SWCP....Hayle to St. Ives

Day 7 of our South West Coastal Path adventure!
This is hopefully a more relaxing day. WE start by moving camp site once more to our base for the rest of the trip at Stream Valley in Penzance.
Once settled in hopefully if things go to plan before midday we set off to hike Hayle to the pretty town of St.Ives.

At 12.25 pm we leave camp and walk to Heamoor, Potair Terrace.
12.34 Bus 4A to Penzance bus station 12.48
Change to service 18 at 13.10 to Hayle War Memorial. Here we start hiking to St. Ives.

The walk is rated Moderate and is 6.1 miles (9.8 km)

The route from Britain's oldest swing bridge leads us along roads following the Hayle Estuary. We may take small detours in places in order to reach the muddy flats which are home to many different species of birdlife.
Hayle was once the most important industrial port in Cornwall and a centre of Copper mining and smelting.

The path also follows part of the ancient pilgrim route called St. Michael's Way which led pilgrims across Cornwall from Lelant to Marazion, near Penzance, where they would then travel on to the Catherdrel of St. James in Santiago de Compostela in North-west Spain.

We follow the railway line to St.Ives, passing Carbis Bay and though woodland before finishing the day at Portminster Beach.
For our return to camp we find the bus stop The Terrace. Service 17 at 17.25 back to Penzance bus station at 18.04
We then walk back to camp arriving approximately 18.42
We may choose to spend longer in St.Ives perhaps eating there or in Penzance.

There is a 17 service at 19.15 arriving in Penzance 20.42 and the last bus leaves 21.15 arriving 22.45. Note we have to walk from Penzace to the campsite which is 30 to 40 minutes. It should remain daylight until 22.00 !

Participants will need packed lunch and at least 2 litres of fluids, rain and wind proofs, good fitting boots, sun hat, sun glasses and lotion. Personal medication. Participants are responsible for their own health and well being and should be able to keep up and not forge ahead of the leader.

We walk at about 2mph / 4kmph.