West Kernow Way

I could definitely see three days but two days would be pushing it for me (not super fit so take from that what you want)

There are stretches which are hike a bike territory which slow you down. I'd definitely look into what right of ways are blocked which will save you time

right of ways are blocked

Blocked right of ways? Like someone has fenced them off or they're impassable because of brambles or something.

In one case a kissing gate had been constricted to prevent person with a bike getting through (walker wouldn't have had any problems) and the fence above extended so you couldn't comfortably climb over.

In another case a tractor was parked in a way that blocked an access way as it narrowed, blocking access for pedestrians as well as cyclists. I let Cycling UK know and they recommended getting in touch with Cornwall Council to add some pressure for action

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/countryside/public-rights-of-way/

Nice one. Ta

There's been an update from Cycling UK suggesting a route around the former blockage. Would recommend taking this as going up around the coastal path is not much fun (carrying bikes up steps then bashing through to the original route)

Hopefully doing this over 4 days this weekend. Any up to the second intel?

Make your aim Porthtowan for Saturday or Tuesday as the forecast looks amazing?

will do a proper write up later but overall, I thought it was great! Highly recommend.

Just digging through my records and thought I would post the hostels I stayed at when I did this last year. We took the sleeper train to Penzance and then.

Cohort Hostel in St Ives
YHA Coverack
YHA Porthreath

Then back to Penzance for the sleeper home!

Mileage was relatively doable for me and my friend. I was on my big bro with 2.3s, they were on a Marin 4 corners with 2.0s with no mud clearance.

Gravel bikes?

I've just looked and the long weekend is quite close to us leaving for Slovenia so maybe I'll just look for a shorter loop we can do instead of planning a big long weekend adventure.

Bikes like these. I just flicked through my album and was reminded how much of a great time I had so I added a couple extra

5 Attachments

Great pictures! What are you holding in the last one?
Really thinking about doing this route this summer, trying to work out 2 days or 3 (see how much time off work I can get). How was getting the train down? And like the question previously, would 2 days take the fun out of it (too much to see)? YHA's are my choice too so trying to get them to line up as well for stops.

I think I'm holding an outdoor provisions nut butter sachet and a pitta bread, the touring food of champions.

The night train down was great, highly recommended, especially if you're worried about using up too much holiday. It's so efficient and feels quite luxurious, almost like how I imagine air travel used to be .

Personally I found 4 days perfect. I'm not the fastest rider compared to most on here but I think 3 days would be ok if you're disciplined and quicker than me + have low gearing. I would consider 2 days untenable unless you are a speed demon looking for a challenge. Personally I consider touring a holiday so I went for the 4 days.

Let me know if you have any other questions, I think it's a great route and really recommend it.

Thanks for that info, starting to really look at the route and places to stop for food/sleep etc. Will aim for 3 days as travelling there and back starts adding up taking time off work.

You found most of the route fine in terms of right of way etc?

Yeah no problems at all, just be polite, say thank you, etc normal things really.

Scheming a four day trip in July.... any "must visit" food places on this route? Particularly good (veggie) pasty shops or cream tea places? Jelberts ice cream in Penzance is on the list!

There is also a fantastic ice cream shop in St Just called moonies or something, was real nice.

I'd also recommend the Kings Arms for food pending time, was really good.

(This was post Man VS Coast, not WKW so it might have been situational).

Mt Zion Coffee or Yallah (great vegan pastries when I was there) for coffee in st ives

Just read pengenna pastries has closed which is fucking devastating, they had a really good vegan pasty. Loads of places seem to have a deranged filling in the vegan pasty, like "onion bhaji" or something fucking stupid. The pengenna pasties one was just a pasty without the meat. Yellow Canary could be a good replacement.

The Bean Inn didn't go but looks like a decent veggie restaurant

If I recall correctly the Portminster Beach cafe has tofu and chips

Moomaids of zennor is a mini chain that's around various places, very good vegan ice cream

Origin Coffee Roastery in Helston worth the detour (think there's a cafe on the beach front but the roastery seems worth the short cycle)

Two of the best meals I had out there were sadly just "random" food vans, one a taco in the shipyard market in porthleven (worth checking out regardless of what's there)

and an absolutely delicious vegan kebab pitta that I have no further data on, it was near the lizard, at some kind of streetfood market thing in a field.

If you're down west again check out Phlips pasty for a good vegan pasty that is just a Cornish pasty without meat. They have a few shops.

http://www.philpspasties.co.uk

Wow thanks everyone, really helpful. Ah yes Philps rings a bell from a YT video where a bloke named Jethro did the route. Katherine Moore has also suggested a Slice of Cornwall in Falmouth and Cafe Dog and Rabbit in St Just. Plenty of good info.

If you go through St Austell, Salty bay is a must. I used to work there so may be biased but good vegan pizza and top guys.

Would also recommend Philps pasties. Moved to Cornwall in July and have tried a lot of pasties and their’s are def the best! I am of the opinion though that a pasty is just a shit pie - not popular when expressed in the pub in St Ives!
Mackerel Sky in Newlyn is amazing for seafood. Cheap ish and good vibes.
The Gurnards Head near Zennor is pretty close to the route and is excellent for food but on the pricy side of things.
I’m going to ride this at some point this summer but probably out of holiday season so perhaps late September. If any forum folk are riding this and need tools/tea/cake near St Ives, hit me up.