Cornwall’s footpaths have turned into mud baths over the past couple of months. It has rained persistently for weeks on end, making even concrete pavements slippery underfoot. In an effort to avoid getting stuck in the mud, I took Woody for a walk at Penrose. Situated between Porthleven and Helston, Penrose boasts a variety of walks; our favourite exploring the woodlands around Loe Pool.
We last walked here with Millie, shortly after I adopted Woody. I’d had him for just under a month and he was still settling in. My parents taught me their tips and tricks when it comes to owning spaniels and we practiced recall the majority of the way. I was a little nervous returning to the walk on my own, as last time I had to turn back due to feeling dizzy and faint. This time, I had learnt my lesson and brought with me plenty of snacks – peanut butter sandwiches to be precise!
Walking so close to Loe Pool, Cornwall’s largest fresh water lake, I was naive to think the footpaths would be mud free. In fact they were caked in the stuff and at times impassable where the swollen river had broken its banks. Wellies would definitely had been a wise decision, though my leather country boots served me well considering the conditions!
The walk to Loe Bar took us about an hour and a half. Due to a recent cliff fall, the coastal path to Porthleven is under maintenance and diversions are in place. Fortunately, we weren’t planning a trip to Porthleven that day and instead enjoyed lunch on the blustery beach. Loe Bar is a sand bank, stretching half a mile, separating Loe Pool from the sea, comprised mainly of flint. Woody enjoyed paddling along Loe Pool before pinching most of my sandwiches!
Penrose and Loe Bar are dog friendly walks all year round (though if you’re going in Winter definitely bring your wellies!) Though dogs are allowed to swim in Loe Pool, the sea opposite is treacherous. Powerful waves, steep shingle banks and strong currents make this stretch of coastline incredibly dangerous. As a result, you (and your dog) shouldn’t even think about swimming in there!
You can find a more in depth review of our walk in the video below. If you’re looking for dog friendly places to explore in Cornwall, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel!
Where are your favourite places to walk in Cornwall? We’re always looking for new places to explore! To keep up to date with our adventures, follow me on Instagram!