Cycling the Camel Trail from Rock

One of our favourite ways to spend a day near TREALLEN ROCK doesn't involve the beach at all — the Camel Trail is a flat, traffic-free cycle path running along an old railway line between Padstow, Wadebridge and Bodmin, and it's genuinely one of the best family days out in North Cornwall.

The Best Stretch: Wadebridge to Padstow

The trail runs 18 miles in total, but the Wadebridge to Padstow section — about 5.5 miles each way — is by far the most popular, and the one we'd point most guests towards. It follows the Camel Estuary the whole way, completely flat and largely traffic-free, so it suits everyone from confident cyclists to wobbly first-timers. Allow around 45 minutes to an hour at a gentle pace, longer if you stop to enjoy the views.

Hiring Bikes

Bridge Bike Hire in Wadebridge sits right at the trail entrance, with the widest range of bikes locally — standard bikes, tandems, child trailers, trailer bikes, electric bikes, and dog trailers for anyone bringing the family dog along. They're also the only hire in Wadebridge offering a one-way service, so you can cycle to Padstow and leave the bikes there rather than riding all the way back. Worth booking ahead in peak season.

The Halfway Stop: Atlantic Coast Express

Right at the midpoint of the trail, at Penquean Quarry, you'll find the Atlantic Coast Express — a vintage train carriage converted into an open-air cafe, named after the old Southern Railway service that once ran this very line. It's become something of an institution: coffee, cakes, crepes and ice cream, with a train whistle sounding when your order's ready. Open daily from Easter through to the end of October, weather permitting, and a genuinely lovely spot to break up the ride.

Make a Day of It

Once you reach Padstow, it's worth taking your time — see our ultimate guide to Padstow for what to do once you're there, or our guide to where to eat for lunch before the ride back — or the ferry back to Rock, if you'd rather not cycle both ways.

Getting to the Trail from TREALLEN ROCK

Wadebridge is a short drive from Rock — easily done as a morning trip, with the whole afternoon still ahead of you once you're back.

Prefer to skip the drive altogether? Take the passenger ferry from Rock straight across to Padstow, then walk to the bike hire shop right by the harbour and pick up your bikes from there — cycling the trail towards Wadebridge and back, or arranging a one-way hire back to Padstow, without needing the car at all.

Book your stay direct and make it part of your week.