Skip to content
Bar Lodge, Cornwall
Bar Lodge, Cornwall | © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey
Cornwall

Gunwalloe kiosk to The Stables cafe

Take in a long, leisurely coastal walk from the kiosk at Gunwalloe along the rugged coastline towards Loe Bar and through the woodland at Penrose to The Stables cafe. This is an out & back route with The Stables cafe at the half way point.

Beware cliff edges

Stay away from the edge of cliff tops. No swimming from Fishing Cove to Loe Bar, beware dangerous currents.

Total steps: 6

Total steps: 6

Start point

Gunwalloe car park, grid ref: 50.041282143273776, -5.2702886202360615 or postcode TR12 7QE or what3words:///shook.bonus.choppy

Step 1

Starting at Gunwalloe car park, take the short footpath near the hut and follow the toilets & kiosk buildings. Opposite the kiosk, take the stone steps up the wall to join the coast path. Follow the coast path to the right, heading north, with the sea on your left.

Gunwalloe toilets & kiosk on the left with paths to the beaches straight ahead & stone steps up the wall to the coast path on the right.
Gunwalloe toilets, kiosk & beach access. | © Katie Reynolds

Step 2

Continue following the coast path to Pedngwinian Point, a small headland approximately half a mile from the start, for stunning & dramatic scenery. Be aware of high cliff edges. For their safety, we recommend dogs stay on a lead along this stretch of coast path.

Step 3

The coast path eventually drops down in to Fishing Cove / Gunwalloe Beach. You'll see evidence of the areas pilchard fishing industry, including old fish cellars & rusty winches. The beach is mostly flint pebbles, washed in from off-shore chalk deposits.

Step 4

The coast path continues above the beach, following the cliff edge along towards Loe Bar.

The white Anson memorial above Loe Bar
Anson memorial above Loe Bar | © Mike Hardy

Step 5

The coath path will eventually unite with Loe Bar, a dramatic shingle dam across the River Cober on the edge of Penrose.

A view across a lake with oak branches in leaf in the foreground
A view across Loe Pool at Penrose, Cornwall | © National Trust Images

Step 6

Walking across Loe Bar, follow the path up the slope towards the 100 year old Bar Lodge, built by Captain John Peverell Rogers of Penrose (now a National Trust holiday let) and the original entrance to the Penrose estate. The path will do a hair-pin turn back to overlook Loe Bar. Follow the now wider track, with Loe Pool on your right, through the woodland at Penrose for just over a mile to The Stables cafe. Once refreshed, return along the route you just followed back to Gunwalloe.

Two visitors with a dog enjoy a coffee at a picnic bench in the courtyard of The Stables at Penrose
Visitors enjoying a coffee at a picnic bench in the courtyard of The Stables at Penrose | © James B

End point

The Stables cafe, grid ref: 50.083941629038456, -5.297193855741478 or what3words:///classmate.meals.shifts Return along the route you just followed back to Gunwalloe.

Trail map

Gunwalloe kiosk to The Stables cafe
Gunwalloe kiosk to The Stables cafe | © Geographic Information System

You made it

Share your experience

Get in touch

Gunwalloe, near Helston, Cornwall, TR12 7QE

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website