The best gravel rides around Cardinham

The Cardinham region offers over a dozen gravel bike trails, catering to various skill levels. You'll find a mix of moderate and difficult routes, with 14 distinct tours available on komoot.

While Cardinham's gravel trails are primarily rated as moderate to difficult, some sections of the moderate routes might be suitable for families or beginners with some experience. For example, the Bodmin Airfield, Blisland and the Upper Camel loop from Bodmin is a moderate 27.7 km route that could be a good starting point.

Gravel bike trails in Cardinham vary significantly in length and duration. You can find shorter moderate routes like the Bodmin Beast MTB Trail – The Cribbar Descent loop from Woods Cafe at 9.5 km (approx. 1h) to longer, more challenging rides such as the Sibleyback and Colliford loop from Bodmin, which covers 64.2 km and takes around 5 hours.

The best time for gravel biking in Cardinham is generally from late spring to early autumn (May to October) when the weather is milder and the trails are drier. During winter, trails can become muddy and wet, especially after heavy rain, making for more challenging conditions.

Many gravel routes in Cardinham offer access to beautiful natural features. You might encounter sights like the Brown Willy Summit or Rough Tor, which are prominent natural monuments. The Goss Moor, Bishop's Wood and Camel Estuary loop from Bodmin, for instance, traverses open moorland and follows sections of the Camel Estuary.

Yes, Cardinham is well-suited for experienced gravel bikers seeking a challenge. Many routes are rated as difficult, featuring significant elevation gains and varied terrain. The Sibleyback and Colliford loop from Bodmin is a prime example, offering expansive views and demanding sections over 64 km.

Cardinham Woods is a popular starting point for many routes and offers dedicated parking facilities. Other routes may start from towns like Bodmin, where public parking options are available. Always check specific route details for recommended parking locations.

Yes, you'll find options for refreshments. Cardinham Woods itself often has a cafe. Additionally, routes that pass through or near towns like Bodmin or along the Camel Trail, such as The Camel Trail – The Camel Trail loop from Wenfordbridge, will have access to various pubs and cafes, including the Camel Trail Tea Garden.

The komoot community highly rates the gravel biking in Cardinham, with an average score of 3.8 stars from over 20 reviews. Riders frequently praise the diverse landscape, which includes extensive woodlands, open moorland, and scenic river valleys, as well as the variety of terrain from forest tracks to gravel paths.

Many of the gravel bike routes around Cardinham are designed as circular loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Goss Moor, Bishop's Wood and Camel Estuary loop from Bodmin and Bodmin Airfield, Blisland and the Upper Camel loop from Bodmin.

While popular routes like those in Cardinham Woods can see more traffic, exploring some of the longer, more challenging routes, such as the Sibleyback and Colliford loop from Bodmin, might lead you to quieter sections of the region. Venturing slightly off the most well-known paths often reveals more secluded experiences.