Cadgwith, Lizard Point & Kynance Cove loop from Kennack Sands — South West Coast Path
Cadgwith, Lizard Point & Kynance Cove loop from Kennack Sands — South West Coast Path
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Cadgwith, Lizard Point & Kynance Cove loop from Kennack Sands — South West Coast Path
05:15
19.1km
310m
Hiking
This difficult 11.9-mile (19.1 km) loop from Kennack Sands challenges you with 1028 feet (313 metres) of elevation gain, taking about 5 hours and 15 minutes to complete. You'll hike along the South West Coast Path, experiencing dramatic coastal views and varied terrain, from compacted earth paths to some road sections. The route constantly hugs the coastline, leading you through numerous ups and downs as you approach iconic spots like Lizard Point, the southernmost tip of mainland Britain.
Prepare for a demanding hike; this route is classified as difficult and requires very good fitness. While some paths are easily accessible, the overall length and elevation changes mean you need to be sure-footed. Allow the full estimated duration of 5 hours and 15 minutes, or even more, to fully enjoy the scenery without rushing. The path often runs close to cliff edges, but generally stays a safe distance back.
This trail offers a unique blend of natural beauty and history, showcasing the Lizard Peninsula's distinctive geology and mild climate. You'll encounter the striking serpentine rock formations at Kynance Cove and the picturesque fishing village of Cadgwith, with its thatched cottages. The route also passes historical sites like the new Lizard Lifeboat station and the location where Guglielmo Marconi conducted pioneering wireless telegraphy experiments.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
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Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
1.46 km
Poltesco Capstan House and Pilchard Cellar Ruins
Highlight • Monument
Tip by
3.15 km
Cadgwith
Highlight • Settlement
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3.48 km
The Devil's Frying Pan
Highlight • Natural Monument
Tip by
7.98 km
Lizard Point
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
10.8 km
View of Kynance Cove
Highlight • Natural Monument
Tip by
11.3 km
Kynance Cove
Highlight • Beach
Translated by Google •
Tip by
15.2 km
St Grade Church
Highlight • Religious Site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
19.1 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.92 km
4.82 km
2.69 km
1.62 km
1.01 km
< 100 m
Surfaces
10.4 km
2.86 km
1.98 km
1.60 km
1.60 km
649 m
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Elevation
Highest point (80 m)
Lowest point (0 m)
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Weather
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Wednesday 20 May
17°C
12°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
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Trail Reviews
Magnificent landscape on a tour with what feels like 2000 steps. Danger! The pictures "lag" behind the tour as my photo was not switched to English time
Lizard Point is the southernmost point of England. Here the South West Coastpath leads past high cliffs, fine sandy beaches and tiny fishing villages.
An absolute premium day of hiking! We drove the 35 miles to the starting point, the car park at Kynance Cove. Queen Victoria and her husband Albert have "bathed" here. A spectacular sight of almost Caribbean proportions, of course even better with the sun that never seemed to stop shining. From there we followed the South West Coast Path. In addition to the lapping sea, the green of the meadows and the many colors of the blooming flowers were particularly striking. After a short while we passed a beach far below. Going down soon turned out to be a climb; someone had kindly left a rope there. And so we started the descent for a short break. I was relatively surprised at how steep some of the paths were, but after a few kilometers we came to the southernmost point of England: Lizard Point. It was busy here and so we didn't linger too long, walked past the Lizard Lighthouse (the signal can be seen up to 50 km away) and headed north again. It became increasingly lonely here, and the landscape changed too. The rocks were not quite as rugged and the green of the meadows stretched further down towards the sea. Other stops were Housel Bay, Church Cove and the Devil's Frying Pan, as a landmark is called. We soon came to Cadgwith, a pretty little fishing village with thatched houses. Far fewer tourists come here than to Lizard Point, but you can no longer call it an insider tip. In Cadgwith we left the South West Coast Path to go back to the starting point. First we went over asphalt, then over a pretty single trail and then 2 km over a raised moor. Finally we came back to Kynance Cove, where we put our feet in the cold sea. Really refreshing. A really beautiful and very varied day that makes you want to explore other parts of the coast.