Saints' Way

The Saints' Way (Cornish: Forth an Syns) is a long-distance footpath in mid Cornwall that connects the coastal towns of Padstow and Fowey.

The Saints' Way follows a possible reconstructed route taken by early traders and Christian travellers making their way between Ireland and Mainland Europe. Rather than risk the difficult passage around Land's End, they could disembark from ships on the coast of Cornwall and progress over land to other coast ports such as Fowey on foot.

The footpath runs North-West to South-East, from North Padstow—on the North coast of Cornwall—to Fowey—on South coast of Cornwall. The Saints' Way's symbolic trailheads are St Petroc's Church in Padstow (50°32′28″N 4°56′35″W / 50.541°N 4.943°W / 50.541; -4.943), and St Finbar's church in Fowey (50°20′10″N 4°38′10″W / 50.336°N 4.636°W / 50.336; -4.636).

As the Way approaches Helman Tor from Lanivet, the Way diverges into two routes, both leading to Fowey. The eastern route passes Helman Tor, through Lanlivery, to Golant, and to Fowey. The western route passes through Luxulyan, to St Blazey, to Tywardreath, to Fowey. The Saints' Way via the Luxulyan route is a total distance of 28.5 miles (45.6 km), and via the route Lanlivery totals 29 miles (46.6 km).

Part of the route is a bridleway so can be used by horse-riders.

The route passes many Celtic crosses and holy wells

Early seafarers travelling between Ireland or Wales, and Brittany were often reluctant to travel around Land's End and The Lizard peninsulas due difficult sailing conditions due to frequent storms. Instead, travellers disembarked along one of Cornwall's coasts, and travelled over the Cornish peninsula toward the opposite coast where they would then reëmbark. Such travellers included traders and religious figures took various transpeninsular routes across Cornwall.

One such transpaninuslar journey was from Padstow and Harlyn Bay by the Camel Estuary, then heading to Fowey and St Austell Bay along the south.