West Kernow Way
Start: Penzance
Distance: 143 miles (230km)
Terrain: Off road, traffic free
Bike Types: Mountain bikes, Hybrid, Gravel Bike
Grading: Moderate
The West Kernow Way (‘West Kernow’ is Cornish for ‘west Cornwall’) is a challenging 143 mile bikepacking cycle route around Cornwall. The route was developed by charity Cycling UK and it is a mainly offroad loop route starting in Penzance. and finishing in Marazion.
It includes many famous Cornish landmarks such as the World Heritage Site of the Tin Coast including the Botallack tin mines, Mên-an-Tol (Bronze Age monument), Land’s End, St Michael’s Mount and Lizard Point.
It winds its way around Cornwall in a figure of 8 utilising quiet roads, bridleways, byways and reclaimed lost ways. Thanks to Cycling UK some of these lost ways have been brought back in to use. One such trail is the Tinner’s Way which is a 18 mile trail from St Ives to Cape Cornwall. Historically this was used to transport ore during Cornwall’s tin-mining boom in the the 18th and 19th centuries.
The West Kernow Way can be done in 3 to 4 days by most competent cyclists and can be done anytime of year. A typical itinery is show below.
Day 1: Penzance to St. Ives – 45 miles/ 73 km). This is a challenging section with around 4068ft ( 1240m) of climbing. This section includes a detour to Land’s End although expect to pay to have your photo taken at the famous Land’s End sign.
Day 2: St. Ives to Coverack ( 43 miles / 7 km ). This section includes approximately 3313 ft (1010m) of climing which starts immediately on leaving St Ives.
Day 3: Coverack to Portreath ( 35 miles / 57 km). This section ends at Portreath on the North coast of Cornwall and involves 4025 ft (1230m).
Day 4: Portreath to Penzance (28 miles / 46 km). This is the shortest day with a distance of 28 miles to cycle and 203 ft (62m) of climbing. Highlights of this section include Carn Brea Castle and Saint Michael’s Mount. The West Kernow Way finishes on a cycle path to Penzance.
The West Kernow Way is a great bike packing routebike packing route with lots of campsites, youth hostels, B&B’s, pubs and hotels along the way. Its an ideal route for most e-bikes as the daily distances should be well within the scope of most e-bike batteries. As always if you are wanting to charge your battery along the way its best to check and plan ahead.
The route is best done on the mountain bike / hybrid / gravel bike as some of the sections can be rough/muddy. Ensure you carry spares for any roadside repairs, and check our guide to cycle shops in Cornwall for servicing, parts and emergency repairs along the route.
Cycle shops in Cornwall for repairs, servicing and spares.
West Kernow Way Route Map & GPX
Download the West Kernow Way GPX here to upload to your Garmin, Wahoo etc.
West Kernow Way Accommodation
The Upper Deck, Marazion, Cornwall. Accredited cycle friendly. Secure undercover storage for cycles. Washing and tumble drying facilities. Minimum stay rule of 2 nights. Cycle hire delivered to our door including EBikes.
Sancreed House Retreat, Penzance, Immerse yourself in tranquility and reconnect with the nature of breathtaking West Penwith at Sancreed House, a Luxury Retreat in Penzance.
Treen Farm Campsite, Treen. Fully licensed onsite shop selling hot and cold food and drinks. Well maintained and clean toilet and shower facilities. There are a limited number electrical hook ups on site.
Lower Penderleath Campsite, St.. Ives. Toilet and shower blocks, a room for washing pots and pans etc. and an area for rinsing wetsuits and beachwear.
Trevellas Manor Farm Campsite, Saint Agnes. A spacious campsite with modern facilities, sea views, electric hookups, and a selection of grass and hardstanding pitches. We welcome families and four-legged friends.
