The Camel Trail is an 18 mile largely traffic free, surfaced and virtually level multi use trail. It provides access to the beautiful Cornish countryside along a disused railway line between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow.
The trail is suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and wheel-chair users. It falls into three main sections:
- Padstow to Wadebridge - 5.5 Miles (8.8Km)
- Wadebridge to Bodmin (Boscarne) - 5.75 Miles (9.25Km)
- Bodmin to Wenfordbridge - 6.25 Miles (10.1 Km)
Facilities
Cost: Free
Bike Hire: is available at Padstow, Wadebridge, Bodmin and Wendfordbridge. (Only licensed providers are permitted to hire bikes for the Trail, please check your hirer is licensed).
Toilets: are located at Wendfordbridge, Wadebridge alongside the trail and in Padstow town centre.
Refreshments are available at:
- Padstow
- The old Quarry (between Padstow and Wadebridge) Wadebridge
- Nanstallon
- Bodmin
- Wendfordbridge
Bird Hide: There is an accessible bird hide alongside the trail near Wadebridge at SW997 717.
Getting to the Camel trail
There are a number of ways that you can get to the Camel Trail:
Car - view the Camel Trail leaflet or a map of the Camel Trail to find out how to get there by car. You can also find information about car parks and how to access the trail below in the facilities and parking section.
Train - you can catch the train to Bodmin Parkway train station which is on the main line. From Bodmin Parkway you can then catch the steam train on the Bodmin and Wenford railway - please check the timetable before travelling as the steam trains run at different times throughout the week. Alternatively you can cycle from Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin Town and the start of the Camel Trail by following signs to Lanhydrock and picking up route 3 the Cornish Way.
Bus: buses run to many of the nearby towns and villages. You can find information about timetables and tickets on the Traveline South West website.
Parking
Main Car parks / Entrances onto the Trail
The Camel Trail leaflet includes a map of the trail and access points to it.
- Padstow (SW921 747) - Multiple car parks in the town
- Old Town Cove (SW932 742) - Follow signs for Old Town Cove from St Issey
- Wadebridge (SW988 727) - Multiple car parks in the town
- Dunmere Bodmin (SX046 675) - Car park at the Borough Arms, PL31 2RD.
- Scarletts Well Bodmin (SX061 674)
- Grogley Halt (SX014 685)
- Shell Woods (SX087 722)
- Wenfordbridge (SX084 751) - Small car park at the Wenfordbridge end of the trail
Environmental Information
Camel Trail Management
The Camel Trail is managed by Cornwall Council and The Camel Trail Partnership. It is carefully maintained to accommodate a number of users each year. The trail runs through both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It is run with conservation and the environment as a major consideration.
What to look out for: Otter, Bats, Dormice, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Marsh Orchid, Marsh Marigold.
Events on the Camel Trail
If you would like to organise a local or charity event on the Trail please have a look at the guidance notes for organising events on the Camel Trail. For Council procedure and event planning or to register your event please visit the organising events in Cornwall page.
Further information
If you would like to find out more about the Camel Trail there are a number of books and publications. You can reserve and borrow these from a selection of Cornwall's libraries.
