The best running locations in Looe
Running is a great form of exercise and what can make the experience even better is if the locations you are running are full of stunning sights and unique running paths. Cornwall is a great place for avid runners and if you’re staying in a Looe Cornwall caravan park, then you have an abundance of great options right on your doorstep.
In this article, we speak to avid runners and locals in Cornwall to get their recommendations on the best runs in and around Looe and which locations you should be heading to if you want to get active whilst visiting Tencreek Holiday Park.
Talland Bay to Looe
Length: Approx 6 miles
Talland Bay is a small and quiet location between Looe and Polperro and offers runners a stunning route along the rocky coastline past natural pastures and quaint cottages. Penny, a keen runner from the blog The Great Cornish Outdoors recommended the Talland Bay to Looe run to us, she explains a little more about the route and how to follow it:
“Park at Porthallow and take the B road inland and the footpath to Trencreek Farm, which meets the road. Head for Portlooe on the road and continue on to Looe. Once in Looe, take the coast path to Hannafore and follow the coast round, back to Talland Bay. You’ll pass Portnadier Bay while taking in Looe Island. You can extend this route if you’d like to by starting at Polperro and taking the South West Coast Path to Talland. It’ll add a few miles at most but the views are priceless.”
Millendreath & Seaton
Length: Approx 6 miles
The South West coast path runs through a small settlement called Millendreath and it is a great option for runners looking to take on a 5/6-mile route. Millendreath still sits in the parish of Looe so isn’t too far for those who are staying at Tencreek.
Penny also spoke to us about this location and offers us another in-depth route for those who want to explore the village and area: “Just past East Looe is a little place called Millendreath. You can park here, and take the road out of the village to start your run. Take the first right turn, staying on a B road, making your way to Bucklawren. Here, the road forks, take the road to your right and keep going until you reach a T-junction. Turn right again, you’re still on the road but it leads onto a footpath just before Kevera. Stay on this footpath as it takes you to Seaton where you can pick up the South West Coast Path back to Millendreath.”
Kilminorth Woods
Length: Approx 3 miles
An ancient woodland and nature reserve run and owned by Cornwall Council, Kilminorth Woods is a great option for those wanting to enjoy a nature-filled circular but relatively simple route. Sitting at approximately 3 miles it is a great route for beginners as Penny explains:
“Just above West Looe, you’ll find Kilminorth Woods. Parking is close by, in West Looe, with the footpath easy to pick up from Hannafore Bridge which runs alongside the river. Do check tide times before this run. The route’s accessible either way, but at high tide, you have to take some steps. Both lead to Watergate. Continue on and follow signs for Kilminorth Woods. The path loops round to bring you back into Looe.”
The location is over 400-years-old and is filled with an abundance of ancient trees, wildlife and plenty of opportunities for a short pause to bird watch.
Looe to St Austell
Length: 22 miles
This longer route is definitely for those with a little more running experience as it is 22 miles long and covers various terrains, but equally offers some of the best views of the Cornish coastline. This is another route recommended by Penny as she explains:
“Not for the faint-hearted, and definitely a great route if you’re trying to train for a marathon or an ultra. Park at St Austell train station and hop on the train to Looe. This is worth doing alone as it’s one of the prettiest branch lines in the UK. When at Looe just head back to St Austell on the South West Coast Path. You’ll need to take the ferry from Polruan across to Fowey, see here for seasonal timetables. Ideally, you want to catch the ferry to the Whitehouse Pier, rather than Town Quay. It’s just closer to the coast path. After Fowey, you’ll enter Daphne Du Maurier territory around Gribbin Head before heading onto Polkerris. The nearest exit point off the coast path for the train station is probably Charlestown, where you could stop for some hearty pub grub!”
The South West Coast Path
Length: As you desire
As mentioned in one of the previous routes above, the South West Coast Path is a popular route for walkers and runners alike and is perfect for those looking to get out and get some exercise. The route runs from Minehead in Somerset, along the coasts of Cornwall and Devon to Poole Harbour in Dorset, and is just a stone’s throw from Tencreek on the Cornish coast so is the perfect spot for those wanting to experience Cornwall and its beauty but get out and about too.
The route can be as short or as long as you like and the more you run the further around the coast and along the coast path you will run, to return to Tencreek you will just need to turn around and come back the way you ran on the way.
If you’re planning to visit Cornwall soon and you love running, then why not pack your trainers and plan to run some of these stunning routes to get a real feel for the Cornish way of life. To find similar articles or to find out more about Tencreek then head to our news section.
