7 Night South East Cornwall Guided Walking

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Duration: 7 nights
Type: Guided walking
Walking Grade: 2 & 3

Explore the best of Cornwall’s coastline and some of its lesser-trodden inland trails during this week of show-stopping walking. Setting off from our base in the charming harbour town of Looe, our routes take us through the cobbled streets of Kingsand and Cawsand, to the historic smugglers’ haunt of Polperro, and soak up the views over Talland Bay. We’ll stride out along some of the finest sections of the South West Coast Path and enjoy plenty of time to discover the sights and scenery Cornwall is famous for.

What you’ll love

  • Exploring quintessential Cornish fishing villages 
  • Discovering some of the finest coastal walks in Cornwall 
  • Soaking up the rugged coastline and wild beauty of Bodmin Moor 
  • Learning the stories and histories of Mount Edgcumbe, Polperro, and Fowey 
  • Travelling by boat over Fowey Estuary, a National Landscape
  • Having the choice of two walks a day – one easier and one more challenging 

What’s included

  • Comfortable en-suite rooms in our partner accommodation(s) 
  • Cooked or continental breakfast every morning 
  • Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee  
  • Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader 
  • All transport to and from walks where necessary 

Trip Notes

Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

You can check in at the hotel from 4pm. Your leaders will then be at reception at 6:00pm to meet the group and to give you a quick introduction to the holiday before dinner. 


Option 1 - Looe and Talland Bay

Distance: 7.5 miles (12km) 

Ascent: 1,220ft (380m) 

From our doorstep, we’ll be able to follow West Looe River and the 6th century Giant’s Hedge, venturing through the nature reserve and ancient woodland of Kilminorth Woods along the way. 

Country lanes then take us up out of the woods and down to the beach and Talland Bay, designated both an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Heritage Coast. There’s a café here if you fancy a snack stop, or sit and admire the view from the beach before we join the South West Coast Path back to Looe, passing Looe Island, Hannafore beach, and Looe’s banjo pier.  

Option 2 - Looe, Talland Bay, and Polperro

Distance: 10 miles (16 km) 

Ascent: 1,960ft (600m) 

Enjoy all the highlights of the option one walk combined with a little leg stretcher, out and back from Talland Bay to the pretty Cornish fishing village of Polperro. Whitewashed cottages, narrow cobbled streets, and a perfectly framed harbour – have your camera at the ready, this is picture-postcard Cornwall.  


Option 1 - Mount Edgcumbe Circular

Distance: 6 miles (10km) 

Ascent: 1,170ft (360m) 

On the edge of the Rame peninsula, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park gives us a fantastic introduction to the area and its naval history. It’s a delight for any botanists, too, thanks to its history-rich gardens. Our walk begins through the deer park, up to Maker Church for eyebrow-arching views over Plymouth Sound and Cawsand Bay.  

We then head down to the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, former smuggling haunts. We’ll pick up the South West Coast Path, passing Fort Picklecombe, and wind our way back through Mount Edgcumbe’s gardens to where we started.    

Option 2 - Rame Head and Mount Edgcumbe

Distance: 9 miles (14km) 

Ascent: 1,630ft (500m)  

Take the South West Coast Path to Rame Head where a pretty chapel frames the scene for this wild, craggy, and incredibly photogenic peninsula. Keep one eye on the landscape too, with wild Dartmoor ponies grazing on the land.  

The coast path then takes us round Penlee point and down to the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand – at one time the stream that separated the villages was the border between Devon and Cornwall. Our walk then joins the option one walk, taking us along the coast to the impressive grounds of Mount Edgecumbe Country Park. 


Each week there is a free day when no guided walks are offered. This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, walk independently, or visit local places of interest.


Option 1 - Polruan, Fowey, and Pont Pill

Distance: 5 miles (8km) 

Ascent: 1,070ft (330m) 

We’ll embark on a circular walk from Polruan, which starts with a ferry crossing over River Fowey, filled with sailing and fishing boats. We’ll have time to explore the narrow streets of charming Fowey, with its literary links to Daphne du Maurier, before a second river crossing further upstream brings us to Bodinnick. We then follow the delightful Hall Walk around Pont Pill before returning to Polruan. 

Option 2 - Fowey and Gribben Head

Distance: 9 miles (15km) 

Ascent: 1,800ft (550m) 

We’ll take the passenger ferry from Polruan over to Fowey, before heading off on the South West Coast Path, past St Catherine’s Castle (one of a chain of forts built by Henry VIII), around Gribben Head to reach the little harbour village of Polkerris. Our return to Fowey encircles Menabilly, the lovely estate where Daphne du Maurier lived and worked, and the fictional setting for her novel, Rebecca. The ferry takes us back to Polruan. 


Option 1 - Cheesewring and Craddock Moor

Distance: 6 miles (9.5km) 

Ascent: 660ft (200m)  

Our walk through the south-west corner of Bodmin Moor takes us past several Bronze Age stone circles, burial mounds, and farming settlements across the open moor. We’ll trace disused tramways to Tregarrick Moor for fabulous views over Siblyback Lake, Dartmoor and, on a clear day, the Lizard Peninsula. 

We’ll continue to the famous Cheesewring, a fascinating formation of 7m-high granite rocks caused by weathering during the ice age. We’ll return to our starting point via Liskeard and Caridon Railway and past the Phoenix United Mine, once the largest producer of tin in Cornwall. 

Option 2 - Cheesewring and Kilmar Tor

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km) 

Ascent: 1,340ft (410m) 

We’ll initially follow the option one route to The Hurlers standing stones and Cheesewring, part of a hilltop Neolithic fortification. We’ll continue northwards across open moorland, passing ancient field systems and quarries, to an eye-opening ridge of granite tors.  

Once we’ve ascended Kilmar Tor*, the third highest summit in Cornwall (396m), we’ll be able to soak up the views in all directions, even as far as Lundy Island on a clear day. Completing the figure-of-eight walk is an old tramway that takes us to rejoin the option one walk past an old working mine back to our starting point in Minions village.  

* Kilmar Tor and to a lesser extent the Cheesewring is surrounded by ‘clitter’ (boulder-like stones) which could be a challenge for some. It’s less of an issue for option one where there are more gaps between stones, which can be negotiated relatively easily with time and care. The option two walk involves clambering over more rocks. 


Option 1 - Polruan to Polperro

Distance: 7 miles (11km) 

Ascent: 1,700ft (520m) 

A stunning linear coastal walk that follows the South West Coast Path from just outside Polruan to finish at the picturesque village and unspoilt harbour of Polperro. Here we might have time to visit the replica village or the Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing. 

Option 2 - Lansallos to Polperro

Distance: 11 miles (18km) 

Ascent: 2,360ft (730m) 

We’ll begin at Lansallos, with its fine church overlooking the wildflower-topped bay. Our route takes us on inland paths and fields to join the Hall Walk at the head of Pont Pill and then to the Fowey estuary. From here, we pass through Polruan to join the South West Coast Path, heading east on remote, windswept coastal paths to finish the day at picturesque Polperro. 


Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.


Portbyhan Hotel

The Portbyhan Hotel has an unrivalled position right in the heart of Looe. From the sun terrace, you can gaze out over the vibrant harbour, and when you fancy a stroll into town, it’s just a five-minute walk. Rooms are all comfortable ensuites, equipped with toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities, TV, hairdryer, and Wi-Fi. Extra pillows and ironing facilities are available on request, should you need.

Rooms

We have different categories of room on offer at the Portbhyan. Our from prices are based on standard rooms. Supplements apply to classic and superior rooms.

Standard rooms are en-suite double or twin rooms, all of which include complimentary toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities, Wi-Fi, LCD TV with Freeview channels, and a hairdryer.

Classic rooms offer the same facilities as the standard rooms but have views over the water.

Superior rooms offer the same facilities again but are larger rooms that come with the addition of your own private balcony looking out over the water.

Food & drink

Your stay is half-board. This includes daily breakfasts and three-course evening meals, plus tea or coffee.  

Dietary requirements 

Our partner hotels can cater for most dietary requirements, but it is important you advise us of any allergies and dietary restrictions you have at the time of booking. 

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Getting to Portbyhan Hotel

Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.

More Information

Essential information

The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next.  To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

  • Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip  
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket 
  • Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)  
  • Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
  • Waterproof overtrousers  
  • Gloves and a warm hat  
  • Rucksack with waterproof liner 
  • Flask for hot drinks   
  • Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)  
  • Sunscreen  
  • UV sunglasses  

Recommended  

  • Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)  
  • Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters  
  • First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent 
  • Sit mat   
  • Waterproof pouch for valuables  
  • Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)  
  • Wallet/purse  
  • Camera 

Guest reviews

Duration:
7 nights
Type:
Guided walking
Walking Grade:
2 & 3

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

For group bookings of 10+ guests click here

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