Coastal Walk From Fowey To Polperro

This area of the South West Coast path is fast becoming one of my favourites. Recently I walked from Looe to Polperro, and it became one of the top walks I will recommend. Today I came out to walk the coastal section next to it, from Fowey to Polperro and it was just as stunning.

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Looking down the rugged and rocky coastline on the left on the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro. The coastline clifftop is covered in grass and the sea is blue and turquoise.

Looking across the harbour in Polperro at low tide at the end of the walk from Fowey. There are boats resting on the sea bed and miss matched stone and flint buildings on the other side of the harbour.

It was also pretty interesting seeing Polperro today on a sunny day, vs the foggy day when I was here last time. I loved being able to see it in different lights.

What to expect on the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro

The walk from Fowey to Polperro is definitely more challenging than the one from Looe to Polperro. It’s longer and much more hilly. When I did Looe to Polperro, I actually walked there and back which does make it longer than the walk from Fowey to Polperro, however, I still found this one more challenging. Saying that, it was a very hot sunny day, so that might have added to the challenge.

Looking along a trail on the right with grass to the left of it and all down the coastline to a peninsular in the distance.

The trail itself is the usual narrow dirt trail. There is one section later on in the walk which is very narrow, uneven, and right on the edge. It even made me a bit nervous. There are some rocky bits, where you will probably need to use your hands to get yourself up. Not loads though.

A couple of sections were seriously overgrown, such that I had to use my jacket to protect my bare skin from the stinging plants.

There is a fair amount of steps, although I have done walks with more.

Ok, I’m making it sound negative, I don’t mean to. All of the above gave a real sense of adventure, like being out in the wilderness, sort of.

Also, you have to cross the water on the boat, from Fowey to Polruan to start the walk. I will explain more in tips.

Looking across the water of the Harbour in Fowey at the start of the walk to Polperro. There are orange, pink and white buildings on the other side of the harbour.

A moored fishing boat in Fowey Harbour. — This is not the boat you cross on. I took this photo from the boat though

The views

One thing that made this coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro stand out, is the views. Gorgeous coastline, cliffy, hilly, rugged views, and some of the best beach cove views I have ever seen. The following photos are Lantic Bay and Lantivet Bay.

Looking down and along Lantic Bay on the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro. The bay curves around the left and there a re a couple of white sand beach coves on the other side. The cliff and hill top is covered in grass.

Looking down to a secluded beach cove on the right on the coastal Fowey to Polperro walk. The beach is surrounded by cliffs with a grass covered top. The sea is light blue and turquoise as it meets the beach. There is a small boat in the water.

Looking down and along the coastline of Lantivet Bay on the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro. The coastline is cliffy and rocky, with gras on the cliff and hill tops.

Looking along the undulating hills down the Lantivet Bay coastline on the Fowey to Polperro coastal walk.

During the approach to Polperro, everything becomes a lot prettier. Not that the previous bit wasn’t pretty, this is just a different kind of pretty. It reminded be of the approach to Polperro from the Looe side.

One thing I must say about the walk though, is that arriving in Polperro from Looe, beats the arrival from Fowey. The way that Polperro opens up from the Looe side is just magical. Arriving from this side is still gorgeous though.

Looking down at the sea entrance into Polperro, at the end of the walk from Fowey. There is a pointy rock and shed on this side of the water

Logistics for the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro

Start: Fowey, Cornwall.
Finish: Polperro, Cornwall.
Distance: 7miles

Time: 3h
Elevation: Highest point is 113m. With the ups and downs you will walk uphill just under 500m.
Difficulty: Challenging

Terrain: Dirt trail, rocky, grass, steps, slabs of rock, sand.
Option to shorten the walk: Well if you shorten it, then you miss out on something. So I’m not going to suggest this. But if you must, at Lansallos Beach (about halfway into the walk), when you take the trail inland (see description of walk below – Lasallos section), don’t take the trail that turns back, but instead go straight, and this will lead you to Lansallos, where you can catch a bus to either Polruan or Looe – bare in mind that buses aren’t that regular, so check first. There are also some car parks if you want to start mid route and do a circular – see amenities below.
Amenities: Car parking near Lantic Bay, and again near Lansallos Beach. Car parking also at Fowey, Polperro and Polruan. En route, there are no other facilities apart from benches. Polperro has numerous eateries, tea/cake shops, pubs, and public toilets. Polruan has a pub, a convenience store and public toilets. Fowey is the bigger town and has a bit more of everything.

Dog friendly: No stiles. Some fields with livestock.

How to get to Fowey and Polperro using public transport

Located on the north part of the east coast of Cornwall. Neither Fowey nor Polperro are on a train line, but it’s not too difficult by bus if you know how.

First of all, Polruan (next to Fowey) and Polperro are connect by the number 481 bus, so this is what you will do if you are already staying in one of them.

The nearest train stations are as follows: Par where you can catch the number 24 bus to Fowey. Journey time is 20min. Looe and Liskard are the local trains to Polperro. Bus number 73 will get you from Polperro to Liskard or Looe, journey time respectively is just over an hour, and 40min.

The 481 also goes from Polperro to Looe and takes only 15min. This one only runs on weekdays. Just a note, Looe is a branch off the main train line, it connects you to the main line at Liskard. Confused? See tips for how I did it/best logistical option.

Tips for the walk from Fowey to Polperro

If you are not already staying in Polperro or Fowey and are using public transport, then the best way logistically would be to get a train to Par, then bus (No 24) to Fowey. When you arrive in Polperro you can get a bus to either Looe or Liskard to catch the train back to wherever you are going.

If you are staying in Looe, then I would still recommend the above logistic tips, as opposed to first getting a bus to Polperro and doing the walk in the opposite direction. See Below.
Walk the same direction I did, from Fowey to Polperro. Finishing the walk in Polperro is a beautiful experience. Plus, if you are walking in the afternoon, the sun will be behind you.
Hiking boots/shoes. I really really recommend this one. Some bits of path are very narrow, uneven, and on the edge. Some sections are steep downhill, where you will want good grip.

Take swimwear for a dip in Lantic Bay, or one of the other beach coves along the way.
Take plenty of fluid/snacks as there are no facilities along the whole walk from Fowey to Polperro
From Fowey, you will need to catch a boat across to Polruan, to start the walk to Polperro. They run super regular, every 10-15min. Check the website or their Facebook Page for the operating hours, as they change from summer to winter (I can see that any updates/scedual changes are updated on the FB page). Journey time about 5min, cost about £2.50. They take contactless payment.

For the boat crossing, there are two piers. The main Fowey pier, and Whitehouse Point Quay which is a bit out of the centre. The pier used is time of year and time of day dependant. You can find full details on their website, otherwise, pop over to the main Fowey Pier,as it’s right in the centre, where you can ask one of the boat people.
When in Polperro, to get a bus, will need to walk inland a bit to Crumplehorn. It’s a short walk, and not uphill. There is also a pub here which has fantastic reviews.

Map for the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro

More walk ideas near Fowey and Polperro will be at the end

To explore more of Fowey, you could join this guided walking tour, where you will learn about the history and literary connections of the area. Your guide will also give you tips on the best places to eat and other things to see locally.

Route Description for The Coastal Walk from Fowey to Polperro

I mentioned in tips, to first go to the Fowey Pier in the town centre to find out where the boat runs from. This is me speaking from experience. I had checked the website before hand, which said that the daytime boats run from the Whitehouse Point Quay from May onwards. It was now mid May. That pier is a bit out of the town centre, so I got myself over there and waited. After about 40min of waiting, I realised something was wrong. Although it was indeed May, I thought about how there are other services out in the west who start their summer schedule at the end of May.

I have since looked at their website again, and this time it’s more specific of when in May they mean (the 16th…I was here just before that). Maybe other people got caught out as well.

So I went back to the town centre to the Fowey pier, where I found out that this is where the boats are leaving from. I didn’t mind the mistake too much. It was a nice day, and I picked myself up a coffee on the way.

The Fowey to Polruan ferry boat moored at the side with people getting off.

The start of the walk from Fowey to Polruan and Polperro

Get the boat across to Polruan from somewhere in Fowey, to officially start the walk to Polperro.

Looking across the water to the boat pier and houses leading up a hill on the other side in Polruan. There are a few people standing on the pier.

On the other side, you will be hit with your first big uphill of the walk. Go straight onto the main road – Fore Street (from the pier it’s left then right), and make you way uphill. It’s quite some way up.

Looking uphill along the narrow street lined with houses and shops in Polruan.

You will want to turn right at St Saviours Hill. This is very confusing because the map says the road is called School Lane. But the sign in real life says St Saviours Hill. Walk right to the end, and just past the stone building, there will be a gate and trail on the left, to take you into a big hill field.

A road with a tone wall and road sign saying St Savours Hill. There is a pink coloured house further along the side of the road.

A road leading straight to the sea, with a stone and flint building on the right.

Looking across the grass hill field with three faint grass trail markings.

When you enter here, you will notice 3 grassy trails. Any of them will do, as they all join up later. I picked the middle. However, saying that, you might want to pick the bottom when you see what is coming up next.

The first overgrowth on the walk

First off, walking across this hill, you will get a lovely view back along the coastline and to the Gribbin Head Daymark.

Looking along the grass clifftop to the sea ahead and left, and a view to the Gribbin Head peninsular on the other side.

A bit further along, the middle trail starts to take you through some bushes. Nothing crazy yet, but soon it all becomes so overgrown that I’m having to crouch down to get through, and push big overgrowth out of the way. I noticed some people walking nearby but on a different trail, and then I realised there is indeed another trail (which would have been from the bottom grass trail from earlier) which was a lot more civilised. It was too late now. I had to continue to fight my way along this one. This is the first of two overgrowths along the Fowey to Polperro walk. The next one comes much later.

A narrow trail surrounded by green and bushes, and a bush and tree covered hill ahead.

A narrow trail though and under a mass of bushes.

Once out, the trails join together, but then you are presented with another option of splits. Again, any will do. I decided to risk the middle trail again. This time it wasn’t so aggressive.

The trail will take you down, up, and along the side of the hill. With a few steps and rocky bits thrown in, to reach a gate with a signpost.

A trail running from the right and uphill ahead and left, on the side of a grass and bush covered hill.

Looking down the side of the grass covered cliff as it meets the blue sea on the right.

Looking ahead to the grass and bush covered hill, with a small trail running straight across it.

The South West Coast Path signpost

The sign says ‘Polperro Coast Path 5 3/4 miles’. That bothered me a bit to see that. Especially so early in the walk from Fowey to Polperro. I’d rather not know. I’m not the kind of person to check my distances along the way. It takes away the enjoyment for me, you know, counting down the miles. If I do check, it’s always much later on, when I have walked what feels like a solid amount. It gives me a real sense of accomplishment when I see how far I have gone.

A wooden stump signpost on the left side of a dirt trail, with a yellow across pointing ahead to a wooden gate. The sign points to Polperro. There gate is surrounded by bushes.

I decided now that I would no longer look at the trail posts.

Walk to Lantic Bay

Through the gate, it’s a mix of level and uphill, to reach a viewpoint bench where you will get your first view to Lantic Bay. As you continue along the trail, the view just gets better and better. It took me quite some time to walk this bit, as I was stopping so much to look and admire the view (and take photos).

The trail itself gradually takes you down hill, but with the occasional small up thrown in. When you reach a junction with a trail signpost, take the right one to continue walking down.

The trail will sort of level off, and you will see a view ahead to the trail going uphill on the other side. To get to Lantic Bay, you do have to go up that hill unfortunately.

A narrow trail on the left, partway up a grass hill along the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro. The hill leads down to the right and to a small sandy beach cove.

Two things to mentioned:

The hill is a lot steeper and more aggressive than it looks from here.
You don’t walk all the way up to the top. Part way up, you turn right to walk back downhill.

So, keep going straight and up the hill. Part way up, near the top but not quite, you will come to a wooden gate on the right. Go through that gate, and to the right you should see a Lantic Beach signpost. Follow this down the hill.

A dirt trail and steps leading steeply uphill on the left and a wooden gate and bushes to the right.

A wooden trail signpost with a pink arrow pointing left to Lantic Bay.

A narrow trail leading downhill, surrounded by grass and bushes and leadings to the undulating grass covered clifftop ahead. The sea is on the right and blue, with a few little boats.

Further down, you will see a trail to the right to take you onto the beach. I decided not to go down. The water is too cold for me right now, and it would be a big hill to come back up. I will save it to come back to with Ollie.

Walk around the peninsula to Lantivet Bay

The trail is relatively level now as it takes you around the side of the bay, and then it takes you uphill. As you go up, you may notice a trail split. Any is fine. You just need to go up to the top.

A narrow trail running across the side of a grass hill.

Looking across the sea to two peninsulars in the distance.

An uphill with a grass trail leading to the right and a dirt trail leading left, separated by a gorse bush.

Up the top you will be presented with lots of gorse, and if you walk across to the other side, a view into Lantivet Bay. There was a group of elderly people up here, with their chairs, chatting. What a lovely place to come and hang out.

Two people walking with their dog on the grass flat, with a view out to sea on the other side.

When you are done with up top, take the trail that takes you across the other side and downhill. Again there will be a trail split, any of them will work.

Looking down the grass hill with a trail split and a view along the coastline and deep blue sea ahead.

The trail will first take you down, then it levels off, but it’s not that long before it undulates again, with some rocky bits thrown in.

A rocky dirt trail leading uphill, with more rocks on the left and bushes on the right.

A trail leading through a wooden gate and fence on the hill side, with a small view to the sea to the right.

A narrow trail leading to a wooden gate with a large bush overhanging over it.

If you look along the coastline, if you look closely, you should be able to see the trail. It might look a bit daunting, but don’t worry yet. The first bit is easy. The hills are small….for now.

Looking down and along the coastline of Lantivet Bay on the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro. The coastline is cliffy and rocky, with grass on the cliff and hill tops.

Walk around Lantivet Bay – the halfway point in the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro

As you make you way along the trail, there will be a bigger junction. Keep to the right one to take you around the cliffside of Lantivet Bay. The trail now undulates a little as it passes the coves.

It was around here that I had a sit down for snack time. I thought about how I didn’t bring any sunscreen with me. It was a very hot and sunny day. I did put some on before coming out, but I was in desperate need of reapplying. I really hoped this wouldn’t be a burning situation type of day.

Lansallos Beach

After some more undulations, it’s a solid down, through some trees, to reach Lansallos Beach.

A trail on the left leading along the top of the grass and bush covered cliff on the Fowey to Polperro coastal walk. There is a view to a small sandy beach cove down to the right.

Looking through the cliff opening to the sandy beach and blue sea.

Getting onto the beach was interesting. You walk across this big slab of rock. This is a potential slipping situation, so I was careful.

Looking along the top of the grass clifftop to the beach and sea below.

A slab of rock path, with large rock cliffs either side, leading to the beach and sea.

Looking across the sand beach cove, towards the sea and rocky cliffs with a grass covered clifftop on the other side.

If you have wandered onto the beach, you need to go back up the way you got down there, to get back on the coast path trail. It was only when I made my way back up that I noticed the waterfall.

Looking up along the grassy clifftop and then along a valley. There is a small waterfall coming down off part of the cliff. — Can you see the waterfall?

A dirt trail split, with the left going through a wooden gate and right leading uphill, surroudned by grass and bushes.

When you walk up, take the dirt trail to the right of the wooden gate. This will take you away from the coastline momentarily, and then at the junction, before the next gate, take the trail that takes you back.

If you want to get a bus from here, instead of turning back, go straight. This will lead you to the car park and then Lansallos, where you can get the bus.

Walk to the giant hills and second overgrowth on the Fowey to Polperro walk

As you continue along the coastline, the trail will undulate some more.

A trail on the left, running along the side of a hill, and a barely visible trail ahead and below along the side of a steep bit of hill.

A dirt trail on the left side, running along the clifftop along the coastal Fowey to Polperro walk. The trail continues along the undulaing grass covered clifftop, and then the cliff forms rocks where it meets the sea below.

Once you reach a wooden bridge in a valley, cross over it…and then big hills begin. First it’s a gentle one. Then things level off before taking you up the bigger one. This one hit me a bit. Steep with steps and hogweed overtaking the trail. I got my jacket and used it as a shield.

A narrow trail leading uphill, lined with some tall grass and bushes.

A barely visible trail through the hogweed.

Looking down hill along the trail, and then along the undulating clifftop on the Fowey to Polperro Coastal walk. Where the cliff meets the sea on the left it forms lots of black rocks. There are a couple of people walking up the trail. — The view looking back

Up the top, and a little further along, the trail will take you down again. Down lots of steps. You will be able to see ahead, the uphill and steps to come.

Now go and enjoy.

Good luck.

A narrow dirt trail leading downhill then disappearing into the valley, then it appears again on the other side up a very steep big hill.

Looking down into the grassy, bushy valley and a wooden bridge.

Steps leading uphill lined with tall gras and bushes.

Walk around Raphael Cliff

After you reach the top, just know that that is the biggest hill climb of the walk. The hard work is over. Now follow the trail as it takes you around Raphael cliff. I was bounding along this bit, enjoying the ease of movement, when I noticed just in time, the stinging nettles. They encroach on the trail enough, that if you have bare legs, you need to carefully navigate them.

Looking along the grass and gorse covered clifftop, part way through the Fowey to Polperro coastal walk. With a view to the blue sea ahead to the right.

A thin trail partially hidden under tall grass, with a National Trust sign on the left.

A thin trail on the left, on the side a hill dropping down to the right

Once I walked around this cliff peninsular, I noticed some pointy rocks ahead. My thought process was, ‘that’s Polperro’ the pointy rocks of Polperro. I’m there….Once I walked over there, I learned that it is not Polperro. There is still a bit of way to go.

Looking down the grass covered cliff side to rocky, jagged cliff outcrops at the bottom where the cliff meets the blue sea.

The trail on the edge

The trail will then take you down some steps, and then undulate a bit to reach the bit of trail which is super close to the end. It is also quite narrow and uneven. If you don’t like heights, maybe don’t look too close, and take it slow.

Part of the coastal path trail on the Fowey to Polperro walk. The trail is along the edge of the grass covered clifftop, with a steep drop to the right towards jagged rocks.

A narrow trail on the edge of the clifftop with a steep drop down to the right along the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro.

You will then go up some steps, and some rocky, rugged bits of trail.

Steps leading uphill, surrounded by tall overgrown grass.

Rock steps leading uphill, on the Fowey to Polperro Coastal walk. It is surrounded by over grown grass and a big rock on the left.

The final stretch of the coastal walk from Fowey to Polperro

The trail then levels off and undulates some more. Somewhere along this bit, things started to get more pretty. Similar to the pretty I experienced on the last stretch of the walk from Looe to Polperro. I knew I must be close.

A dirt trail leading ahead and then under bushes and trees.

There is a trail offshoot coming up, but stay on the main one. There is also a trail signpost along here. I decided to look at this one. I was satisfied with what I had walked so far. Now it was time to see how far I had come.

A wooden coast path sign pointing to Polperro on the right and Polruan on the left, near the end of the coastal walk from Fowey.

1/2 a mile to Polperro. That’s what I like to see.

The first sighting of Polperro is a little white house on the hill ahead. The kind of house that gives you home envy. You will pass another couple of Polperro signposts giving you two routes to walk in. I stuck with the acorn coast path routes.

A view across towards Polperro, at the end of the walk from Fowey. There is a dirt trail on the left, on the side of a grass covered hill, with the blue sea on the right and a view to a few white houses on the cliff edge ahead.

It’s the second one of the signs that directs you to the right. It is here that you will see the official pointy rocks of Polperro. Then as you get closer, Polperro starts to open up in all its glory.

A dirt trail, with a wooden trail signpost on the left.

A barely visible trail, surrounded by bushes and trees, with a view ahead to some point rocks and the blue sea.

Looking along the pretty grass covered cliff, towards Polperro, with a view to some jagged pointy rocks ahead on the right and some white houses on the hill on the other side at the end of the coastal walk from Fowey.

When you get down to the harbour, you can explore, stop in one of the pubs or cafes, and think about how the hard work to get here was all worth it.

Looking down into Polperro at the end of the walk from Fowey. There is a small beach then a sea wall, with the harbour behind that then lots of houses running up the hill on the other side.

The white walled Crumplehorn Pub ahead to the left and on the right, the public toilets with a bridge and stone wall leading to it.

Poplerro has a really special rugged sort of pretty vibe to it. Even the public toilets are pretty (from the outside at least, I didn’t go in, so I can’t comment on that).

More coastal walk ideas near Fowey and Polperro

Looe to Polperro – I have already mentioned this one a few times. If you want to experience this area of coast path but don’t want too much of a challenge (like the walk today), you should choose this one.

Par to Fowey – A nice stretch of coast, taking your around the Gribben Head peninsular and Daymark. There are some hills, but it’s not too challenging. Ok, maybe a little. It’s also logistically a lot easier to get to.

Charlestown to Mevigassy – Slightly further south along the coast path (one stop from Par). Unfortunately, at the time of writing, this bit of coast path is closed. I only learnt this when I got to the start of the trail….after having traveled for 1.5 hours to get there.

Pin the coastal walk guide from Fowey to Polperro for later:

Fowey to Polperro coastal walk guide, East Cornwall.