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Mineral Tramways Coast to Coast Cycle Route |
OLD CONNS WORKS, BISSOE, TRURO.
Tel: 01872870341
www.cornwallcyclehire.com
The Coast to Coast trail covers approx 14 miles from Portreath to Devoran following the route of The Portreath Tramroad and the Redruth and Chasewater railway line.
Traveling inland from Portreath over recently resurfaced trail cyclists and walkers are treated to spectacular views towards Carn Brea from the Portreath embankment. The hedges form a natural tunnel as you head towards Wheal Rose and Roddas creamery.
On reaching Scorrier the trail heads towards Wheal Busy and into real mining country. Following the recently erected granite way marks with the names of the different mines and shafts you become aware of the great history and heritage that has been left behind for the visitors to explore.Names like Blackdog shaft, Hawks shaft ,Great Wheal Busy, Killifrieth and my personal favourite Goon Gumpas make your senses imagine how many Cornish miners worked below ground.
Passing through Wheal Busy over trail that is uneven you head towards Killifrieth mine and through Unity woods . Stop for a while at Hawks shaft and listen to the silence it really is spectacular.
After the woods you head through the Poldice valley, once the richest square mile in the whole world. Admire the old Arsenic works presently under going restoration and count the number of shafts as you head towards the old port at Devoran. Whilst in Poldice take a while to explore try to find Mars where the more adventurous can enjoy some of the best mountain biking in Cornwall.
Following the Carnon River through Twelveheads you now head towards Bissoe where the cycle hire depot is situated. Bissoe arsenic works is still standing although the square chimney shows damage due to a lightening strike some 15 years ago.Many local people tell stories how the Germans bombed the Arsenic works in the second world war , the arsenic works had been closed for many years but Hitler didn't know that.
After Bissoe the trail passes under Brunels Stumps and the replacement viaduct and onto the old port at Devoran. The whole journey is 14 miles but can be broken down. The cycle hire depot is approximately 5 miles from Point which is 1.5 miles past Devoran .Point was also served by The Redruth & Chasewater railway but stream trains only ran as far as Devoran quay, the last 1.5 miles being horse drawn
Portreath from the cycle hire depot is 11 miles so a good days cycling of 22 miles can be had and an experience to remember ....
