Along the coastal path from LANSALLOS to POLRUAN and back.

Secluded coves, white sand beaches, crystal clear waters lead you to the unspoilt village of Polruan and back via the gentle lanes, ancient tracks and woodland of rural Cornwall.

Accommodation in the Polperro Area

All information given in good faith and for use as guidance only.

Turn left out of the carpark down to the Parish Church of St. Ildierna. Follow the footpath next to the church which takes you through the woods down to Lantivet Bay (A small cove used regularly by locals for a quick dip.)

Once in sight of the sea look out for the coastal path which leads over a stream and up and away to the right. You now follow the ACORN SYMBOLS of this coastal path all the way to the village of Polruan. The going gets tough as you round Pencarrow Head and climb up steeply around Lantic Bay. The path drops down again around another headland called Blackbottle Rock.

ALTERNATIVE ......picnic and day on the beach

However, you may have been tempted to follow a well trodden narrow footpath to the white sands and crystal clear waters below. If you decide to end the walk here for an alternative route back continue along the coastal path until, at the head of the bay you pass through a kissing gate following a path for a short distance inland. Turn right at the road, towards a CAR PARK and follow the instructions from 'A' below.

MAIN WALK..... continued

The houses of Polruan are a welcome sight. The path leads out to a narrow road, the coastal path is signed to your left but a shorter way to the harbour is straight on down past the church. Polruan is a working harbour, not with a fishing fleet but with boat building. It is a relatively unknown and unspoilt village, where Daphne du Maurier first stayed whilst on holiday and fell in love with the West Country.

On the opposite banks of the Fowey estuary lies the picturesque town of Fowey. A busy harbour packed in the summer with visiting yachts but, just further up stream, an important deep water harbour for the export of china clay.

A regular passenger ferry connects the two sides.

After Polruan the route turns inland, offering an easier and varied walk back to the car.

Walking up from the harbour take the first left, past the boat yard. The route is signed posted ....walk. and the lane soon becomes narrow steps and then a footpath. The footpath disappears into the wooded valley along the banks of Pont Pill estuary. Where the path divides take the right hand fork into the National Trust woods.

The path emerges onto a private track, cross over and continue along the footpath. After roughly 1 km (0.62 miles) the woodland ends and the path reaches a road. Turn left and, very soon, left again towards Churchtown.

Continue through the peaceful ancient settlement of Churchtown. At the next T junction and adjacent to the CAR PARK for Lantic Bay turn left, towards Polperro.

'A' If you have arrived from the beach continue along the road, signed towards Polperro.

After 1km (0.62 miles) the road bends sharply to the left but you go straight ahead along a narrow lane towards Lansallos. After about 1km (0.62 miles) look out for an ancient footpath to your right, stone steps over a wall. Head over the fields towards the church. The path leads down over a stream and up to a gate. Carry straight on, through another gate keeping to the right hand side of a field. The church soon comes into view and the path leads by the church yard over a couple of stiles to the road. Turn left back to the car park.

LOCAL GUIDES MAPS AND BOOKS