Great walks around Looe in Cornwall

Thousands of people choose to enjoy a holiday at one of the caravan parks in Cornwall every year to discover the county’s dramatic natural landscape, range of attractions, and to explore the numerous characterful fishing towns. The county is also famed for being a haven for walks; from the South West Coast Path to walks along its moors, there is plenty to choose from.

This guide looks at some of Cornwall’s best walks you and your family can enjoy.

• The coast path from Looe to Talland
• Looe to Polperro walk
• Polperro & East Coombe
• Looe Woodland, River & Coast
• Portwrinkle to Downderry

The coast path from Looe to Talland

Length of walk: six to eight-mile walk

If you are staying at our Looe caravan park, this six to eight-mile walk includes just over a three-and-a-half walk along the coast.

Beginning at Millpool car park in West Looe, walkers should proceed towards the Old Mill Gift Centre and find a path called ‘River Walk’, continuing along to the Looe waterfront.

After locating St Nicholas Church, head up Fore Street, then Hannafore Lane and Marine Drive, before reaching a kissing gate that signals the start of the coastal path. After this, it is simple to follow the coastal path until reaching Talland Bay. To return to Looe Bay, walkers can either return the way they came or try several picturesque inland routes through Portlooe or via Parkers Cross and Kilminorth.

ALSO READ: A complete guide to Looe

Looe to Polperro walk

Length of walk: 12 miles

The Looe to Polperro walk is basically the above route from Looe to Talland with an additional section from Talland to Polperro. Upon reaching Looe Bay, walkers can catch a bus back to Polperro, and vice versa if embarking on a Polperro to Looe walk. It is advisable to check bus times before setting off and keep a note of them handy.

Follow the above walk, perhaps stopping at Talland Bay for a cup of tea and a slice of cake, before embarking on the rest of the Looe to Polperro coastal walk. The distance from Looe to Polperro is around 6 miles, so walkers can either return the way they came to make it a 12-mile walk or catch a bus from Polperro. Toilets and refreshments can be found at Looe, Talland Bay and Polperro, and there are some conveniently located campsites in Looe that could provide provisions or a toilet break if needed.

Polperro & East Coombe

Length of walk: 5.3 miles

This route along the South West Coast Path is a hard walk but one with its tales of shipwrecks and smugglers that is certainly worth the effort.

The coastal views along this route are spectacular, and during the spring and summer months, you can enjoy the flowers in all their glory and wildlife.

This walk begins from the centre of Polperro, and along the first section of the route, you cross the Saxon Bridge and walk down towards the harbour. From here, you will pick up the South West Coast Path just before the beach and follow it steeply uphill towards Polruan until you reach a network of footpaths on the National Trust land at Chapel Cliff. The section of the coast from Polperro to Polruan is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and you can see some impressive rock formations and structures.

Along the rest of this route, you will cross footbridges, stroll alongside quaint streams, go through some wildflower meadows, and enjoy some stunning countryside and coastal scenery along the way.

ALSO READ: All weather fun in Looe

Looe Woodland, River & Coast

Length of walk: 3 miles

If you want something different from the coast and beaches, this woodland, river and coast walk in Looe will be right up your street.

The walk wends through Kilminorth Woods as you follow the Giant’s Hedge, built in the Dark Ages before a woodland existed here. The walk then descends to the riverbank and follows the West Looe River down to the pool that once powered Looe’s iconic mills, over the bridge to East Looe, and along the quay.

The final stretch of the route sees you walk to Banjo Pier and along the beach before making its way through the medieval alleyways, home to some of Looe’s oldest buildings, before you return to the car park in the centre of the town.

Along this route, you should watch for wildlife, as squirrels, herons, egrets, and kingfishers have all been spotted in the woodland and along the river.

ALSO READ: Planning your holiday in Looe

Portwrinkle to Downderry

Length of walk: Just over 6 miles

This popular circular walk near Looe takes you from Portwrinkle to Cargloth Cliffs along the stunning coastal path before you follow a gradual descent to Downderry Beach. Once you get to Downderry, the route climbs Trewall Hill to No Man’s Land and then follows small lanes and footpaths back to Portwrinkle.

This walk has many highlights, but some of the most impressive ones are the fantastic views across Whitsand Bay, whilst Portwrinkle Beach and Harbour are both major attractions along this route. If the tide is out, there is also a lovely one-mile walk along Downderry Beach, which we recommend following.

This walk is great for families, and if you have a dog, you can take them onto Finnygook, Whitsand Bay, and Downderry beaches all year round, but on Portwrinkle, there are seasonal dog restrictions that you will need to double-check.

ALSO READ: Cornwall’s beaches

So, if you are heading down to Cornwall and want to go on a family-friendly walk in Looe, this guide gives you a good idea about some of the best routes you can enjoy.

For more tips, guides, and advice, visit our blog.