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17th May 2023 -   We are open for enquiries for 2023 and 2024 dates on all routes

The Cornwall Mining World Heritage Site

Cornwall Mining World Heritage Walk - Itinerary and further Options

Note - This itinerary is for those wanting shorter distances to allow plenty of time to explore the mining sites fully. If you want longer walking days see our St Ives to Penzance South West Coast Path pages for standard  and fast walking options through this section.

  Standard Route St Ives to Sennen Cove or Lands End  
  Day 1 St Ives to Zennor - 7 miles Click Here
  Day 2 Zennor to Pendeen - 9 miles Click Here
  Day 3 Pendeen to St Just including Geevor and Levant Mines - 5 miles Click Here
  Day 4 St Just to Sennen Cove - 5 miles  (or Lands End 7 miles) Click Here
      
  Option Continue onto Porthcurno and the Minack Theatre add 6 miles See below
  Daily Average 6.5 miles   

 

Suggested Rest Days - Zennor for the Ancient Stones of Cornwall walks - Sennen for beach / surfing lesons - Porthcurno for the Minack Theatre or beach

Options to extend to more mining areas on The South West Coast Path

We tailor make itineraries and walks for all our customers so do ask away if you have your own ideas.

1     Extend the walk to Penzance or complete a circle to St Ives – Complete the Lands End Way by walking two extra days onto Penzance via the superb Minack cliffside theatre in Porthcurno.  From here you can use the Pilgrims Path The St Michales Way to walk a further day inland back to St Ives passing St Michaels Mount and a less visited interior.   CLICK HERE for details of The Lands End Way walk and The St Michaels Way

2     Extend the walk to Porthleven -  Three walking days from Sennen will bring you to Porthleven on the edge of the Lizard where you enter the Tregonning and Trewavas district of The World Heritage Site.

3     Start your walk in Perranporth - 3 extra days will allow you to fully explore the St Agnes and Portreath areas of the World Heritage Site taking in the inspiring scenery and heritage on the North Cornwall Coast as you follow the South West Coast Path into St Ives and the start of the Mining Heritage Walking Trail.

Other World Heritage Site areas covered by walks on the South West Coast Path

1   The Padstow to St Ives South West Coast Path Section  (St Agnes and Redruth Mining Areas)

St Agnes and Wheal Coates

www.cornish-mining.org.uk Wheal Coates Mine Cornwall Walking HolidaysThe Beach Path to St Ives runs right through the heart of the mining area at St Agnes and in addition gives easy access to the whole Cambourne,  Redruth and Mineral Trails area.  Walkers will pass through the exposed mineral seams and precarious cliff workings at Cligga Head before moving onto the fascinating Blue Hills Tin Streaming mines at Trevellas Coombe where you can still see the Tin being crushed and extracted.  Build in an overnight stop at Trevaunance Cove and not only will you stay in a stunning location where a classic surfing beach meets the old harbour ruins but you will also be able to wander inland to explore the mining town of St Agnes.  St Agnes is an affable spot with its rows of cottages, galleries and cafes  for the modern day visitor, its chapels and Miners Institute a reminder of its past. Don’t miss the St Agnes Museum with excellent displays and interactive collections that cover the areas mining, culture and heritage.

The stark and iconic engine house stands proud and high over the sands at Wheal Coates will be instantly recognisable – there are probably more photos of this than anything else in Cornwall. However a picture can’t replace being there with the stupendous views complimented by the sound of the waves that can be heard crashing on the rocks far below through a grate over the open shaft. Head a few hundred yards up the heather slopes and you can explore much larger mine remains that no postcard can show you.

Camborne, Redruth and The Mineral Trails

Camborne, Pool and Redruth are names synonomous with Cornwalls Mining History towns that grew up around the industry and for the South West Coast Path walker heading for St Ives a rest day in Redruth or Portreath will give you time to explore these less visited locations. -  Visit Cornish Mines and Engines where you can explore the interiors of two complete engine houses or the collections of tin processing equipment at the award winning King Edward Mine Museum.  

www.cornish-mining.org.uk The Mineral Trails Cycle and walking holiday route

You can take a mine tour at South Crofty Mine see the restored winding engine at East Pool Mine or if you prefer the open scenery  hire a bike (or walk) onto the former tramways, The Mineral Trails - in just four miles the Great Flat Lode Trail section has the highest concentration of historic mining sites anywhere in the world wild. Finish the day on the moor at Carn Brea where you can climb the towering granite ridge to visit  its poignient dark monunment to lost miners which dominates the whole area.

Padstow to St Ives on the South West Coast Path requires between 5 and 7 days walking though short break options around the mining areas are possible. CLICK HERE for details of the full route and Contact Us to discuss how to incorporate the World Heritage Sites on the walk.

www.cornish-mining.org.uk Wheal Trewavas Lizard Walking Holidays UK

2    The Penzance to Falmouth South West Coast Path  (Tregonning and Trewavas Mining District)

After leaving St Michaels Mount (itself formally a tin traders stronghold) you enter into the Tregonning and Trewavas Heritage Mining Centre.  The South West Coast Path takes you right past the stunning restored Engine Houses of Wheal Trewarvas and Wheal Prosper with the chance to explore both of these giants which grip the Cliffside looking out towards The Lizard.

Despite its name Wheal Prosper was never particularly productive and only traded for six years,  those who remember Poldark might recognise it however as it was partically rebuilt for this serial. 

www.cornish-mining.org.uk Godolphin House Cornwall Lizard Walking BreaksTake a rest day on the route at Porthleven and you can head a short distance inland to visit another side of the mining. The National Trust Stately Home at Godolphin House  demonstrates the huge wealth the mine owners took out of the pits to fund their fantasy houses - The National Trust's Lanhydrock Estate near Fowey is another example another also well worth visiting.

Penzance to Falmouth on the South West Coast Path requires between 5 and 7 days walking though short break options around the mining areas are possible. CLICK HERE  for details of the full route and Contact Us to discuss how to incorporate the World Heritage Sites on the walk.

The Falmouth to Plymouth South West Coast Path  (Charlestown and Luxulyan Mining Heritage)

Charlestown Harbour South West Coast Path Walking Holidays CornwallHalf way through the walk to Plymouth you enter China Clay Country.  Inland white capped clay mountains (locally known as the St Austell Alps) dominate the skyline and The South West Coast Path brings you straight into Charlestown  with its preserved Mining Harbour, usually holding several Tall Ships.  This place is so well preserved it is still used by filmmakers for the likes of The Three Muskateers and Treasure Island.  It remains  one of the finest examples of late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century industrial harbour works in Britain and an overnight stay here is a delight. Visit the Museum in the harbour and you can walk through some of the old China Clay Tunnels used to load the ships. For those with a big interest in China Clay a only a few miles inland is Wheal Martyn and the China Clay Museum, a fascinating place with extensive old workings combined with still working pits where you can see modern China Clay production in process.

Inland of the South West Coast Path around Par it is also easy to include a diversion to the lush and hidden Luxulyan Valley. 

www.cornish-mining.org.uk Luxulyan Valley Saints Way Footpath Cornwall

Here you will find heritage sites that include a three mile leat, constructed to power the many water wheels and water pressure engines at Fowey Consols Mine, a walk along a the canal and tramway which was used take the copper ore to the purpose-built harbour on The South West Coast Path at Par.  The most impressive feature within the Valley is undoubtedly the Treffry Viaduct,  an imposing granite structure which carries both a leat and tramway route high above the rushing steams in the Valley floor.  Close to the world famous Eden Project you can with a rest day in Charlestown take in both attractions.

Falmouth to Plymouth on the South West Coast Path requires between 7 and 10 days walking though short break options through Charlestown are possible. CLICK HERE  for details of the full route and Contact Us to discuss how to incorporate the World Heritage Sites on the walk.

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