Southwest Cornwall Cycling Tour

Welcome to Truro, the county town of Cornwall. Arrive in Truro by bus or train or fly to the nearby Newquay Airport. Make your way to your hotel and get a good night’s rest in preparation for your cycling tour.

The beautiful route from Truro to Helston takes you out along the coast for some sea views before crossing inland again. Leaving Truro, pass Wheal Jane and its old tin mine and come to Penryn. At one time, Penryn was the main port for this area, and you can learn more of its history in a small museum and get a glimpse of its past in its fine examples of Tudor and Georgian architecture.

Follow the coast south to Falmouth, a pleasant and busy sea town. Pause here to visit a beach, perhaps, or explore the exotic gardens or the Maritime Museum. Dominating the headland is the impressive structure of Pendennis Castle. This strategic military fort was built by Henry VIII for England’s national defense and was used as recently as World War II. Continue cycling past subtropical gardens and eventually come to Gweek. Gweek is located on the Helford Creek and it is home to the National Seal Sanctuary, which cares for injured seal pups and other sea mammals rescued from the local beaches. Continue on from Gweek to Helston, where you will spend the night. Expect steep climbs today as you leave Truro, and around the towns of Falmouth, Constantine, and Gweek.

A circuit route from Helston lets you explore Cornwall’s west coast today. You’ll pass through Church Cove and Mullion, continuing all the way south to Lizard, which is the southernmost point on the British mainland. Visit Kynance Cove where the beaches are full of cliffs, caves, and small islands formed by the effects of the powerful waves shaping the serpentine rock.

Continue your journey across Goonhilly Downs, an area that also has very distinct characteristics because of the underlying serpentine rock. The soil produced here is unique, and therefore so is the plant and animal life it supports. Take note of the Cornish heath, which flowers beautifully in the summer and fall, and watch for rare wildlife such as the short-eared owl and the hen harrier. When you are finished exploring this delightful area, return to Helston to spend the night.

Leave Helston today and cycle to Porthleven, an active fishing port that was once an important boat-building center. Following the coast, continue west to reach the mile long Praa Sands. This beach is very popular with families and surfers alike, and it is reputed to be among the best beaches in Cornwall. Continue further to the west to come to the incredible St. Michael’s Mount. You’ll easily understand why this small island community has become one of Cornwall’s best-known landmarks. Have your camera ready for gorgeous photo opportunities. At low tide, the island can be reached via a causeway. Make your way from here to Penance where you will spend the night. Naturally, your luggage will be waiting for you there.

Explore the far southwest today on this circuit tour from Penance. Cycle first to Newlyn, where the Newlyn School of artists was inspired by the local scenery in and around the England’s busiest fishing port. Museums and galleries all around town showcase the artistic legacy of the area. As you continue your journey, narrow streets take you past the small Mousehole Harbor to Lamorna Cove, a lovely and sheltered area for swimming. You’ll also pass a surprising concentration of ancient Celtic standing stones, including the Merry Maidens, a stone circle from the Bronze Age. When you come to Land’s End, enjoy the fantastic scenery as well as a variety of attractions and events. When you have finished exploring, return to Penance for the night.

Your cycling tour concludes by riding from Penzance back to Truro. Head to the north coast, where wading birds find a rich habitat in the mudflats along the River Hayle. As you follow the coastal road, you’ll pass mile after mile of sand dunes, then rugged cliffs, always with incredible Atlantic Ocean views. Then enter Tehidy Country Park and follow a peaceful woodland cycling trail along your way to Portreath. This cove is popular with surfers, but until the beginning of the 20th Century it was best known for mining. You can explore this heritage by visiting the Cornish Goldsmith exhibitions and workshops, or the nearby Tolgus Mill, the last-surviving tin-streaming works in Cornwall. Finish your ride through lovely wooded valleys to return to Truro. Spend the night in Truro in preparation for departure.

Sadly, your cycling tour of Cornwall has come to an end. Buses and trains are available in Truro to take you to Newquay Airport, or to Plymouth, Exeter, or London and beyond. Have a pleasant journey!