Beach to beach, explore Cornwall's iconic landscape from Carbis Bay in St Ives to the sacred Chapel Rock at St. Michael's Mount.

Distance: 11 miles

Guided by our volunteer Nina, who has a deep affinity for this part of Cornwall, sharing fascinating insights into the healing miracles associated with the area. Discover a variety of spiritual paths on the route dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

This ancient pilgrim route to Chapel Rock at St. Michael's Mount starts and ends in the sea, passing through beaches, forest, fields and bird sanctuary marshlands. We will visit ancient churches for blessings and pilgrim passport stamps, cross the Red River and have the opportunity to forage for flowers, sing in a Brazilian folk tradition, and dowse for ley lines. We clamber up a Neolithic hill fort with breathtaking views of both coasts for a picnic lunch and stop at a traditional pilgrim inn for refreshment. We close the pilgrimage in the sea for cleansing and blessing. 

If you hold a Cornish Celtic Way pilgrim passport you can seek sanctuary overnight in Marazion and attend formal worship in St. Michael's Chapel on the Mount on the Sunday morning, commemorating healing miracles performed in 1262 when it was a Benedictine monastery. You can also find regular accommodation nearby. 

Please be aware this route involves two steep climbs and one steep descent, lots of country stiles, with public toilets at start and finish only, but there are some places for comfort breaks in the wild along the way if you need them. 

This faith-neutral Bring Your Own Beliefs pilgrimage mixes a variety of different traditions. All pilgrims are welcome to engage or observe as they wish.  

This Pilgrimage will include:

Ancient churches, other holy and historic sites, foraging wild plants, barefoot walking, opportunities for silence, wild water swimming, songs, stories and folklore. Blessings and rituals of a variety of traditions. 

What to bring

A towel if sea swimming is envisioned, perhaps a pouch for collecting foraged flower offerings. If you have them, dowsing rods. Appropriate footwear, waterproofs or umbrella; warmer clothes in case of a drop in temperature or for after full immersion in the sea at the close of the day. Picnic lunch, waterbottle or thermos flask. Anything required for wild loo stops. A staff or walking stick are not essential but are a recognised symbol of the pilgrim.

FAQ’s

Travel arrangements - Meet at Carbis Bay train station, a five or ten minute walk down to the beach at Carbis Bay. There is no train at the finish but there are buses which connect back to Carbis Bay train station.

Does this include a visit to St Michael's Mount? The timings and tidal causeway access mean that access to St Michael's Mount is not included as part of this pilgrimage, which ends at Chapel Rock, once an oratory and now a spiritual place reclaimed by the tide. St Michael's Mount is closed on Saturdays, but you can combine your pilgrimage with a visit the following day. More information here.

Who can come? Anyone over 18 (or under 18 with parental guidance, bearing in mind the walking distance).

Is this religious?  This is a faith-neutral pilgrimage drawing on a variety of traditions and practices. We operate a “Bring Your Own Beliefs” policy where pilgrims can participate as they choose. We ask that all pilgrims respect one another, whatever their beliefs.

Are there fitness limitations? Pilgrimage is moderately intense and there are some steep hills. If you struggle to walk all day, this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. But we will walk slowly, and start early. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for mobility-impaired people or those requiring wheelchair access due to the terrain.

Can I bring my dog? Sadly not - we can’t accommodate dogs on our guided pilgrimages. However, if you have a registered assistance dog, they are welcome.

Do you offer concessions? We offer some free or discounted places to pilgrims on certain types of income-related Universal Credit, PIP, DLA ESA , JSA etc. Contact us to find out if you qualify.

What does my money go? What's this all for? It's a fundraiser for registered charity British Pilgrimage Trust, which has limited resources, but which largely spends its time creating materials for people to use for free, and facilitating the grass roots growth of pilgrimage in Britain by engaging with local communities. For more details about our charitable activities, please check here.

If you would like to make a donation in addition to, or in place of, a ticket, click here.

This is a British Pilgrimage Trust event guided by a specially trained volunteer. We make pilgrimages that encounter Britain in new (and very old) ways.

We hope to see you on the path.