Walking the Saints Way

Q. I'm organising to do this walk in June, with the aim of completing all in one day. If anyone has any advice on problems we might encounter, it would be appreciated.

Also - any good places for a group of 10 or so to stay in Fowey

Jim Goddard-Jones, Bristol

A. I always have a week in Fowey each year and have taken to running the saints way on one day during that week. My wife was initially willing to pick me up from Padstow but has decided she has better things to do so that I have had to run the route in both directions over the last 3 years; about 56 miles all told. My experience is that the route is easily navigated with very clear signage. It is variable underfoot with alot of road walking so that Trail shoes are the best footware; use studded shoes only if you are prepared to pension them off at the end of the trip. I always use the Llanlivery route in both directions with a preference to finish on returning to Fowey, by diverting down Llankelly lane so that you finish by running down to Readymoney beach and then up along the Espanade. That way, you see Fowey at its best and have a real sense of an ending. It is a great day out and I thoroughly recommend it; just stay hydrated and eat alot. Enjoy!

Andy Smith, Melton Mowbray

A. I am going to do the saints way in late September over 3 days and I will heed the advice lots of water.....and hopefully no rain and when I return, I will post some photos and my impressions.....

Catherine Len

A. In 2009 I did this walk [The Saints Way]. We went from Padstow but stopped at Boscoppa near St Austell then in the morning walked to Pentewan. We did 24 miles on the first day and 12 on the second. I was only 13 and I found it hard at times but it was a great walk. Make sure you take plenty of blister packs because they are a nightmare on a long walk [if your walking boots do not fit properly].

A. Len is 100% correct. Leave early take lots of water esp on a hot [day]. i've done this walk several times just for the heck of it. I prefer Padstow to Fowey via the Luxullyan route than the Lanlivery way, though the Crown at Lanlivery is a 9 out of 10 pub for me.

You'll find it a relatively quiet walk unless you come across a guided group of ramblers, so plenty of opportunity to take it all in. Enjoy it cos its there n cos it's great and yes you can do it in Just one Day.

PS. Answer my question please. How many crosses did you find on your walk? He He He

P J, Foye, Kernow.

A. One day is a tall order. You may have to jog some of the way. The 3 or so climbs are time consuming ie St Breock Downs and Helman Tor, and refreshment stops are few. Take lots of water with you. In June the traffic in and out of Padstow and Fowey can be troublesome so get an early start and plan your route well. Not all the waymarkers and signposts are that easy to spot if your in a hurry and there are pieces of the route on roads which can be a problem for walkers. Good Luck!

Len Phillips, Helston Cornwall

A. The Saints Way (a.k.a. Forth an Syns) is a 42km (26 miles) footpath connecting Padstow in Cornwall with Fowey in Cornwall.

It is waymarked with a Celtic Cross.

Hope this helps

Mike (Editor)

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