Experience the wonder:

Consider these suggested circular and linear walks along the South West Coast Path from Plymouth to Fowey.

Google Maps

We have organised these walks into 8 sections (route 4 has two parts) with details for parking and, where necessary, public transport to get you back to your starting point. Included are suggestions for making the most of being on this glorious stretch of the Cornish coast. You could easily combine walks to complete this section of the coast path in fewer days.

On this stretch of the South West Coast Path, there are so many wonderful places to visit and some of the best places to eat in Cornwall. We have made some recommendations for each walk.

Take up the challenge and enjoy all that South East Cornwall has to offer. For accessible routes in Cornwall visit Sharon Thomas’ You Tube page Wheelie Fun Accessible Adventures – YouTube

Hot tub at Owl Barn at Kernock Cottages with amazing view

Stay at Kernock Cottages and enjoy unwinding at the end of each of your walks, in your own private hot tub with fabulous views, in the peace and tranquillity at Kernock.

We provide OS maps in your cottage for use during your stay.

1. South West Coast Path: Cremyll to Cawsand Beach

Stride the cliffs, sail the waves – immerse yourself in the Plymouth to Cawsand Southwest Coast Path adventure!

There are many options for where to park depending on how far you want to walk and whether you wish to combine ferries to experience the coastline from the sea.

Follow coast path (water on your left otherwise you will find yourself walking up the estuary) from Cremyll, through Mount Edgecombe Country Park and along to the medieval towns of Kingsand and Cawsand with two beaches. Kingsand beach is dog friendly all year and Cawsand seasonal for dogs. Cawsand is a lovely sandy beach and if you wish you could book to go paddleboarding to explore the coast from the sea.

Only the Mount Edgcumbe part of this walk is accessible for pushchairs and mobility scooters. 

The coast path walk can be found at this link South West Coast Path walk 31

Option 1: 5.7km walk from Cremyll to Cawsand beach

Drive to Cremyll PL10 1HT where there is a fairly large car park and to get back to your car you can get the 70B bus from Cawsand triangle to Cremyll – buses approximately every hour until 7.30 pm but check bus times.

Option 2: 5.7km walk from Cremyll to Cawsand beach with two or three ferries

Ferries to Royal William Yard

Drive to Plymouth and Park at Royal William Yard PL1 3GD and take the Ferry to Cremyll (it is fun to take in this boat trip) Cremyll Ferry times and details. Our suggestion is to get to Royal William Yard early and get parked (if you wish you could start with coffee and breakfast at The Seco Lounge) and take the 09:30 ferry from Royal William Yard to Cremyll.

Cawsand Beach

To get back to your car you have two choices:

• Take a different ferry from Cawsand Beach back to Plymouth, enjoying another boat trip this time into the Barbican in Plymouth. After your walk take the 15:30 ferry from Cawsand Beach (the pontoon is on the beach) to the Barbican in Plymouth and from there, another ferry at 17:00 back to your car at Royal William Yard or if you want to stay and enjoy the Barbican (or if you miss the last ferry back to your car)you can get the 34 bus from Royal Parade in Plymouth back to your car at Royal William Yard; buses leave every 30 minutes and the journey is about 10 minutes.

Note that the last ferry from Cawsand is at 17:00 – if you are leaving it to the last ferry make sure you are there in good time as it can get busy in the summer. If you miss the ferry you can get the 70B bus from Cawsand triangle to Cremyll – buses approximately every hour until 19:30 but check bus times. You can then get the Cremyll ferry (Cremyll Ferry times and details) back to Royal William Yard.

• Alternatively you could take the 70B bus from Cawsand triangle to Cremyll – buses approximately every hour until 7.30 pm but check bus times and then take the Cremyll ferry back to Royal William Yard – the last ferry back to your car in Plymouth from Cremyll is about 18:00 in the winter (October to March) and 21:00 in the summer (April to September) check the times Cremyll Ferry times and details

Option 3: 10km circular walk from Cremyll to Cawsand and back to Cremyll

AllTrails Walking loop details

Drive to Cremyll PL10 1HT  where there is a fairly large car park. Complete the circular walk back to your car.

Option 4: 14.7km coast path walk from Cremyll to Cawsand plus ‘Day 2’ loop around the Rame Head back to Cawsand and get the bus back to your car. – park at Cremyll and get the back from Cawsand to your car at Cremyll.

AllTrails Walking loop details then from Cawsand follow the coast path around Rame Head via the remains of a 14^th Century Chapel, with views of Whitsand Bay, to Wiggle Cliff and leave the coast there where the coast path meets the road and go through Wiggle back to Cawsand. This walk is available on iwalkcornwall if you wish, or OS maps are provided in the cottage.

Park at Cremyll PL10 1HT  and take the 70B bus from Cawsand triangle back to your car at Cremyll – buses run approximately every hour until 7.30 pm but check bus times. want a good pub at the finish, the Edgcumbe Arms (on the water’s edge at Cremyll) is good and is super dog friendly.

Option 5: 19km walk from Cremyll to Cawsand, around Rame Head and back to your car at Cremyll, combining two circular walks which you could do as a figure of 8!

AllTrails Walking loop details to Cawsand then complete the loop from Day 2 of this blog: follow the coast path around Rame Head via the remains of a 14^th Century Chapel, with views of Whitsand Bay, to Wiggle Cliff and leave the coast there where the coast path meets the road, back to Cawsand. This walk is available on iwalkcornwall if you wish, or OS maps are provided in the cottage.

Park at Cremyll PL10 1HT and complete the walking section of option 1 along the coast path to Cawsand Beach. From there complete Day 2 Loop from this blog, from Cawsand around Rame Head and back to Cawsand Beach. Walk back to your car at Cremyll.

Where to Eat

There several options for cafes and pubs at Mount Edgcumbe and Cawsand. We recommend the Devonport Inn in Cawsand, or before your get to Cawsand you could divert uphill to the fabulous Canteen at Maker Heights, next to Maker Camping (great place for lunch). If you decide to park at Cremyll, the Edgcumbe Arms is next to the car park and right on the waters edge, serving good food and is very dog friendly, so an ideal place to dine at the end of your walk.

If you park in Plymouth there are several restaurants in both the Barbican and Royal William Yard.

Visit our Pubs, Cafes and Restaurants page for more information.

2. South West Coast Path: Cawsand to Wiggle Cliffs

Picture courtesy of Kernock Guests

About 9 km circular route. Cornwall’s fabulous forgotten corner – the Rame Peninsula

Walk the coast path from Cawsand around the Rame Head via the remains of a 14^th Century Chapel, with views of Whitsand Bay, and leave the coast to take the path at Wiggle Cliff back to Cawsand. The nature and wildlife is spectacular on this stetch.

This walk is available on iwalkcornwall if you wish or use the OS maps provided in the cottage. Drive to Cawsand PL10 1PA – get there early to park. The circular route brings you back to your car at Cawsand.

There are many pubs and cafes in Cawsand. If you feel like you need another hill walk, it is well worth the walk up through Kingsand to Maker Heights to ‘The Canteen’ where they do great food but is only open for lunch, so you would need a fairly early start (or a fast-paced walk) if you wanted to do this. The Davenport Inn is a good pub overlooking the sea.

Cawsand has a lovely sandy beach, great for children and you could hire paddleboards or kayaks. This beach has seasonal regulations for dogs, but the small Kingsand beach is dog friendly all year.

3. South West Coast Path: Freathy to Portwrinkle

Whitsand Bay has nearly 4 miles of dog-friendly beach

About a 10.4km circular walk taking in the best of Cornwall’s ‘forgotten corner’ available at this link: National Trust Whitsand Bay Circular Walk

If you are determined to do every step of the Coast Path, park at Wiggle Cliff Car Park (where you left the coast path on Day 2) and walk that extra stretch. Otherwise, park at Freathy National Trust Car Park PL10 1J. Your circular route brings you back to your car.

Note that around Tregantle MOD training area at Tregantle Fort, there is a diversion if the red flags are flying.

This is the most glorious stretch of beach and dogs are permitted on the whole beach. There are a few places where you can get down to the beach, but the steps are steep and you will need to check the tide times. There are lovely coves at Freathy if you want a picnic on the beach, but be aware of incoming tides. Another great beach is Tregantle. Only swim in the sections where there are lifeguards as the currents can be very dangerous.

The Finnygook Pub in Crafthole might be a good place for a rest and refreshments (it is back off the road so when you see the sign you need to go behind the building for the entrance).

If you are quick walkers and want to do a National Trust Property in the afternoon, or wish to enjoy a cream tea (jam first!), Anthony House is close by.

4. South West Coast Path: Portwrinkle to Looe

The sea at Seaton, Cornwall, taken just before sunset in October

This is a long stretch and public transport to enable a straight route is limited. Splitting this section into two loops makes this easier.

Option 1: Two circular walks to cover the stretch from Portwrinkle to Looe

Part 1: 10.8km Portwrinkle to Downderry

Portwrinkle to Downderry circular walk

Park at Portwrinkle. This is quite a strenuous route but a super stretch of Whitsand Bay. We suggest the Inn on the Shore at Downderry for a stop about half way, although this pub is a little further on the coast path than this iwalkcornwall route. The route back to Portwrinkle is mainly along minor roads so an alternative is to return along the coast path if you prefer.

Part 2: Downderry to Looe

To do this loop I suggest parking in Looe and walking the cost path to Downderry and back. It is a lovely stretch with places to stop for refreshments at Milendreath, Seaton and Downderry. Depending on tides, the stretch from Seaton to Downderry may be done on the beach. Park in Looe and walk to Downderry and back.

To do the route one-way, park in Looe and take the train to Liskeard from Looe station. From Liskeard station take the 75 bus to Portwrinkle (only available every 2 hours), a 25 minute journey. Then walk back to Looe. There is much to enjoy at Looe at the end of this route. Alternatively take a taxi from Looe to Downderry and walk back to Looe. For taxis from Looe try Looe Bridge Taxis 07891585708 or Jack’s Cabs 07869 820285 or the taxi rank is on the edge of town on the eastern side of the bridge.

Option 2: Full Coast Path stretch from Looe to Portwinkle

Looe Harbour – protect ice creams and pasties from seagulls!

For the route follow this All Trails link: AllTrails Looe to Portwrinkle

This long stretch of beautiful coastline takes you through some great coastal villages with plenty of pubs and cafes on route in Downderry and Seaton.

This is a 14.5km walk. For this section I suggest doing the route West to East, and sorry it is over two OS maps!

Drive to Liskeard and take the train along the scenic Looe Valley Line to East Looe. Trains run roughly hourly but follow the link for train times. You only need a single (returning by other means). Alternatively, you can park in Looe and book a taxi to collect you (you can then do the railway on Day 5): for taxis from Looe try Looe Bridge Taxis 07891585708 or Jack’s Cabs 07869 820285

From the station in Looe, don’t go over the river, keep the river on your right (you will have the coast on your right for this leg). Head down through the town and keep an eye out for the coast path which is a left turn up the street between The Ship Inn and Bakehouse (you could stock up on pasties from one of the many bakers although there are good pubs in Seaton and Downderry on the way). This route is challenging in places so wear appropriate footwear and give yourselves enough time for some breaks. Walk East through Millendreath and over the top to Seaton. If the tide is out is is possible to walk along the beach through to Downderry and on to Portwrinkle.

Getting back: The Torpoint to Liskeard Bus number 75, runs every two hours, from Donkey Lane. Check the times especially for the last bus. The journey takes about 44 minutes and you need to get off at the Post Office in Liskeard (not Morrisons). You then have a 12 minute walk to the station where you parked your car. Alternatively, you could book a taxi – try My Kabs Liskeard 01579 348 880

5. South West Coast Path: Looe to Polperro

The South West Coastal path full route from Looe to the charming fishing village of Polperro is 5.7 miles each way, but there are pit stops at Talland, and Polperro has lots of watering stops in its narrow winding streets. This is a lovely section of the South West Coast Path. There is a bit of up and down on this stretch of the Coast Path, and several areas where there are long flights of steps, so not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs. The towns themselves provide a real Cornish day out meandering the streets of these popular fishing villages and Polperro’s abundant art and craft exhibits. (OS map 107 available in your Kernock Cottage for use during your stay). You want to start with the river Looe on your left so that you can walk West along the coast path to Polperro.

Park at the Millpool Car Park in Looe (or if you are early you might get a parking space at Hannafore Point, Marine Drive PL13 2DJ) around the headland where there are some parking spaces on the side of the road close to the footpath. Alternatively, if you want a bit more excitement then park at Liskeard Station and take the 8 3/4-mile Looe Valley Line train (dog-friendly) to Looe, which is one of the great scenic railway routes of the UK, and follows the estuary as the river flows to the sea.

If you parked at Millpool, walk on the West side of the river (river on your left) and walk along the estuary and around the corner to Hannafore where you will easily pick up the Coast Path. Walk along the coast path through the lovely Talland Bay (you can stop for refreshements at the café) and on to the highly regarded Cornish harbour town of Polperro. Enjoy wandering the streets beach and harbour. For refreshments we recommend a crab roll from Kitty’s Crab Shack, or we recommend The Blue Peter pub or The Three Pilchards pub. Both pubs do not take bookings so you can be flexible on your arrival.

Options for the return:

1. STORM boat trips operate between Looe and Polperro. If you book ahead you could call local skipper Phil on 07813 757656 and make arrangements for a boat trip back to Looe.
2. Take the 73 bus back from Polperro to Looe https://bustimes.org/services/73-liskeard-looe-pelynt-polperro
3. If you took the train to Looe then you can return to Liskeard from the station at Looe.

If you are looking for somewhere to eat in Looe at the end of your day, we recommend the highly regarded Sardine Factory (booking essential).

6.  South West Coast Path: Polperro to Lantivet Bay

iwalkcornwall cover this walk from Lansallos, but I would go a little further starting and finishing at Lantivet Bay parking. You may wish to also see this route from trekandtors – you can do the whole 18.5km, but I would split this into two walks, taking the path back to Lantivet Bay car park making it about 12km.

Park at Lantivet parking PL23 1NP

7. South West Coast Path: Lantic Bay to Polruan

Click here for the iwalkcornwall route Polruan to Lantic Bay circular walk

Here you could choose to complete this section of the Coast path to Polruan on a 6.8km circular walk parking at Lantic Bay car park. Alternatively, we recommend combining this section of the coast path with the famous ‘Hall Walk’ along the river Fowey and Pont Pill which adds a further 6.4km.

For the longer loop including Fowey, park at Bodinnick and follow the first part of the Hall Walk around the north side of Pont Pill Creek. Sections 1 – 4 on this NT walk Fowey Hall Walk | Cornwall | National Trust then, rather than following the other side of the creek, keep right of Church farm and wiggle by road and path to the coast path at the renowned Lantic Bay, picking up the coast path close to the Lantic Bay car park. Follow the remaining section of Coast path to Polruan. At Polruan pick up the National Trust route again at section 7 and take the passenger ferry across to Fowey. Walk through Fowey town to Caffa Mill Pill where you can pick up the Bodinnick ferry back across the river Fowey to your car. There are lots of places for refreshments from Polruan through Fowey.

If you don’t extend your walk to follow the Hall Walk, we do recommend this for another day. You may also be interested to see our blog post on walking the River Fowey from source on Bodmin Moor to Fowey.