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The Fowey Estuary Circle

2 or 3 days, Walking Grade: Easy / Moderate

A 19 mile walk over two days or 26 miles taking the 3 day option.

Circle the mighty Fowey River and its stunning estuary running from Bodmin Moor, through the ancient stannary town of Lostwithiel and onto hidden creeks and inlets to the coast at Fowey.

Wander through a very special place, unspoilt, un-touristy and dense in wildlife and stunning panoramas around the ever changing tidal estuary. A stunning walk at any time of the year with carpets of bluebells lined with blossoming rhododendrons in the Spring, plenty of shade in high summer, the creek side a blaze of woodland colours in Autumn and good shelter from the wind on crisp winter days.

Day 1

Leaving Lostwithiel your walk takes you through unique and unspoilt wooded paths to refreshments at the creek side villages of Lerryn (inspiration for Wind in the Willows) and beautiful St Winnow before heading over remote hillsides and valleys to end the day joining the famous hall walk around Pont Pill to the imposing cliff side village at Polruan.

For those who want to see one of the best sections of the Coast Path you can take a slightly longer route to the Cliffs above the beautiful and protected beach at Lantic Bay before winding your way through the heather, gorse, cliffs and cove to Polruan. Either way, hop onto your ferry taxi here to cross the natural harbour to Fowey and a night in amongst the award winning restaurants, galleries and winding lanes of this unspoilt port.

Day 2

From the river head at Fowey you return on the west side of the estuary passing ancient woodland pills at Sawmills and stopping for refreshments at the pretty inland harbour at Golant. Heading on the Saints Way part of an ancient cross Cornwall route and in the shadow of the ancient earthworks at Castle Dor you drop back to the river under the impressive viaduct hidden in the woods at Milltown for a gentle finish wandering through unique and protected salt marshes back to Lostwithiel.

With an incredible diversity of scenery and wildlife in your two days from heath and marsh to coastal cliffs and dense woodland. From the abandoned gardens at Tivoli to the holy well at Golant this area has inspired writers from Kenneth Graham to Daphne du Maurier and remains a stunning and protected area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Third Day Option - Helmans Tor, Lanhydrock and Restormel Castle

To extend your break into a third day of walking, travel further inland on the Saints Way to an overnight stop at the Crown Inn high up in Lanlivery. You then continue along the ancient pathway over Helmans Tor, an ancient moorland settlement with its dramatic rock formations and outstanding views towards both coasts.

From the Tor, drop back to the Fowey Valley through the unique marshes at Redmoor Nature Reserve and into the National Trust's Lanhydrock estate with a chance to visit this stunning stately home before returning back down river to Lostwithiel pausing if you wish to visit the majestic remains of Restormel Castle.

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