Cornwall

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-day-st-michael-s-way-11-13-miles">One day: St Michael&#8217;s Way (11/13 miles)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/08/st-michaels-mount.jpg" alt="ST Michaels Mount Cornwall UK" class="wp-image-20013" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/08/st-michaels-mount.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/08/st-michaels-mount-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/08/st-michaels-mount-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/08/st-michaels-mount-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Walk part of the Camino to Santiago pilgrimage, right here in Cornwall! The only pilgrimage route in Britain officially part of a European Cultural Route and described as a &#8220;coast-to-coast micro-pilgrimage,&#8221; <a href="http://www.stmichaelsway.net/maps-guides/4591403842.html">St Michael&#8217;s Way</a> starts on the north coast at Lelant Church. From here the route crosses to the south coast, ending either at St Michael&#8217;s Mount (13 miles) or a shorter, 11 mile, version ends at Marazion marshes. Both routes are waymarked with a scallop shell burnt into sign posts. The path officially opened in 1994, but people have walked this way from coast to coast for hundreds of years. 



LOOK OUT FOR EN ROUTE: Friends of St Michaels&#8217;s Way&nbsp;have produced a &#8216;passport&#8217; which you can collect from various places along the way, including St Uny church at Lelant, and Ludgvan, Marazion churches and St Michael&#8217;s Mount. You&#8217;ll find passport stamps at the same locations &#8211; <a href="http://stmichaelsway.net/passport/4594059506.html">check the list here</a>.



The route passes by five churches, four holy wells (plus one lost), two hill forts and two standing stones, amongst other landmarks &#8211; the route marks the way that those heading for the Santiago de Compostela would have taken across the land, having arrived by sea at Lelant. Fun fact: since 2016, walking the St Michael&#8217;s Way can be counted as part of the 100km required to receive the Compostela (Pilgrim Certificate) in Santiago.



HOW TO GET THERE: There is a railway station at Lelant (change at St Erth from the mainline) and there is a long stay car park at St Erth. Get the bus back from the end of the route to Penzance for the mainline to catch the train home, or, back to your car at Lelant.



WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: <a href="https://www.carbisbayhotel.co.uk/">Carbis Bay Hotel</a> is right near the very start of the route, one stop further down the little branch line towards St Ives. Near the end, St Austell Brewery have just acquired&nbsp;<a href="https://thegodolphin.com/">The Godolphin Arms</a>. Holiday cottages in and near Marazion can be rented through <a href="https://www.cornishsecrets.co.uk/property-locations/marazion-holiday-cottages/">Cornish Secrets</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://uniquehideaways.com/">Unique Hideaways</a>&nbsp;offers&nbsp;<a href="https://uniquehideaways.com/glamping-sites">luxury glamping escapes</a>&nbsp;including lodges, treehouses and cabins, some of which are near Penzance and look out over the bay. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-long-day-the-bodmin-way-21-miles">One (long) day: The Bodmin Way (21 miles)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="664" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/lanhydrock.jpg" alt="lanhydrock bodmin cornwall uk" class="wp-image-23694" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/lanhydrock.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/lanhydrock-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/lanhydrock-720x478.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/lanhydrock-768x510.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BodminWay/">The Bodmin Way</a> is a circular walk which takes in five churches in the Bodmin area, possible in one day, although it may be preferable to stretch into two shorter days and rest overnight in Bodmin.



LOOK OUT FOR EN ROUTE: Chuches at Cardinham, Bodmin, Nanstallon, Lanivet, Lanhydrock and Cardinham &#8211; find leaflets and a Bodmin Way passport at each of Bodmin Information Centre at Shire Hall, St Petroc&#8217;s and Centre (Bodmin), St Meubred&#8217;s (Cardinham), St Hydroc&#8217;s (at Lanhydrock, above) and Lanivet Church, and collect the stamps at each of the others.



HOW TO GET THERE: Bodmin Parkway is on the mainline from Plymouth to Penzance, from which you can get a bus into the town. Find parking near the start of the Camel Trail at Bodmin Jail.



WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: <a href="https://www.duchyofcornwallholidaycottages.co.uk/properties/restormel">Duchy of Cornwall Holiday Cottages</a> have options at St Tudy and Restormel, not on the route, but nearby. Bodmin Jail Hotel is an option, as in the Lanivet Inn. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-weekend-the-saints-way-27-30-miles">One weekend: The Saints&#8217; Way (27 &#8211; 30 miles)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/The-Saints-Way-and-stone-cross.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36431" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/The-Saints-Way-and-stone-cross.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/The-Saints-Way-and-stone-cross-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/The-Saints-Way-and-stone-cross-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/The-Saints-Way-and-stone-cross-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Another coast-to-coast pilgrimage, <a href="https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/countryside/cycle-routes-and-trails/the-saints-trail/">The Saints&#8217; Way</a> can be either walked in sections as two / three day walks, or with two longer day breaking the route overnight. Starting at St Petrock&#8217;s church in Padstow, this route follows across glorious countryside, taking in various churches, villages and ancient crosses as it winds south, ending up in Fowey. While early Celtic traders would have used this route to cross between the Irish and English channel, and early Christian travellers used the route as a way to get from Ireland and Wales to the European mainland, the route as signposted was created in the late 80s and is now marked by sign posts with a cross symbol.



LOOK OUT FOR EN ROUTE: No passport stamps for the Saints&#8217; Way specifically (although you can do the The Cornish Celtic Way stamps, see below) but you can <a href="https://pelicanstudio.co.uk/bookshop">buy a guide to the Saints&#8217; Way</a> which points out things of interest and helps with the route. It is worth the detour to the top of Helman Tor for the view, and don&#8217;t forget to pack your swimsuit for a refreshing dip at Readymoney Beach in Fowey at the end.



HOW TO GET THERE: Bus to Padstow for the start of the route. <a href="https://www.luggagetransfers.co.uk/">Luggage Transfers</a> will also move your bags from the start to your next location.



WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: <a href="https://harbourholidays.co.uk/">Harbour Holidays</a>&nbsp;have lots of lovely options in the beautiful fishing harbour of Padstow, where there are also hotels including Rick Stein&#8217;s empire, and the Harbour Hotel Padstow. Near the middle section of the walk, <a href="https://www.duchyofcornwallholidaycottages.co.uk/properties/restormel">Duchy of Cornwall Holiday Cottages</a> have options at St Tudy and Restormel, not on the route, but nearby. Bodmin Jail Hotel is an option, as in the Lanivet Inn. At Fowey, <a href="http://luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk/locations/fowey-hall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fowey Hall Hotel</a>&nbsp;is a dreamy location – close to the end of the route, or, back into town is <a href="https://theoldquayhouse.com/">The Old Quay House Hotel</a>.



NOTE: The Saints Way is not to be confused with the Saints Trails, which are new walking and cycling routes starting from St Agnes and Perranporth, covering 13km of routes, ending in Threemilestone just outside Truro, and Goonhavern.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-two-weeks-the-cornish-celtic-way-125-miles">One &#8211; two weeks: The Cornish Celtic Way (125 miles)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/St-Germans-Priory-ID-117250375-St-Germans-©-Pjgibson-Dreamstime.com_.jpeg" alt="St Germans Priory Saltash start of the Cornish Celtic Way" class="wp-image-36435" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/St-Germans-Priory-ID-117250375-St-Germans-©-Pjgibson-Dreamstime.com_.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/St-Germans-Priory-ID-117250375-St-Germans-©-Pjgibson-Dreamstime.com_-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/St-Germans-Priory-ID-117250375-St-Germans-©-Pjgibson-Dreamstime.com_-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/St-Germans-Priory-ID-117250375-St-Germans-©-Pjgibson-Dreamstime.com_-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



In 2017, the then Bishop of St Germans, The Right Rev’d Chris Goldsmith, pioneered <a href="https://www.cornishcelticway.co.uk/">The Cornish Celtic Way</a>, a new pilgrimage route across Cornwall. Crossing the land twice, this much longer, multi-phase route, which includes a 60 mile stretch of the South West Coast Path, links The Saints’ Way and St. Michael’s Way. It has been divided into roughly 16 sections, starting at St Germans Priory near Saltash (Plymouth) and ending, as the St Michael&#8217;s Way does, at St Michael&#8217;s Mount. Each of the 16 sections can also be done separately as a day walk; you do not have to complete the whole route at once, and you can also join up the two other routes with the coast path stretch at a later date.



LOOK OUT FOR EN ROUTE: £7 will get you the <a href="https://www.cornishcelticway.co.uk/product/cornish-celtic-way-passport/">official Cornish Celtic Way passport</a> which can be used to collect stamps all the way along the route, and £16 will buy you the <a href="https://www.cornishcelticway.co.uk/product/cornish-celtic-way-book/">Cornish Celtic Way guidebook</a>. Or, join the <a href="https://www.britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/cornish-celtic-way">British Pilgrimage Trust</a>, where a free account will let you download the route file to use on your phone. Highlights along the way include Looe Island, lots of beautiful churches of various ages, holy wells, stone crosses, standing stones, beaches and north Cornish coastline, tors, and finally, St Michael&#8217;s Mount to end.



HOW TO GET THERE: St Germans is on the mainline from Plymouth to Penzance, and is the second stop (takes 15 mins). Get the bus back from the end of the route at Marazion to Penzance for the mainline to catch the train home. Long stay parking is an option in Plymouth, and St Germans. Or, park at long stay in Penzance near the station, and get the train up to St Germans to start the walk. <a href="https://www.luggagetransfers.co.uk/">Luggage Transfers</a> will also move your bags from the start to your next location.



WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: Lots of options all along the route. <a href="https://www.kernockcottages.com/">Kernock Cottages</a> are in nearby Saltash at the start of the route. The Talland Bay Hotel, and various places in Looe are on the first two sections of the route. At Fowey, <a href="http://luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk/locations/fowey-hall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fowey Hall Hotel</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://theoldquayhouse.com/">The Old Quay House Hotel</a> are both recommended; there are also rooms at the King of Prussia pub. Bodmin Jail Hotel is an option, as in the Lanivet Inn and then the Pickwick Inn as you get closer to Padstow. Options on the coast path include at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thepighotel.com/at-harlyn-bay/">THE PIG at Harlyn Bay</a>, adults-only&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scarlethotel.co.uk/">The Scarlet</a>&nbsp;and family friendly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bedruthan.com/">Bedruthan</a> at Mawgan Porth, Watergate Bay Hotel, SeaSpace is a&nbsp;<a href="https://sea.space/">lifestyle-led, coastal open-house</a>&nbsp;aparthotel, family-friendly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.esplanadehotelnewquay.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Esplanade Hotel</a>, adults-only&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fistralbeachhotel.co.uk/">Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa</a>, <a href="https://lewinnicklodge.co.uk/muddy-stillettos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lewinnick Lodge</a> and various self-catering places. The coast path section comes to an end just before St Ives, where you could stay at <a href="https://www.carbisbayhotel.co.uk/">Carbis Bay Hotel</a>. Finally, at Penzance, there are a number of options including Chapel House, Artists Residence Penzance, and self-catering.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-longer-the-trafalgar-way-falmouth-to-london">Longer: The Trafalgar Way (Falmouth to London)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/Sunrise-Falmouth-Credit-3-Deep-Aerial-web.jpeg" alt="Sunrise-Falmouth-Credit-3-Deep-Aerial-web" class="wp-image-34853" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/Sunrise-Falmouth-Credit-3-Deep-Aerial-web.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/Sunrise-Falmouth-Credit-3-Deep-Aerial-web-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/Sunrise-Falmouth-Credit-3-Deep-Aerial-web-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/Sunrise-Falmouth-Credit-3-Deep-Aerial-web-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">3-Deep-Aerial</figcaption></figure>



The Trafalgar Way is a 271 mile long route tracing the old coach journey that Captain Lapenotiere (commanding HMS Pickle in the Battle of Trafalgar) would have by horse drawn carriage on his journey of 4 &#8211; 6 November 1805, carrying the dispatches of the death of Nelson &#8211; and battle victory &#8211; from Falmouth to London. Not a pilgrimage in the traditional sort, but still following in the footsteps of an interesting historic route. Most of the original coach route is now A-roads but in the lockdowns of 2020 a group called Slow Ways plotted the route along footpaths &#8211; and you can now walk it.



LOOK OUT FOR EN ROUTE: Download the various <a href="https://beta.slowways.org/user/waylist/The%20Trafalgar%20Way/429">Trafalgar Way</a> walking files here &#8211; starting in Falmouth, the route follows out of Penryn and then across the middle part of Cornwall, across Bodmin Moor, and finally crosses the border into Devon towards Dartmoor National Park. 



HOW TO GET THERE: Falmouth is on the branch line, change at Truro.



WHERE TO STAY NEARBY: <a href="https://www.greenbank-hotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greenbank Hotel</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://falmouthhotel.co.uk/">The Falmouth Hotel</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.stmichaelsresort.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Michaels Resort</a> are all in Falmouth for the start of the route. At Truro, <a href="https://thealverton.co.uk/">The Alverton</a> is handily placed, and at Mitchell, <a href="https://theplumemitchell.co.uk/">The Plume of Feathers at Mitchell</a> is also right on the route. Bodmin Jail, and then various B&amp;B are to be found around Bodmin Moor, as well as Jamaica Inn.

Pilgrimage trails across Cornwall to try for your next walk

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