The Camel Trail [walking, cycling & horse riding]
Padstow, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)
Picturesque 18-mile cycling trail that follows a disused railway line through wildlife-filled woodland and mudflats.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free | 3.5 hours
Bucket list experience:
Young woman bicycling in the forest
With dramatic land- and seascapes, a clement climate and an endearing legacy of legend and folklore, Cornwall is a destination made for exploration on foot or two wheels. The opening of the Cornish Way in 2000 – a superb 180-mile trail between Land’s End and Bude – has made that both possible and wonderfully simple.
There are six trails as follows: the Mineral Tramways, The Camel Trail, the Coast-to-Clay Trail, the First and Last Trail, the Engine House Trail, the North Cornwall Trail, and the St Piran Trail.
Each is worthy in its own right, but if you want to cover the whole route, the Way officially starts in Bude and finishes at Land’s End. (Note, the route splits at Truro, with one fork heading north via Padstow, and the other heading south via St Austell, before joining again at Bodmin). Unless you’re an avid hiker or cyclist coming for a cycling or walking holiday, you’ll probably only get time for one or maybe two trails.
For a hiking experience, however, choose the most challenging of the six legs – the Coast and Clay Trail, between Truro and Bodmin via St Austell. For heritage, pick the Engine House Trail, littered with old foundries and 19th-century engine houses.
Pick one of six interlinking trails, or tackle the whole route, exploring unspoilt Cornish countryside, stopping in at picturesque villages and discovering Cornwall’s pioneering industrial heritage.
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Destination Guide >Padstow, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)
Picturesque 18-mile cycling trail that follows a disused railway line through wildlife-filled woodland and mudflats.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free | 3.5 hours
St Austell, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)
A lovely 12-mile trail (with shorter subsections) from Truro to Bodmin that explores a unique area of Cornwall previously home to Cornwall’s China industry, and passes many top sights.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free | Up to 4 hours
Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)
Lovely 15-mile traffic-free cycling trail combining scenic beauty and views with Cornwall’s rich mining heritage.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free | 1-2 hours
Redruth, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)
A scenic, wildlife-filled landscape, rich in Cornish heritage, offering a network of 60km superb walking and cycling trails. It’s also the place to learn all about Cornwall’s mining history.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
The trails are mostly traffic-free, though some stretches are along minor and rural roads. Download printable maps and itineraries from the website.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)
A region of craggy cliffs, sheltered creeks, glorious sandy beaches and quintessential villages – rich in local life, pagan legend and delicious, locally-made food and drink.