Cycling in Cornwall

Despite the rather undulating nature of Cornwall, discovering our county by bike is a really great way to explore. Whether you are thinking mountain biking through forest trails at Cardinham Woods or a more gentile pace stoping off to enjoy the estuary views towards Padstow on the Camel Trail - there is something for everyone. Here are a few of our favourites...

In November, it's true, you do need to pick your days, the weather isn't always on our side. However, on a cold crisp morning with golden light streaming through rust-coloured leaves, this can be the perfect time of year to cycle. Popular routes will be calmer and you don't have to contend with the intense heat summer can bring. 

Lanhydrock House and Gardens, just outside Bodmin, have some lovely trails. Specifically reserved for bikes only, they can be great for all the family. In fact this year, Sunday 19th of November, Lanhydrock are hosting their first Mountain Bike Cycle Race! 

The estate also has a cafe and play area which is great for the kids, with bike hire available too. You would need to pay for parking unless you are a National Trust member. There are varying levels of trails from beginner to 'The Saw Pit', a tad more challenging! 

Just down the road you have Cardinham Woods, I love the cafe here, scrumptious. The forest offers great mountain biking with their 'Bodmin Beast' cycle trail, not for the faint-hearted, I have though seen plenty of happy people covered in mud return smiling!

St Austell way we have the Clay Trails, this is a really interesting landscape and the trails are never too busy, so perfect to pause and watch wildlife or just take your time. Route 5 of the Clay Trails will take you from Wheal Martyn to the Eden Project, two great attractions. 

You can also cycle from Lanhydrock to Eden following this off-road route, plus Eden offer incentives if you arrive by bike, free guide book and children's book for kids. 

Most of the cycle paths in Cornwall are repurposed from our mining heritage, with trails like the Coast to Coast route that once was a Mineral Tramway running from Portreath on the north coast to Devoran on the south. I love Devoran, its a little place just with a pub and a green by the estuary, in-between Truro and Falmouth, it was a happy find as I was driving one day. For the route, we are talking 14 miles of mix trails, not all flat but with wonderful views. 

One I haven't tried myself is Goss Moor, a multi-use trail that takes in some of what was the old A30 (I remember the queues!) but now is a relatively flat and accessible route ideal for wildlife spotting. It's circular too, 7 miles, and centres around wetlands, heathland and scrubland. The colours this time of year would be gorgeous! You can always stop off at Screech Owl Sanctuary as well, where bikes can be hired. 

Perhaps one of the best known cycle trails is the Camel Trail, linking up Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. The largely flat and off-road route follows the Camel estuary with stunning views and yummy food at either end. Popular with families throughout the year, there are plenty of opportunities to rent bikes in the towns on the route. 

You can also cycle the St Piran Trail from Padstow to Newquay. This is for a more experienced cyclist as there as some hills and riding on roads but you can follow it right down to Truro. Pretty villages a plenty and you can even stop off at Trerice, the National Trusts tucked-away Elizabethan manor house. Access the north coast's stunning beaches, Constantine Bay is a beautiful one you can stop off on this trail. 

The final trail I want to highlight today is the Pentewan Valley Trail, flat, off road and peaceful, I love this corner of Cornwall. Once a railway, the trail follows the river and weaves under trees. If you start at the little village of Pentewan you can travel up to St Austell and the historic Charlestown and pick up the Clay Trails, or head to the coast and explore Mevagissey or The Lost Gardens of Heligan. In the village you can hire a bike at Pentwean Valley Cycle Hire, they even do electric ones to conquer those hills! Beautiful coast around there too.

So many routes to explore, and the perfect season to do it in.