Zennor to Botallack

(Our overall day number 41 - Part of The KC3 ECP Leg 6b - Godrevy to Land's End)

Zennor to Botallack

12th September 2023 | Miles 10.2 | Elevation gain 2041ft

10.2 miles from Zennor to Botallack, past Gurnards Head, Porthmeor, and on to the lighthouse at Pendeen Watch at around the seven mile mark - this first stretch is as challenging as the section to Zennor. From Pendeen to Botallack, the gradients become a little less severe and there is some interesting tin mining history to learn about on the way to Botallack.
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Getting there and back
We caught the Land's End Coaster to Zennor, walked to Botallack and then Land's End Coaster all the way back to St Ives.
Weather conditions
Blue sky at the start, and warm walking conditions. But a little squall blew in around lunch time, causing a scramble for waterproofs. The sun came out again later, but it was a very cold open top bus ride back to St Ives!
Walking difficulty
Difficult - a few less boulders than the previous section, but plenty of steep ups and downs, and longer as well

The story of our day in photos

Back at The Tinners Arms in Zennor to start the day
Setting off in sunshine
Soon heading across more difficult terrain
Looking back towards Zennor Head - one of the many dramatic views on this stretch of coast
Gurnard's Head
More Gurnard's Head!
Striding out and enjoying the sunshine in the early part of the day
Treen Cove
At times on this day we came across mine shafts beside the path - well signed for the most part but still requiring care!
There's a few edges to negotiate in the section near Long Carn - it got more scary just round the corner!
Lunching near Trevowhan Cliff - brought to an early and swift end by an incoming squall
Looking down towards Pendeen Lighthouse
Looking over Portheras Cove
The lighthouse at Pendeen Watch
Approaching Botallack - with its tin mining heritage
Open top Land's End Coaster from Botallack to St Ives - it was seriously cold 🥶
Useful links
The Garden Bar at The Porthminster Beach Cafe
Refreshment stop 10 miles into the very hot first day of our walk. The perfect location for a refreshing beer / pimms / G&T!
The Hub, St Ives
Burgers and other very tasty food, consumed avidly by us on the evening of day 1 after our very hot 12 mile walk.
The Tinners Arms, Zennor
It's the only pub in Zennor and we'd been told it was a brilliant location for a pint after the very tough section from St Ives to Zennor - it didn't disappoint, in fact we stayed for two and got the later bus back to St Ives. Not far from the Land's End Coaster bus stop.
The Queen's Arms, Botallack
Location for our warm down drink after the very tough ten miles from Zennor to Botallack - the beer tasted every bit as good as the Tinners Arms the day before - must be something to do with the relief at finishing!
Seven Bar, St Ives
Located right on the front in St Ives - we had a couple of great cocktails here on the evening of the third day of walking, watching nightfall over the harbour.
Cintra Seafood Bar, St Ives
Located right on the front at St Ives. Small plate / tapas type food, mainly fishy - the food was fantastic and the Vinho Verde equally delicious!
Old Success Inn, Sennen Cove
Perfect location for refuelling after the walk down the beach and before the final push to Land's End. We only had time for a drink but the food looked good too - especially the sharing flatbreads.
Porthminster Kitchen, St Ives
Great celebration with seafood and wine here on the evening of the day we reached Land's End.
Pasties from The Cornish Bakehouse
There's no shortage of pasty shops in St Ives and they all looked fabulously appetising, and this was the one we chose - it didn't disappoint!
Porthmeor Beach Cafe, St Ives
Located overlooking Porthmeor Beach, we ate here early evening in one of the booths - open fronted but covered and heated and with fab views of the sun setting. The food and wine lived up to it's billing as one of the best places to eat in St Ives!
By The Sea fish and chips, St Ives
Apparently shortlisted for one of the top ten fish and chip restaurants of 2023, we ate here the night before we headed home - very classy fish and chips, we loved it.
South West Coast Path in West Cornwall
Link to the excellent South West Coast Path site, West Cornwall section, covering this stretch
A1 Cars St Ives
This taxi firm took us to Godrevy on the morning of the first day's walking. Also ran us around St Ives at various times, mostly back up the hill after dinner when our legs were too achy to make it under our own steam!