St. Ives to St. Michael’s Mount

Cyclists can use Route 3 exclusively from St Erth to St Michaels Mount and Land’s End if you are going that far; you can join this route at St Erth Train Station. The traditional route is only accessible on foot and begins in St Ives at the church of St Ia which stands as a tribute to the Irish saint who founded the town in AD460. St Ives has since grown as a vibrant residential town initially benefitting from the pilchard fishing industry and the age of the train which helped it develop its tourist trade. Locating the coast path at Porthminster Beach (next to the train station) the journey backtracks a mile or so to the St. Michael’s Way path which bears right on an uphill course to the Cornish Arms at Carbis Bay. At the back of the pub the route turns left up Steeple Lane to a nature reserve and Knills Monument. Walking through the site locate the wooden sign post and descend to Laity Lane. Turn left and walk a mile by road to the next path set in manor grounds on the right. Crossing a busy road the trail enters a paddock by Bowood Chapple and there is a steep climb to Trencrom Hill. Cross the farm road and follow the path through the woods. After a descent to the next road, continue downhill to a church building which is now a residential property. The trail runs through the garden to the next stile and then crosses 3 more fields to a farmyard; keep to the left of the farmyard and continue to a dirt track which eventually leads to a hamlet road. The off-road sections are good fun but you need to follow the signs carefully when on the road which occasionally winds back on itself, crosses a ford and then spectacularly ascends to expose walkers to magnificent views of St Michael’s Mount and Ludgvan Church. From here path descends across more pastures, streams and numerous stiles before a final muddy ascent to Lugvan. In close proximity to the church is the White Hart Inn and a few yards downhill on the opposite side is the remainder of the trail crossing marsh land, the A30 and the mainline railway which terminates at Penzance. It is a straightforward journey to Marazion and at low tide you can walk the causeway to the Mount where the ferry master will stamp your passport. From here the coast path continues to Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole where accommodation is aplenty.
Route 3 continues to Land’s End via St Buryans and there is another route via Sancreed to St Just. From St Just the journey concludes along the coast to Land’s End. Both these journeys show insight into ancient history and the myths and legends that have been forged through the long passage of time.