Cycle Routes
The Camel Trail
Without doubt the best known of the Cornish cycle trails is the Camel Trail. It stretches from the North Coast harbour town of Padstow along the banks of the River Camel before heading inland to Wadebridge, then Bodmin and up on to Bodmin Moor beyond. The trail is often considered as the 11 miles (18km) from Padstow to Bodmin with the 6 miles (9km) up to Blisland on Bodmin Moor considered additional.
Clay Trails
The Clay Trails are located around the south coast town of St Austell and are a network of routes exploring this fascinating post-industrial landscape. For over 300 years the area was the centre of the China Clay industry and this has left its indelible stamp on the shape of the land around here. Where there were clay pits there are now turquoise lakes and where there were spoil heaps there are now strangely shaped miniature mountains.
Komoot
Cycle routes summarises some superb routes 15 to 30 miles in distance, many of which are intermediate road ride level on mostly well paved surfaces all from Penzance to Lands End, Hayle, St.Ives and St. Just.
For the gentle rides’ lovers, the Penzance to Marazion cycling trail (2.5 miles) is suitable for all levels and being a dedicated off-road trail is ideal for family cycling with an opportunity to rest and explore in Marazion before you return.
Penzance Bike Hire & Guided Tours
A great selection of bikes for hire to suit your needs including electric bikes giving the opportunity to explore some incredible cycling trails in the area with local insight and guidance.
From Penzance to:
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The Lizard (24.5 miles – 2 hours and 38 minutes)
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Lands End (11.3 miles – 1 hour and 16 minutes)
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Porthcurno (13.4 miles – 1 hour and 48 minutes)
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Mousehole (3.2 miles – 33 minutes)
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St.Ives (11.4 miles – 1 hour and 22 minutes)
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Gwithian (12.3 miles – 1 hour and 23 minutes)
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Cape Cornwall (8 miles – 56 minutes)
Coastal Walks
Park Head and Pentire Steps
The walk descends to the coast at Porth Mear through a corridor of blackthorn bushes which are white with blossom in spring. The route then follows the Coast Path across Park Head to the cliffs overlooking Pentire Steps beach (where there is an optional diversion for views over Bedruthan steps) and returns across the fields.
Bude to Northcott Mouth
The walk passes Bude Castle and heads towards Summerleaze beach to reach the coast above Bude Sea Pool. From here the route follows the Coast Path to the beaches of Maer and Northcott Mouth. The return to Bude is fairly quick and easy, along bridleways and through the town and following the River Neet to complete the circular route.
Polzeath to St Enodoc Church
The walk starts at Polzeath beach and follows the coast path, known as "The Greenaway", around past a number of small beaches with purple-and-green pinstripe rocks and many rockpools to explore at low tide. The route continues past remains of shipwrecks on Trebetherick point and descends onto the beach at Daymer Bay before heading through the sand dunes to St Enodoc Church - the burial place of Sir John Betjeman. The route then loops inland, across fields and golf courses, to reach Polzeath.
Hayle and The Towans
The walk follows the quays where Harvey's of Hayle once shipped beam engines around the world and enters the dune system of The Towans. The route follows the coast path across the cliffs with views over St Ives Bay to reach Mexico Towans. The route turns inland through the dunes to reach the mediaeval churchyard of Phillack and then descends to Copperhouse Pool which is walled using blocks of slag from the copper smelter. The final stretch of the route is through the King George V Memorial Gardens.
Bude Canal and Coast
The route can alternatively be done as two separate shorter circular walks. The first loop is along the canal and returns along the cycle track across Bude Marshes. The second loop of the walk is along the coast past the Sea Pool to Crooklets, returning past the Bude Tunnel and through the town.
Rock to St Minver
The route follows the dunes from Rock to Daymer Bay opposite the Doom Bar, then passes St Enodoc Church - the burial place of Sir John Betjeman - on its way inland to the pretty village of St Minver with its characteristic (and slightly wonky) church spire. The return route passes 3 pubs and Sharp's Brewery, presenting opportunities for the more refreshing kind of Doom Bar and limited edition ales, as it descends from the fields of the St Minver Highlands to the St Minver Lowlands along the Camel Estuary.
Trevose Head (short version)
The walk begins at the end of the headland near the lighthouse and follows the coastline towards Padstow to reach the Padstow lifeboat station and the sheltered beach of Mother Ivey's Bay. The walk then cuts across the headland to the western side, facing the Atlantic swells, to reach Booby's Bay and then follows the coast path past a collapsed cave before finishing at Dinas Head.
Par and Tywardreath
The walk starts by heading inland from Par Beach across land which was under the sea a century ago and along canals created by the Victorians to reclaim marshland. After reaching the railway line, the route winds through the park past the lakes and then follows a footpath past the marshes wetland reserve. The route then follows the Saint's Way through Tywardreath to return to Par Beach, crossing the beach at the end.
