The best cycling routes around Cornwall

Cornwall offers a variety of touring cycling routes, with over 15 options available for exploration. These routes cater to different skill levels, from easy paths to more challenging rides, ensuring there's something for every cyclist.

Cornwall's touring cycling routes feature diverse terrain. You'll find dramatic coastlines with ocean views and clifftops, tranquil inland countryside, ancient woodlands, and expansive moors. Many routes follow disused railway lines, offering largely flat, traffic-free paths, while others traverse areas shaped by mining heritage, providing varied surfaces.

Yes, Cornwall has several easy touring cycling routes perfect for beginners or families. The Lebanon Valley Rail Trail loop from Lebanon is a moderate option that offers a pleasant ride. Additionally, routes like the Camel Trail and Goss Moor Cycle Trail are known for their gentle, traffic-free paths, ideal for a relaxed experience.

Cornwall's cycling routes are rich with scenic highlights. You can encounter breathtaking ocean views, dramatic clifftops, and charming fishing villages along coastal paths. Inland, explore tranquil estuaries like the Camel, ancient woodlands such as Cardinham Woods, and expansive moorland. The region's mining heritage also offers unique landscapes with ruined engine houses and granite chimneys, particularly along routes like the Great Flat Lode Trail.

Yes, there are several circular touring cycling routes available. For example, the State Game Lands Number 145 – Conewago Trail loop from Cornwall offers a moderate circular path. Many routes, especially those utilizing former railway lines, are designed as loops or can be combined to create circular journeys, allowing you to start and finish at the same point.

The touring cycling experience in Cornwall is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.3 stars. Cyclists often praise the region's diverse landscapes, from stunning coastal views to peaceful inland trails, and appreciate the variety of routes suitable for different abilities.

Absolutely. Cornwall's rich mining heritage is a significant feature of its landscape and is accessible via several cycling routes. The Great Flat Lode Trail, for instance, takes you through the heart of Cornwall's mining country, passing historic engine houses. The Bissoe Trail, also known as the Coast to Coast route, follows a former mineral railway track, linking the north and south coasts through these historic areas.

Yes, the Camel Estuary is a prime example, offering stunning views and a tranquil environment, particularly around Padstow, Wadebridge, and Bodmin. The popular Camel Trail follows this estuary, providing a scenic and largely flat ride. Other estuaries like the Helford also offer picturesque settings for cycling nearby.

Near the cycling routes, you can explore various attractions. Highlights include the Ruins along Elder's Run Trail, the scenic Lebanon Valley Rail Trail itself, and the beautiful Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach. For nature lovers, the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and Clarence Schock Park at Governor Dick offer natural beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities.

For experienced riders seeking a challenge, Cornwall offers routes with more significant elevation changes and varied terrain. While the Governor Dick – State Game Lands Number 145 loop from West Cornwall Township is a moderate option, the region's coastal paths, such as sections of the West Kernow Way, provide demanding climbs and descents with rewarding views. Bodmin Moor also offers opportunities for off-road adventures for those looking for a tougher ride.

The best time for touring cycling in Cornwall is generally from spring to autumn. During these seasons, the weather is milder, and the landscapes are vibrant. Spring brings blooming wildflowers, while summer offers longer daylight hours. Autumn provides pleasant temperatures and beautiful foliage. While winter cycling is possible, be prepared for cooler temperatures and potentially wetter conditions.

Yes, Cornwall is home to long-distance touring cycling options. The Cornish Way, for instance, spans 195 miles from Land's End to Bude, offering an extensive journey through diverse landscapes, including beautiful beaches, wildlife areas, and charming towns. This route provides a comprehensive way to experience much of Cornwall by bike.

Certainly. Cornwall features beautiful woodlands and forests that are perfect for cycling. Areas like Cardinham Woods offer extensive networks of trails, ranging from family-friendly paths to more challenging mountain biking routes. The Lanhydrock Estate also provides numerous trails through its wooded grounds, allowing cyclists to immerse themselves in nature.