There are 6 main hills around St Ives which you can walk up. They all make great walks and have lovely views across the countryside and out to sea.
1. Worvas Hill
Worvas Hill is the hill overlooking the town with the funny obelisk on the top. This obelisk is called Knills' Monument and it is all part of the Steeple Woodlands and Nature Reserve. It is a lovely walk up to the top and you get some amazing views over St Ives Bay.
To Get There
Take the main road out of St Ives towards Carbis Bay. Turn right at the Cornish Arms pub and take the left hand fork up the road. At the top of the road you will see an information board and sign posts. If you are driving, you can park in the laybys - there is no car park.
Turn left at the information board and follow the path up to Knills' Monument. This is a 40 acre site which is open to the public. It is managed by volunteers of the Steeple Woodland and Nature Reserve - they are always looking for willing helpers!
Take the main road out of St Ives towards Carbis Bay. Turn right after the Cornish Arms pub and take the left hand fork up the road. Right at the top of the road you will see an information board and sign posts. Turn left and follow the path up to Knills Monument. The hill is called Worvas Hill and the land below is Steeple Fields Nature Reserve. The woods to the right are Steeple Woods and are lovely to walk through, but do take care of dogs with mine shafts!
2. Carnstabba Hill
Carnstabba Hill sits behind the St Ives Community Orchard, sort of in between Halsetown and Polmanter.
To Get There
There are 2 ways of getting to Carnstabba. Either go to the play park, skate park and orchard (Palemon Best) on Penbeagle Hill, or drive to Halsetown and park near the Halsetown Inn.
The Walk
You get their either by walking through the St Ives Community Orchard, on through Hope Wood and up the hill there, or through the gate by the Halsetown Inn.
This hill is where we spent most of our lockdown in 2020 and we call the big rock formation at the top, "Lockdown Rock". From the top it gives the most wonderful views of St Ives Bay, the hills around St Ives and the town.
3. Rosewall Hill
Rosewall Hill is on the coast road towards Zennor. It is managed by the National Trust.
To Get There
Drive up The Stennack out of St Ives and continue straight on at the Consols junction. You will see a little car park on the left hand side of the road, just before the road bends away and down towards the Towednack turning.
Rosewall Hill is on the left hand side of the road (with St Ives behind you).
The Walk
Buttercup Hill is a short walk to the top and gives lovely views over to Trevalgan and the coast.
Rosewall Hill is a longer walk and gives great views right over to St Michaels Mount on a clear day!
Do be aware that Rosewall Hill is really popular with dog walkers - who don't always pick up their poo!
4. Trevalgan Hill
Often called Buttercup Hill, Trevalgan Hill is on the opposite side of the road to Rosewall Hill. It is also managed by the National Trust.
To Get There
Drive up The Stennack out of St Ives and continue straight on at the Consols junction. You will see a little car park on the left hand side of the road, just before the road bends away and down towards the Towednack turning.
Trevalgan Hill is on the right hand side of the road (with St Ives behind you).
The Walk
Buttercup Hill is a short walk to the top and gives lovely views over to Trevalgan and the coast.
5. Trink Hill
Trink Hill is a 212 meter hill that sits above the hamlet of Trink. It has a round barrow, a trig point and a standing stone called The Twelve O Clock rock. Apparently if you can cure your child of rickets if you place them on top of the rock at midnight.
To Get There
Drive out to the Engine Inn in Cripplesease (5 mins from St Ives).
The Walk
There is a footpath from the road near to the Engine Inn in Cripplesease. After a few hundred metres you will see the Twelve O'Clock Rock on your left. You can then follow the path up to the summit of the hill on the east side of a stone wall.
6. Trencrom Hill
Trencrom Hill is actually an ancient hill fort and is managed by the National Trust.
To Get There
Drive out of St Ives along the coach road and take the 2nd turning on the left after The Old Mills Stables (just after the John Fowler site). Drive along the narrow road and you will see the car park for Trencrom Hill on your right.
The Walk
From the car park, go through the gate and climb up the pathway. It can be quite a scramble up there and can be slippy if it is wet. You might also come across some of the free range cows there.
At the top you get some superb views across to St Ives, Hayle and St Michael's Mount.
