Cycling in Cornwall is an exciting and varied experience. A premier cycling destination, Cornwall has a diverse array of trails, perfect for every type of rider. From scenic woodland paths to exhilarating coastal routes, cyclists can explore the region’s stunning landscapes in every direction. For those staying at the Rosevine Hotel, cycling of all types is within easy reach. Here, we offer a guide to Cornwall bike trails to enjoy on your next holiday.
Roseland Hotel Cycling Opportunities
Cycling on the Roseland Peninsula offers a fantastic way to explore some of Cornwall’s most picturesque landscapes. The local trails that begin near Portscatho range from coastal paths that reveal sweeping views of the Atlantic to quieter, rural trails winding through lush woodlands and picturesque villages, catering to all levels of cyclists. For personalised recommendations, the helpful staff members at the Rosevine Hotel are an invaluable resource. They can suggest cycling trails near Portscatho suited to your ability and interests, ensuring you discover the best of what the area has to offer. Additionally, the hotel can point you to bike rentals, as well as guided cycling tours, where knowledgeable guides will enhance your adventure with local insights and stories.
Family-Friendly Cycling in Cornwall
When you bring your family to Cornwall, active holidays are a great way to make memories together while getting some exercise. Some of the most beautiful cycling in Cornwall is also family-friendly, suitable for even beginning cyclists.
- The Camel Trail: Flat and easy, this 18-mile trail follows a former railway, and it is quite a lovely ride, even for little legs or parents peddling with baby seats on their bicycles. You can choose to complete the entire, gentle route or simply a section, and there are loads of places to stop and have some food or refreshments. It runs from Wenfordbridge, near Bodmin, to Padstow, which is a foodie’s paradise.
- Lanhydrock Cycle Trails: On the grounds of the National Trust owned Landhydrock Estate, there are extensive purpose-built cycle trails. The 1.5 mile green-grade trail is perfect for families with young children, with a wide, smooth path, perfect for trailers, tag-alongs, adaptive bikes, and child seats. For more adventurous families, there are blue-grade trails, some with fun technical challenges, and some that just wind through the woods.
- Seaton Valley Countryside Park: This 2 mile trail takes you on a picturesque circular ride around Seaton Valley Countryside Park, following the River Seaton for a while, with another stretch by Seaton Beach. It is perfect for families who love nature, as the park also has a sensory garden and a nature reserve with otters, dormice, kingfishers, and butterflies. Plan to bring a picnic, to enjoy in the park before moving on with your day.
Cycling Routes for Nature Lovers
Is there any more beautiful place to experience nature than in Cornwall? While Seaton Valley Countryside Park is a great spot for nature-loving families, there are also many other scenic spots to take in the local flora and fauna.
- Goss Moor Cycle Trail:5 miles long, this route is largely flat and easy to traverse. Located in a stunning National Nature Reserve, this cyclist’s dream features an amazing variety of rare plants and animals. If you wish to keep cycling, you can make use of one of the routes linking it to Tregoss Moor.
- Penrose Estate: Enveloped by thick blankets of trees, the Penrose estate is a secluded paradise for bikers. Its surfaces are smooth and tarmacked, and along the way you will encounter a fantastic café. Off-road and trail cycling are not permitted, but there is a network of woodland routes with stunning views of Loe Pool. If you want to continue your ride, you can keep going, all the way to Porthleven, a picturesque coastal town in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- The Clay Trails: This series of excellent cycle trails offer visitors the opportunity to explore a unique area of Cornwall, in the China Clay Country. These trails are fairly easily accessible, but they cut through some remote areas, with few facilities. The scenery is dramatic, and careful environmental management has attracted wildlife, which you may spot along the way.
Cornwall Bike Trails for Adventure Seekers
If you are the type who craves outdoor adventure, there is plenty to recommend cycling in Cornwall! Even in Lanhydrock, you will find, in addition to family-friendly trails, some red-grade trails to challenge even experienced riders. Perhaps the best cycle trail for adrenaline junkies, however, is the Bodmin Beast. Located in Cardinham Woods, where you will also find family-friendly trails, the 7.5 mile Bodmin Beast requires quite a bit of skill and courage. With exhilarating climbs, descents, and technical tests, it is perfect for off-roaders and mountain bikers looking to test their mettle. At the end of a rough ride, though, there is the Woods Café to enjoy.
Heritage and Historical Routes
Cornwall is a region with a rich culture and history, and one of the best ways to discover new facts about it is by cycling through its historical sites.
- The Great Flat Lode: For an up close encounter with Cornish heritage, head to the Camborne-Redruth district and cycle this trail, which forms part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. The name is a reference to the lode of tin that was found here, lying at a much lower angle than was typical. As you cycle through, you will come upon relics from Cornwall’s mining past, including engine houses, the last tin smelter, and panoramic views of South Wheal Crofty, the last working tin mine in Cornwall.
- Tamar Trails: The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is on the border between Devon and Cornwall. A 15.5 mile route with multi-grade trails, the Tamar Trails weave through woodland, past burbling streams, and old mines, and are the perfect place to get off the bike and do some exploring or get into a canoe.
A Coastal Cycling Adventure
If you really want to enjoy the Cornish Coast on a cycle trail, try the Coast to Coast Route. One of the Mineral Tramway trails, this 14 mile ride runs on a mixed surface cycle trail that is essentially free of traffic. Starting in Portreath and ending in Devoran, it follows the route of a tram road and two railway lines which were built to carry goods in and out of Cornwall’s heartland in the 1800s. It can be hilly, but the breathtaking scenery is well worth the challenge.
A Long Distance Challenge
No guide to cycling in Cornwall would be complete without mention of The Cornish Way. This 195 mile National Cycle Route is the longest in Cornwall, taking cyclists from Lands End to Bude. Along the way, you will be treated to unbelievably scenic villages, towns, the industrial heartland of Cornwall, as well as rivers, coastland, and famous landmarks. You can easily break it into segments, because it is actually made up of six individual trails.
- The First and Last Trail: This starts in Lands End and goes to Hayle, passing through the quaint fishing village of Mousehole, the historic town of Penzance, and Marazion, past St Michael’s Mount.
- The Engine House Trail: Once in Hayle, you can take this trail, part of the Mineral Tramway Trails, to Truro. Here, you will travel quiet country lanes through Camborne and onto the Redruth & Chacewater Railway Trail. In this section, you will pass through the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.
- The Coast and Clay Trail: From the cathedral city of Truro, you will head to Bodmin, passing through St Austell. You will pass the National Trust gardens at Trelissick, take the King Harry Ferry to the Roseland Peninsula, pass through picturesque Portloe to the harbour town of Mevagissy and go past the Lost Gardens of Heligan. From there, you will leave the roads as you head into St Austell in favour of quiet country lanes through China Clay Country, in the direction of the Eden Project. North from Eden, you will pick up an off-road section at the Lanhydrock Estate, and take this to Bodmin.
- The North Cornwall Trail: On Bodmin Moor, you will pass through charming Blisland, travel quiet country lanes through valleys and moorland, towards the North Cornwall Coast, until you get to Bude.
- The St Piran Trail: This is an alternative to the St Austell route, cutting through the countryside to Newquay. From there, it heads inland to St Columb Major and then back out to the Padstow, a harbour town. There, it picks up the Camel Trail to Wadebridge and then Bodmin.
- The Camel Trail: You will encounter no traffic on this route from Padstow to Bodmin, as vehicles other than cycles are banned. This easy segment runs through beautiful scenery, pretty villages, idyllic woodlands, and picturesque towns. You can also catch some amazing views over the Camel estuary.
Enjoy a Range of Cornwall Outdoor Activities at the Rosevine Hotel
In Cornwall, active holidays are easy to enjoy, with opportunities for cycling, walking, wildlife spotting, kayaking, and much more. Beautifully situated in Portscatho, The Rosevine offers the most welcoming, family-friendly accommodations in all of Cornwall. Designed to feel like your home away from home, our charming boutique hotel is designed to provide an atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy your family, however you choose to do spend your family holiday. Each tastefully appointed apartment features comfortable furnishings, elegant décor, and modern amenities, offering warm hospitality along with stylish accommodations. Whether you want to stay in your own apartment, cocooning with your family, or spend your time in the shared spaces, communing with your fellow travellers, you will find space to enjoy your holiday here at The Rosevine. We want our guests to have the flexibility to enjoy their holiday however they wish, whether traveling alone or with friends or family. Many of our rooms offer stunning views of the sea, and our location is a short walk from the coastline, within easy reach of the charming shops, galleries, and local pubs in the village. When you are ready for the perfect getaway in Cornwall, it is easy to book your stay online. Should you need more information or directions, call +44 (0) 1872 580 206 or contact us through our website.
