St Michael's Way

St Michael's Way near Knill's Monument

St Michael's Way

Towns and Villages in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

St Michael's Way near Steeple Woods

St Michael's Way, in Cornish, Forth Sen Myghal, is a trail from Lelant near St Ives to St Michael's Mount near Marazion and Penzance

The trail is 12 miles (19.5 km) if travelling via Lower Quarter or 12.5 miles 20.5 km) if travelling via Gulval.

Part of an extensive network of pilgrim routes across Europe, all of which converge on St James' Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, it is marked with regular wooden signposts showing a scallop shell.

The route is believed to be very ancient and the earliest pilgrims travelling it would have aided in Cornwall becoming converted to Christianity.

Pilgrims, missionaries and travellers, especially those journeying from Ireland and Wales, are believed to have used St Michael's Way to avoid what would have been the very dangerous waters around Land's End. It was safer to cross the land than sail around Land's End.

St Michael's Way makes use of public footpaths and quiet lanes beginning at the Church of St Uny, Lelant, on the north coast between Hayle and St Ives and passing quiet villages, historic monuments and beautiful countryside to arrive at St Michael's Mount.

There are two route options at Ludgvan, walking via Lower Quarter or Gulval. This gives the possibility of creating a circular walk from this southern part of the trail.


Public Transport

There are a choice of bus services including:

Services 17/17A/17B operated by First Great Western.

Visit Cornwall Public Transport for latest timetables


Detailed Walking Map of the area

Books online:
Click here to buy books online about St Michael's Way

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