A delightful walk in all seasons, away from the crowds – wooded valleys clothed in bluebells in spring and a riverside church on the Fowey.
Lerryn sits at the head of a tidal creek off the River Fowey. This easy, clearly signed walk follows the wooded northern bank of the river to the tiny waterside settlement of St Winnow, then returns over the fields and through Ethy woods.
It is a lovely walk in every season, and especially in spring when the woods are full of bluebells.
Walk at a glance
- Distance
- 5½ miles (about 2½ hrs)
- Grade
- Easy to moderate – a few stiles and muddy woodland paths
- Map
- OS Explorer 107 – St Austell & Liskeard
- Start
- Public car park by the village shop, Lerryn (grid ref SX 140570)
- Terrain
- Woodland and field paths, tracks and a riverside foreshore
Parking
Public car park by the village shop in Lerryn, about 6 km (3¾ miles) south-east of Lostwithiel. The riverside car parks can flood at high spring tides – check the tide times before you travel.
Facilities
Village shop (with teas) and the Ship Inn in Lerryn. Check before you travel whether public toilets are open.
Disabled access
The full circuit is not suitable for wheelchairs: it includes stiles, muddy woodland paths, a shaly foreshore at St Winnow that can flood on very high tides, and steps up through Ethy woods. The riverside track from Lerryn along the creek is fairly level and firm for about a mile and has been used with pushchairs, so it may suit some people with limited mobility in dry weather. The stepping stones can only be crossed around low tide; otherwise use the old road bridge.
Places to stay
The route
Crossing the river
If you arrive at low tide, start from the car park by crossing the stepping stones to the far side of the river. Otherwise, cross the bridge and take the first track on the left, keeping left until you reach the footpath sign opposite the car park.
Along the wooded bank
From here the walk is clearly signed: follow the yellow arrows along the northern wooded banks of the River Lerryn towards St Winnow. The Lerryn flows into the Fowey – downstream lie Polruan and Fowey, upstream the old stannary town of Lostwithiel.
St Winnow
After about 2 km (1¼ miles) the path leaves the woodland near St Winnow. It drops down to the shaly beach, passes the church and follows the slipway up through a boatyard.
Towards St Winnow Mill
Leaving the churchyard, look for the clearly marked footpath along a track to your right, towards St Winnow Mill. The path quickly rises, with superb views back over the church and estuary. Follow the yellow arrows across numerous field boundaries, then bear right and drop into the wooded valley around the mill.
Ethy woods and back to Lerryn
In Ethy woods cross the stream by the abandoned mill house, climb the track and take the first unmarked footpath up through the woods, bearing left to a stile and signpost. These lead through the open grounds of the Ethy estate and back down to Lerryn, descending past a cluster of bungalows. At the road turn right back to the river and car park.
All information is given in good faith and for guidance only. Always carry the OS map and check the South West Coast Path website for diversions.
Highlights along the way
Lerryn stepping stones
Cross the creek on the stepping stones at low tide.
St Winnow church
A beautiful church right on the bank of the River Fowey.
Bluebell woods
Ancient oak woods carpeted with bluebells in spring.
Ethy
A wooded estate with open parkland above the creek.
Nearby
Towns & villages
Photos
Where the walk starts
The marker shows the start of the walk.
Before you set out
Carry the OS map – paths and signs can change and mobile signal is patchy.
Check the weather and tide times before you set out.
Keep to the path and well back from cliff edges.
Keep dogs under close control near livestock and cliffs.