Guide: Looe to Polperro
Walking from Looe to Polperro offers an amazing view around Whitsand Bay to Rames Head (if you look over the bay on the way to Talland you can even see across Plymouth Bay to Wembury. Then on the other side across Cornwall as far as Falmouth and even - if it’s good weather - the Lizard Peninsula.
This is just one of the amazing walks on this coast, unfortunately it’s not wheelchair friendly and I would not suggest doing it alone if you are not sure-footed or scared of steep drops or nervous of coastal paths as there are some parts of the path that go very close to the edge. You can of course take your dog on these paths, but I would suggest keeping them on a lead because there are sheep grazing and the paths are very thin requiring you to have control.
Having walked Wembury to Rames Head back in 2021 when I was down in Plymouth, it was lovely to walk the next part of the bay that I had seen from the vantage point of St Michael’s Chapel and tick off another leg on the Coastal path.
Whether like me you’re an avid stomper who loves solo hikes, or you’re looking for recommendations as you’re in the area - or maybe you want to get into walking and would like to explore parts of the South Coast. Your girl’s got you, no matter your pace or preferences for a walk - this is a guide to save. It’s not a long walk from Looe to Polperro but if you’re doing it there and back you could easily take all day on it.
I’m going to be honest with you, I was staying at Talland Bay for the week so didn’t need to find parking. However if you are doing this walk I would suggest doing it from Looe to Polperro rather than the other way around as Looe has better parking and is closer to the main roads. Main in the loosest sense of the word of course!
Mother hen moment, before going out please ensure you have:
a working mobile with plenty of battery life
water
plasters
snacks
Looe
Looe is a very pretty little town comprised of West and East Looe which were joined by the bridge that spans the estuary in ???? and ever since the two parishes have been known as Looe. I hadn’t been there for 3 years and it still looked and felt exactly the same as it had; it is a tourist spot so be prepared for crowds especially in high season but if you go in low season you’ll get all the Insta shots without the people.
It’s great for lunch or dinner and a lil gander around the old town, but I wouldn’t suggest spending a whole day on it. There are some chain shops which I would suggest making the most of before you head even further West and if you’re going on a longer hike than Polperro pick up some plasters etc in the Boots.
There are three car parks to choose from, I would personally suggest that you use the ???? one over the bridge because it’s bigger and you can park for longer for less. It also gives you a lovely view out over the estuary which is especially spectacular in the Autumn with all the trees turning orange.
Directions to get to the Coastal Path: you have to walk out of the town’s West side following the coastal road out to Marine Drive. There is parking along the road but there’s no guarantee there will be a space. At the end of Marine Drive there’s a gate out to a field, this is the beginning of the leg of the first half. Follow it through to the top of the steps and take them down then follow the path along to Talland Bay.
Talland Bay
Going to be bluntly honest, Talland has nothing to it except a gorgeous bay and a coffee shop. It’s great for a pit stop after that first leg from Looe and I would suggest taking a wee break before going on to Polperro simply because there is no opportunity to properly stop on the way.
The coffee is very good and there’s a range of cakes, you can also make the most of the rock pools if you get there when the tide is down and I did see people swimming so if you’re thus inclined it’s good for a dip.
Polperro
I think Polperro can be summed up in the fact that they charge 50p for use of the public loos. It’s quaint, and there’s still a working fishing community there; but it’s very very Cornish and unfortunately a place that has probably had to commercialise itself to survive in the tourist trade.
Most of the homes are now either second homes or holiday lets, and there’s not a great range of eating choices or things to do. But it’s a lovely place to end this walk and head home or back to Looe.
