The Hall Walk
Originally a smugglers trail this 4 mile walk has been maintained by various organisations over the years, and was finally donated to the National Trust by the Shackerly family as a joint memorial to Sir Arthur Quiller Couch (who apart from Daphne Du Maurier was Fowey’s other great novelist) and the men of Fowey and Polruan who had died during the Second World War.
A fantastic promenade through the trees around Pont Creek with great views of Polruan, Fowey and the estuary below. Stop for a sit and a pasty at Pont Quay, the perfect halfway point, and look out for Herons, Egrets and the odd raptor swirling above.
Ferries over to Polruan and Boddinick take you to the start / finish points with pubs at either end to aim for!
Gribbin Head
Heading west on the South West Coast Path, this wonderful walk over the cliff-tops to Polkerris (4miles) and Par Sands (an additional mile) provides wonderful scenery and is a great way to blow away a few cob-webs!
Starting at Readymoney Beach it takes in; St. Catherine’s Point Castle, the Fowey lighthouse, many secret beaches and coves, Polridmouth Bay and beach house (the inspiration for Daphne Du Maurier’s “Rebecca”), with an idyllic rest stop at the day-mark tower on the Gribbin Head.
Recharge here, whilst listening to the bell-buoy out to sea, then take on the final stretch down to the little harbour of Pokerris (with great fish restaurant and pub). Taxi back from here or onwards to Par Sands, you could of course set up a 2 car relay.
Lantic Bay
Heading east on the South West Coast Path, another fabulous Cornish cliff-top ramble. To the wonderful Lantic Bay beach is a mere 2 miles, but very up and down and a challenging work-out.
Spend the day on the gorgeous wide sandy and secluded beach, otherwise accessed from the National Trust car park or by sea, or carry on for another 4 miles to Polperro.
This picturesque little fishing port, with lanes too narrow for cars, has many great pubs and eateries, and is home to the quaint Heritage Museum of Smuggling & Fishing.
A bus or taxi can take you back to Polruan, or if your brave the walk back as the sun sets is particularly stunning.
Many more walks and variations on the above are possible, see Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 107 provided (in the living room bookshelf).
For more water-based adventures, visit the Watersports page.