The best traffic-free bike rides around Cardinham

There are 9 dedicated no-traffic touring cycling routes around Cardinham, offering a variety of distances and difficulty levels. These routes are carefully curated to provide a peaceful cycling experience away from vehicular traffic.

The no-traffic routes in and around Cardinham Woods primarily utilize forest roads and shared-use paths. While many sections are well-maintained, you can expect varied surfaces, including gravel, compacted earth, and some paved sections. The routes often explore the wooded slopes of the Cardinham Valley, so be prepared for gentle to moderate gradients, offering a good workout without being overly technical for touring bikes.

Yes, there is at least one easy route suitable for families looking for a gentle ride. The Park Café at Lanhydrock – Lanhydrock House and Gardens loop from Bodmin Parkway is an excellent option, covering approximately 7 km with minimal elevation gain, making it perfect for a relaxed family outing.

Yes, dogs are generally welcome on the shared-use paths and forest roads within Cardinham Woods. However, it's important to keep them on a lead, especially around other users, wildlife, and livestock, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

The routes offer access to several natural and historical points of interest. You can explore the vast 650-acre Cardinham Woods itself, with its iconic viewpoints and remnants of a former lead mine. Nearby, you might encounter highlights like Siblyback Dam or Colliford Lake. The wider region also boasts natural monuments on Bodmin Moor, such as Helman Tor, a nature reserve with prehistoric hill forts.

Many of the no-traffic touring cycling routes around Cardinham are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. For example, the challenging River Fowey loop via Helman Tor - Cornwall and the longer Bodmin and Goss Moor loop are both excellent circular options for experienced touring cyclists.

Cardinham Woods offers a dedicated car park, which is a convenient starting point for many of the cycling routes. This provides easy access to the trails and amenities like the café.

Yes, within Cardinham Woods, there is a café available for refreshments. Additionally, some routes, like the Park Café at Lanhydrock loop, are specifically designed to include stops at cafes, enhancing your cycling experience with opportunities for a break and a bite to eat.

Cardinham Woods and its surrounding routes are open year-round. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery, with bluebells blanketing areas like Golitha Falls in spring. Summer is also popular, though trails can be busier. Winter cycling is possible, but be mindful of potentially wetter and muddier conditions on unpaved sections.

The routes vary significantly in length. You can find shorter, easier options like the Park Café at Lanhydrock loop at around 7 km, up to more challenging, longer tours such as the Bodmin and Goss Moor loop, which extends over 63 km. This variety allows you to choose a route that matches your desired distance and fitness level.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.46 stars. Reviewers often praise the peaceful, traffic-free nature of the routes, the beautiful woodland scenery, and the well-maintained paths that make for an enjoyable touring cycling experience. The presence of amenities like the café in Cardinham Woods is also frequently appreciated.