Camel Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Camel Trail |
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| Length | 17.3 mi (27.8 km) |
| Location | Cornwall, England, United Kingdom |
| Trailheads | Padstow 50°32′16″N 4°56′05″W / 50.5377°N 4.9347°W Wenford Bridge 50°32′41″N 4°42′14″W / 50.5447°N 4.7039°W |
| Use | Hiking, Cycling, Horseriding |
The Camel Trail is a super popular path in Cornwall, England. It's a special route where people can walk, run, cycle, and even ride horses. This trail is very flat, which makes it easy for everyone to use, including those with disabilities.
The trail stretches for about 17.3 miles (27.8 km). It connects the towns of Padstow, Wadebridge, Bodmin, and Wenford Bridge. Every year, around 400,000 people enjoy the Camel Trail! Cornwall Council takes care of the trail, making sure it's always in great condition.
Contents
The Trail's Cool History
The Camel Trail wasn't always a path for fun activities. It used to be a railway line! Imagine trains chugging along where you now cycle or walk.
From Sand to Slate: The Railway's Early Days
The railway was first built way back in 1831. A local landowner, Sir William Molesworth, wanted a way to move sand. This sand came from the Camel estuary and was used as fertiliser for farms inland.
Later, the railway became even more important. It carried heavy materials like slate and china clay. These were dug up from quarries inland and taken to ships in Padstow. From Padstow, the ships would carry these materials to other places. The railway also helped transport fresh fish from Padstow to big cities like London.
Why the Trains Stopped Running
Over time, quarrying (digging for slate and clay) and fishing became less common. This meant fewer goods needed to be moved by train. The railway started to lose its purpose.
The last train carrying passengers ran in 1967. Freight trains, which carried goods, stopped completely in 1983. The railway tracks needed a lot of expensive repairs. Since there wasn't enough traffic, it wasn't worth fixing them. So, the railway line was closed down.
Exploring the Trail Today
The old railway line was built to be very flat. It also didn't have any sharp turns. These features make it perfect for a cycle and walking trail! It's smooth and easy to navigate.
A Path for Everyone
The very first bike hire shop in Cornwall opened here in 1983. This was a big step in turning the old railway into a popular trail. Today, Cornwall Council owns the trail. They bought it for just £1! Bike hire shops along the trail pay a small fee. This money helps to keep the trail well-maintained for everyone to enjoy.
Only a small part of the trail, near Wadebridge, shares the road with cars. Most of the trail is separate and safe.
Breaking Up Your Ride
You can start your adventure from different points along the trail. There are car parks at Padstow, Wadebridge, and Poley's Bridge. This allows you to do shorter sections, like a 5-mile (8 km) ride, if you don't want to do the whole trail.
Future Plans for the Trail
In the 1990s, some people wanted to turn part of the trail back into a railway. They hoped it could carry china clay again. However, this idea was turned down. It was decided that the cycleway brings more benefits to the local community. It's much better for people to enjoy the trail than to have heavy lorries on the narrow local roads.
The Bodmin and Wenford Railway, which is a heritage railway, still hopes to extend its line. They want to reach Guineaport at Wadebridge, running alongside the Camel Trail.
In 2006, two new parts were added to the trail. One extension goes from Scarlett’s Well car park in Bodmin right into the town. The second extension goes from Poley's Bridge near St Breward to Wenfordbridge. This part goes through old clay drying areas. A company called Imerys kindly gave the land for this extension.
