The Camel Trail is a 17 mile traffic free route based on an historic railway track. The Padstow to Wadebridge line was opened in 1899 providing access from Waterloo via Okehampton and Launceston, but the section from Wadebridge to Poley's Bridge is one of the oldest in the world and was opened in 1834. Initially it was intended to bring sea sand from the estuary to farms inland. Bodmin through to Wadebridge was connected to the mainline system and operated until 1967, whilst the line between Bodmin and Poley's Bridge, which was only used for freight, was closed in 1984.

The trail falls into three basic sections each of which is approximately 6 miles long. The Trail is level and easy going - a gradient designed for steam trains and engineered in the century before last. The surface generally comprises chippings and coarse sand giving a firm base which is suitable for almost every level of user. Even during the most adverse weather large percentages of the trail will remain in good condition. Maintenance for this free facility involves work which is all year round. Visit A Ride with Nige to read the latest news on Trail conditions.

Walkers Have Right Of Way
The Trail has many different users including older people and people with mobility problems who find the level surface suitable for their use.

Please Keep Your Dogs Under Close Control
Dogs that leave the Trail can cause damage to adjoining private land, the river and its wildlife.

Cyclists - Please Keep Your Speed Down
High speed makes it harder to avoid other users and thus can cause accidents. Try to warn people of your approach - two tings!

Horse Riders Please Keep To A Walking Pace
This reduces damage to the surface and the likelihood of an accident with other users.

Please Clean Up After Your Dog and Do Not Drop Litter
Litter is unsightly, takes years to biodegrade and can be dangerous. Dog faeces are a particular nuisance.

Please Use The Trail Safely
Cyclists are advised to wear a safety helmet and to carry a puncture repair kit. Cycling with your dog on or off a lead is very dangerous.

Please respect the privacy of adjoining properties and landowners.

Please be considerate to all other users of the Trail.

Please respect The Camel Trail
The trail is a free facility for all users, funded mostly by residents of the County who pay local tax. It's a wonderful place. Please take a bag with you to keep your used wrappers, cans or whatever in.

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It is important to realise that users of the Trail do so entirely at their own risk. Cornwall County and North District Councils do not accept any responsibility for any accident or injury which may occur as a result of misuse or abuse of the Trail, its structures, facilities or adjoining land.

The Camel Trail from Padstow to Nanstallon is owned and managed by Cornwall County Council. Hired Cycles, must carry a valid Camel Trail licence disc. The money received by the Council through the licence hire agreement goes towards the cost of maintaining the Trail. The hirer must attach a licence disc to all cycles (except children's bikes 20" and under) for use on the Trail. Hired Cycles without discs may be refused entry. You should check that the cycle you hire is carrying a current disc.

Private cycles require no licence.

If you have a query, wish to report a problem on the Trail or require other information on cycling in Cornwall, please phone the
HELP LINE: 01872 222000.

The Camel Trail is managed through a Partnership involving Cornwall and North Cornwall District Councils, together with the local town and parish councils through whose area the Trail passes. These include Bodmin Wadebridge and Padstow Town Councils, and St Breward, Blisland, Helland, Lanivet, Egloshayle, St Breock and St Issey Parish Councils. Day to day management is undertaken by the County and District Councils.

Day to day management is undertaken by the County and District Councils: Tel 01208 893333. You can download The Camel Trail booklet with a useful map and the code of conduct from the North Cornwall District Council website.

By Bike
The Camel Trail forms the western section of Route 3 of the SUSTRANS National Cycle Network from Bristol to Padstow (250 miles). Contact SUSTRANS - Tel: 08451 130065 - Email: info@sustrans.org.uk

By Train
Main line rail service (Paddington - Penzance) at Bodmin Parkway, 3 miles from Bodmin Town. Bodmin and Wenford Railway runs from Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin General from Easter to October with special breaks during the winter. Tel: 0871 200 49 50.

By Bus
Service 55 connects Bodmin Parkway, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. This service runs Monday to Saturday year round and on Sundays between April and September. For more information contact First Devon & Cornwall. Tel: Tel: 0845 600 1420.

By Car
Main roads to Padstow, Wadebridge or Bodmin.

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Additional thoughts from trail users

: "We drive on the left side of the road in the UK and it is practical to use this when cycling, we know which side of the trail we should move to. This is not indicated on signs on the trail."

"We have many friends who visit from all over the world but especially from other parts of Europe. Everything to do with information is in English."

There are other ideas along this line and thoughts are welcome.

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The Camel Trail winds through some of Cornwall's most beautiful and little known countryside part of which has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Cornwall County Council converted 11 miles of disused railway beside the River Camel from track bed to trail, linking the towns of Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. An extension owned and managed by North Cornwall County Council follows the river towards Camelford. there are many visitors to the trail each year; some use it daily for jogging or bird watching, others for an occasional day out walking or cycling. Why not join them? Travel along the Camel Trail and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Camel Valley. The Camel Trail, following the Camel river, is Cornwall's first all weather, all-purpose recreation trail, available free 365 days of the year. It isn't a road, or a path, or a public right of way, it is provided as an amenity by Cornwall County Council. There is an abundance of wildlife in the area around the Camel Trail. Twelve species of plant found along the Trail are scarce either in Cornwall or nationally. The estuary is important for many species of over wintering birds and nationally important for Golden Plover. Many mammals are present, from the prolific rabbit to rare otter.

The Atlantic Coast Railway
In 1846 the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) bought the Bodmin - Wadebridge Railway, the first shot in a long hard-fought battle for supremacy between supporters of broad gauge and standard gauge railways. in 1899 the line from Wadebridge to Padstow was laid, starting the route of the Atlantic Coast Express to Waterloo which carried thousands of holiday-makers to the West Country until the line closures in 1967. Perhaps the most famous of these travellers was the Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman, for whom the railway, the river and the estuary were a great source of inspiration. You may like to visit the John Betjeman Centre at the old Wadebridge Railway Station where the old booking office and waiting rooms can still be seen.