Walks from Looe

Undulating South West Coast Path cliffs to a picturesque smuggling village, with harbour and island views.

Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Strenuous cliff path with steep ascents and descents.

Walk details: Great Scenic Railways of Devon & Cornwall (PDF).

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 12h30 (9h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 1h30 break)

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Beautiful views. Coastal path. Sunday service only runs in summer (bus link in winter); Includes a short ferry crossing.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Fowey Estuary (National Trust; 3h30 in)

Lantic Bay (National Trust; 5h15 in)

Lantivet Bay (National Trust; 5h45 in)

Time: 11h30 (9h walking, 1h30 lunch, 1h break)

Walk details: Railwalks.

The scenery and wildlife is stunning. A quiet riverside route following the West Looe river, with rock, mud and moss underfoot in places. The path can be overgrown and wet and is slippery on the rocky and muddy stretches. Abundant wildlife along the river, including herons.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 7h30 (6h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: No places for refreshments along the route.

Warnings: The section between Herodsfoot and Church Bridge can be very overgrown and wet, with the route not always clear; stay on the east side of the West Looe river. Parts of the path closer to Looe can flood on the tidal river. Proper footwear recommended on slippery rock and mud. No mobile signal at points along the river.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Some wonderful scenery. A long, demanding route through beautiful Cornish countryside, woodland and riverside, with a lot of stiles and over 600m of ascent. Steep bridleways and uphill climbs, stepping stones over rivers and mud, several poorly-maintained sections through fields with no obvious path and overgrown stiles and brambles. The final section to Looe through woodland and along the West Looe estuary is a joy. Wildlife seen along the route includes kingfishers and little egrets near the West Looe estuary.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 9h (7h walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)

Warnings: Several sections are overgrown and poorly maintained with brambles and nettles hiding stiles, and field paths can be unclear; stepping-stone river crossings may require the bridge at high tide. You need stamina for the distance and ascent. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.