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Itinerary
The Saints Way
The Saints Way
"Best spot on the walk is at Helman Tor - its my Doggie Heaven, prehistoric jumbles of huge boulders, views in all directions over Cornwall. My owner likes that he gets to start and end in the harbours of Fowey and Padstow but I am more interested in the coast to coast marathon, sniffing 27 miles of signposts in between
Oreo the Pug - Mischief Maker
The Saints Way - Cornwall Coast to Coast from Padstow to Fowey
Two or Three days walking along this hidden Pilgrim's Path through unvisited mid Cornwall
Easy to Moderate Walking (what these grades mean) - 28 miles Coast to Coast or a 40 mile option using all sections
Sample everything that Cornwall has to offer on the Saints Way, the region's premier mid-distance footpath across the heart of the region...
Overview
One Centre Self Catering Breaks on The Saints Way
The Ultimate Self Catering Location for Walking the Saints Way - For those happy to self cater, right at the midway point on the Saints Way is the perfect walker friendly option. Little Lesquite is a stunning fully furnished Shepherd's Hut with an outdoor Copper bathtub where you can sit and soak at the end of the walk whilst gazing at Helman Tor, a stunning highlight of the walk.
Stay here for a week and you can taxi out to the start of the route in Padstow, walk back to your hut and do the same again from Fowey completing the cross-Cornwall route in two days without the need to pack and unpack luggage every night. You can add a third day for the Saints Way East option and if you want to take some down time from the walking, you are only a few miles from the Eden Project, Lanhydrock Estate, Restormel Castle and of course a choice of Cornish Beaches on the North or South Coast. Full details, pictures and info:
https://uniquehideaways.com/glamping-site/5143/little-lesquite
Interactive Map
Pricing On This Route
Our average prices are between £110 and £160 per person per day for those sharing a room and between £170 and £199 per day for single walkers - A quote will give you an exact and fixed price as walk costs depend on factors like your accommodation choices and the time of year you want to walk.
Our prices include -
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- Your choices of good quality en-suite B&B, Inn and small hotel accommodation with full breakfast (where available), together with upgrade options.
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- Detailed walking route planning and ongoing support from specialist walking advisors from your enquiry through to the end of the walk
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- A full booking administration and holiday management service including information on travel to and from your walking routes
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- Secure and reliable daily luggage transfers between accommodations
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- Your own personal detailed route notes & itinerary emailed to you and access to our resources page, where you can see the maps and guidebooks we recommend for each route, as well as downloads for route notes and GPX files (where available).
Please see below for six factors which affect your quoted price -
1 - The time of year you are walking - The low season (outside of May to September) is generally cheaper than the peak months.
2 - How early you book. Cheaper accommodation tends to book out first so to get the best prices and choice of accommodation we recommend you book as early as you can. Bookings open for the season the previous summer.
3 - Which routes and areas you choose - Cornwall, South Devon and Dorset are the more expensive regions while Wales, Somerset, North Devon and Dartmoor tend to offer better prices. We also often run seasonal special offers on certain routes so ask if these would be of interest.
4 - Type of accommodation - You can choose to upgrade to luxury hotels or downgrade to basic B&B's and we will try to match your walk to your budget. Quotes will show standard options and the costs for any upgrades so you can pick and choose to suit your plans.
5 - The number of walkers - rates are generally based on 2 walkers - the more walkers the cheaper prices get as we split the costs of providing the walk between the group.
6 - Luggage Transfers - our quotes include two prices - with and without luggage transfers so if you want to keep the costs down you can choose to carry your own luggage to avoid those charges.
If you want to try to get the lowest prices let us know your budget - we can advise honestly and openly what is possible - we don't want to see anyone unable to walk the routes due to costs.
To request a quote costs nothing and there is no commitment to book - so do try us! We usually have quotes emailed back to you within a few days and these documents are very detailed with accommodation choices, website links to the accommodations, route descriptions, daily walking grade and mileage, travel info to the trail and of course a guaranteed price to consider. All for the specific walk YOU want.
Route Profile And Options
Relaxed Route
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Daily average 9.3 miles
Padstow to Withiel
Withiel to Lanlivery / Lostwithiel (Eastern Leg)
Lanlivery to Fowey
Depart Fowey or walk Western Leg, Helman Tor to Fowey 11.5 miles
10 miles
10 miles
8 miles
7 miles
Travel To And From The Route
Arriving at Padstow Train - Fast, comfortable and direct trains run from London Paddington to Bodmin Parkway Station which is the nearest stop for Padstow. Time from London is around 4 hours shorter journey times from Bristol, Bath and Exeter. Direct trains from the Midlands, the North and Scotland run to Plymouth where you change for the Bodmin Parkway train 1/2 hour.
From the station at Bodmin Parkway connecting buses run very regularly to Padstow taking one hour or we can advise on a private transfer for you.
Departing from Fowey by Train - Regular buses run all day from Fowey to Par Station (20 mins) and St Austell Station (40 mins). All fast trains stop at St Austell which has the most options for London, the Midlands and the North. Again we can advise on a private transfer to either station.
You can check tickets and times at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk the train service operators or just ask us to help !
Reviews & Feedback
Saints Way
Padstow to Fowey
Frances and Judy
13 May 2024
We very much enjoyed our walk along The Saints Way. For those who might be concerned at the mileage involved, some of the Way is along country lanes, so you cover the ground more quickly than on the coast path. We did find The Saints Way difficult to follow in some places and would recommend the OS maps app as a reliable way of confirming your location and the route ahead. When we were taking the route south from Lanivet towards Helman Tor, a local dog walker recommended that we take the minor road from Reperry Cross to Trebell Green rather than the official route past St Ingunger Farm and Fenton Pits, as the official route is a rather busy road and used by heavy lorries. Helman Tor and the green lane leading south from it towards Lanlivery were the highlight of the trip and not to be missed! Particularly recommended is The Crown Inn at Lanlivery where we had an excellent meal and very good accommodation. We had lovely weather at Fowey; the Fowey Hall Walk is delightful and an easy walk for a half day.
The churches on the route are very interesting and you may want to collect a Saints Way Passport from St Petroc’s church in Padstow before you leave as you can get this stamped in the churches along the Way. We completed ours apart from at Fowey, where the stamp is kept at the Museum, which has limited opening hours.
Saints Way
Padstow to Fowey
Pip & Jay
22 April 2024
The walk was amazing. The change of countryside scenery along the route means that you pass through coastal, woodland, villages, moorland and back to the coast throughout. We were lucky enough to see both coasts at the same time from the viewpoint. Stopping in at each of the churches was lovely and collecting stamps was a bonus. Accommodation was perfect apart from night 2 for us (which was under refurbishment and not something that Encounter could have fixed) and always close to the route and amenities. Particularly enjoyed Lanlivery and the pub-with log fire and great food! Encounter was really informative before and during so we never felt like we were on our own. Luggage transfers make the walking so much less strenuous with only snacks and layers to carry with us. We had a wonderful time.
Saints Way
Heather and David Row
29 September 2023
Encounter organised everything for us and helped us plan a walk that was perfect for us. Saints Way was wonderful, so full of history and beautiful old churches in every village that welcomed walkers. Ever day was different, fun and interesting. Having the maps and information cards and itineraries for each day was so helpful. When we got lost a couple of times it was easy to get back on track. Thank you Encounter for such a fantastic experience.
Saints Way
Ann Pollard
19 September 2023
just a few places where the signs were difficult to find --but with back up of the maps and notes no major problems--apart from not being able to find the correct path from gloat to Fowey. Really good quality info provided and we enjoyed reading the cards before settling off each day. all rooms and establishments were very pleasant and comfortable--one of the places had pretty disappointing food
South West Coast Path &Saints Way
Port Isaac to Fowey
Barry Teperman
12 May 2023
Loved the walk, got lost but isn't that part of the fun. GPS always corrected us.
Saints Way
Greg Arnold
16 September 2022
A few days of peace in a busy world. In the midst of scenery and nature. My wife who is not used to a longer walking holiday also enjoyed it. Good to learn about the Celtic saints and make it a pilgrimage
Saints Way
Michael Quinn
26 June 2022
A good walk with time for reflection and pastoral views.
Saints Way
Richard Gibbs
26 May 2021
A great walk. Distances ok...more moderate than easy in parts, but overall not too troublesome
Saints Way
Paul & Jacci Ramplin
24 May 2021
Always find Encounter to be helpful, professional and knowledgeable. Enjoyed the experience of walking coast to coast and the route met our expectations - i.e. an easy hike well within our capabilities.