Walking from Carbis Bay in Cornwall.
Carbis Bay is best-known for its beach and elegant eateries; however, the coastal village also makes an excellent base for exploring St Ives Bay on foot. Discover our guide for walking from Carbis Bay in Cornwall as well as our three favourite Carbis Bay walks.
Route 1: Carbis Bay to St Ives Walk.
1.2 miles, easy
A lovely walk between two of West Cornwall’s most beautiful beaches, Carbis Bay and Porthminster Beach. This mostly paved route passes through trees (and past some absolutely gorgeous properties), keeping beautiful St Ives Bay to your right.
Highlights include the Baulking House, where the “huers” once watched for shoals of fish, and the final descent towards the golden sands of St Ives. Walk in the evening to make the most of the sunset views or enjoy a breakfast-time stroll to Porthminster Beach Cafe, perfectly situated at the end of the path.
Top tip: Prefer not to retrace your footsteps? St Ives railway station is handily located just above Porthminster Beach, where you can catch the branch line train back to Carbis Bay.
Good for walkies? A definite tail wag here, because dogs are made welcome on the terrace at the Porthminster Beach Cafe (which is covered in inclement weather). Please bear in mind that there are seasonal dog restrictions on the beach itself.
Route 2: Carbis Bay to Lelant Walk.
Moderate, 2.0 miles
Alternatively, keep the sea to your left and head east from Carbis Bay. Pick up the coast path near Carbis Bay station and follow the railway as it snakes along this most-Mediterranean stretch of the Cornish Coast.
Carrack Gladden headland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its stunning display of heathland flowers. Watch out for grey seals and dolphins swimming past Hawkes Point, Carbis Bay’s best place for sea life spotting. You will arrive at St Uny church in Lelant, where you can take the path down towards the almost-impossibly lovely Porthkidney Beach.
Top tip: you can get the bus or train back from Lelant, but not until you have had a pitstop at Birdies Bistro, a dog-friendly restaurant with wonderful views of the Hayle Estuary and the RSPB nature reserve..
Good for walkies? Massive tail wags. Porthkidney Beach is the best place ever for a sandy scamper, and there are no seasonal restrictions. Just watch out for the tide, which comes in faster than a whippet.
Route 3: Carbis Bay to Knill’s Monument and Trencrom Hill.
More strenuous (hills and styles feature), 5 miles
West Cornwall Footpath Preservation Society’s route.
While not exactly a coastal walk, this circular route gives you the most magnificent views of St Ives Bay and Mount’s Bay. The 5-mile walk starts and finishes at the Cornish Arms in Carbis Bay, beginning with a pretty walk through Steeple Woods towards Knill’s Monument and your first superb view point.
The walk keeps heading inland through lush and gently wooded pastureland. Stray slightly from the path to walk to the top of Trencrom Hill, and if you can tear your gaze away from the panoramic views of Penwith, look out for the traces of the Neolithic hill fort beneath your feet.
Top tip: if you like the idea of walking the St Michael’s Way but would prefer a shorter version, this walk is ideal. The actual Way is a 12.5-mile coast-to-coast route that follows an old pilgrims’ path between Lelant and Marazion.
Good for walkies? Again, yes. We are reliably informed that the springy grass on the top of Trencrom feels lovely under paw and the Cornish Arms welcomes canine visitors.
Walking from Carbis Bay: Good to Know.
- Check the tide times before striking out on a coastal walk.
- This is farming country: please keep your dog on the lead
- Download the iWalk Cornwall app for routes and guides
- Remember that the Cornish weather changes in moments, so cover all eventualities!
- Some of these paths can get rather muddy: stout walking boots needed
- There’s a great choice of places to eat and drink in and around St Ives. Well deserved!
- But still, pack water for you and your dog before heading into the wild west of Cornwall
- For trains, see the GWR website. For bus travel, visit the Transport for Cornwall website.
Meet The Author.
As Business Development Director at Cornish Escapes, Emma plays a strategic role in driving the growth of the business through the marketing and recruitment whilst also overseeing the performance of our sister company Handpicked Cottages. Emma brings a wealth of industry insight to the business.
With over 20 years of experience in the holiday rental market, Emma focuses on understanding evolving market trends and her goal is simple: to increase bookings for our owners through marketing while also strengthening the visibility and reputation of our brands.
Outside of work, Emma makes the most of Cornwall’s stunning coastline. Her favourite walk is the St Ives to Zennor route – a challenging trek, but one she says is always worth it for the views and a well-earned pint at The Tinner’s Arms. Passionate about the lifestyle Cornwall offers, Emma loves exploring the county with her two daughters, from discovering family-friendly days out to attending local events such as the St Ives Food Festival, where she enjoys sampling some of the very best Cornish food and drink. When it is time to relax, she can often be found at Newlyn Film House catching the latest film or sharing recommendations on the best theatre productions and live performances across Cornwall.
Dreaming of a Cornish holiday? Walk this way.
Tempted by these lovely Carbis Bay walks? The seaside village is the perfect base to explore the beautiful West Cornwall, including its footpaths and viewpoints. If you are planning to bring your dog to Cornwall for walkies, take a look at our collection of luxury dog-friendly holiday cottages in Carbis Bay
