The Camel Trail is approximately 18 miles long and will take cyclists anywhere from 70 to 120 minutes on average to complete — but this depends on your fitness level and if you’re taking a more casual approach to the trail.
Being relatively flat and away from traffic, the Camel Trail is perfect for families. Many cyclists use the route and take in the beautiful woodland and estuary views — you’ll also find a mix of walkers, runners, and the occasional horse rider.
The Camel Trail begins at Padstow and ends at Wenford Bridge, but you’ll be heading in the direction of Wadebridge to Bodmin. You can join the trail at these two locations — great if you fancy a slightly shorter route.
The remainder of this blog post will explain more about the Camel Trail, including why we recommend the beautiful route, where you can rent bikes, and what facilities are available en route.
Why do we recommend the Camel Trail?
The Camel Trail will take you on a journey across some of the most beautiful scenery Cornwall has to offer. For instance, you’ll pass through wooded countryside and you’ll ride along the Camel Estuary.
The mainly traffic-free route follows the old railway line used by South West and London railways. It’s tucked away and is a special area of conservation — that means you might spot otters, bats, kingfishers, and other rare species of birds.
It’s a fantastic route for nature lovers, and being away from traffic, it is perfect for nervous cyclists or families looking for a long-ish bike ride.
Is the Camel Trail easy to cycle?
The Camel Trail is relatively easy to cycle — the route is mainly flat, and you’ll take in some great views on the way.
At 18 miles long, it may be a little far for some people — including young children. But you could always shorten the loop by starting at either Wadebridge or Bodmin to make it more suitable for you and your riding group.
Some sections of the trail are a little bumpy — but even road bikes should have no problems. You may want to go a tiny bit slower than usual over slightly rough sections, though.
Can you rent bikes?
You can rent bikes at any of the following locations:
- Padstow
- Wadebridge
- Bodmin
- Wendfordbridge
Renting a bike for the day is easy, affordable, and saves the hassle of strapping your bike to the roof of your car.
What about facilities?
Toilets can be found at Wendfordbridge, Wadebridge, and in Padstow town centre. You can stock up on snacks or grab a bite to eat in Padstow, or you can choose a place along the route — perhaps the old Quarry, where you’ll find a train carriage buffet car serving homemade delicacies such as coffees, cakes, and crepes.
The Camel Trail will take most cyclists anywhere from 70 to 120 minutes to complete. It’s a beautiful and flat route in the heart of nature and is ideal for riders of all abilities.
