Wild & Warm: The Best Winter Walks (and Pubs) Around St Ives

Cornwall in February is a blend of wild Atlantic days and quiet hints of spring. The wind might whip around the headlands, but the gorse is already blazing yellow and the first wildflowers are starting to appear along the hedgerows. And with so many coastal paths, sheltered woodland trails, and cosy pubs to duck into, winter walking becomes less of a bracing challenge and more of a seasonal ritual.

Whether you’re staying in one of Orange Roofs’ luxury cottages in St Ives, Carbis Bay, Hayle or Zennor, these are the walks we return to year after year – the ones that pair dramatic scenery with the promise of a roaring fire, a hearty pint, or a steaming hot chocolate at the end.

1. The St Ives Waterfront Wander (1.9 miles / 3 km)
Start: St Ives Station Car Park, TR26 2EQ

If you want a gentle introduction to St Ives in winter, this circular stroll is perfect. It’s short, scenic, and packed with history – from the town’s maritime past to the artistic legacy that still shapes its cobbled streets today.

Leaving the station car park, follow the path along The Warren, where the sea is often at its most dramatic in February. Slip down past the St Ives Arts Club into Lambeth Walk (brace yourself: at high tide you may get your toes splashed). Continue past the lifeboat station and along Wharf Road, where the harbourfront suddenly opens out in front of you.

 

 

Halfway along sits The Sloop Inn, one of St Ives’ most iconic pubs. It’s the perfect mid‑walk pause – a pint, a hot toddy, or simply a moment to watch the fishing boats bobbing in the harbour.

From here, follow Back Lane and The Wharf to Smeaton’s Pier, then loop around above Porthgwidden Beach and onto The Island. A short detour takes you to St Nicholas Chapel, a tiny stone sentinel overlooking the Atlantic. Continue around The Island and back into town via Porthmeor Road, Back Road East and West, and The Digey. Fore Street leads you past the Market House and the Parish Church before you climb Skidden Hill back to the station.

It’s a walk that captures the essence of St Ives: sea, art, history, and a cosy pub right when you need one.

 

2. The Zennor Route: Wild, Rugged, Unforgettable (6–7 miles)
Start: Barnoon Long Stay Car Park, TR26 1JF

If you’re craving something wilder – the kind of walk that blows the cobwebs out and leaves you glowing – the coast path from St Ives to Zennor is a winter classic.

Start on the Porthmeor side of town, where the South West Coast Path begins its dramatic journey westward. This stretch is rugged, rocky, and exhilarating. Expect boulder scrambles, uneven granite surfaces, and views that stop you in your tracks.

As you approach Zennor, the landscape softens into fields and farm tracks. And waiting for you at the end is the legendary Tinners Arms – a proper Cornish pub with a fire that crackles all winter long. Whether you choose a hot chocolate or a pint, it tastes even better after a windswept hike.

If you don’t fancy the return leg on foot, catch a bus or taxi back to St Ives – your legs will thank you.

 

3. The Coastal Loop: Carbis Bay to St Ives (2 miles)
Start: Carbis Bay Train Station Car Park, TR26 2NN

For a gentler winter walk, this sheltered path between Carbis Bay and St Ives is a delight. Begin at the station and follow the footpath down towards the Carbis Bay Hotel, passing under the railway viaduct and skirting the edge of the beach.

The path then climbs through woodland, offering natural protection from winter winds. As you emerge from the trees, the world opens up: St Ives Bay, Godrevy Lighthouse, and the sweep of Porthminster Beach all unfold before you.

One of the first warm refuges you’ll reach is the newly refurbished Pedn Olva — dog‑friendly, sea‑view‑rich, and wonderfully cosy. On stormy days, watching the waves from their panoramic windows feels like being aboard a ship.

From here, the cobbled streets of St Ives are moments away, and the branch line offers a quick, scenic ride back to Carbis Bay if you’re walking with little ones or simply fancy an easy return.

 

4. Trencrom Hill: A Short Climb with Big Views (Approx. 2 miles)
Start: Trencrom Hill Car Park, TR27 6NJ

If you prefer moorland magic to coastal drama, Trencrom Hill is a brilliant winter choice. The climb is short but steep in places, and the reward is a 360‑degree panorama stretching from Godrevy to Rosewall Hill.

Follow the track from the car park, skirt the hill, and ascend from the north. At the summit, look for the small drilled holes in the granite boulders — remnants of Victorian midsummer celebrations where gunpowder was lit in festive bursts.

Kids love the natural rock formations and hiding spots, and adults love the sense of ancient history underfoot. After your descent, head to The Balnoon Inn or The Engine Inn – relaxed, rural pubs that welcome walkers and muddy paws alike.

 

5. Gwithian Towans to Godrevy: Dunes, Lighthouse Views & a Cosy Pub (3–4 miles)
Start: Gwithian Towans Car Park, TR27 5BT

This circular walk is a winter favourite: sandy paths, sweeping views, and a pub that feels like a reward.

From the car park, wander through the dunes with views across to St Ives and Godrevy Lighthouse. Head north towards Godrevy, either along the dune paths or the beach at low tide. Pick up the South West Coast Path briefly before turning inland near Godrevy Café.

The return route takes you through quiet lanes, fields, and the lush Red River Valley before you reach the Red River Inn — dog‑friendly, hearty, and exactly the kind of place you want to settle into after a breezy coastal loop.

A short stroll across the dunes returns you to the car park.

 

The Rainy‑Day Alternative: Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden

On days when the weather gets a bit too lively, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is a lovely indoor‑outdoor option. The garden stays surprisingly calm, and the sculptures look great even in the drizzle. It’s a nice, gentle break before returning to a cosy cottage.

Winter Walks, Warm Homes

February is wonderfully dog‑friendly in Cornwall – most beach restrictions are lifted – and Orange Roofs has a collection of luxury cottages across St Ives, Carbis Bay, Hayle and Zennor that welcome four‑legged explorers too.

Whether you want a log‑burning fire, a private hot tub, sea views or a snug hideaway for storm‑watching, we’ve got a property that will make your winter escape unforgettable.

Book your spring getaway with Orange Roofs today and discover Cornwall at its wildest – and cosiest.