CW Itinerary Title
Cycling Cornwall - Introduction
Cornwall is world-renowned for its stunning beaches, emerald green wooded valleys, picturesque seaside towns, and, of course, the iconic Cornish pasty. The multi-day adventure follows the cycle trails of Cornwall, offering the chance to explore the best the region has to offer from the saddle of your bike. The Cornish Way Cycle Route provides a unique opportunity to experience this beautiful part of the country at your own pace, with the dedicated support of a CycleActive team member.
Highlights
• Golden sand beaches and Atlantic blue waters.
• The choice of upgrading to signature Cornish hotels
• Traffic-free cycle routes, exploring old mining areas
• Short 2hr transfer to the start of the route.
• Fine, fresh caught local cuisine.
The Cornish Way Route distance and elevation
Total distance
Total height gain
129 miles or 207km
8467ft or 2581m
Terrain:
This national cycle network route uses quiet country roads and the occasional traffic free cycle way. Inbetween the flatter cycleways you will find short climbs, but nothing too strenuous, or sustained.
If you want to find out more about the cycling, the route or anything else about The Cornish Way Route, then please contact us and one of our team will get back to you.
View route
Ride Description
There is truly only one way to explore one of the UK’s most iconic cycling holiday destinations and that is by bike, at a leisurely pace. Bude, nestled at the most northerly point of the Cornish Way cycle route, is our start location, where you are free to explore before checking into your accommodation mid-afternoon onwards.
The following morning, we load the bikes and transfer yourself via coach, 2hrs southwest to Lands End, where you will start your ride. You do not have to wait long to see your first golden sandy beach, with Sennen Cove a mere 3km into the route and from here you swing inland crossing to the south coast town of Penzance, with its waterside, traffic-free cycleway.
Following the River Hayle downstream, you soon end up at the mouth of the river and the town of Hayle, which was once the industrial heartland of Cornwall’s mining boom. Traversing to the north of the Carn Brea monument, on your way through Redruth into Turo, you will see the old smelting chimneys perched on the hillside of this granite ridge, overlooking the sea.
Inland Cornwall is often overshadowed by its coastal counterpart, but riding from Turo to Newquay you get to explore the sleepy villages, that nestle amongst the rich farmland and modern solar fields.
Newquay, previously voted as “one of the nation's favourite seaside towns” is a bustling affair, centred around its award-winning surf beach and cliff top views. Our 4-day tour spends the night in Newquay, so there is plenty of time to experience its charm and energy.
After circumventing Newquay airport, you soon end up in the upmarket town of Padstow, with its picturesque working fishing harbour and many culinary delights courtesy of Rick Stein. Leaving Padstow, the gentle climb of the disused railway line known as The Camel trail, takes you inland alongside the rivers estuary and stunning wooded valleys, onto the town of Wadebridge and then onto Bodmin.
The next section of The Cornish Way Cycle Route sees you skirt the west side of the infamous Bodmin Moor, “Cornwall’s rugged heart”, climbing steadily up to 300m above sea level and into the kingdom of granite Tors and possibly wild cats! “What goes up, must come down” is very much the case, as the last 30km of this ride picks its way down to Widermouth Bay and then into Bude, via the occasional smugglers cove.
