Explore Bissoe Cycle Trail

BISSOE CYCLE TRAIL

A Coast to Coast Adventure

The Bissoe Cycle Trail, also known as the Coast to Coast Trail, is a popular cycling route in Cornwall. It runs between the village of Portreath on the Atlantic coast and the village of Devoran on the south coast, covering a distance of approximately 11 miles (18 km).

This scenic trail offers a unique journey through Cornwall’s diverse landscapes, including former mining sites, lush woodlands, and picturesque villages.

The route is generally off-road along an old railway way, with some quiet lanes and is a popular route for walkers, runners and cyclists. Along the route, you will discover one of the best-conserved concentrations of historic mine buildings, as well as an assortment of wildlife, some of which only thrives in mining landscape habitats.

YOUR ROUTE

Bissoe Cycle Trail Details

Length: 11 miles (18 km)

Runs From: Portreath – Devoran

Difficulty: Easy to moderate – the trail is well-marked, easy to follow, and largely traffic-free.

Surface: Mixed terrain including tarmac, gravel, and compacted earth

Suitable For: Cyclists of all levels, walkers, and horse riders

START POINTS

Where to Start the Bissoe Cycle Trail From

Portreath: ideal for starting your journey on the north coast.

Devoran: perfect for beginning on the south coast.

Bissoe: Bissoe is between the two, so you can start here for a shorter journey or a quick exploration of the Bissoe Valley Nature Reserve. Setting off from the Saint Piran Café, the trail will take you nine miles to the North coast, along the former mineral tramway for Cornwall’s copper mines. Heading south will take you on a 2-3 mile ride to the quaint creekside village of Devoran.

GETTING HERE BY CAR?

Where to Park For the Bissoe Cycle Trail

If you are driving to the cycle trail, there are plenty of places to park along the way, and at either end of the trail.

Both Portreath and Devoran have parking facilities:

Portreath Car Park: Located near the beach.

Devoran Car Park: Situated near the quay.

From Bissoe, parking is available at the Saint Piran Cafe (known locally as Bike Chain Bissoe), in the village, or at Carnon Valley Car Park. All-day parking is available at the Saint Piran Cafe for £5 per day if using the local trails, which is redeemable with any purchase from the café.

Alternatively, there are several parking spots further along the trail.

If you are staying with us at The Valley, then you can access the cycle trail by bike or on foot within a couple of minutes from The Valley.

Bike Hire for the Bissoe Cycle Trail

One of the most popular spots for bike hire on the Bissoe Cycle Trail is at the Saint Piran Cafe and Bike Hire, known locally as Bike Chain Bissoe.

Here you can hire mountain bikes or e-bikes from manufacturers like Trek and Bianchi. The bikes are available in a range of sizes and you will be equipped with helmets, innertubes, pumps, levers and a lock, as well as a map to guide the way!

You can also purchase new and ex-hire bikes from the store.

MAKING A PITSOP?

Places to Stop for Food & Drink

There are a few places to stop along the route for a refreshment or to unwind at the end of your journey.

Saint Piran Cafe Bissoe

Saint Piran Cafe at Bissoe is a great stop along the journey or an ideal place to start your cycle if you prefer. They serve a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items, as well as a delicious Sunday roast. You can also find coffee and quick snacks here to refresh while on the go.

Hart of The Valley Restaurant at The Valley

Only a couple of minutes from the Bissoe Cycle Trail, Hart of The Valley Restaurant offers delicious meals and refreshments, from cream teas and homemade treats to freshly made pizzas and street food nights. A perfect place for an evening meal after a thrilling day cycling the trail!

Call to reserve a table at 07527471256 / 01872 870341 – or you can pre-order for takeaway as well.

FIND OUT MORE

Bon Appetit at Twelveheads

Bon Appetit at Twelveheads is a great place to stop and refuel while riding the Coast to Coast trail, with light refreshments and cakes, as well as all-day breakfasts, jacket potatoes and toasties.

ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS

Things to See and Do Along the Coast to Coast Bissoe Cycle Trail

The Bissoe Cycle Trail passes through a range of scenery. Going Coast to Coast, you will see the landscape change from coastal to woodland to heath, with plenty of old mining landmarks along the way.

There are many highlights on or near the trail to explore:

Mining Sites on the Bissoe Cycle Trail

A number of important mine buildings have been conserved in the area and linked by trails that follow as closely as possible to the original tramway and railway routes used to transport ore from mines to ports. These sign-posted, largely off-road routes have been specially created for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

Gwennap Pit

Gwennap Pit is a short ride from the trail. It is an open-air amphitheatre formed where there was a natural depression of the ground, likely caused by the surface collapsing into an abandoned mine dig below.

Around 2000 people can be comfortably seated on the grass ‘seating’ of the pit, however, it has been said that in 1773, John Wesley preached to a congregation of 32,000 people at this spot.

Other Mining Heritage Trails

From the Bissoe Cycle Trail, you can easily join onto other trails, as the Coast to Coast trail interconnects with more of The Mineral Tramways trails, including the Wheal Busy Loop and Tolgus Trail.

Bissoe Valley Nature Reserve

The cycle trail runs through the Bissoe Valley Nature Reserve – a former mine site that has now been returned to nature, with newly planted woodland, ponds and regenerating heathland.