The wild rugged moorland and coastline of West Penwith is enjoyed on this walk from Cape Cornwall to the artists haven of St Ives. It’s only 16 miles in length, but those keen on walking could turn around at St Ives and return via Zennor and the South West Coast Path.

The route starts at Cape Cornwall, the only cape in England. The headland is crowned by the chimney of a former mine, now long abandoned. And you are surrounded by fantastic sea views, sometimes as far as the Isles of Scilly. Heading inland you climb to St. Just, a busy village with shops, pubs and a handful of art galleries. The Methodist chapel here could seat 2000 people and was the last building seen by miners emigrating to the Americas to seek their fortune.

From St. Just paths take you via the Nancherrow valley up onto open moorland and a landscape little changed since prehistoric times.  Major points of interest along the way are the prehistoric antiquities, Tregeseal Stone Circle, the Neolithic Chûn Quoit and Castle, the Mên-an-Tol stones, and the Nine Maidens, turned to stone for dancing on the sabbath. The views are stunning, with the north coast stretching out to your left with it's remains of engine houses and mining villages.

At Bodrifty iron age settlement you climb Mulfra Hill and then descend on quiet lanes and tracks to reach the secluded Towednack Church. From here its downhill most of the way into St Ives where the route ends on Smeatons Pier.

Several websites give more information on the route, including Oliver’s Cornwall.