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Polruan & Lanteglos Church from Pencarrow

Cornwall AONB Walk

Region - Cornwall AONB

County/Area - Cornwall

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.3 miles / 6.9 km    Ascent - 900 feet / 273 metres

Time - 3 hours 0 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer 107Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer 107Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 200Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 200Digital Map1:50kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 201Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 201Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Polruan & Lanteglos Church
Click image to see photo description.

This walk combines coastal, estuary and rural walking in a short but enjoyable route. As an added bonus you visit the village of Polruan, which is situated across the River Fowey from Fowey village. Polruan unlike its opposite cousin has suffered little from commercialisation and retains much of the charm you would expect from a harbour village.

The start is the National Trust car park at Pencarrow (Grid ref. SX 149513). Exit the car park and make for the main road. Turn right along this road for 200 metres and go left over a stile. The path crosses a field heading towards Pencarrow Head. Reaching another stile you can either go straight ahead and enjoy the views from Pencarrow Head or turn right to continue on the main route. Note - should you decide to visit the headland then retrace your steps to this stile.

You are now on the South West Coast Path and like much of its route it switchbacks up and down making it much harder than the map might suggest! To your left, nearly 300 feet below, are Great Lantic Beach and Little Lantic Beach. These can be reached by a steep path, which requires plenty of energy for the climb back to the cliff tops. The coastal path leads on past Blackbottle Rock before joining a road on the southern outskirts of Polruan. Descend into the village to reach the quay where the ferry to Fowey departs.

The village has a few shops, pubs and restaurants and is a pleasant place to spend some time. From the ferry head east along the street running parallel with the shore. A signed footpath leads to "The Hills". At first it is a narrow lane but after climbing some steps on the right it leaves the houses behind and climbs steeply offering fine views of Fowey River to your left.

After entering some pleasant woodland, the path reaches a track. Turn right here for a few yards before picking up the continuation of the footpath on your left. Follow this, keeping to the upper path to reach a road. Turn left with the wall to your right and follow this path as it descends steeply down to the head of a creek to reach the road again. Turn left along the lane to locate a grassy track on your right. This climbs steeply to reach Lanteglos-by-Fowey church. Leave the churchyard and head east along the lane, which climbs gently and soon reaches the starting point of the walk.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2342 Gribbin Head & Polkerris from Polruanmoderate8.5 miles
Walk 1030 Fowey & Gribbin Headmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 3112 Soar Mill Cove & Bolt Head from Higher Soareasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 3606 Berry Down from St Neoteasy/mod5.6 miles
Walk 1783 Gorran Haven & Dodman Pointeasy/mod5.0 miles
Walk 2247 Draynes Bridge & Siblyback Lakeeasy/mod5.0 miles
Walk 1033 Dodman Point & Gorran Havenmod/hard11.0 miles
Walk 1027 Nare Head & Portloemoderate7.0 miles
Walk 1883 Advent Churcheasy5.2 miles
Walk 1808 Brown Willy, exploring Cornwall's highest Torseasy/mod4.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St Ives

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St IvesMap of the northern section of the 630 mile (1014km) South West Coast Path National Trail. Covers the trail from Minehead to St Ives along the north Devon and Cornish coastline. This convenient and compact booklet of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps shows the route, providing all of the mapping you need to walk the trail in either direction.
More information

The South West Coast Path

The South West Coast PathGuidebook to walking the entire South West Coast Path National Trail. The route runs for 630 miles from Minehead to Poole along the north Devon, Cornish, south Devon and Dorset coastline. Divided into 45 stages, this long-distance coastal trek could be completed within 4 weeks, or walked in sections. Guide includes maps and essential information.
More information

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