Looe to Polperro walk
Looe to Polperro walk
4.5
About
A 5.4 mile moderate coastal walk along the South West Coast Path taking in a holy legend, a 6th century monastery, an 18th century eccentric and a 19th century engineer. There are rockpools on the beaches, remnants of shipwrecks, tales of smugglers, and the walk ends with a stroll up through the picturesque fishing village of Polperro to Crumplehorn, where you can catch a bus back to Looe.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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- Anna H3 contributionsAbsolutely StunningThe best way to experience Cornwall. Beautiful coastal walk on well-groomed and well-marked trail connecting two villages each with their own charms. A few challenging hills but easily done. Cream Tea in Talland Bay a long the way was wonderful. Highly recommend.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 19 September 2023
- NormandInLondonLondon, United Kingdom900 contributionsBeautiful coastal walkVery scenic walk along the cornish cliffs. Links picturesque large Looe and small Polperro. Polperro & Looe (especially Polperro) are often mobbed with tourists during summer. Try to avoid crowds when you can. In Polperro, for example, try sticking to the streets higher up above the harbour where you'll find excellent views and much less tourists.Visited November 2022Travelled soloWritten 14 October 2023
- jimwattonDudley, United Kingdom5 contributionsMixed!Fabulous walk with scenic views. I managed to walk from Looe to Polperro but the last uphill climb nearly killed me. Once I "eventually" reached the highest brow, it was a relief to walk down an equally equal incline. After taking in Polperro, I had to find the bus stop at the top of the village to get back to Looe. I discovered from a local that the bus sits at a stop facing in the opposite direction to the Looe direction then reverses before heading to Looe. Had that local not informed me then I would have been oblivious, who wouldn't? I took advantage of speaking to the bus driver to ascertain "if" I was on the correct bus but his sarcastic manner was most rude and unhelpful. A couple who shared the ride back also experienced the bad attitude of the driver, therefore BEWARE of bus drivers with chips on their shoulders! I only wanted some help for heaven's sake!Visited November 2023Travelled soloWritten 18 November 2023
- TiffEastwoodLiverpool, United Kingdom8 contributionsGreat walk and nice views.Great walk with amazing views. Muddy in the rain so walking shoes are best. Lots of chances for a rest and some nice cafes on the beach at Talland, with toilets available at this time of year. We preferred the Talland Bay Beach Cafe stop. Staff were much more welcoming and the ice cream was a nice treat. There were some steep steps however if you take your time they are managable. Once at Polperro the bus back is a welcomed break.Visited September 2024Travelled with familyWritten 8 September 2024
- Sallochy2016Veghel, The Netherlands2,854 contributionsFantastic!Fantastic walk with beautiful views over part of the South West Coast Path. Coffee on the way at Talland Bay Beach Café. Return from Looe 10 miles. Polperro is like going back in time 100 years....Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,108 reviews
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Julie M
Yarm, England, United Kingdom15 contributions
Jul 2020
While the husband and 16 yr old son played 18 holes, 18 yr old daughter and I did this walk. Started from East Looe, crossed the bridge and followed the estuary around to join the walk. The walk is very well signposted. No mud at this time of year (July 2020). It is fairly steep in some places, lots of steps, but absolutely fine for us at a moderate pace.. Stunning views of the coast. About 3 miles in you have a choice of stopping at the Smugglers Rest (no cards accepted so take cash) or the beach cafe at Talland. (Cars can get to this location so you could make it a shorter walk from Looe or Polperro just to Talland). Its then 1.5 miles into the beautiful Polperro. Allow time to have a wander. Plenty of lovely gift shops and eateries. If you are being picked up, the main car park is about a 10 min walk out of town towards the main road between Polperro and Looe. (A387). Highly recommended.
Written 13 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewer D
London, UK75 contributions
Jul 2021
An absolute must - lovely views. Not easy for those with disabilities as there are a few areas with steep steps. If in Looe I would recommend taking a bus to Polperro and walking back - this saves you having to wait for a limited service serve from Polperro. Or taxes which cost £10
Written 16 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DBR10
Bulford, UK26 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
The walk starts off gently along the shoreline at Hannafore and onto a common before becoming steeper as you would expect with a coastal path. There are a few steep sections with steps, with great views of Looe Island. We met and chatted with a local volunteer who was checking the path and also enjoyed good coffee & cake at the beach cafe in Talland Bay. The section from Talland Bay to Polperro is shorter, but the surface more difficult and we encountered one really muddy section, despite dry weather for some weeks. There wasn't a lot open in Polperro, which being the end of March we expected, but we enjoyed browsing the harbour and narrow streets before making our way up to the main car park and 72 bus back to Looe. Tip- the bus stop for all routes is on the left at the roundabout - even though this seems the wrong way, the bus picks you up and turns around.
Written 30 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NSTRUCT
London, UK139 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
This is a great walk, we had a mixed group.
It has a few steep sections, nothing dangerous, all paths are clear and sign posted….
We didn’t pace it and stopped to look at the scenery, and look about 2 hours 15min, approx 8km
There is a cafe on route which could make for a nice stop.
You need a reasonable level of fitness…
It has a few steep sections, nothing dangerous, all paths are clear and sign posted….
We didn’t pace it and stopped to look at the scenery, and look about 2 hours 15min, approx 8km
There is a cafe on route which could make for a nice stop.
You need a reasonable level of fitness…
Written 8 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jodie
2 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Brilliant walk with lots of benches and places to stop along the way. Lots of steep climbs but it’s worth it for the views. The route was easy to find coming from Hannaford Point and very easy to follow to Polperro. Public toilets in Talland Bay were clean and there was a cafe right on the beach serving coffees. We continued along to Polperro to find lunch before getting the number 73 bus from the Crumplehorn Mill roundabout back to Looe.
Written 4 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jasmine38Chichester UK
Chichester, UK1,948 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Particularly scenic and enjoyable hike. There are, of course, a number of moderate ups and downs with it being a coastal path but most of the steepest parts have steps.
We took the number 72 bus from Looe to Polperro and then walked back. Its around 5 miles and it took us reasonably fit 50 somethings 1 hour 50 mins.
There is a nice cafe at Talland Bay with its little beach, around a third of the way out or two thirds if you're walking in the other direction.
We took the number 72 bus from Looe to Polperro and then walked back. Its around 5 miles and it took us reasonably fit 50 somethings 1 hour 50 mins.
There is a nice cafe at Talland Bay with its little beach, around a third of the way out or two thirds if you're walking in the other direction.
Written 14 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire W
31 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
Don’t be put off by reviews about younger children. We did it today and it was fine. 5 year old walked all the way and 2.5 year old managed about half and then went in the carrier (not the greatest walker). Yes there are about 4-5 uphill sections but nothing too lengthy and you can take your time. It took us about 3 hours in total but we started in the centre of Looe so took about 20 mins to get to the other side. Lovely views. Definitely worth it. (Not buggy friendly)
Written 2 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharfieldPTC
Wotton-under-Edge, UK373 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Beautiful and not challenging walk between these two harbour towns. Lots of places to step aside when meeting other walkers, so COVID friendly. The Talland Bay cafe is just over half distance from Looe to Polperro for wonderful refreshments. Views are stunning.
Written 25 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnT1954
Wokingham, UK153 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
We followed the marked red route from West Looe car park through Kilminorth Woods and along the river. The circular walk was just over 3 miles (we didn’t go to Talland Bay). It was a dry sunny day and the walk was atmospheric with egrets and a heron feeding in the river and attractive woodland tracks. Very enjoyable.
Written 18 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Devondibber
Teignmouth, UK19 contributions
Jan 2020
This walk was dangerous. I'm a fit person and don't mind a bit of climbing but to face almost vertical steps badly built into a hillside, without rails was no joke. Due to completing this in January, the coastal paths were muddy, slippy, and the steps are seriously in need of maintenance. You cannot avoid the steps in some areas and they can be about 30 in one stretch. Badly built, pieces of wood pushed into a hillside, they have collected mud and slime in the wet weather and have not drained. Therefore they are very slippy and there is nothing to hang onto.
I'm surprised that in wet and poor conditions that parts of this walk isn't closed off for public safety. I spent so long looking at where to place my feet that I didn't see the views, all I saw was mud.
I slipped twice and fell over onto my hands once. Thankfully I didn't fall headlong down the vertical steps as I think I would have easily broken something.
My advice is to avoid this route in wet weather and whoever is responsible for maintaining this coastal path (which is mostly mud) seriously needs to do something to improve it before a walker gets seriously injured.
I'm surprised that in wet and poor conditions that parts of this walk isn't closed off for public safety. I spent so long looking at where to place my feet that I didn't see the views, all I saw was mud.
I slipped twice and fell over onto my hands once. Thankfully I didn't fall headlong down the vertical steps as I think I would have easily broken something.
My advice is to avoid this route in wet weather and whoever is responsible for maintaining this coastal path (which is mostly mud) seriously needs to do something to improve it before a walker gets seriously injured.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dogs are allowed on Hannafore West Looe shoreline. It is not a beach really. The local council decided to refuse to allow dogs on East Looe main beach about 15 years ago. Although they were once allowed in the wnter months.
Written 21 July 2019
I'd love to do this walk when we visit next weekend but I have had one knee replacement and am due to have the other knee done in the next month or so. Other than that I'm a fairly fit 52 yr old! Am I being over ambitious in attempting this walk? Any thoughts would be appreciated
Written 14 May 2018
I’m 75 and I did it last month. There are some pretty steep parts and lots of stairs but the views are well worth the hike. Not a problem for the youngsters. Stop in Talland Bay for an ice cream. Be sure to take water!
Written 8 June 2018
Has anyone done the walk which starts in Polperro near Crumplehorn and goes up Landivdy Lane up the back of the car park and takes you towards Sclerder Abbey?
Written 6 September 2017
Can one walk only part of the way? We are 75 and 85 and 10 miles is beyond us.
Written 19 June 2017
It's not an easy walk. If you are starting from Looe I suggest you just walk up Hannafore to the pastures. You can go further but it's not easy.
From Polperro you walk up the Warren to the cliff top, then if you keep left you can walk over the top into Killigarth and back down Talland Hill back into Polperro.
Hope this helps
Written 6 September 2017
Is the original path open again yet?
Written 11 June 2017
Where are people parking to start this walk?
Written 13 May 2017
We walked from our BnB we were staying at for a week so parking wasnt an issues but Peter answered you can park on the road side in Hannafore :-)
Written 9 September 2017
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