Description
Building upon our experience of PenSti Two, this route uses more of St Michaels Way, given it appeared to be a well maintained and waymarked route. There is still a small portion of the route that comes off the Way, to drop into Carbis Bay more quickly, but it is rejoined and then followed by the South West Coast Path which leads to the train station in St Ives
Building upon our experience of PenSti Two, this route uses more of St Michaels Way, given it appeared to be a well maintained and waymarked route. There is still a small portion of the route that comes off the Way, to drop into Carbis Bay more quickly, but it is rejoined and then followed by the South West Coast Path which leads to the train station in St Ives
Status
This route has been reviewed by 4 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Pensti three
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 4
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (4)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 9
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
| Grade 4X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Note | ||
| Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
| Full grading description | |||
Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.
Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
The narrowest part of the path is 20.0cm (1)
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Clear (1)
Successfully completed
We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.
Recommended by an expert
We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.
Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
3.0% of the route is on roads (1)
1.0% of the route is lit at night (1)
3.0% of the route is paved (1)
60.0% of the route is muddy (1)
30.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)
There is no data on long grass
Report a problem with this data
1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Penzance
Grid Ref
SW4756530604
Lat / Lon
50.12170° / -5.53294°
Easting / Northing
147,565E / 30,604N
What3Words
gliders.cycled.launcher
St Ives (Cornwall)
Grid Ref
SW5193740147
Lat / Lon
50.20922° / -5.47812°
Easting / Northing
151,937E / 40,148N
What3Words
vest.charmingly.outbound
| Penzance | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SW4756530604 |
| Lat / Lon | 50.12170° / -5.53294° |
| Easting / Northing | 147,565E / 30,604N |
| What3Words | gliders.cycled.launcher |
| St Ives (Cornwall) | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SW5193740147 |
| Lat / Lon | 50.20922° / -5.47812° |
| Easting / Northing | 151,937E / 40,148N |
| What3Words | vest.charmingly.outbound |
Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.
reviews
Si barker
27 Jul 2025I started from Carbis Bay so joined the walk a couple of KM in. I ran / walked the route. Route was accurate and I would complete again. Route was pretty well signposted but offline map gave some reassurance as to the best route across some fields as you cannot always see the next gate / stiles when you enter a field. Lots of gates / stiles. Two of the fields had cows in - one herd was a bit curious so I detoured slightly - another much larger herd in a field ignored me as I walked across their patch. The route has a fair bit of up / down with over 850ft gained on the route I took. There are several streams on the route all of which have bridges to cross safely. There are a mile or so on small lanes towards the end of the route but there were quiet. End of route is at train station / bus station in Penzance allowing easy return to Carbis Bay but worth checking GWR or TFC timetables before u set off. You could not complete this route on a bike, with pram or wheelchair due to terrain, stiles and gates. I did not see any food or drink options in the main part of the route but- there are options at start and at the end.
Ken
05 Apr 2025Totally unknown location for me so interesting to compare the route with others close to home. Having attempted to follow other paths and reading reviews some paths in Cornwall are not all well used or maintained. Having said that St Michaels Way is well signed, boundary crossing are mostly wooden kissing gates and the plotting is good. Fields are generally pasture so there is livestock including cows. There was a faint walked path across most fields suggesting a popular route. After more rain there were patches that would be quite muddy. I wouldn’t call the landscape stunning but there are some good views and I found the stone step stiles and stone and earth field boundaries interesting. Not much in the way of services at the half way point only towards each end. Given time I would have mounted Trencrom Hill to the fort site for added vistas. Remaining on St. Michaels Way at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens may have offered a better free view. A gap in the recorded footpath between Tolver and Gulval would offer a slightly longer but off road route. Overall an enjoyable walk on a fine sunny day in early April.
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Berkshire Walker
11 Dec 2024A really enjoyable route from coast to coast, mostly following the well-signed St Michael's Way from Penzance to St Ives. There are fantastic views of both Mount's Bay and St Ives Bay. The short but steep detour off the route up Trencom Hill is worth it for dramatic rocky landscape and 360 panoramic views. Similarly keep following the St Michael's Way to also visit Knill's Monument above Carbis Bay. I also stopped at Tremenheere sculpture park for the excellent cafe. Interesting history at Ludgvan church. The paths are varied and can be very muddy in places, steep slopes and many gates and high stiles to negotiate.
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Andrew Morrish
26 May 2024We walked Pensti 3 over 2 days late May 2023 in good weather, largely dry underfoot. it is not a route for wheelers once you reach the outskirts of either Penzance or St Ives/Carbis Bay. The route follows the St Michaels Way (approved UK branch of the Camino pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela).
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