Some people might think that Cornwall is all about cream teas and surf boards in the sea with nothing else on offer to help slim the waist line. Outdoor types more in the know however may be aware that the county offers some of the best and most accessible bike rides in the whole of Britain.
Majestic scenery, sweeping coastlines juxtaposed next to pilgrim passages and quaint villages. A bike ride in Cornwall is much more than just a sporting activity. It’s a chance to stop off en-route and take in some of the history and magic this beautiful county has become synonymous with.
With that in mind here are five brilliant bicycle riding routes on offer in Cornwall. So why not feel inspired, don those cycle helmets and get peddling?
1. The Saints` Way
This route covers the whole of mid Cornwall from one stretch of the coastline in the North to another in the South. The Saints’ Way trail takes you 48km from the picturesque northern harbour town of Padstow (of Rick Stein fame) to the port of Fowey in the south.
This bike ride is a must for all nature lovers. Cycling through valleys, onto pastures, moorlands and woods you will take in some of the most idyllic scenery on offer in Cornwall. The array of flowers and vegetation on display is something special to this county which you will be hard pushed to find elsewhere.
Passing through many villages you may have to plan a longer journey time to stop peddling and take in all the history on offer. Ruins and ancient remains sit side by side with inviting church fetes and country pubs. Quite the country idyll.
2. Goss Moor Multi-use Trail
Boasting 480 hectares of land this National Nature Reserve is the largest remaining part of the Cornish moors.
Although this bike trail is only 12km long it’s notable for being mostly off road giving walkers and disabled users alike an easy time of things as well as cyclists.
It’s a forgiving, flat trail so experienced bike riders may want to plan an additional route leading from it. It’s also accessible to horse riders.
Few that visit will want to miss out on the wild and wondrous landscape which makes the moor a unique habitat for animals and plantation which cannot be found elsewhere.
3. St. Michael’s’ Way
The St. Michael’s’ Way trail takes you all the way from Lelant at St. Ives through to Marazion near Penzance. The route covers 19.5km so is enough for the mid weight bike rider to enjoy for the day whilst taking in the scenery.
St. Michael’s’ Way must be noted for its association with pilgrim routes. The route was used by Irish and Welsh missionary travelers journeying to avoid the treacherous water found at Land’s End.
With the famed stunning views and a chance to see the exotic waters that St Ives has long been associated with this trail is another opportunity to combine fitness with sightseeing in Cornwall. This route also boasts the largest sand dunes in Cornwall so the chance to get some mid cycle coolness between your toes near the beaches is also on offer.
4. The Redruth and Chasewater Railway Trail
This bike trail spans across 12.4km in total and is another off road route which offers a mostly flat bike ride. It will take you from the church town of Redruth across to Twelveheads situated near Bissoe.
The cycling path takes a journey across the old Chasewater Railway route from Twelveheads via Carharrack and Lanner. The railway line closed back in 1915 when there was no longer any need to transport ore in the mining industry.
Again this route is also open to walkers, and horse riders. It is also worth noting that there are some larger roads to cross on the route.
This trail links into other bicycle accessible routes so for those hankering after a little more pedal power the Great Flat Lode Trail and Tresavean Trails are there to move onto. The old railway setting has made for an interesting mix of nature allowing for flora and fauna to flourish in a setting unique to this country.
5. The Camel Trail
The Camel Trail is seen by many as the multi use trail with the most to offer any cycling enthusiast in the UK. With enviable access to the unrivalled majesty of the Cornish countryside the route takes you along the unused railway passages from Wenfordbridge, and Bodmin onto Wadebridge and Padstow.
With 28km of beautiful scenery to take in on this route the Camel Trail is understandably busy attracting up to 400k visitors a year. The fact that the majority of this route is largely traffic free also accounts for it being popular with ramblers and horse riders.
