Mousehole to Lamorna Cove Circular
Cornwall
Mousehole is one of Cornwall's best known fishing villages, its granite harbour looking across Mount's Bay to St Michael's Mount. This 8km circular walk, fine for a fit dog on a lead but tricky underfoot for an older one, leaves the North Quay car park and climbs Raginnis Hill to join the South West Coast Path, which runs west through the Kemyel Crease nature reserve and along wooded, boulder-strewn cliffs with views towards the Tater Du lighthouse. It drops into Lamorna Cove, a steep-sided granite inlet with a small quay, before turning inland to return over fields, farmyards and an old postman's route to Mousehole. There is around 170 metres of climbing, and the coast path is narrow and technical in places, with large granite boulders to scramble over on the approach to Lamorna and stone stiles on the return.
This is a dog friendly walk for a fit, agile dog, but it needs care. The path runs close to unfenced cliff edges, particularly approaching Lamorna, so most dogs are better on a lead along the coast. Some of the inland fields can hold cattle, and less athletic dogs may need a hand over a couple of the stone stiles. The Kemyel woods give some welcome shade early on. Mousehole's beach has a year-round dog ban and Lamorna Cove has seasonal restrictions, so check before letting your dog on the sand. Mousehole has cafes and The Ship Inn, and Lamorna has a cafe at the cove.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafes and The Ship Inn in Mousehole; cafe at Lamorna Cove. Dog policies not confirmed.
- Parking
- North Quay car park, Mousehole, pay and display. Small and busy in summer.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Mousehole to Lamorna Cove Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CornwallFrequently Asked Questions
Is Mousehole to Lamorna Cove Circular dog friendly?
This 8km circular walk is dog friendly, but it suits a fit, agile dog rather than an older or less athletic one. The terrain includes granite boulders to scramble over, stone stiles, and around 170 metres of climbing, so it's worth being honest about what your dog can handle before you set off. We rate it 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness.
Can dogs be off lead at Mousehole to Lamorna Cove Circular?
Most dogs are better kept on a lead along the coast path, as it runs close to unfenced cliff edges — particularly on the approach to Lamorna Cove. Some of the inland fields on the return route can also hold cattle, so lead control is advisable there too. The Kemyel Crease nature reserve section offers a little more shelter and shade, but the general advice is to keep leads handy throughout.
What should I know before visiting Mousehole to Lamorna Cove Circular with my dog?
Mousehole's beach has a year-round dog ban, and Lamorna Cove has seasonal restrictions, so check the current rules before letting your dog near the sand at either end. A couple of stone stiles on the return leg may need a helping hand for less agile dogs. On the plus side, there are cafes at both Mousehole and Lamorna Cove, plus The Ship Inn in Mousehole — though dog policies at these venues aren't confirmed, so it's worth checking ahead.
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