Tramway Coast-to-Coast, Cornwall

Distance 37.2km (23.1 miles) Climbing 624m (2,047ft) Time 2hrs to 3hrs

Route summary A pleasant, mostly traf ic-free, out-and-back ride across Cornwall, along the old Mineral Tramways between the coastlines, with some more challenging trails to play on in the abandoned quarries you pass along the way.

Start/ inish Bike Chain Bissoe car park (postcode TR4 8QZ, grid ref SW 770/415)

1

Head north-west, out of the back of the Bike Chain car park, and follow the Mineral Tramway cycle signs along the Poldice Valley, where granite markers show the way. The old quarries along this first stretch provide some more technical riding for those who wish to explore and test their skills. 2

Beyond Unity Wood, cross the A30 to Wheal Rose. At Laity Moor, before Cambrose, Elm Farm o ers some refreshments (and an alternative starting point if preferred), before the route continues down into Portreath, on the northern coast.

Note: There’s a great dirt jump park, The Track, between Portreath and Redruth, on New Portreath Road (www.thetrack.co.uk).

3

4

After a paddle and an ice cream on the beach, retrace your tracks all the way back to Bissoe.

If you want to complete a coast-to-coast ride, head south from Bissoe. The trail follows the Carnon River for around 2.5km to Devoran on the southern coast. From there, retrace your steps to Bissoe and the car park.

LOCATION DETAILS

Cornwall is a popular UK holiday destination, but not that well known for its mountain biking. This beautiful county is home to some solid riding, though, and this stretch between Devoran and Portreath has trails to suit everyone – from easy, tra c-free gravel tracks running between the northern and southern coastlines, to steep and technical descents in the quarries.

GETTING THERE

We like to start near the southern end, at the Bike Chain car park in Bissoe, to make the most of the bike shop and good cafe situated there. Exit the A39 at the Carnon Gate roundabout by Devoran and head north to Bissoe. The Bike Chain car park is just past the concrete works.

MAPS & BOOKS

Ordnance Survey Landranger 203: Land’s End and 204: Truro & Falmouth. Mountain Bike Rides in & around Exmoor & Dartmoor by

Max Darkins (Rough Ride Guide).

FACILITIES

The Bike Chain shop o ers bike hire and also has a good cafe (www.bikechainbissoe.co.uk).

Elm Farm, near Cambrose at the northern end of the ride, has a range of accommodation, as well as a bike shop and cafe (www.elmfarm.biz). Portreath has several cafes too, and there are some pubs along the way at Scorrier, Bridge and on the south coast at Devoran.

Note: Bissoe to Portreath is 16km and Bissoe to Deveron is 2.6km. You can, of course, just explore the Poldice Valley trails, or ride part of the way to the coast, then back again, to make an alternative ride to suit you.