A walk around Loe Pool
Discover the landscape around Cornwall's largest natural lake, on this 10km circular trail. Explore woodland, marshland and the coast, while keeping the lake in sight. Just after the halfway mark, stop and recuperate some energy at the Stables Cafe.
Near to
PenroseStart point
Helston Fairground car park, Postcode TR18 8WNTrail information
Beware of dangers
No swimming, boating, watersports or fishing are allowed in Loe Pool, and no swimming is permitted at Loe Bar due to dangerous currents and tides. Loe Pool and River Cober are prone to seasonal flooding.
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Helston Fairground car park, Postcode TR18 8WN
Stage 1
At the far end of the car park, ignore the steps to the right and instead turn left, through the gap in the hedge, and onto the concrete road. Turn right, following the road to Lower Nansloe.
Stage 2
Stay on the road to reach Lower Nansloe. At the farmhouse and some outbuildings, leave the road and take the path to the right, soon passing through into a meadow beside the willow carr.
Photo aid for point 2 of 'a walk around Loe Pool'. | © Joss Presdee Stage 3
Continue along the path, and you’ll soon see the beginning of the reed bed on your right and glimpses of Loe Pool. At the junction, turn right.
Stage 4
Follow one of several paths through the wood; keeping the lake to your right.
Stage 5
You’ll emerge onto a grassy slope, continue around the headland and join the track to Lower Pentire. At the head of the creek, cross the boardwalk. Follow the creekside path to reach Loe Bar.
Stage 6
Walk to the far end of the Bar towards Bar Lodge, the building sitting on the clifftop. Follow the path and turn right.
Stage 7
When you reach the Lodge on the left, keep going straight.
Fascicularia bicolor | © Joss Presdee Stage 8
Follow the drive all the way to The Stables, through the sheltered woodland of Bar Walk Plantation.
Stage 9
Eventually you’ll arrive at the Parkland and the 1780s manor stable block.
Stage 10
Turn left out of the stable block and follow the fenced drive across the park and turn right, signposted to Helston. The drive curves round above the Pool, past a track on the left, to arrive at Helston Lodge. Then follow the path entering Oak Grove.
Go past the track on the left and keep straight | © Joss Presdee Stage 11
Continue along the drive, passing once more the swamp-like willow carr of Loe Marsh. Follow the drive all the way to the entrance gate. Go through the gate, and turn right to enter the car park and your starting point.
End point
Helston Fairground car park, Postcode TR18 8WN
Trail map
Numbered map of walk around Loe Pool | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 ordinance survey
More near here
Gunwalloe
A site of archaeological importance surrounded by dunes, beaches, a medieval church and a reedbed rich in wildlife.
Gunwalloe kiosk to The Stables cafe
This long leisurely out & back walk follows the wild coastline from Gunwalloe to the heaped shingle beach at Loe Bar and through the woodland at Penrose to The Stables cafe, and back again.
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