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curved section of creek, bordered with trees on its banks opens out onto  larger expanse of water, with a village on the far bank
Pont Pill, near Fowey, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole
Cornwall

Polruan coast and creek walk

Travelling high above Lantic Bay, with spectacular views over its wide beaches and clear turquoise waters to Gribbin Head, this energetic circular walk circles the mouth of the Fowey Estuary. It takes in some of Polruan's many historic features before looping around above the tranquil Pont Pill creek to the quay at Pont Pill, returning to the car park via Lanteglos Church.

Cliff edges

Be aware of cliff edges and unstable cliffs. Keep children supervised at all times.

Total steps: 8

Total steps: 8

Start point

Lantic Bay car park, Bodinnick Heights, Bodinnick, Lanteglos, Polruan, Cornwall PL23 1LX. Grid ref: SX149513

Step 1

From the entrance to the Lantic Bay National Trust car park turn left on the lane and walk to the junction. Picking up the footpath through the field on the opposite side of the road at the top, follow it as it turns left and head towards the coast.

Step 2

Turn right on the South West Coast Path and carry on along it as it rollercoasters high above Great Lantic Beach. A detour on the path downhill will take you to the beach: it is hard work, but well worth the effort.

A fulmar, a white sea bird with dark wings, flies above the sea
A fulmar flies above the sea | © National Trust Images/Nick Upton

Step 3

The path reaches its highest point above Blackbottle Rock. Carry on to Polruan, turning left on St Saviour's Hill to pick up the footpath on your left and walk past the Coastwatch lookout and St Saviour's Chapel.

Step 4

From the lookout follow South West Coast Path waymarkers and walk downhill to come out on Battery Lane. Follow this to the right, turning right on West Street and continuing along East Street.

Step 5

Turn right up the steps signed to Hall Walk and then left on the path at the top, to walk through the woods above the river, ignoring the first path uphill to the right but staying high past the paths dropping to the river.

Step 6

On the road turn left, following the sign to Pont and Bodinnick.

A cream-coloured house at the foot of a steep hill is reflected in the tranquil Pont Creek, near Fowey, Cornwall. Other stone buildings stand to the right, with a stone house behind to the left
Tranquil Pont Creek, near Fowey, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole

Step 7

Coming to the sign to Lanteglos church, turn right towards the church, unless you want a detour downhill to Pont. Again, it is steep but is an interesting diversion. Follow the path to the church.

Step 8

Turn left on the road beyond the church and return to the car park.

End point

Lantic Bay car park, Bodinnick Heights, Bodinnick, Lanteglos, Polruan, Cornwall PL23 1LX. Grid ref: SX149513

Trail map

Lantic Bay Polruan coast and creek walk map
Lantic Bay Polruan coast and creek walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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near Polruan, Cornwall, PL23 1NP

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