Walk - Looe, Talland & the Giant's Hedge

Walk information provided with help from Natural England. Map reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2025. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100022021.

Difficulty
Challenging

There are some fairly steep uphill climbs, but the last mile or so is mostly level walking. People with mobility problems can enjoy this section with its views of Looe Island - start from the Hannafore area of West Looe and follow the Coast Path westwards.

Start
Millpool Car Park - PL13 2AF
Finish
Millpool Car Park
Length
7.4 miles (12.0 km)
Summary

A varied walk taking in the beautiful wooded estuary of the West Looe River before crossing the coastal plateau to join the South West Coast Path and follow it from Talland back to Looe. Children will love to follow the ancient earthwork through the woods above the river, and the tiny smugglers' beach at Talland. A wonderful walk in autumn, when the trees start to turn and birds and small mammals rummage through the woods to stockpile supplies for winter.

Use this walk (or part of it) to visit the beach at Talland Bay. This walk is particularly good for dogs as it passes a beach and pubs where dogs are welcome.

Public Transport

Looe can be reached by bus from Plymouth, St Austell and Polperro. Trains run between Looe and Liskeard which is on the main Penzance to Plymouth line. For timetable info zoom in on the interactive map and click on the train station and bus stops symbols, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Nearest car park

Millpool Car Park (Postcode for Sat Navs: PL13 2AF) and Talland Bay (Postcode for Sat Navs: PL13 2JB).

Nearest toilets

Millpool Car Park (including disabled faciliites), Talland Bay (at seasonal cafe), Hannafore and West Looe.

Nearest refreshments

Millpool Car Park and Talland (both seasonal, Hannafore and Looe).

Route Description

  1. Start the walk from the Millpool Car Park. From the inland end of the car park, take the Giant’s Hedge route through Kilminorth Woods, a Local Nature Reserve with a wealth of wildlife interest all year round.

The Giant’s Hedge is an ancient earthwork which ran between the Looe and Fowey Estuaries – a distance of some nine miles. It is thought to have been built in the 6th century by a local chieftain to defend his home territory against neighbouring clans. Patches of it still survive as an earth bank up to two metres high.

  1. When the path leaves Kilminorth Woods, you join a country lane which climbs uphill to cross the main road at Parker’s Cross.
  2. Continue along the lane and turn right at Tencreek Holiday Park to follow the valley down to Talland Bay (which is dog-friendly throughout the year).

This coastline has a long history of smuggling, and at Talland these activities have continued to very recent times. Take in the wonderful views and if you have time, the lovely Talland Church is well worth a detour.

  1. From Talland Bay, follow the Coast Path eastward to Looe.

As you leave Talland behind, there are two prominent black and white panels – daymarks indicating a measured nautical mile and used by the Royal Navy.

  1. Further on the Coast Path rounds Hore Point and the view of St George’s or Looe Island will be with you all the way back to Looe.

Until recently, the island was inhabited by two sisters, but is now owned and managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

  1. From Hannafore Point, the Coast Path follows West Looe Quay to the bridge separating East and West Looe. The car park is just across the road.

Nearby refreshments

Millpool Car Park and Talland (both seasonal, Hannafore and Looe).

If you spot any problems or changes to this walk please email the details to [email protected] so we can get it fixed for those that follow in your footsteps.

This is the simplified walk page for printing

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