Days 4 and 5

After leaving Portreath there are some steep ascents and descents but soon levels out  and runs easily along the cliffs and around the headlands to Gwithian.  There is no habitation around here but a few cafe's which I may have a stop at!


I will be able to choose to run over the dunes of The Towans or along the beach if the tide allows.  On towards Hayle, which apparently doesn't win any prizes for prettiness as the industrial past is still very evident!


The next biggest town is St Ives which can be traced back to St Ia, a 5th century Irish missionary and daughter of a chieftain.  The natural harbour was protected by The Island (or St Ives Head) and was developed in the 18th century.  After a long history as a fishing port, St Ives has become associated with arts, crafts and tourism.

St Ives - The Island

On towards my next stop at Pendeen and this next section is reportedly one of the most spectacular parts of the south west coast path so I will be in for a treat!  Hopefully the weather will favour me and I will be able to enjoy it as in harsher conditions this section has been described as 'an arduous treadmill'. Which means I won't be smiling much!

Ancient forts on the remoter parts of the coast will change to ruined tin mines towards the end of my day.

There is a large evidence of tin mining when I will reach Pendeen with old chimneys, engine houses and winding gear to be seen throughout the town.  The tin mine was working up until as late as 1990!

My final stretch will see me pass through Lands End and on to Penzance where I intend sitting down for a long time.  Despite some of the crowds at Lands End, the scenery should be excellent and among some of the best along the coast so even if I'm dead on my feet and not good to look at, people can look at the scenery instead!

The famous signpost at Lands End

The last time someone set a record for an end to end trip from Scotland was a runner who did it in 9 days 2 hours 26 minutes! Amazing, and maybe one day!

The final stretch of my journey takes me through Porthcurno along some relatively easy stretches of coastline which I'm sure my legs will be glad to hear about!

There are a few wooded areas to pass through which is unusual for the coastal path and might bring a nice change to the scenery and running conditions underfoot.

The roads beyond Mousehole towards are through Newlyn are apparently a slog so will have my work cut out for me!

I'm sure by this time the adrenaline of nearly completing this challenge will have kicked in and will be keeping me plodding along!

Then to Penzance and to rest!

Bobby