The Cornish Way [cycling & hiking]

This superb 18-mile multi-use (cycling, walking and horse-riding) trail follows the route of a disused railway line through spectacular Cornish countryside. Following the Camel River, the trail passes through woodland and across mudflats to the picturesque Camel Estuary that separates the towns of Padstow and Rock.

It’s mainly traffic-free all the way, easy to access, and packed with landscape and wildlife designations, and close to pretty villages for resting and refuelling.

This lovely 12-mile trail from Truro to Bodmin, consisting of 9 smaller trails, was first opened in 2005 to enable visitors to explore a unique area of Cornwall that was home to Cornwall’s China industry.

The trail takes in a number of top sights including Trelissick Gardens, the River Fal and King Harry Ferry, the fishing villages of Portloe and Megavissey, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Lanhydrock House. There is also a link to the Eden Project. The views across Cornwall’s china clay country around St Austell are beautiful.

Blessed with more than 40 different minerals, especially lucrative tin and copper, Cornwall became the richest part of Britain in the early 19th century, pioneering global development of the mining industry. As Poldark fans will know, in the late 19th century, increasing foreign competition depressed prices making mining less and less economical. The industry entered a period of steady decline, and the last mine, South Crofty, closed in 1998.

The Mineral Tramways Heritage Project has been working to preserve Cornwall’s central mining district, a scenic landscape of lovely Cornish countryside that’s studded with (safe) abandoned mines, mining villages and other heritage sites.

A 60km network of multi-use trails now crisscross the area, many following the original tramway and railway routes once used to transport ore and supplies to and from the many mines to the coastal ports. It’s easy going, and packed with local wildlife.

This 15-mile traffic-free, multi-use trail combines scenic beauty, views and heritage. Running from Portreath Beach on the north coast to Devoran on the south, it passes through Cornwall’s former central mining district – a landscape studded with (safe) abandoned mines – following the original tramway and railway routes once used to transport ore and supplies to and from the many mines to the coastal ports.

The coast-to-coast route passes through the Bissoe Valley Nature Reserve, a former mine site that has heathland, woodland, ponds and a variety of local wildlife. You’ll also pass under the giant Carnon stone viaduct.

It’s easy going for all abilities – and a great way to learn about Cornwall’s mining heritage, admire the scenery, and see the local wildlife.