Cycling Trails in Cornwall

On your bike…

Two wheels are so much better than four when it comes to really getting to know a place and cycling trails in Cornwall allow you to experience some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll find anywhere.

A black mountain bike standing with no rider. Scenic mountainous background , and a rugged terrain.
Partly cloudy sky.

The Extensive Cornwall Cycling Trail Network…

The region has a cycle network to be proud of with loads of traffic-free cycle paths and regional and national cycle routes that interlink to create a dizzying array of wonderful cycle rides, the perfect car-free way to.

Close-up of cyclists riding on a dirt trail through a forest, showcasing their legs and bicycles.

Cycling Trails in Cornwall for the Family

Everyone loves a family bike ride, and if you’re looking for easier, flatter cycle routes, then Bodmin is the place to go.

You can do as little or as much of the trail as you want, but one of our favourite things to do in Cornwall is to cycle between Wadebridge and Padstow.

Smiling family of four cycling together on a sunny day, with parents and children wearing helmets and enjoying a ride through a green, leafy park.

The Mineral Tramways Network

The Mineral Tramways Network follows the historic mining routes found in central Cornwall, and there are six routes that vary from one-mile to 14-mile trails, making it ideal for a family cycle ride. The National Trust site at Lanhydrock Woods offers an easy 1.5-mile gentle cycle ride through beautiful woodlands with more challenging, off-road biking opportunities, too.

Close-up of a bicycle handlebar with a bell, positioned on a wooden boardwalk that stretches into a green, sunlit forested area.

Off-Road Cycling Trails in Cornwall

Talking of off-roading, check out the Bodmin Beast cycle trail, a 7.5-mile mountain bike track on the slopes of the Cardinham Valley, or the West Kernow Way which stretches for an incredible 143 miles (you don’t have to do it in one go!) offering all kinds of
different terrain along the way.

Bicycle placed on a narrow dirt path winding through tall grass in a peaceful field on a sunny day.

Great Flat Lode Cycling Trail & Woody’s Bike Park

The Great Flat Lode Trail is popular with mountain bikers, and this 7.5-mile track follows part of the line of the Bassett Mine Tramway.

No off-road biker can visit Cornwall without taking a trip to Woody’s Bike Park, which is something of a Mecca for mountain bikers with nine fantastic trails varying from easy to the more challenging.

Mountain biker navigating a trail through an autumn forest, surrounded by colorful foliage. The sunlight filtering through the trees.

Buckle Up…

Let’s start with the Goss Moor Cycle Trail, a relatively easy 7.5-mile circular cycle ride that gives access to the Goss Moor National Nature Reserve. This reserve is home to rare plants and animals that are well worth looking out for along the way.

Blue electric bike with a rear cargo rack, parked on a gravel path next to vibrant green and yellow garden bushes.

Cycling Trails on the North Cornwall Coast

A cycle route that forms part of the Mineral Tramways Network is the 14-mile route from Portreath on the North Cornwall coast to Devoran between Truro and Falmouth. It’s not the easiest trail, but the breathtaking scenery more than makes up for it.

A man and a woman high fiving after completing a cycling trail with the bright blue sea in the background. The sky is cloudy.

Challenging Cycling Trails in Cornwall

If you really want to challenge yourself then why not try the Penzance Loop?

This 43-mile cycle ride starts at Newlyn, passes through Mousehole, has a significant climb at Raginnis, and then follows the National Cycle Route 3 to Land’s End.

There are lots of tricky hills and windswept moorland to contend with, but the coast road toward St Ives offers some of the best views you’ll find anywhere.

A seaside promenade with a black railing, overlooking calm turquoise ocean waters under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Find beautiful cycling trails in Cornwall. A close up of a sign pointing to the Coast Path St Ives.

Engine House Cycling Trail

A moderate cycle ride is the Engine House Trail, which takes in some beautiful landscapes and runs for 24 miles, starting from the remains of foundries in Hayle to Camborne via a Mineral Tramways path through Redruth to Carharrock before
finishing at Truro.

Single rider turning a corner on a bike on a cycling trail. The trail is dusty and the picture is taken with a sunrise/set in the background.

The Cornish Way Cycling Trail

The Cornish Way is hugely popular with cyclists who love the challenge of this 180-mile route, which runs from Land’s End to Bude.

It takes in all kinds of landscapes including:

Coastlines & Beaches
Idyllic fishing villages
Ancient woodlands.

Most cyclists split the route into stages, which can be completed over a number of days depending on how experienced you are as a cyclist.

Challenging cycling trails can be found in Cornwall. A single rider with their head down while cycling. The background shows a sunser over pristine waters.

Challenge yourself with harder cycling trails in Cornwall. A single rider with a white helmet and orange kersey and black shorts on a road bike with the pristine sea behind them and a bright blue background.

Cycling Events in Cornwall

Cornwall is home to some well-known cycling events, so it’s always worth checking out
what’s on when you’re in the region:

Cycling events are common in Cornwall. A peloton on cyclists. Only their lower half is visible. There are 6 or 7 riders in this shot

For a holiday to remember for a lifetime, finding the right cycling trails in Cornwall promises fresh air and fitness, breathtaking scenery, and hidden gems you wouldn’t find on a car journey, all topped off with some of the best food and drink you’ll sample anywhere.

Accommodation in Cornwall

Perran Sands Holiday Park

The perfect base for finding cycling trails in Cornwall. A beach from behind some tall grass with a bright blue sky in the background.

Less than a mile from the beautiful Cornish coast, a stay at Perran Sands means you can experience a top holiday park in the UK and also use it as a base for finding your cycling trails in Cornwall.

Stay at Perran Sands Holiday Park

White Acres Holiday Park

Situated near the A392, White Acres is more inland but has great transport links to other parts of the county, allowing you to go far and wide for your cycling trails in Cornwall.

Stay at White Acres Holiday Park

by Katy Depledge / Outdoor Activities

20th September 2024