Route Overview
| Distance | It's 7 miles, meaning as a there-and-back, it's a 14 mile ride. |
|---|---|
| Surface | The surface is unsealed throughout, but rideable all year round. After rain, it can be a bit muddy in places. |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Child-Friendliness | ✅ Very child-friendly |
| Suitable Bikes | You can use any kind of bike or trike along the route. |
| Barriers | There are no barriers along the route. |
When you cycle the Camel Trail, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular – it really is a very beautiful route. If you pick the date to ride it well, it simply is one of the best leisurely bike rides you can do. Almost perfectly flat, with stunning views and plenty of picnic spots along the way. With a decent surface most of the way, cycling in the UK doesn’t get much better than this.
Now most people only ever ride the bit of the Camel Trail from Wadebridge to Padstow. Almost all of that segment is tarred, and it certainly offers the best estuary views. Unfortunately, on a sunny, warm Saturday, during the summer holidays, the main section of the Camel Trail gets so crowded that it becomes impossible to cycle at anything faster than walking pace. Because it’s less well known, the Wenford branch is also usually less busy.
After a refreshing café stop (well, you’ve burned the calories, so you earned it) returning is simply a matter of retracing your steps, back to the Borough Arms car park, or perhaps, if you’re feeling adventurous, cycling back through Bodmin, to the Bodmin Parkway train station.
Wenford Branch of the Camel Trail cycle route overall rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
Surface on the trail
Though unsealed throughout, and a bit bumpy in places, the route is rideable all year round. After rain, it can get muddy in places.
Refreshments
The Borough Arms is right next to the trail, with direct access. Further along there’s usually a really nice coffee trailer, selling delicious, authentic Belgian waffles. Finally, there’s the off-grid Snail’s Pace Café, at the far end,
Bikes
You can take any type of bike along this route, but trikes and cargo bikes will find a few sections a tad narrow. However, that won’t block access.
Toilets
There are toilets at the Borough Arms, and at the Snail’s Pace Café, but nothing in between.
Hilliness
The route closely follows the Camel river, and is very flat.
Safety from traffic
Except for crossing a few quiet lanes, the route is completely traffic-free.
Points of Interest
Do consider visiting the old Bodmin Jail, and kids would love the Discover42 science museum.
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
- Camel Trail, Wenford branch
Barriers
There are no barriers along the route.
Cycle Hire
You can hire bikes from Explore By Bike, right by the Borough Arms pub.
Child friendliness
The route is suitable for even young kids, but it is alongside a river, so ensure there’s at least one competent adult swimmer along.
Social safety
Significant parts of the route is very rural, and very isolated.
Weather forecast for the Wenford branch
What this part of the Camel Trail looks like
Getting to the Wenford branch of the Camel Trail
The route as shown on the map below starts at Chichester station, so you can easily get to the start car-free, by taking your bike on the train. As ever, read my Bikes On Trains guide for useful and helpful tips for taking your bike on the train.
Parking near the trail
You can park in the dedicated car park next to the Borough Arms – PL31 2RD. Please note: you have to drive through the pub car park to get to the car park you should use.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes that 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.
The interactive route map
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.
If viewing the map on your phone, you will also see a Find Me, Navigate and Record Route button, below the map. WillCyclers can have voice turn-by-turn navigation of the route, and participate in any treasure hunts that may be active along the route.
And finally…
If this route guide was of use to you, it will be of use to others, too. Don’t keep it secret! Share it with everyone, on social media, in Facebook Groups, on chat forums, and elsewhere.
