Cycling in Cornwall

Despite the rather undulating nature of Cornwall, discovering our county by bike is a really great way to explore. Whether you fancy mountain biking through the forest trails at Cardinham Woods or a gentler pace, stopping 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 is true that you need to pick your days because the weather is not 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 are calmer, and you do not have to contend with the intense heat that summer can bring.

Lanhydrock and Cardinham Woods

The Lanhydrock estate, just outside Bodmin, has some lovely trails specifically reserved for bikes. They are suitable for different abilities and can be great for all the family. You can find current information about outdoor activities and cycling at Lanhydrock on the National Trust website.

The estate also has a café and play area, which are great for the children, with bike hire available too. You need to pay for parking unless you are a National Trust member. There are varying levels of trail, from beginner routes to ‘The Saw Pit’, which is a little more challenging.

Just down the road is Cardinham Woods. I love the café here, it is scrumptious. The forest offers some excellent cycling and mountain biking trails, including the ‘Bodmin Beast’. It is not for the faint-hearted, although I have seen plenty of happy people return covered in mud and smiling!

The Clay Trails and Eden Project

Near St Austell, we have the Clay Trails. This is a really interesting landscape, and the trails are rarely too busy, making them perfect for pausing to watch wildlife or simply taking your time. Route 5 takes you from Wheal Martyn to the Eden Project, connecting two great attractions.

You can also cycle from Lanhydrock to the Eden Project by following an off-road route through Cornwall’s distinctive clay country.

Coast to Coast and Goss Moor

Many of Cornwall’s cycle paths have been repurposed from the county’s mining heritage. The Cornish Coast to Coast route follows part of a former mineral tramway from Portreath on the north coast to Devoran on the south.

I love Devoran. It is a little place with a pub and a green beside the estuary, between Truro and Falmouth. It was a happy discovery while I was out driving one day. The route is about 14 miles, with a mixture of trails. It is not all flat, but the views are wonderful.

One I have not tried myself is Goss Moor. This multi-use trail takes in part of the old A30, which I remember for its queues, but it is now a relatively flat and accessible route, ideal for wildlife spotting. It is circular too, covering about seven miles through wetlands, heathland and scrubland. The colours in autumn must be gorgeous.

The Camel Trail and St Piran Trail

Perhaps one of Cornwall’s best-known cycle trails is the Camel Trail, linking Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. The largely flat, off-road route follows the Camel estuary, with stunning views and plenty of good food at either end. It is popular with families throughout the year, and there are several places to hire bikes along the route.

You can also cycle the St Piran Trail from Padstow towards Newquay. This is better suited to a more experienced cyclist because there are some hills and sections on the road, but the route continues towards Truro. There are pretty villages aplenty, and you can stop at Trerice, the National Trust’s tucked-away Elizabethan manor house, or visit north coast beaches such as Constantine Bay.

Pentewan Valley Trail

The final trail I want to highlight is the Pentewan Valley Trail. It is flat, off-road and peaceful, and I love this corner of Cornwall. Once a railway, the trail follows the river and weaves beneath the trees.

Starting in the little village of Pentewan, you can travel towards St Austell and historic Charlestown, where you can join the Clay Trails. You can also head towards the coast to explore Mevagissey or The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

You can hire a bike in the village from Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire, including electric bikes for tackling the hills. We have written more about the business and its local routes in our guide to cycle hire in Pentewan Valley.

There are so many routes to explore, and autumn can be the perfect season to do it.