CORNWALL COAST TO COAST / THE SAINTS’ WAY
The Saints’ Way: Padstow to Fowey
From Padstow on the north coast to Fowey on the south: about 29 miles across the middle of Cornwall through quiet villages, ancient sunken lanes, woodland, heath and river valleys.
Unlock your free Travel Club benefits
Join free for 10% off eligible days out (Merlin products are excluded), GPX downloads of popular walks and our latest holiday bargains.
Already subscribed? Open the personal unlock link in your Days Out Now welcome email in this browser, then return here. You do not need to join again or create a WordPress account. Check spam or junk if you cannot find the email. If your older welcome email has no unlock link, contact us from your subscribed address for help.
At a glance
Why this walking route is worth doing
The Saints’ Way is a waymarked trail across mid-Cornwall from Padstow on the north coast to Fowey on the south. It follows the likely route of early Christian travellers and traders, who crossed Cornwall on foot rather than sail round Land’s End. The path passes Little Petherick, St Breock Downs, Withiel and Lanivet, the village often called the centre of Cornwall, and then splits into two routes to Fowey.
The eastern route climbs Helman Tor and passes through Lanlivery and Golant. The western route runs via Luxulyan, St Blazey and Tywardreath. Official figures give about 29 miles via Lanlivery, and it is signed with distinctive Celtic cross markers. Most walkers take two or three days, and strong walkers and runners often do it in one long day.
- The trail: about 29 miles (47 km) from Padstow to Fowey. Sources quote 27 to 30 miles depending on the route.
- The time: 2 to 3 days. Our plan uses three stages of about 10, 10 and 8 miles.
- The terrain: sunken lanes, fields, woodland, heath and some tarmac. Expect mud after rain.
- The climbing: about 1,200 m in total, so it is hillier than many people expect.
- Two routes: the eastern route via Helman Tor and Lanlivery, or the western route via Luxulyan and St Blazey.
Mapped and ready
See the real route before you set off
Open the interactive map before setting off and save an offline map for the walk.
Useful overnight bases
Where to stay along the trail
Compare places to stay near Lanivet →Live prices from Booking.com. Affiliate link: Days Out Now may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Padstow
Padstow, Cornwall
Compare stays →Lanivet (halfway)
Lanivet, Cornwall
Compare stays →Lostwithiel
Lostwithiel, Cornwall
Compare stays →Fowey
Fowey, Cornwall
Compare stays →Accommodation links are affiliate links. Days Out Now may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider.
Step-by-step directions
Follow the route
Padstow to Withiel
Leave Padstow harbour and head inland, leaving the coast almost at once. The path follows the creek to Little Petherick, then climbs across farmland and the ancient St Breock Downs, with a standing stone along the way, before dropping to Withiel. Places to buy food are few, so carry lunch.
Overnight base: Withiel or Ruthernbridge
Route advice: Carry lunch and water for the whole day.
Parking or booking: Withiel is very small and fills quickly, so book well ahead. Ruthernbridge and Lanivet are alternatives.
Withiel to Lanlivery
Through quiet lanes to Lanivet, often called the centre of Cornwall, then south across heath and woodland to Helman Tor, a granite hill and nature reserve with views towards both coasts. The eastern route then drops to Lanlivery, an old village with a pub. Walkers who want the western route turn off here towards Luxulyan and St Blazey instead.
Overnight base: Lanlivery
Route advice: Allow time at Helman Tor for the views. Choose your eastern or western route at Lanivet.
Parking or booking: Lanlivery has a few stays nearby, some with pick-up for walkers.
Lanlivery to Fowey
Down through woods and fields to the river, then along the Fowey estuary to Golant, with its medieval church, and on to the finish at Fowey. The hills near the end are steeper than you might expect. The detour into Lostwithiel is worth it for the riverside town, pubs and shops.
Overnight base: Fowey
Route advice: Allow extra time for the hills and a stop in Golant.
Parking or booking: Fowey has plenty of places to stay, so book early in summer and plan your return.
Book things to do nearby
Affiliate links: Days Out Now may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider.
Before you go
Practical information
Walk it north to south, from Padstow to Fowey. It is the direction the trail is usually described, and you finish by the harbour at Fowey with food and places to stay. You can also walk it in reverse, and some people finish in Padstow.
Plan your stays and your return. The middle of the trail has few places to stay, and Withiel in particular is small, so book well ahead. Lanivet is roughly halfway and has more choice, including camping. Padstow and Fowey are not directly linked, so plan your bus and train journey back before you set off.
Follow the markers. The trail is signed with Celtic cross markers and is generally easy to follow, but carry the route map and GPX on this page as backup.
Parking
Padstow and Fowey both have buses, but the middle of the trail needs connections, so plan your return before you set off. Fowey and Lostwithiel can be reached by train via the main line, and a bus connects Fowey with nearby stations.
Tickets and booking
The trail is free, but places to stay are limited, especially around Withiel. Book early and check taxi and luggage transfer options for stays off the route.
Seasonal considerations
Spring to autumn is the best time, with long days and dry paths. Winter is quieter but muddy, with short days and some places to stay closed.
Toilets and refreshments
Toilets and food in Padstow, Fowey and some larger villages, but very few on the trail itself. Carry a packed lunch and water.
Terrain
Sunken lanes, farm tracks, fields, woodland, heath, riverside paths and some road. Muddy after rain, with several stiles and plenty of short climbs.
Accessibility
Not yet verified for this route. Check the official visitor information before setting off.
Facilities
Pubs, shops and cafes in Padstow, Fowey and a few larger villages, but long gaps between. Carry food and water, especially on the first day.
Dogs
Yes, many people walk it with dogs. Keep your dog on a lead near livestock and ground-nesting birds, and be aware that some stiles can be hard for larger dogs. Check before booking that your stay takes dogs.
Public transport
Padstow and Fowey both have buses, and Lostwithiel and Par have railway stations. Bodmin Parkway is the nearest mainline station for Padstow, with a bus onward. The middle of the trail needs several connections, so check timetables in advance.
Safety
Take waterproofs, sturdy footwear, food and water, and a map or offline route. Tell someone your plan, and take care on road sections and in wet weather.
Important cautions
Expect mud and flooded paths after heavy rain. Livestock graze on the route, so keep dogs on a lead and follow the Countryside Code. Some sections are on roads, so wear sturdy footwear and take care on bends.
Days Out Now Free Travel Club
Take the useful bits with you
Join free for GPX route files and access to Days Out Now member benefits, including eligible days-out savings.
Useful answers
The Saints’ Way: Padstow to Fowey FAQs
How long is the Saints’ Way?
Official figures range from about 27 to 30 miles. The eastern route via Lanlivery is about 29 miles (47 km), and the western route via Luxulyan is slightly shorter.
How many days does the Saints’ Way take?
Most walkers take 2 to 3 days. Two days means about 14 miles each, with a break at Lanivet, and three days is about 10, 10 and 8 miles. Strong walkers and runners do it in one long day, so allow around 10 to 12 hours.
Is it hilly?
Yes, more than many people expect. There is around 1,200 m of climbing in total, with steep sections near Helman Tor and between Lostwithiel and Fowey, even though you are heading down to the coast.
Is the Saints’ Way well signposted?
Yes. It is waymarked with Celtic cross markers and is generally easy to follow, but fields and lanes can be muddy and overgrown. Carry a map or the GPX as backup.
What is the difference between the eastern and western routes?
The eastern route goes via Helman Tor, Lanlivery and Golant, and passes more villages and the estuary. The western route goes via Luxulyan, St Blazey and Tywardreath. Both start to split at Lanivet and finish in Fowey.
Where should I stay on the Saints’ Way?
Lanivet, roughly halfway, has the most choice, including camping. Withiel and Lanlivery have a few places, and you can also stay in Padstow and Fowey at either end. Places are limited, so book early.
Can I walk the Saints’ Way with a dog?
Yes, it is generally dog friendly, but keep your dog on a lead near livestock and ground-nesting birds. Some stiles are hard for larger dogs, and you should check that places to stay take dogs.
Can you cycle the Saints’ Way?
Not all of it. The trail is a footpath in places, and only some parts are bridleway. Cyclists should plan a route using bridleways and quiet lanes that follow the same line, and check the current rights of way.
How do I get back to the start from Fowey?
There is no direct link. Take a bus from Fowey to a mainline station such as Par, and then a train and bus to Padstow via Bodmin. The journey needs several connections, so check timetables before you walk or use a taxi.
Why is it called the Saints’ Way?
It follows a route thought to have been used by early Christian saints and pilgrims travelling between Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany. It crossed Cornwall on foot rather than sailing round Land’s End.
For local businesses
Own somewhere visitors should discover near Cornwall?
Showcase a relevant place to stay, food stop, attraction or activity while Days Out Now keeps editorial control.
MAKE MORE OF YOUR DAY
Nearby places to visit, eat and stay
Nearby suggestions will load here.
MAKE MORE OF YOUR DAY
Explore more places on the map
Choose what you need, then use the map to compare locations and plan the rest of your day.
Leave a Reply