Dog-friendly Looe

Three miles of oak woodland along the tidal West Looe River and back over the ridge on the line of a sixth-century earthwork, about an hour and three quarters and sheltered from any weather off the sea. Start from the Millpool car park in West Looe, which is the town’s main long-stay and sits at the wood gate, with Looe station five minutes away on the branch line from Liskeard. One stile with an open gate and a gap alongside, no fields of livestock anywhere on the route, and the river shallows at low tide make an easy paddle; the wood is a nature reserve, so keep to the paths in spring.

Nearly seven miles out along the Hannafore front and the National Trust cliffs to Talland Bay, then back by lane and field, about three and a half hours with 300 metres of climbing. It begins at the Millpool car park in West Looe; walkers arriving by train can start at Looe station instead, which makes the whole thing car-free. Just one stile leaving Kilminorth Woods and a gap in the fence beside it that dogs use, Talland Bay allows dogs all year, and Looe Island sits offshore all the way round; the cliffs past Hendersick are unfenced and the coast path is narrow above Portnadler Bay.