Last Updated on 25th September 2026
This walk is 10 miles of the most amazing scenery, along with the quaint, unspoilt village of Polruan, with its views over to Fowey on the opposite bank of the river by the same name.
This is the GPX file for this route. If you would like to know more about using GPX files, read my article: Top Tips: Mapping & GPS for Hiking.
This walk is a shorter version of my other article, Circular Walk: Polperro, Lansallos and Polruan. I sometimes refer to this article below.
There is also a short circular walk option from the Lantic Bay National Trust car park, which I guess would be a 5-mile loop in either direction, being just to the east of the cross-hairs on the map.
Lansallos and Car Park
Lansallos is a small hamlet. There is a National Trust car park along with a nice-looking National Trust Campsite further down the road.
The car park is free to National Trust members; otherwise, it’s a small charge for the day. I guess this car park could get busy at the height of summer with people visiting the most amazing beaches, so arriving earlier in the day is advisable.
The beaches are stunning but be warned, the climb back up from Lantic Bay in particular is very challenging. Lansallos Beach is not so bad. The beaches aren’t attended by lifeguards, and there are no toilet facilities.
This version of the walk is a round-trip starting at Lansallos. I head off in an anti-clockwise direction towards Polruan on the coastal road lanes. Down the road towards the coast, get to the church, and there is a postbox. Look carefully to see the style to the right of it – slate stone steps built into the wall. Up and over the wall, the path runs alongside the campsite.
There are a few more styles like this in this area. It can be a little daunting getting back down as there isn’t much to hang onto. It may need a bit of clambering.
Onto Polruan
Continue walking over the field until arriving at two gates. Take the smaller gate, then turn right and down and around to a wooden platform over a stream. It wasn’t in great shape when I crossed, so I placed my feet on the outer edges, where the supporting beams are.
Emerging up from the stream, I was faced with a gate and a sign warning of the cattle in the field. Yes, I could have walked the public footpath over the field, but the bull did look rather large. So, I took the advice and walked around the edge of the field. I’m glad I did because I saw a low-flying buzzard fly under the bows of the trees very near to me. Amazing! If only I could have got to my camera quicker.
The footpath emerges out onto a lane to continue walking west and then southwest. Be careful along this lane, as there is traffic and farm vehicles are in operation.
After about half a mile or so, take the right turn around the Lantic Bay National Trust car park. This presents yet another shorter circular option from Lantic Bay to Polruan.
After the right turn, the lane loops around to run parallel with the previous lane. Continue to St Wyllows Church. It’s opposite Churchtown Farm, which may be a hostel or similar. I’ve seen and heard lots of visitor activity in this area on previous visits.
A bit further down the road at the lane junction, there is a gate through to the public footpath. It hugs the road for about 100 metres before turning into the woods. Look out for the bench. Just right for a morning coffee.
Continue further to cross over a lane and back into the woods for another half a mile or so. Along the way, I saw a sign warning of hens running free in the woods, and another marking the end of the hen-run. They made me chuckle. There are fantastic views across the river to Fowey.
Polruan
The woodland path emerges at the top of Polruan with its beautiful, oh-so-Cornish cottages and extensive views over the river and beyond.
Now, for me, this is a great way to do Polruan. As I mention in my other article about getting out of the village, I renamed it, Paulruined, because climbing up this very steep route after walking some 10 miles caused my legs to painfully cramp up. It’s much easier on my legs to walk down.
In my other article, I mention the Russell Inn. There is also the Lugger Inn located at the harbour. I didn’t visit, but it looked very inviting. There’s lots to see and a great atmosphere to soak up around the harbour. There’s often lots happening on the river too.
Walk through the gap by the Winkle Picker shop and take a right and, with care, down some steps to the river. More lovely scenes. The tide was high when I was there, but it looks like there’s a bit of beach at lower tides.
Afterwards, walk back up the steps and carry straight on up the walkway and more steps, turning right on West Street. Near the end, head up Battery Lane, which links onto the SW Coast Path.
Polruan to Lantic Bay
There are two coast path choices coming out of Polruan, but a local lady advised me to take the lower path because of grazing cattle along the top path. The path heads east. It touches the road before heading SE in the direction of the coast.
After about a mile, the path curves around to the northeast to unveil the jaw-dropping Lantic Bay. There are two beaches: Great and Little Lantic Beaches. If the sun is out, it’s like being at some far-away, worldly location with its turquoise waters, white sands and verdant cliffs around the bay. Although a lady who passed me by as I was taking some snaps said that photos and videos simply don’t do it justice. I think she’s right.
Sadly, there is a price to pay for all that beauty. The original path that I walk takes on a very steep climb up to the centre of the bay. In situations like this, I find stopping and taking a photo or two helps, especially when taking my time to frame up. However, look carefully to see a split in the path, with one running north. I took this one on this occasion. It heads up to a farm gate. Head east, keeping the gate and hedge to the left. It leads down to another gate and then out onto open fields. It’s a much easier route, but maybe at the cost of losing a little of the wonderful vista.
As the path wends its way around to the east of the bay, there is a shortcut to avoid walking around Pencarrow Head. That’s at the expense of yet more stunning views over the bay. It would be a shame to miss out.
Lantic Bay to Lansallos
Coming around Pencarrow Head, the path goes down, and down, giving the impression of dropping off the edge of the cliff. Thankfully, it curves around to the north just before the edge. Lantivet Bay comes into view.
Continue along the SW Coast Path as it works its way around the bay. There are some dramatic rock scenes along the way. Look down to see how clear the waters are.
After a half mile or so is Lansallos Beach. The coast path is downhill, with not much of a walk down to the beach at that point. Along the way, I heard the buzzing of many bees and was reminded that it’s September and ivy comes into bloom. This attracts swarms of ivy bees.
Luckily, I remembered my swimmers this time. Getting into the water in late summer after the really hot summer of 2026 was absolutely gorgeous. It was so calm and crystal clear. It gets deep quickly and, at half tide, the sand falls away from your feet. So, a bit of care is needed. Also, make sure there are people around, just in case. My Three phone signal was nonexistent.
From the beach, head up the path and through the gate. It continues up to a junction. A little further is another gate where a couple of ponies were waiting, although they were very shy.
Continue on the northerly path into the woods. It’s an uphill, shaded track along a stream for just under a mile. The swim refreshed me, but this long, uphill path had the opposite effect. Eventually it emerges near St Ildierna Church at Lansallos.
The car is some 400 metres further up the hill, marking the end of a great day’s hike.
Get into Walking
There are many benefits to walking, for both physical and mental health, as well as weight loss and control.
If you want to get into walking or hiking, read my article: A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking and Walks.
