Secluded coves, white sand beaches and crystal-clear water on one of the loveliest stretches of the south Cornish coast.
From the peaceful hamlet of Lansallos, this walk follows the South West Coast Path west past Lantivet Bay, round Pencarrow Head and above the beautiful beach at Lantic Bay to the boat-building village of Polruan, opposite Fowey.
The return is an easier, varied route inland through National Trust woods beside the Pont Pill creek and the old settlement of Churchtown.
Walk at a glance
- Distance
- 6 miles (about 3 hrs)
- Grade
- Moderate – steep climbs around Pencarrow Head and Lantic Bay
- Map
- OS Explorer 107 – St Austell & Liskeard
- Start
- National Trust car park, Lansallos
- Terrain
- Coast path, woodland paths, quiet lanes and fields
Parking
National Trust pay and display car park, about 100 m up from Lansallos church. Free for National Trust members and Blue Badge holders.
Facilities
No public toilets at Lansallos – the nearest National Trust toilet is about two miles away at the Frogmore (Lantivet Bay) car park. Café, shop and pub at Polruan.
Disabled access
There is no wheelchair-friendly route here: the National Trust’s access statement notes steep, uneven paths down to the beach and coast path, with numerous steps, gates and a Cornish hedge stile, and the coast path round Pencarrow Head and Lantic Bay is steep and rough. The car park has a gently sloping compacted gravel surface and is free for Blue Badge holders, though there are no marked Blue Badge bays; the lane to St Ildierna’s church, about 200 m away, has gentle slopes. There are no public toilets at Lansallos – the nearest National Trust toilet is about two miles away at the Frogmore (Lantivet Bay) car park.
Places to stay
The route
Lansallos to Lantivet Bay
Turn left out of the car park down to the parish church of St Ildierna. Follow the footpath beside the church through the woods down to the sea at Lantivet Bay.
Pencarrow Head and Lantic Bay
Once in sight of the sea, look for the coast path, which crosses a stream and climbs away to the right. Follow the acorn symbols all the way to Polruan. The going gets tough as you round Pencarrow Head and climb steeply around Lantic Bay; the path then drops around the headland at Blackbottle Rock.
Alternative: a day on the beach
You may be tempted down the narrow path to the white sands of Lantic Bay. To end the walk here, continue along the coast path to the head of the bay, go through a kissing gate and follow a path a short distance inland. Turn right at the road towards the car park and follow the directions from point A below.
Polruan
The houses of Polruan are a welcome sight. The path leads out to a narrow road; the coast path is signed to the left, but the quickest way to the harbour is straight on down past the church. Polruan is a working boat-building village; a regular passenger ferry crosses to Fowey.
Pont Pill woods
Walking up from the harbour, take the first left past the boatyard; the lane becomes narrow steps and then a footpath into the wooded valley beside the Pont Pill creek. Where the path divides, take the right fork into the National Trust woods. The path crosses a private track; continue for about 1 km until the woodland ends at a road. Turn left, then soon left again towards Churchtown.
A – Back to Lansallos
Continue through Churchtown. At the T-junction by the Lantic Bay car park turn left towards Polperro. After 1 km the road bends sharply left – go straight ahead along a narrow lane towards Lansallos. After about 1 km look out for stone steps over a wall on your right and head across the fields towards the church, over a stream, through two gates and past the churchyard to the road. Turn left back to the car park.
All information is given in good faith and for guidance only. Always carry the OS map and check the South West Coast Path website for diversions.
Highlights along the way
Lansallos church
The parish church of St Ildierna in a quiet hamlet near the sea.
Lantic Bay
A beautiful beach reached by a steep path – beware strong currents.
Polruan
A steep, unspoilt village with a working boatyard and ferry to Fowey.
Pont Pill
A peaceful wooded creek off the Fowey estuary.
Nearby
Beaches
Places to visit
Photos
Where the walk starts
The marker shows the start of the walk.
Before you set out
Carry the OS map – paths and signs can change and mobile signal is patchy.
Check the weather and tide times before you set out.
Keep to the path and well back from cliff edges.
Keep dogs under close control near livestock and cliffs.