Lelant to St Ives

In 1877 the archetypal Cornish fishing village of St Ives was linked to the mainline railway and was never the same again. The 4.5 miles (7.2km) of track that wound its way from St Erth along the estuary of the River Hayle and then above St Ives Bay was intended to make markets more accessible to the local fishing industry. It also opened the town to the fast-developing tourism of the late 19th century. Fishing declined, but by the 1940s and 1950s the branch line was carrying tens of thousands of holidaymakers to St Ives and was enjoyed by huge numbers of local people. Today the line carries crowds of day-visitors and its scenic qualities are still unspoiled. The coastal footpath also traverses the beautiful surroundings through which the line passes. You can travel either way between station halts and return on foot through magnificent coastal scenery.

Fishing community

St Ives probably originated as a small fishing community as far back as prehistory. It prospered greatly from the medieval period and the pilchard fishing that became its mainstay helped to create the distinctive area known as Downlong, whose cobbled streets weave around the town's harbour. St Ives is now one of Europe's most famous resorts, and has the distinction of being an internationally acclaimed centre of art. The town's numerous art galleries, headed by the prestigious Tate St Ives, enhance that reputation.

St Ives Bay

This walk approaches St Ives along the line of the railway on the southern shore of St Ives Bay. It begins at the charming station of Lelant, a peaceful little place on the inner estuary of the Hayle River. From Lelant station the route leads to the handsome church of St Uny and St Anta at Lelant, briefly crosses a golf course and then skirts above Porth Kidney where a vast expanse of sand is exposed at low water. At Hawke's Point, the path enters a green and leafy section of coast and soon reaches the popular resort of Carbis Bay. The railway is crossed by a footbridge just beyond here and before reaching the outskirts of St Ives the way leads past a fascinating relic of the great pilchard fishing industry, the Baulking House. From here a lookout, called a 'huer', kept watch for the tell-tale purple stain of pilchard shoals in the bay below. The huer would then use hand-held signalling devices to direct the seine-net boats in the silent, skilful trapping of many thousands of the fish that was the good fortune of St Ives for centuries.

Turn right along the tree-shaded lane outside Lelant station. Follow the surfaced lane, keeping straight ahead at a junction and in just under 0.25 miles (400m) reach a T-junction. Turn right and uphill to the Church of St Uny and St Anta.

Take the obvious footpath to the left of the churchyard entrance. The path leads for a short distance across part of a golf course. (Look out for flying golf balls.) Continue until a concrete blockhouse is reached. Go under the railway bridge, then turn left by a house, at a coast path sign. There was once a small ferry running from shore to shore here.

The way now leads above the sand dunes of Porth Kidney, where a glittering expanse of sand is exposed at low tide. Soon you climb steadily between hedges to the headland of Carrack Gladden, or Hawke's Point. Just past a railway crossing you have a choice of routes.

Keeping to the higher route leads alongside the railway to Carbis Bay. For a more scenic route take the signposted right-hand branch steeply downhill and along the grassy cliff edge, finally climbing some steep steps to meet the road. Turn right here and down to Carbis Bay beach and the promise of a swim in warm weather.

Follow the path in front of the Carbis Bay Hotel, then turn up left to climb steps to reach a footbridge across the railway. Follow the path ahead and on along a surfaced lane that runs through a residential area. Where the lane branches, keep straight ahead, signposted 'Coast Path', to reach the Baulking House. Go straight across at a crossroads just past the Baulking House and follow a track past several seats and then cross a bridge over a railway. Continue along this path, ignoring steps to the left. The path becomes a track and then a lane.

Where the lane bends sharply left, keep ahead –signed 'St Ives' – and go down a surfaced path, and then some steps, to reach Porthminster Beach by the Porthminster Beach Café. Walk alongside the beach and reach St Ives railway station and car park by going up steps in the high granite wall on the left. Alternatively, keep ahead past the Pedn Olva Hotel and walk into the heart of the town.