03/05/2026
Come with us on our favourite "Great Western" adventure. One of our top recommendations for all our guests staying at Rainbow Beach Chalet, Cornwall .
A great way to spend a day... ambling (or striding) along sparkling white sand with the promise of ice creams and a gentle train ride back! Particularly one for all those train enthusiasts, or anyone who enjoys a bit of a walk and train ride with incredible views.
The St Ives Bay line goes from St Erth, through Lelant Saltings, Lelant and Carbis Bay before arriving right in the middle of St Ives. The beauty of this 6-7 miles stretch is that you can easily walk any part of it, in any direction. Perfect for family groups who may have some more eager walkers than others, or for those who just want to walk a short section.
Obviously it has to be combined with a pasty or ice cream in St Ives... just to keep you going 😊
St Erth Station has plenty of parking (there is a large car park behind the station for when the front car park gets busy). Walking from St Erth itself is possible but does involve a short bit of pavement /road walking, before you get down towards Lelant Saltings and down towards the expanse of sparkling white Porthkidney beach (dog friendly all year). If you want to go all the way on the sand, at the most Westerly end of Porthkidney, you can climb back up onto the coastal path (at Hawkes Point), but it is a little rocky and steep there. You can hop up through the dunes onto the coastal path, or stick to the coastal path all along, to avoid this little steep bit. The coastal path through Carbis Bay is another interesting stretch with the ever constant view of turquoise water below. St Ives Station itself sits in the heart of St Ives, making for an ideal way to enjoy the town without any car parking stress.
Alternatively, we often walk from Rainbow Beach Chalet to Hayle Station and pick up a short connecting train to St Erth. Makes for a wonderful day out without stepping anywhere near the car.
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