The Road to Zennor
You start on the edge of Porthmeor, just moments from the Sail Lofts luxury apartments in Cornwall ready to start venturing out on the coastline southward toward Zennor, the home of so much of Cornwall’s historic legacy. Initially it seems simple. Following the coastal path signs lead you to a headland lush with grass blowing back and forth in the cool Atlantic breeze that sweeps the edges of the bay. The South West Coastal Path to from St Ives to Zennor can’t be that bad can it?
What follows next is standard fare for a coastal path, rich landscapes blanketed by gorse, both pink and yellow colouring the landscape in a sort of flamboyant fashion. It is, for lack of a better word – loud, this awe-inspiring landscape is only exemplified by the bold cliff faces and sheer inclines that meet you along the way so after the initial opening thoughts demeaning how complicated this trek truly is it slowly begins to sink in that things are getting a little bit more fierce.
Once pace builds up and your legs start to condition themselves to the rigors of the road then you can start to take in how incredible the visuals truly are, to your right is the wide open Atlantic Ocean, in worse conditions it’s easy to imagine how this landscape is bombarded with wind, rain and sea spray on cold and tumultuous days which then only makes you think – how is it that this path, clearly shaped after year upon year of travellers passing through came to be despite the weather? By no means is it a safe journey, but in many ways it was necessary, both for practicality allowing travellers to get from town to town and to ensure the safety of the Cornwall’s shores through it's use by the coastguard.
These paths, which rise and fall like the tide that breaks at its edge seem to stretch out across the horizon, cutting through the landscape, perfect if you bring your pet to our dog friendly accommodation in St Ives. The further you make your way across the South West Coast Path from St Ives to Zennor the more you become astounded at the sheer length of it, a seven mile walk doesn’t seem overly troublesome prior to undertaking it, but after banking down the headland, crossing rivers and climbing the hillside to see sheep grazing on the cliff’s edge it begins to set in what an undertaking this truly is.
Heading northbound from the Sail Lofts luxury apartments in St Ives would have left you with a little bit more energy, there’s no question about that – but if you brave it all and travel south you are in for an invigorating journey that has you climb the mountainous coastline and then marvels you with the lush open spaces aside the ocean with arcane stone structures shaped throughout history.
Upon reaching Zennor you are greeted with a quintessential Cornish village, cut adrift in the midst of Cornwall’s coastline, from then on you have a few options, stay in Zennor for a drink or two at the Tinner’s Arms, take the short bus trip back to St Ives or brave it all again in reverse.
The road to Zennor is certainly worth a visit if you’re staying with us at the Sail Lofts luxury apartments in St Ives, so why not give it a try? If you’re not in St Ives but feel as though you’re up for a challenge and a luxury stay in Cornwall then get in touch with us in the office on 01736 799175 or take a look online at our accommodation.
