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Landscape
Celtic Cornwall
Ancient Sites
Where to Go
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Lansallos Cove to Polperro - 3.1 milesOS Explorer 107: grid reference SX166512 to SX210510 View Map Walk Duration: 2 hour 25 mins
For ease of parking, this walk was done in reverse. Park your car at the large Crumplehorn car park above Polperro. 'Pay and Display' your ticket for the day - We chose 24 hours for £3. An excellent guidebook for the area is Around Looe, Polperro & Liskeard - Landfall Walks Book No.14. by Bob Acton. Walk out of the car park and head down towards the village, passing the Crumplehorn Mill waterwheel en route. Notice the transport available, a horse drawn carriage or a motorised tram, to take you the 750 metres down to the village. Arriving in Polperro 20 minutes later follow signs to the harbour.
At the rear of the 'Blue Peter Inn' look for the sign marked 'To the Cliffs' and follow the route up above the harbour. Pass the sign warning that the cliffs are dangerous before bearing off right as the path gains a more natural appearance. There are several paths out along Chapel Cliff (pronounced Chay-pell) as this area is known, but all meet later on as you head westwards towards Lansallos. We chose the best defined (lower) path to seaward, although the customary markers were absent on most of this walk. The path climbs as it zig-zags its way up along Chapel Cliff. Take a few steps to pass a rocky outcrop and small cave and continue west as the path alternates with short level sections and climbs. Remain on the best defined path dropping down carefully to cross a small stream and the NT exit omega of Chapel Cliff.
After only a few metres look landward to see the small plaque noting that this area of Raphael Cliff was donated. Now about an hour since leaving you car, look ahead to see a series of steps leading up the next headland. After negotiating the 148 or so steps pause awhile at the small headland to see what you have just achieved. Look back to Nealand Point and wonder 'were we really that close to the cliff edge'. The rock just offshore here is known as the Larrick. Refreshed after your short breather, continue westwards approaching the NT exit omega for Raphael Cliff.
Stop at the sign and look seaward to see the small rock arch in Blackybale Point below right. This area between the Points is known as Colors Cove. The path runs more inland now as the headlands of Pencarrow and Gribbin come into view for the first time. Take the 171 steps down to a footbridge over a small stream and then climb once more as the path alternates between (70-ish) steps and short inclines. At the top, pass through a hedge and then take the 119 steps down to a large stone pillar. This is a navigation aid to the Udder Rock, located a mile offshore here. It may also be possible to hear the warning of the buoy in the right conditions. Pass above a small cove with its dark shingle beach. This is Broad Cove. Look right shortly to see a wooden staircase leading up a hedge and into a sloping field at Little Lizzen. This is the route back to Polperro for those doing a round trip. It also marks the 2 hour point since leaving the car park. Cross the stile-footbridge-kissing gate arrangement and climb gradually passing the NT marker for Lansallos Cliff. Apart from a few gullies and coves, the route is pretty unremarkable here as you continue the ¾ mile to Lansallos Cove and your end point. Pass a small silver sign stating you are above Lansallos Beach and have walked 3½ miles from Polperro, before dropping down to the cove for a well deserved rest - and in our case a picnic lunch.
Previous walk: Pencarrow Head to Lansallos Cove |
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