Par Beach Trail cycle route overall rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
The Par Beach Trail is a two-mile, mostly traffic-free cycling route that forms part of the Cornish Clay Trails series of routes. The Clay Trails get their name from china clay mining, which helped shape the landscape through which the trails run. Just be aware that cycling isn’t permitted on all the Clay Trails (but is permitted on this one).
The start is on Station Road, in St Blazey, but it’s extremely easy to miss.
After the first 1.5 miles, the trail rudely deposits you on Moorland Road. Officially, you’re meant to turn left here (it’s a one-way).
Do not do that, as it will feed you onto the busy and nasty Eastcliffe Road.
Instead, if you can, turn right and walk your bike the distance of six houses. When you get to Nr 30 Moorland Rd, you will see a small lane running down past that house. Follow that lane – it will turn 90 degrees to the right, then 90 degrees to the left.
When that lane ends in a T-junction with Par Green (a one-way heading right) simply turn left. Two houses further, you will see the Par Beach Trail continuing between the houses.
Surface
The surface varies between tar and fine, compacted gravel. It can be a little bumpy in places, but is overall in fair condition.
Bikes
Any standard bicycle can use the trail. Trikes, tandems and cargo bikes will struggle in places, but there is the option of diverting along the road.
Toilets
There are toilets at the Par train station, and at the Par Beach Café.
Cycle Hire
I’m not aware of any cycle hire facilities along the Par Beach Trail.
Hilliness
The route is very flat.
Social safety
The route tends to be busy, which enhances the social safety aspect.
Safety from traffic
The route has some on-road bits, and you have poor lines of sight of any approaching traffic. There’s also a right-turn to be made, leaving the road, where drivers won’t expect you to turn.
Points of Interest
The Eden Project is nearby, and of course this particular trail starts at the stunning Par Beach.
Routes in Cornwall
- Bay to Bay Multi-use path
- St Austell to Mevagissey traffic-free cycle route
- The Camel Trail traffic-free cycle route
- Par Beach Trail traffic-free cycle route
- DayCycle – Camel Trail, Wenford branch
Refreshments
There’s (usually) a coffee van by the beach, and there is also the Par Beach Café.
Child friendliness
Though much of this route is suitable for even very young kids, proximity to water, and especially the sections where the route runs along the bank of the fast-flowing canal mean that it isn’t very safe for kids.
Barriers
There are some barriers along the route. Thankfully, the very tight barriers by the train station have been improved, and even cargo bikes will be able to get through.
As you can see in the video below, there are very tight chicane barriers in the cut-through between Moorland Road and Par Green. If you’re on a cargo bike, or a trike, you’ll have to follow the road around.
Forecast for the Par Beach Trail
What the Par Beach Trail looks like
Getting to the Par Beach Trail
It is possible to cycle to the trail from St Austell. Alternatively, you can take the train to Par station. Before taking your bike on the train, be sure to read my Bikes On Trains guide.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle. Many contain detailed route guides, as well as embedded maps (like the one below).
Interactive map for the Par Beach Trail
You can download the GPX file from the map below, simply by clicking the GPX button. Hovering over the elevation profile will show the elevation for that point along the route, in both metres and feet. It will also show the gradient.
And finally…
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