THE CAMEL TRAIL

Used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, The Camel Trail is an 18 mile flat, traffic-free path along a disused railway line between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. It takes in beautiful woodland and spectacular estuary views, as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

Set up and maintained by Cornwall Council, it has 500,000 users a year and supports five cycle hire companies, bringing an economic benefit of more than £3m to the area.

Changes to the trail is expected to bring more visitors to the town and bring in at least £1.2m annually

CARDINHAM

Owned by the Forestry Commission, Cardinham is a more adrenalin-fuelled bike track than Lanhydrock (see below). The 12km Bodmin Beast blue trail is moderate enough for the weekend warrior, but the two tough red-graded trails are for more confident mountain bikers.

The Forestry Commission teamed up with the 1 South West off-road cycling project, part of the National Trust, to create the trails. “We saw this as an exciting opportunity to work in partnership to create a different experience of cycle trails,” says Forestry Commission spokesperson, Stuart Burgess. “Cardinham offered existing recreation facilities and a land profile which offered the ideal cycling terrain.”

As the bike trails are complemented by walking trails, a café, barbecue areas and an adventure playground, Cardinham has seen an increase in many user groups including cyclists, dog walkers and families. Other services have sprung up including bike hire, bike maintenance and a forest school. “The Forestry Commission strives to ensure all visitors enjoy their experience and Cardinham is big enough to cater for different interests,” says Burgess.

Cardinham has 50,000 users a year and brings an economic benefit to the area of £0.39m.

Cardinham is a track for adrenalin junkies, with two tough red-graded trails

LANHYDROCK CYCLE HUB

Created by The National Trust, with the help of £850,000 of EU grant funding and £1.2m from other unspent projects in the south west, the cycle trails at Lanhydrock House, are open from dawn until dusk and are free to use.

Visitors can bring their own bikes, or hire on site. There are seven trails, which vary from ones suitable for kids and beginners to more difficult and technical rides for more experienced mountain bikers.

There is also a skills track, two practise rollers, rocks, jumps and a pump track. Young riders are catered for with a balance bike track and an adventure playground, conveniently situated next to a newly developed National Trust café.
“We made the decision to develop the trails to make our land more accessible to a wider audience,” says lead ranger, Matt Lewis.

“We wanted people of all ages to get outdoors, active and appreciate our countryside and nature, while having loads of fun.”

“The trails were created in an area of relatively new plantations woodland with very little previous access. Last year we saw 55,000 visitors enjoying the trails, in addition to the 150,000 dog walkers, walkers and nature spotters and 240,000 guests to the house and gardens.

“It is a great facility for both locals and tourists and encourages repeat visits and non NT people. It gets the message across that the NT is all about land as well as houses and gardens.”

There are a number of trails suitable for children and an adventure playground