PRACTICALITIES – things to think about…
- Detailed route maps and instructions for each section of the walk can be found in the Cornish Celtic Way guidebook, available from this website.
- 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/
- A Cornish Celtic Way passport is used to collect ink stamps.
- A Cornish Celtic Way passport also gives access to accommodation. This would normally be available Spring to early Autumn.
- St Michael’s Mount grants access to the stamp in the Harbour Entrance Office and access to the St Michael’s Mount Chapel to walkers/pilgrims with a stamped Cornish Celtic Way passport, at the convenience of the Mount staff. Access to the Mount is normally limited to ticket holders only (booked via their website) except in November and December. Please check their website for seasonal variations.
Walking
- Some sections of the route are more challenging than others with stiles, cattle and some steep sections, particularly on the coastal paths. For suggestions of how to cope with your luggage please see the STAY page.
- Coastal path sections are more dependent on good weather than inland sections.
- Walking on the route is difficult in the late Autumn and Winter because of the wet and muddy conditions on inland as well as coastal sections, and hazardous wind and rough weather on the coast. Short walks are advised in these conditions, rather than a long section of the route.
- Mobile phone signals are variable- sometimes different networks work in different places, sometimes there are many miles with no signal.
Walking with dogs:
Dogs can be walked on all sections of the route, although it is advised to avoid cattle, particularly cows with young calves and bulls. Be prepared to plan some small route diversions. Dogs are usually welcome at most of the church/hall type of accommodation, but please ask the providers.
PLANNING A LONG WALK:
Using public transport:
There are train stations at St Germans (Chapter 1), Looe (Chapters 1-2 ), Par (Chapter 4 ), Newquay (Chapter 10-11 ), Hayle (Chapter 14 ), Lelant (Chapter 14-15 ) and Penzance (Chapter 16) which are along the route. St Germans, Par, Hayle and Penzance are on the main line from London Paddington / Plymouth.
Buses connect these sections: Downderry to Looe to Polperro to Polruan (Chapters 1-3 ), Padstow to Newquay to Perranporth to St Agnes (Chapters 8-12), Lelant to Marazion (Chapters 15-16), Marazion to Penzance.
The route requires you to cross rivers using the foot ferry across the River Fowey at Polruan/Fowey (daily except Christmas Day: adults £2.50, dogs 40p). (There is also a car ferry that crosses at Bodinnick/Fowey.) Also, there is the high-tide foot ferry across The Gannel Estuary at Crantock/Newquay (mid-May – mid-Sept: adults £1.40, dogs free).
Timing:
There are approximate times and distances for walking in the Guidebook. The rough coastal path sections may take much longer than you expect. Some walkers have found that they underestimated the time they required to be able to walk their route and fully explore the natural features and the Celtic saints’ history. There are accommodation suggestions on this website to help with your planning.