Cycle Trails In Bude Area

If you are a keen cyclist, you will be pleased to know that camping sites in Cornwall have plenty of room for you to bring your bike and all the necessary equipment! Bude is known for its secluded country roads, making it perfect for exploring the area on two wheels. Whether you want to enjoy the stunning coastal views or check out the nearby villages, Bude offers endless cycling opportunities.

Bude is most definitely a bike-friendly holiday spot, with lots of designated cycle parks where you can keep your bike secure while you do a little exploration on foot. Bude Canal, the South West Coast Path and a wide range of gorgeous beaches (including Summerleaze Beach and Crooklets Beach) are just a few of the most popular visitor attractions.

Bicycle

This is an example of the Flying Gate bicycle, a hand made model built by the son of regular Tamar Lake Farm visitors, Chris and Rich

Bude forms part of the main National Cycle Network (NCN3). Further south, the network links to the famous Camel Trail, which takes in some of the most beautiful coastal and moorland scenery in Cornwall. The Camel Trail is 20 miles of off-road cycling and runs from Padstow to Wenford Bridge, taking in Wadebridge and Bodmin. If you are heading north, you will reach Devon’s Tarka Trail through breathtaking Ruby Country. The Tarka Trail is 21 miles of flat cycle track, free from traffic, going from Braunton to Great Torrington through Barnstaple and Bideford.

More off-road cycling is available at Stowe Woods, Cookworthy Forest or Tamar Lakes. While in Bude, you are likely to meet lots of other cyclists of all abilities, including those who choose the village as an overnight stop during the ‘End-to-End’ (Lands End to John O’Groats, or vice versa).

Whether you are looking for a gentle meander through the country or something a little more challenging, Bude won’t disappoint. Cycling along the coastal paths involves navigating cliffs and valleys, and will definitely get your heart rate up! The Millook coastal climb just south of Bude forms the biggest challenge of the annual ‘Cornwall Tor’ cyclosportif.

An exciting new option for cyclists is the ‘Atlantic Trail’, which is currently in development. This is the name being used for the entire range of cycle paths, routes and attractions that go through, or start from, Bude. Over the next couple of years, off-road cycling and quiet country paths will be combined to link Bude to Plymouth, via Ruby Country.

Tamar Tootle

Image from http://www.1sw.org.uk

Camping sites in Cornwall provide a great base from which to enjoy the beauty of Bude by bike. If you are camping at nearby Tamar Lake Farm, especially if you have small children with bikes, you will want to know about the ‘Tamar Tootle’. This delightful, safe, cycleway takes you and the family round the 2.8 mile perimeter of Upper Tamar Lake. The lake is just a short cycle ride from Tamar Lake Farm so pack up a picnic – or take advantage of the excellent food available at the cafe next to the Lakeside car park and take the family for a tootle! Really little children could take a break half way to look at wildlife and birds from the excellent bird hide which is far too nice to call a hut!

The Tamar Tootle is just one of the excellent cycle paths that you can discover whilst camping in the Bude area and you can get lots more information from Bude Tourist Information Office.

Comments are closed.