South West Coast Path Stage 2: Bude to St Ives
Bude, Cornwall → St Ives, Cornwall
- England's highest cliffs at Pentire Peninsula
- Legendary Tintagel Castle and Arthurian connections
- Remote Atlantic headlands with minimal civilization
Why people love the South West Coast Path Stage 2: Bude to St Ives
The trail immediately establishes its wild character as it departs Bude, climbing onto the towering cliffs around Tintagel, legendary birthplace of King Arthur. The path navigates around Port Isaac's picturesque fishing harbor before tackling the formidable Pentire Peninsula and the notorious cliff sections around Padstow Bay. Here, walkers encounter some of the most challenging terrain on the entire South West Coast Path, with multiple river crossings requiring ferry services or significant inland detours.
Beyond Padstow, the coast becomes increasingly remote and spectacular, passing through the mining heritage landscape around St Agnes before reaching the towering cliffs of Porthtowan and Portreath. The final descent into St Ives reveals one of Cornwall's most beautiful bays, with golden beaches framed by the distinctive granite headlands that characterize this section. Technical sections around Bedruthan Steps and other cliff areas require extreme caution in adverse weather conditions, though no specialized climbing equipment is required.
Build Your South West Coast Path Stage 2: Bude to St Ives Adventure
Choose your pace, package and group size — we'll do the rest.
Your Adventure
What's Included:
- Hostels & bunkhouses booked
- Breakfast included
- On-trail support
Your Adventure
What's Included:
- Hostels & bunkhouses booked
- Breakfast included
- On-trail support
The Journey in Pictures
Sample Itinerary
Here's what's on the trail. We'll split the stages to each day just right for your pace.
Stage 1: Bude to Crackington Haven
Starting at Bude, the South West Coast Path follows grassy clifftops with sweeping views over beaches and the harbour. It passes Compass Point and Efford Beacon before descending to Widemouth Bay, a popular surfing beach with cafes. From here, the route climbs Penhalt Cliff and descends dramatically to Millook Haven, known for its zigzagging geological folds.
Challenging climbs and steep valleys follow, including Scrade Valley with 180 steps down and 130 up. The path continues via Lower Tresmorn, Cleave Strand, and Castle Point to Crackington Haven, where facilities offer respite.
Stage 2: Crackington Have to Tintagel
After a steep ascent to Cambeak headland, the route passes The Strangles beach beneath towering High Cliff (223m), Cornwall’s highest cliff.
Further on, Beeny Cliff and Pentargon waterfall provide stunning coastal drama. A climb leads to Boscastle and its well-serviced harbour. The path climbs Willapark headland, skirts ancient strip fields at Forrabury Common, and descends into Rocky Valley, with Bronze Age petroglyphs near Trethevy Mill. After crossing the valley via footbridge, the route reaches Barras Nose headland, offering spectacular views of Tintagel Castle on its island. The path reaches Tintagel village (short detour inland) which provides comprehensive refreshment options including numerous pubs, cafes, and shops.
Stage 3: Tintagel to Port Isaac
Stage 4: Port Isaac to Padstow
The path continues past Varley Head and Port Quin, home to Doyden Castle. Easier terrain follows around Gilson’s Cove, Trevan Point, and The Rumps, an Iron Age fort. At Pentire Point, a plaque marks where Laurence Binyon composed For the Fallen. Polzeath’s beach and shops offer a welcome break.
From Polzeath, the trail skirts the Camel Estuary, passing Daymer Bay and Rock. A ferry crosses to Padstow, where refreshments abound.
Stage 5: Padstow to Mawgan Porth
The path climbs to Stepper Point’s daymark tower, then winds along cliffs to Trevone and Harlyn Bay, eventually reaching Trevose Head and its lighthouse.
Clifftop walking continues past Booby’s Bay and Constantine Bay to Treyarnon and onto Porthcothan Bay. From here, steep terrain leads to Bedruthan Steps’ dramatic rock stacks, and Carnewas café provides views and rest. The route descends gradually into Mawgan Porth, revealing the expansive sandy beach.
Stage 6: Mawgan Porth to Holywell
The path continues along clifftops to Beryl’s Point, then climbs past Beacon Cove to Watergate Bay, popular with surfers and well-equipped with eateries. It then heads back onto clifftops and continues towards Newquay.
Approaching Newquay, the path skirts several beaches and cliffs before reaching the Gannel Estuary. Depending on tides, shortcuts are possible via Fern Pit, Penpol, or Trenance Bridge. The trail continues past Crantock Beach, Porth Joke, and Holywell Bay, with its extensive dunes and namesake holy well.
Stage 7: Holywell to Portreath
Climbing past Ligger Point, the route bypasses hazardous tidal sections of Perran Beach, rejoining at Perranporth’s long sands and bustling facilities. The trail then heads through clifftops dotted with historic mining remains to reach St Agnes and the landscape becomes increasingly influenced by the area’s industrial heritage, including the dramatic engine house that marks Cornwall’s mining legacy.
Continuing from the headland, the route passes Chapel Porth, before climbing back onto exposed clifftops and continuing to Porthtowan and Portreath, both offering services.
Stage 8: Portreath to St Ives
Leaving Portreath the route climbs Carvannel and Reskajeage Downs, with expansive views and mining relics. At Godrevy Point, the iconic lighthouse comes into view. Gwithian Beach’s wide sands offer easy walking.
The final stretch skirts the Hayle Estuary, a haven for birdlife. Crossing into Hayle, the path passes the nature reserve and Hayle Towans’ dunes, eventually meeting the scenic railway toward St Ives, with views over St Ives Bay and the final stretch of golden sands.
Essential Travel Information
Best hiking season: May through September provides optimal conditions, with May-June and September offering the best balance of good weather and manageable crowds. The coastal location moderates temperature extremes, but exposes walkers to Atlantic weather systems and strong winds.
Weather patterns and challenges: The southwest coast experiences a maritime climate with mild winters and moderate summers. Rainfall occurs throughout the year but is heaviest from October through March. Sea mists can develop rapidly, particularly in early morning and evening hours. Wind exposure is significant on clifftop sections, with prevailing southwesterly winds often creating challenging conditions.
Seasonal hazards include:
- Spring: Muddy paths after winter rain, unpredictable weather, limited daylight hours in early season
- Summer: Extreme heat on exposed clifftops, overcrowding at popular viewpoints, higher risk of dehydration
- Autumn: Shorter daylight hours, increasing storm frequency, wet and slippery rock surfaces
- Winter: Severe weather exposure, limited accommodation and transport, dangerous conditions on clifftop sections
Timing of facilities/refuge openings: Most coastal accommodations, cafes, and visitor facilities operate fully from Easter through October. Many establishments in remote coastal locations close completely from November through February, with reduced hours during shoulder seasons. Transport links, particularly rural bus services, operate on reduced winter timetables.
The South West Coast Path offers exceptional accommodation variety along its 630-mile length:
B&Bs/Guesthouses: £80-150 per night (double room), representing the most common and reliable option. Walker-friendly establishments typically offer packed lunch services, drying facilities, and early breakfast options.
Hotels: £120-300+ per night, available in larger coastal towns and cities including St Ives, Falmouth, Dartmouth, and Bath. Prices range from less than £10 for a camping pitch, to £300+ for a high end spa hotel.
Hostels: £18-40 per night (dormitory bed), strategically located at key points including Beer, Hartland, Tintagel, Land's End, and Exmouth. YHA properties offer excellent walker facilities and represent outstanding value.
Bunkhouses/Hostels: £25-45 per night, basic but clean dormitory-style accommodation popular with budget-conscious walkers and groups.
Camping: £10-25 per night at designated sites, with excellent coastal campsites throughout the route. Wild camping is not permitted along most of the path due to National Trust and private land ownership.
Booking requirements and timing: Advance booking is absolutely essential during peak season (June-September), particularly for weekend dates and in smaller coastal villages with limited options like Clovelly, Boscastle, and Port Isaac. Book at least 4-6 months ahead for summer trips, with some popular establishments filling up to a year in advance.
Popular stopover points: Key overnight locations include Minehead, Lynmouth, Clovelly, Bude, Tintagel, Port Isaac, Padstow, St Ives, Penzance, Falmouth, Fowey, Polperro, Plymouth, Salcombe, Dartmouth, Torbay, Sidmouth, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, and Poole.
Nearest airports/major cities:
- Newquay Airport (45 minutes to St Ives, 1.5 hours to Bude)
- Exeter Airport (1 hour to Bude, 2 hours to St Ives)
- Major cities: Plymouth (1.5 hours to Bude), Truro (30 minutes to St Ives)
Public transportation options:
- Bude: Bus connections to Exeter, Plymouth, and Okehampton
- St Ives: Branch railway line from St Erth (mainline connection)
- Regular bus services along A30 corridor
- Padstow: Bus connections to Bodmin and Wadebridge
Trailhead access:
- Bude: Multiple starting points from town center or Crooklets Beach
- St Ives: Finish at harbor area or Porthminster Beach
- Parking available but limited in peak season
Evacuation points and bail-out options:
- Tintagel (bus to Camelford, then rail connections)
- Port Isaac (limited bus services)
- Padstow (bus to Bodmin Parkway station)
- Newquay (major transport hub with rail/bus/air)
- St Agnes (bus connections to Truro)
- Hayle (railway station, 4km from path)
Accommodation costs for a complete 10 day trek:
- Mid-range option (B&Bs/guesthouses): £100-140 per night (£1,000-1,400 total)
- Mixed accommodation (hostels/B&Bs): £70-110 per night (£700-1,100 total)
- Budget option (camping/hostels): £35-65 per night (£350-650 total)
Transportation expenses:
- Return train fare to/from London: £150-280
- Local buses to accommodation off-route: £200-350
- Baggage transfer service (optional): £200 -250 for complete route
- Ferry crossings (Kingswear-Dartmouth, Salcombe, etc.): £30-50 total
Food and supplies:
- Breakfast (usually included in accommodation): £0-12 per day
- Packed lunch: £6-12 per day (£60-120 total)
- Evening meal: £18-35 per day (£180-350 total)
- Snacks and drinks: £12-20 per day (£120-200 total)
Additional expenses:
- Official guidebooks and maps: £35-60
- Equipment purchases/replacements: varies significantly
- Emergency fund: £300-400 recommended
- National Trust membership (optional but valuable): £60
Total estimated budget ranges:
- Comfort option (B&Bs, baggage transfer, restaurant meals): £2,000-2,500
- Standard option (mixed accommodation, some baggage transfer): £1,200-1,500
- Budget option (camping/hostels, carrying own pack): £700-900
The South West Coast Path stands as Britain's longest National Trail and most popular coastal walk, with approximately 300,000 people walking sections annually and roughly 1,000 completing the entire route each year.
Peak seasons and crowding: July and August see the highest traffic, with popular sections like Land's End to St Ives, the Jurassic Coast, and North Devon experiencing significant congestion. Accommodation fills months in advance during peak season, and popular clifftop viewpoints can become uncomfortably crowded.
Quieter alternatives for maximum solitude:
- Walking in May, early June, or September-October
- Hiking midweek rather than weekends
- Starting very early (6-7am) to avoid crowds at popular sections
- Choosing alternative inland routes where available
- Considering less famous but equally beautiful sections like Somerset and South Devon
Cultural considerations: The path passes through numerous fishing villages and coastal communities where tourism provides vital income while creating infrastructure pressures. Respect local communities by following the Countryside Code, supporting local businesses, booking accommodations well in advance, and being mindful of noise levels in small villages. The path crosses extensive National Trust land, private estates, and working farmland requiring careful adherence to designated routes.
Typical hiker demographics: The trail attracts a diverse international community with strong representation from Germany, Netherlands, Australia, and North America (approximately 25% international walkers). Age demographics skew toward mature walkers, with the 50-70 age bracket particularly well represented, though the trail attracts all ages during school holidays.
Opportunities for solitude: Despite its popularity, the path's 630-mile length provides numerous opportunities for peaceful walking, particularly on weekdays and during shoulder seasons. Early morning starts reward walkers with empty clifftops and stunning sunrise views. Remote sections in North Cornwall and North Devon offer extended periods of solitude even during busy periods.
The coastal pub culture creates natural gathering points where walkers share experiences, weather updates, and route advice. Many form lasting friendships after meeting on the path, with the shared challenge of Britain's longest trail creating a unique sense of community. Traditional celebrations often occur at journey's end, whether at Minehead, Poole Harbour, or any of the intermediate completion points chosen by section walkers.