IMPORTANT PLEASE READ THIS ADVICE CAREFULLY…

The Cornish Celtic Way is a pilgrimage route covering approximately 125 miles (all distances measured on a flat map) through Cornwall, from St. Germans to St. Michael’s Mount. It incorporates over 60 miles of the coastal path as well as two established pilgrimage routes: The Saints’ Way and St. Michael’s Way. The Cornish Celtic Way is divided into 16 walks that can be done as a whole over about 14 days or can be completed in sections over a longer period of time.

St Michael’s Mount grants access to walkers/pilgrims with a stamped Cornish Celtic Way passport. This access is to the Chapel in the castle at the top of St Michael’s Mount and to the stamp in the Harbour Entrance Office, at the convenience of the Mount staff.  Please ask the staff for this free access as a pilgrim.

The guidebook, ‘A Cornish Celtic Way’ contains detailed instructions and maps for the route, as well as information, ideas and inspirational sections relating to the Cornish Celtic saints. Please note that on some sections there are many ups and downs and the walking distance is more than the ‘map miles’ shown in the book, this is true for coast path sections but also for inland sections. Those used to walking in open terrain may be surprised by how long it takes to walk the sections, so be ready to walk less mileage than you expect in a day. Try to supplement the book maps with maps that show contour lines. 

The British Pilgrimage Trust has guidance on using map apps for smartphones that you can use for the Cornish Celtic Way, this can be found on their website: https://britishpilgrimage.org/how-to-navigate/

Long Walk Planning ideas… or make up your own… visit our STAY page…

To walk St Germans to Polruan: You could stay at Downderry, then a long walk to Sclerder Abbey for a shower followed by a beautiful walk to Polruan.  Add in a stay at St Germans to be able to spend an afternoon on the beach at Downderry. (Get a train to St Germans to start and from Polruan a foot ferry to Fowey and then a bus to Par train station at the end in order to return by train.)

To walk Polruan to Padstow: You could stay at Tywardreath, Lanivet (community centre shower possibility), Withiel and Little Petherick/St Issey on the route. (5 days walking, 4 nights) (Get a train to Par, then a  bus to Fowey, and a foot ferry to Polruan to make an iconic start at Polruan Chapel ruins. At Padstow you can get a bus to Bodmin Parkway Train station to return to Par.)

To walk Newquay to St Michael’s Mount: You could stay at Crantock, Perranporth, Portreath(shower), Gwithian, Carbis Bay and Ludgvan or Marazion(shower). (7 days walking, 6 nights) (Get a train or plane (!) to Newquay and then a short bus from Marazion to Penzance train station at the end.) Perranporth to Bassetts Cove (just after Portreath) involves some particularly steep walking down to streams and up again on the coast path – can you find a way to get your rucksack moved for you?- see our STAY page.

Route Updates