Walk - Par to Polperro

Highlights

• Exploring the dunes of Par Sands.
• Views of the Path ahead from Polmear to Gribbin Head.
• Polkerris.
• Gribbin Head with its striking red and white daymark, built by Trinity House in 1832. The 18th century elm wood is carpeted with strong smelling wild garlic in the spring.
• Polridmouth: the building behind the second sandy cove was the inspiration for the beach house in Daphne du Maurier’s novel `Rebecca'. Du Maurier lived further up the valley in the Elizabethan house called Menabilly Barton and this is her mysterious ‘Manderley’.
• The tiny cove at Coombe Hawne, linked with many smuggling stories, is surrounded by cliffs of ox-eye daisies and pink thrift in the spring and summer months.
• The ruins of St Catherine’s Castle standing guard over the entrance to Fowey harbour. Now owned by English Heritage, the castle was built in 1542 by Thomas Treffry as part of Henry VIII's chain of defences along the south Cornish coast. The Victorian gun platform was used in the Second World War.
• Readymoney Cove.
• Fowey: loved by famous literary figures for its architecture and tranquility, Fowey continues to offer visitors a wealth of character and history, in spite of the occasional ships of china clay.
  J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, described the town as like
  “a toy town ... hemmed in so picturesquely by cliffs and ruins that of a moonlight night it might pass for a scene in a theatre.” The church of St Fimbarrus has a Norman font, a clerestory and the tower, thought to be the second tallest in Cornwall, dates from the 1460's. You may also like to visit the Daphne du Maurier Literary Centre in South Street or explore the streets and shops around the harbour.
• The beautiful views of the estuary on the foot ferry crossing from Fowey to Polruan.
• Views from Pencarrow Head across the sandy cove of Lantic Bay which is backed by wild plants. Views from here also extend to The Lizard and Bolt Head to the east.
• Looking down from Raphael Cliff to the natural rock arch at Blackybale Point.
• Taking a well-deserved rest in the cafes of Polperro.

Shorter option

Fowey (6.8 miles, 10.9 km).

Longer option

Looe (an additional 5 miles, 8 km).

Public transport

You can catch a train to Par, from where you can catch buses to Fowey. The easiest way to reach Polperro is to get a train to Looe and then a bus to Polerro. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the train station and bus stop symbols, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Between Fowey and Polruan ferry you will need to catch the ferry which runs all year round. For more details check our Estuaries and ferries page.

Parking

Par (Postcode for Sat Navs: PL24 2AF), Polmear, Polkerris, inland at Hambland, Fowey, Polruan, inland from Lantic Bay, Lansallos and Polperro.