Our drawing of the route, over road and path data from OpenStreetMap. It shows where the walk goes and what it goes through. It is not a survey and not a navigation aid — carry OS Explorer on the hill.
Four and a third miles round the town’s beaches and out onto the first rough headland of the north coast, about two and a quarter hours with 140 metres of climbing. Start at the Trenwith car park above the town, the largest in St Ives with a shuttle bus down, or arrive on the branch line from St Erth and start at the station. There are no stiles at all, and Bamaluz beach takes dogs all year, but the harbour and the two big beaches are all shut to dogs in July and August, and beyond Clodgy Point the path turns rocky and runs along an unfenced edge.
Four and a third miles one way along the dunes and low cliffs of the Hayle estuary into St Ives, about two hours with 130 metres of climbing and the branch-line train back for the price of a coffee. Start at St Uny church in Lelant, where there is limited roadside space, or use the Lelant Saltings Park and Ride and pick up the train one stop. No stiles and little chance of livestock, and Porth Kidney allows dogs all year with a mile of firm sand at low water; dogs must be on leads between St Uny church and Porth Kidney Sands, and the two St Ives beaches at the far end are restricted in season.
Hotel built onto the rocks between Porthminster beach and St Ives harbour, so nearly every window is over water. Dogs are permitted in most areas other than the main restaurant, and a select number of bedrooms are dog-friendly and must be booked as such. Both beaches below carry seasonal bans, so plan early or late walks.
A small sheltered cove tucked behind the Island, the calmest of the St Ives beaches and the one with the beach huts. It falls under the shorter ban, 1 July to 31 August between 10am and 6pm, unlike Porthmeor and Porthminster next door. Early June and late September are quiet and unrestricted.
One short email when we add places or a council changes its beach rules. No noise, easy out.
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