plan to cross Porthkidney Sands, stick to a falling tide – the Hayle estuary floods quickly on a big spring tide.
Refreshments & toilets
- Food & drink:
- Porthmeor Beach Café (start)
- Numerous spots in St Ives harbour
- Porthminster Beach Café (2.5 km)
- Carbis Bay beach kiosks (5 km)
- Porthmeor Beach Café (start)
- Toilets:
- Porthmeor Beach
- St Ives harbour
- Carbis Bay station
- Porthmeor Beach
Transport
You could park at Trenwith (long-stay) but this is expensive and very busy in the summer. I’d recommend arriving by train. Buy a St Ives Bay Line day return (£4.20) for unlimited hops between Lelant, Carbis Bay, and St Ives.
Extensions
Confident walkers can push on another 6 km past Lelant to Hayle, exploring the estuary RSPB reserve alive with curlew and godwit in spring. Alternatively, start west at Zennor (you can access this by the Land’s End Coaster bus) and add a rugged 10 km of granite cliff scenery before you ever reach Clodgy Point.
Essentials to pack
OS Explorer 102, a windproof layer (the headland catches every breeze), and at least one litre of water. Mobile signal is patchy between Carbis Bay and Lelant, so download maps beforehand.
