Bodmin Airfield, Blisland and the Upper Camel loop from Bodmin

For a shorter route out of Bodmin to the east taking in both off-road sections of bridleway, country lanes and serene traffic-free cycleway along the River Camel, this Tour offers a real mix in just a few hours of riding.

Starting at Scarlett’s Well car park near central Bodmin and the Bodmin Jail, head out of town on the Camel Trail, following signs at the route split for Wenfordbridge. This takes you north on the traffic-free rail trail, rather than following the flow of the river out to sea at Padstow.

Take in the sights, sounds and smells of the Camel Trail as you take the gravel track alongside the River Camel through leafy woodland to Hellandbridge. It opens out a little here, with pretty hedgerows letting the light through onto the trail, before riding through Little Shell Wood to Tresarrett.

Pass the disused China Clay depot to Wenfordbridge, where you’ll find the Snail’s Pace cafe, a delightful shack right on the trail serving light refreshments and cream teas.

Things start to get hillier now as you move away from the banks of the River Camel and start to climb on lanes to Blisland, taking the bridleway cut-through in the woods to Waterloo. Skirt the edge of Bodmin Moor to cross the A30 next, where you’ll find another series of bridleways after Millpool.

These off-road tracks through the fields lead you parallel to the A30, past Bodmin Airfield and high above the valley that hosts Cardinham Woods. For more fire roads, you can descend down into the valley here and visit Woods Cafe too!

If you choose to follow this Tour and stay high up on the fields by the wind farm, you’ll now ride back into Bodmin. Not on the main roads though, as there’s one final gravelly descent leading you onto a residential street near the town centre.