Churches Tourism Association

Throughout Europe there is a network of pilgrim routes which lead to one of the three most important places of Christian pilgrimage in the world - the Cathedral of St James in Santiago de Compostela, North West Spain. The St Michael's Way Trail is one of these routes. The trail stretches from Lelant (near St. Ives) to Marazion (near Penzance), a distance of 12.5 miles/19.5 km.

St. Michael's Way was thought to have been used by pilgrims, missionaries and travellers, especially those from Ireland and Wales, to avoid crossing the treacherous waters around Land's End. Dating back to pre-historic times (10,000BC - 410AD), it is believed that this route assisted in Cornwall's rapid conversion into a Christian faith.

In 1987 the Council of Europe decided to promote the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Way as a highly symbolic and significant European cultural route. St Michael's Way has been developed by Cornwall Council with the guidance of the Bredereth Sen Jago (Cornish Pilgrims of St James) and the Cornish Bureau for European Relations.

St. Michael's Way has been signposted and waymarked in both directions using a stylistic shell based on the Council of Europe's sign for pilgrim routes.

More information can be found here.

The St. Michael's Way full guide can be purchased for £2.00 plus p&p. Please contact the Cornwall Council Environment Service on 0300 1234 202.