Cornwall Bike Hike

Arrive in Penzance (Stay Overnight)

A: Circular route (walking) from Penzance via Lands End (Full route: 15 miles / 24 km | Short Route: 9 miles / 14 km) 

Travel via bus to Lands End and then enjoy a delightful walk back to Penzance. The route can be shortened at any point by taking a bust journey back to the hotel. You will then stay overnight in Penzance. Please note, the bus ticket costs a few pounds and is payable locally. 

Overnight in Penzance. No luggage transfer required. 

B: Linear route (cycling) from Penzance to Truro (Full route: 32 miles / 52km | No Short Route) 

Leave Penzance and ride to the north coast where the mudflats of the River Hayle are a rich habitat for wading birds. Follow the coast road past miles of sand dunes then above rugged cliffs with spectacular views of the Atlantic. Explore a woodland cycle trail at the tranquil Tehidy Country Park, on the way to the popular surfing cove at Portreath. This was one of the main mining areas in Cornwall until the early 20th century and you can still visit Cornish Goldsmiths workshops and exhibitions as well as the Tolgus Tin Streaming works nearby. The ride ends along beautiful wooded valleys back into Truro. 

Overnight in Truro. Luggage will be moved. 

C: Circular route (walking) from Truro via St Mawes (Full route: 12.5 miles / 20 km | No Short Route) 

Circular walking route from Truro via St Mawes. A taxi will collect you and transfer you to Falmouth to catch the ferry to St Mawes. The ferry is payable on the day and will cost £7.50 each. St Mawes is a small town opposite Falmouth on the Roseland Peninsula. 

D: Circular route (cycling) from Truro (Full route: 29 miles / 47km | Short Route: 19 miles / 31km) 

Today’s route takes you from Truro via the Roseland Peninsula, taking in the best of the local landscape. It uses mostly country lanes and cycle paths, once you have left Truro and is a peaceful day’s riding. This is the most challenging route of the trip with a lot of hills, but a shortcut has been provided if you need it. The full route is hillier than the shortcut, but worth it to see the truly spectacular scenery in the local area. Please note, the trip includes a transfer via King Harry’s Ferry, which costs £1.50 per person and is payable locally. 

Overnight in Truro. No luggage transfer required. 

E: Linear route (cycling) from Truro to Mullion via Falmouth (Full route: 35 miles / 56 km | Short Route 23 miles / 37km ) 

Traversing between Truro and Helston for your next overnight, this route takes you past the old tin mine at Wheal Jane to Penryn, once the main port in this area, where you’ll find its heritage displayed in some fine architecture from Tudor to Georgian and in a small museum. Continue down the coast to Falmouth, a busy pleasant town where the atmosphere is flavoured by the salt sea air. Here you can visit several exotic gardens, a Maritime Museum and some pleasant beaches. Impressive fortifications of Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle still dominate the headland. Continue past more subtropical gardens to Gweek on the Helford Creek, the home of the National Seal Sanctuary where they rescue injured seal pups from local beaches and also care for other abandoned sea mammals, before ending in Mullion. The terrain is not as tough as the circuit from Truro, but there are still some steep climbs out of Truro and around Falmouth, Constantine and Gweek. 

Overnight in Mullion. Luggage will be moved. 

F: Circular route (walking) from Mullion via Kynance Cove (Full route: 8.5 miles / 13.7km | Short Route: 6 miles / 9.7km)  

Take the bus down to Lizard Village, the most southerly point of the British mainland. It has been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times and the coast around it still attracts modern travellers. From the famous lighthouse, follow one of the most dramatic and beautiful sections of the coast path back to Mullion, past the sheltered beaches and remarkable rock formations of Kynance Cove. Please note, the bus ticket costs a few pounds and is payable locally.  

Overnight in Mullion. No luggage transfer required.

G: Linear route (cycling) from Mullion to Penzance (Full route: 33 miles / 53 km | No Short Route)  

Head from Mullion, across Goonhilly Downs and then through the Penrose Estate, an area of woodland around the Loe Pool now owned by the National Trust.  The bustling Cornish town of Penzance is an historic port with sub-tropical gardens and with views across Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount, there will be plenty of photo opportunities. 

Overnight in Penzance. Luggage will be moved. 

Key Details:

• The 9 day, 8 night tour, starting in Penzance will be routed A B C D E F G

• This tour is available 6 to 14 nights with Eden Project and Isle of Scilly extensions

• This tour will start and finish in Penzance

• The daily distance of this Bike Hike tour in Cornwall is approximately 18 miles / 29 km to 35 miles / 56 km cycling and 6 miles / 9 km to 15 miles / 24 km walking.

There are lots of attractions and places to explore during your Cornwall cycling and walking tour, including:

• Falmouth and Pendennis Castle
• Land’s End
• Lizard Lighthouse
• National Seal Sanctuary
• St Michael’s Mount
• Poldark Mine
• Trengwainton and other Gardens
• Trevarno Estate
• Boat Trips along the Coast
• Surfing Beaches
• Cornish Bakeries & Cafes
• Helston Museum

Getting to Cornwall:

By Rail: There is a railway station in both Truro and Penzance, with a direct route from London Paddington. The journey time is 4½ to 5 hours 

By Car:  

• From the direction of M5 Exeter, Junction 31:  

• Join A30 and remain on it for approx 109 miles, heading straight into Penzance.