LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

We started cycling from Hellesveor Holidays campsite, St Ives at 11:30am, with the wind in our favour and cycled the 12 miles to Reskajeage Downs, on the B3301 road from Hayle. Colin broke his bike chain in the centre of St Ives, but managed to repair it again with two pieces of Edging Stone. We started walking from Reskajeage Downs at 12:30pm and walked west towards Godrevy Point along the cliff tops, passing Derrick Cove and Deadman's Cove. Good steady walking for Cornwall from the start, around Godrevy Point and until St Gothian Sands. This was where the walking became difficult, walking on the tops of dunes, on soft sand and into a stiff breeze along the never ending Towans Beach. We eventually left the sand behind at Mexico Towens, skirting the Towans Holiday Park. From Hayle Towans we had the long walk around Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve. This section seemed never ending but was interesting and varied, giving us a challenge to find the correct path along The Causeway and around Lelant Town. We did have a welcome break at The Royal Standard Inn at Hayle for a refreshing pint. We continued along St Michael's Way and around Carbis Bay, following and crossing the railway several times. There were many lovely private houses and gardens as we passed Portminster Point. Then we continued around Portminster Beach to the lovely St Ives Town, with its famous sands and harbour. We mingled with the holiday makers as we walked along the promenade, then we rounded St Ives Head where the hustle & bustle of the Town was replaced by the soothing sound of the waves lapping along the shoreline. We entered the quiet end of the town as we skirted around Porthmeor Beach and joined the track of the Path again near Carrick Du, then turned left on a footpath to a lane by the St Ives Hellesveor Holidays Campsite and finishing the walk at 7pm. We had another pint in the Royal Standard Inn as we drove through Hayle to pick up the bikes. This was another wonderful varied walk with fewer hills as we walked along the cliff edge or around the bays. The South West Coastal Path is highly recommended by me and many other walkers. Have fun.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, -
Start: Portreath - Reskajeage Downs, B3301, TR14 0JG
Finish: St Ives, - Hellesveor Holidays, B3306, TR26 2AD