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The Saints Way

2 days (28 miles) Coast to Coast Padstow to Fowey or 3 days (40 miles) to complete all sections.

Options for visiting the Eden Project, Canoeing on the River Fowey and extensions onto the South West Coast Path for week long walking holidays.

Walking Grade : Easy / Moderate

Sample everything that Cornwall has to offer on the Saints Way, the region's premier mid-distance footpath across the heart of the region.

Based upon ancient trade routes the path takes you through the complete spectrum of Cornish Landscapes, from tranquil harbours and ports, along rugged cliff top coastal paths, to inland tors and uplands as well as passing by the white peaks and dams of our own unique China Clay Country!

Also known as the Drover's Way, the route has been used as far back as the Bronze age by traders, drovers and pilgrims en route from Ireland and Wales to mainland Europe, anxious to find a way to avoid the long and dangerous sea passage around Lands End.

Resurrected in 1986, the Saints Way is a fully signposted and maintained trail following public footpaths, quiet back lanes and leafy tracks.

Your route takes you from the bustling harbour of Padstow on the North Coast, meandering inland following the Camel Estuary before heading for the hills and uplands of Central Cornwall.With plenty to spot en route, the trail links the shrines, standing stones, holy wells and Neolithic sites of past ages with today's sleepy hamlets, stunning scenery, a modern day wind farm and a small detour to the world famous Eden Project. The Saint's Way, or Forth an Syns in Cornish ends after two magical and memorable days walking in the stunning natural port of Fowey deep in Daphne du'Maurier country on the South Coast.

A unique chance to encounter the full variety of Cornwall, experience its Celtic roots and its wonderful scenery, the Saints Way will take you away from the crowds and into the mysterious beauty of Cornwall past.

Route Description Padstow to Fowey

Day 1 Padstow to Lanlivery 15 miles

Today’s walk starts in the heart of Padstow at St Petroc’s Church the original Celtic Monastery at the head of your cross Cornwall Adventure. Having explored Padstow’s harbour you leave the fishing and Rick Steins behind you and climb quickly to ascend Dennis Hill with its dramatic granite obelisk and rewarding views back over the golden Camel Estuary and rugged north Cornwall coastline. The route then picks its way along hidden inland creeks and pills along an old sanding track linking old silver and lead mines to the creek head hamlet of Little Petherick with its 14C church. Climbing away from the estuary you now enter the gentle meadow and pasture of the Mellingey Valley passing through ancient manor settlements such as Blable or the “Wolf Pit”. A long steady climb follows onto the higher ground to reach St Breock Down, the highest point on the path at 700ft. Huge Bronze Age Tumuli and Barrows are flanked here by surreal giant whirring turbines at the St Breock wind farm and at the summit you reach Men Gurta Longstone Cornwall’s largest standing Menhir – otherwise known as the Stone of Waiting.

Over the down the way drops into the delightfully hidden valley of Tregustick moving onto ancient stony drovers lanes that cross the Ruthern River or Red River named after its unnatural colour - a result of its tin mining past. For those walking over three days your first overnight is here in the remote parish of Withiel – with a scattering of farmsteads a 14C Church and little else you already feel a long way from the hustle and bustle of Padstow.

Those walking onto Lanivet pass several ruined Celtic crosses on an easy final section that mixes back lanes with pastureland. Lanivet meaning Pagan Sacred Grove has a couple of B&B’s the all important pub as well as a fish and chip restaurant and a shop. So on this trail it’s something of a hub of civilisation. The Church is well worth visiting with several inscribed stones and crosses one carved with the slightly disturbing figure of man with a tail.

Day 2 Lanivet to Fowey via Luxulyan (Western Route) or Golant (Eastern Route) 13 miles

From Lanivet the mornings walking is easy on back lanes and tracks linking old Celtic crosses that accompany the route back into the wilds at Helmans Tor and Redmoor. Just as the Tor starts to tower above you the route splits and you have a choice for the remainder of the journey to take the Western Leg via Luxulyan and the coast OR choose the stunning Fowey River valley Eastern Leg to Fowey.

Which route to take ? – both have their merits and are very different - if you want a taste of the sea take the Western option – for more peace and avoidance of the modern world the eastern leg down the Fowey estuary is the most remote. The clever solution is to take three days walking on the trail and walk both sections via Fowey to miss nothing - see below for how to do this with an extra night at the coast.

Western Route to Fowey (Day 2)

This route continues through the almost mangrove swamp like nature reserves of Redmoor and Breeny Common on remote backlanes before heading into ancient sunken lanes characterised by wonderful old granite block stiles alongside racing streams and marshes. Luxulyan provides a brief respite from the remoteness, founded by a Celtic saint the cross in the churchyard is made of the same volcanic rock boulders that loom up to accompany you on this section of the walk. The village has a shop and a very pleasant pub (though for a drink you have to make a ¼ mile detour from the path). The Holy Well of St Cyor is passed as you leave the village.

Beyond Luxulyan you pass through more ancient woodland on trails passing the impressive Treffry Viaduct with its remains of an aqueduct before rising once more to Prideaux and an Iron Age hill fort. Finally the sea is in sight and you drop down to the marshes of Par, in medieval times this was part of the sea and the setting for Daphne du Maurier's surreal House of the Strand. You pass through the beautiful and unspoilt village of Tywardreath with St Andrews Church former site of the Benedictine Monastery that so fascinated Du Maurier before final sections of coastal pasture bring you down to the golden tracks of Par Sands and the sea.

The Saints Way route now heads inland passing more Celtic relics and crossing the old carriage drive of Menabilly (Du Maurier’s Mandalay) with easy rural walking across the peninsular to Fowey. However many of our walkers opt to finish the trail from Par by leaving the Saints Way here and using the Coast Path for the final section instead. The four miles from here to Fowey are superb and a really fitting end to the walk. Passing through Polkerris with its perfect golden horseshoe beach , the Rashleigh Arms makes a great afternoon stop before you climb the cliff tops to round dramatic Gribbin Head with its huge red and white Daymark Tower. Beyond this as you head into towards Fowey you will pass Pridmouth Bay and one of Cornwall’s finest hidden beaches – the setting for Rebecca and the boat house is right beside the path which climbs and falls along former smuggling coves on its last mile into Fowey. Whichever route you take you will end up at Readymoney Beach below Henry the Eighths St Catherine’s Castle and your pilgrimage ends as you follow the Fowey River away from the rocky sea inland to the centre of town and the Church of St Finn Barr.

Eastern Route to Fowey (Day 2)
After the route splits on this eastern option you find yourself passing just below Helmans Tor and a climb to the summit is a must. The only Tor in this area of Cornwall it’s a dramatic wind swept and breathtaking spot. Immense boulder stacks and statues litter the summit at 680 feet. On a good day you can see coast to coast and your whole route Padstow to Fowey is laid out below you, it has an other worldly feel to it in amongst the granite crags and you can still see some evidence of the 6000 year old Neolithic Settlement that existed here.

From the Tor you join the Ridgeway another former drover’s lane with superb views off the hill crest as you follow this ancient trader’s lane into the charming village of Lanlivery. The Church is particularly impressive here with a tower over 100ft high specifically built so it could be easily spotted from sea as an inland marker for the Fowey Estuary. The Crown Inn is an excellent stopping point a pretty untouched medieval inn which will provide overnight accommodation for those walking the three day route or a welcome drink for those heading onto Fowey. This was also the last overnight for the drovers and their sheep and cattle in days gone by. A last place of safety before they dropped into the wilder Fowey valley to herd the livestock on downriver to the ships in Fowey Harbour 8 miles distant.  Close by and reached by a short path is the stone clad Holy Well of St Bryvyth the first of two you will pass today.

The route now passes through “no mans land” before dropping from the high ground into the fertile and rather secret valley of the River Fowey just south of Lostwithiel. At first talking the now virtually disused old road to Fowey you pass timeless hamlets at Milltown and Lantyan the settlement here said to be on the site of The Palace of King Mark from the legend of Tristan and Iseult and Daphne du Maurier’s Castle Dor Novel uses locations all the way along this section to Fowey in its retelling of the ancient tragedy With stunning views across the Fowey creeks and inlets you continue on towards the village of Golant, passing by the Church of St Sampson before dropping to the river foreshore, a superbly preserved church with carved oak beams, some entertaining stained glass depictions and the Holy Well of St Sampson by the church door, still used today for water for christenings .

Golant is a real find, a stunning and unusual harbour village full of brightly coloured little boats The Fishermans Arms is a true waterside pub with views from its terrace over the river you won’t want to leave. Very cut off from the main routes the village really does feel lost to the wider world, a hidden harbour 3 miles inland with no sign of the sea at all. Instead rolling wooded creeks line the rivers edge and the walk now climbs through the bracken and gorse with superb views of the glistening waters below you as you descend into a hidden creek at the Old Sawmill now an A List recording studio only accessible by boat from the water or on foot. One more climb finally brings you to the northern edge of Fowey and still flanking the river you emerge into this beautiful natural harbour flanked on one side with its shops, restaurants, boats and ferries, enjoy the satisfaction of having crossed the county coast to coast – from one bustling fishing harbour to another.

Things to Consider for walking the Saints Way.

No of Walking Days and terrain –
For fit and active walkers we strongly recommend walking the Saints Way over 2 days. Whilst the mileage may seem long at 15 and 13 miles the walking grade is easy with only a couple of moderate but not steep climbs. The trail does not have the endless ups and downs of the coast path and therefore the distances of around 15 miles here are equal in effort to the 10 -12 miles we average on the harder coastal routes. The countryside is superb, unspoilt and for Cornwall relatively remote in that there is virtually no habitation en route and no larger villages or towns to explore. Again this makes the two day route of around 6 hours walking on day 1 and 5 hours on day 2 about right as you don’t want to arrive early on this route as the overnight stops are in very small settlements. The Saints Way from Padstow to Fowey can be walked over 3 shorter days of around 10 miles a day and we can arrange this though we recommend it only for those who have concerns about their fitness or are not experienced walkers and don’t think they can manage to walk for 5 or 6 hours in a day.

Extra Walking Day to complete the full route -
Average fitness walkers wanting a full three days of walking should consider instead walking the Saints Way from Padstow to Fowey in two days and then taking a third day to walk the "missing" section of the Saints Way you did not do (western or eastern leg) as a third day. This allows you to experience the full route missing nothing and offers the greatest variety. We can accommodate this with 2 nights in Fowey and a transfer back to Helmans Tor on your final day to complete the leg you have not covered. Three good days walking giving a total of around 40 miles.

Terrain
The Saints Way does use a higher percentage of back lanes than the South West Coast Path – mainly through necessity in some remote places but also to link some of the roadside Celtic crosses on route. If you don’t want to walk on any lanes or back roads then its best to avoid this route and stick to the coast path. However the lanes that are used are very quiet and scenic in their own right and also make the mileage a lot more manageable. For an honest appraisal of the route call the office for a chat – we are based in Lerryn, 2 miles off the Saints Way route so all our staff know it and we have led guided and unguided trips across the route more times than we could recall – this is one route for which we are without doubt the local knowledge experts.

Longer Walking Options combining Saints Way and Coast Path
The Saints Way is a perfect link for those wanting to build a weeks walking with a few days on the North Coast Path and the South Coast Path. A stunning walk encompassing all this sees you starting at Mevagissey on the South Coast, using the Saints Way to link to Padstow and then  heading along the wild north coast to reach Tintagel or Boscastle. Six or seven days walking taking your thorough every landscape in Mid and Coastal Cornwall along with an unrivalled run of desirable and fascinating harbour town overnights at Fowey, Mevagissey, Padstow, Tintagel, Port Isaac and Boscastle.
 

The Hall Walk (Fowey) For those arriving in Fowey rather than leave early on departure day we can include details for the Hall Walk. A stunning 4 mile walk around the natural harbour area including Polruan and the inland creek of Pont Pill. The walk is one of Cornwall’s Classics and uses two tiny ferries to cross the harbour and creeks along with a short circular walk that gives the best views of the area. Its royal pedigree goes back to Charles 1st who escaped to the coast by this route and was shot at from Fowey as he passed down the creeks.
 

Canoeing (Fowey)  For those wanting something more active take a morning canoe trip on the river Fowey with Encounter Cornwall guiding you on gentle paddles through the creeks and woodlands of the upper estuary to tiny Lerryn. This is the best way to see the wildlife and access parts of the river that even you walkers can’t get to.

Cycling (Padstow)  In Padstow if you take an extra day its easy to hire bikes and strike out on the Camel Trail, the regions premier off road, traffic free cycle trail. With up to 30 miles of route along an old railway line you get the views without the hills or the traffic. Pedal to Wadebridge or Bodmin and return to Padstow alongside the Camel Estuary perhaps with a stop at the Camel Vineyard on route.  Bike hire is around £10- £15 for the day and just add an extra night in your Padstow Accommodation.

Eden and The Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Eden project is only around 1 mile from the western edge of the Saints Way, its a large site so we don’t recommend trying to fit it in on the longer second day of the Saints Way but it can easily be visited with a rest day OR a third day option with a morning visit to Eden and the afternoon walking back to Fowey on the Saints Way Western route as outlined above.
For those staying in Fowey the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Mevagissey can be reached from Fowey by boat and foot on the excellent daily ferry service that runs across St Austell Bay. Once you arrive in Mevagissey its a very easy3 mile circular walk to get to and from the Gardens (or you can catch a bus) and an excellent way to visit - basking sharks and dolphins are spotted every year on the ferry over.

Large Groups and the Saints Way
For very large groups we have some excellent 4* graded study centre accommodation mid way right on the route and we regularly undertake groups of between 10 and 20 persons managing your transfers to and from the start and end of the trail every day and adding in any extra days / canoeing trips to boot. The accommodation is excellent value providing meals on site and ensuite rooms and dorms at a much reduced price from using hotels and B&B’s. Perfect for walking clubs, groups of families and friends and those looking to keep costs to a minimum without missing out on the walking.

Please click on the place names for more info on overnight stops and activities

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Saints Way Walking Options and Bookings:

There are no fixed departure dates and you can travel any day subject to availability of accommodation, walking the route in 2 longer or 3 short days. Walking unescorted from location to location you have the freedom to set your own pace and the option to build in extra days for further exploring or relaxing!

What we offer
We can provide whatever you need to enjoy this trail starting with a tailor made itinerary to suit your requirements. From sourcing and booking your accommodation, (be it B&B’s in Padstow or 4 star hotels), to providing detailed path notes and maps. We can also provide your parking information and transfers back to your car or to and from the mainline stations at the end of your walking and of course the all important luggage transfers so you can walk without your packs.
We can build in a variety of further options on the way on a tailor made trip across Cornwall send us a quote request form now for a detailed itinerary and costing to consider.
 

Standard Holiday Examples - 5 to 8 nights

Click on the links to read about The North Coast Path route from Boscastle or The South Coast Path route to Mevagissey which combine with the Saints Way to give a very varied full weeks walking experience.

Saints Way Walking Holiday Examples -

Quick Link Options to consider that can be added to your itinerary

Eden - Around 1.5 miles from the western leg of the Saints Way either book an extra night to stay close by the project for a full day exploring or combine it with an extra day and night at the end of the std walk where you can visit the project and then walk back to Fowey on the Western leg of the Saints Way (10 miles)

Canoeing Day - Unique Canoe trips in Wind in the Willows country with our sister company Encounter Cornwall between Lerryn and Fowey suitable for all those staying on in Fowey at the end of their walk.

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