Penzance To Mousehole Walk Guide

This short walk takes you along the coast path from the large port town of Penzance, to the small picturesque fishing village of Mousehole.

Looking across the bay of Mousehole at the end of the walk from Penzance. The tide is out and the boats are resting on the sea bed. There is a stone wall around the bay and the village buildings behind it.

What was the walk from Penzance to Mousehole like?

Hmmm. It’s not my favourite walk. It starts off from Penzance along the promenade, then there is a bit of road walking, followed by a short bit of, let’s say green space, before some more road to reach Mousehole. Would I do it again? No. I would get the bus. There is a bus called the Mousehole which connects to two places.

Although it’s not my favourite, that’s personal taste, as it might be just what you are looking for. It’s easy, short, and you do have a view of St Michaels Mount for most of the route. You also pass by a nice boat area, and then Mousehole is a lovely treat at the end.

Looking across the harbour at low tide on the walk from Penzance to Mousehole. there are large and small boats resting on the sea bed.

Looking across the sea towards St Michaels Mount, through the mist, on the walk from Penzance to Mousehole.

I will show you the route below so that you can decide if it’s for you.

Logistics for the walk from Penzance to Mousehole

Start: Penzance Promenade
Finish: Mousehole

How to get there: Penzance is the very last stop on the Great Western train line in South Cornwall. Penzance and Mousehole are connected by the bus called the Mousehole.
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 1h

Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Concrete, asphalt, road
Amenities: Anything you need in Penzance, Mousehole has some cafes/eateries, and ice cream places. You can also find public toilets there.

Map for the walk from Penzance to Mousehole

More walk ideas near Mousehole and Penzance will be at the end

A Guide To The Penzance To Mousehole Walk

In Penzance, you need to make your way to the promenade. If you are at the station, head to the coast, and walk south (sea to your left). It’s a bit of a walk, which you will be on road side/pavement for. The promenade starts just past the outdoor pool.

Fun Fact: Penzance it the most westerly major town in Cornwall

Oh and by the way, the sun was directly in front of me for the walk, so sometimes I will show you photos looking back as the ones looking forwards are a bit gross.

Walk along the promenade to Newlyn

The promenade is a long stretch, and you will have a view to the coast and Newlyn on the other side. I’m not a huge promenade fan. I find them a bit boring. They are also people magnets. Luckily today wasn’t too bad. This promenade also has some stone arty things.

The Strat of the promenade in Penzance, with the sea wall to the left. There is a woman walking on the promenade.

Large pebble art installations on the promenade on the walk from Penzance to Mousehole.

When the promenade ends, go down the steps and briefly across the shingle to reach the next path, and continue along it.

People walking along the path as it curves around the shingle beach on the left. There are houses in the distance up a small hill.

You will pass by a nice little green bit, and then the fisherman statue. This statue was built in honour of all the fisherman lost at sea.

A statue of a man on slabs of rock. There are people sitting on the rock.

Past the statue, the path will end. You need to go to the left here, and then through the car parking area and houses, and past the Tolcarne Inn. Next go over the stone bridge, and continue along the main road.

Looking across the car path to the row of houses.

A stone bridge leading to houses on the other side, on the walk from Penzance to Mousehole.

Looking along the stream running between the stone walled houses on the walk from Penzance to Mousehole.

Walk around Newlyn Harbour

As you follow the road, it will take you up a short hill to the left, and around the Newlyn Harbour.

I quite enjoyed the boats here.

A road as it curves ahead and uphill to the left. There are a couple of people walking on the road. The road is lined with houses on the right side.

Looking across the harbour with the tide partially out. There are lots of boats in the water.

Just a note, there isn’t much pavement to speak of here. I didn’t find the road to be car busy though.

Further along this road, you should see a sign pointing to Mousehole. Follow that along some more road to reach a fork junction. Take the left fork to get off the road and into the bush area.

A road leading through a gap in the stone walled buildings. There is a road sign on the right, pointing left to Mousehole. There are a couple of men walking on the road.

A road junction, with the right one going straight and up hill, and the left one staying level and leading to some trees.

A wide path lined with bushes and trees.

Walk through the bush area

Finally, off the road and amongst the bushes, at the next junction, take the right. This will lead you through the bush area. It’s a short bit of bush before things open up, with another view to St Michaels Mount. I don’t have a photo of St Michaels Mount because it was quite misty over in that direction, and you can’t see it very well in the photos.

I was quite happy to now be off the roadside, but was disappointed to find that this path soon goes back up to the road.

A path leading uphill on the walk from Penzance to Mousehole. The path is lined with grass, with a graffitis covered wall on the right. There are a couple of people walking at the top of the road.

The final stretch of the walk from Penzance to Mousehole

Once up on the road, you will stay here for the remainder of the walk to Mousehole. You do get a moment of coastline view, and as you get nearer to Mousehole, you will see a rock pool.

A pavement path, with the road to the left and a wooden fence on the right, near the end of the walk from Penzance to Mousehole. There is tall grass between the road and the path. The sea is visible below to the right. — The view looking back

The rocky coastline as it curves around.

As you enter Mousehole, you can get to the Harbour quickest by taking a little alley before the downhill. Then follow the winding street to the bottom.

A road leading downhill in between the stone walled buildings, with the sea ahead.

A back street, with a stone cottage ahead, and stone walled house to the right. There is a man walking in between the buildings.

When I got down there, I sat on a bench by the harbour to take stock, and think about what was next. Next I would walk to Lamorna and back, but I would instead get the bus back from Mousehole to Penzance. I didn’t want to walk that again.

To find more things to see and do in Mousehole, you can check out the Visit Cornwall website.

More walk ideas near Penzance and Mousehole

Mousehole to Lamorna – I went on and did this one straight after. I much much preferred it. Super rugged, rocky and cliffy. I think it’s actually the most rocky walk I have done along the South West Coast Path.

St Ives to Zennor – This is quite a challenging walk, partly due to the length mixed in with ups/downs and rocks. It definitely competes with the Lamorna walk for rockiness. I think the Lamorna walk has the edge though.

Rinsey Mines walk – Slightly further along the coast, you will find this short but wonderful coastal walk, next to the old tin and copper mine engine houses.