Prices
Is this tour for me?
Get In Touch
Highlights
Experience the beautiful scenery and fascinating history of Cornwall by bike
Discover the history of Cornwall riding from village to village on the southwest coast.
Stand at the southernmost point on the British mainland and explore the unique landscape nearby at Goonhilly Downs.
Visit the attractions and events at Land’s End at the far southwestern coast of Cornwall.
Experience Cornish culture, food, and hospitality while staying in local guesthouses and eating in pubs and tea rooms along the way.
This self-guided cycling tour of Cornwall is a gem. The far southwestern part of England in Cornwall is as unique as it is beautiful, and you’ll experience it in a special way by bicycle on the Southwest Cornwall cycling tour. Experience Cornish culture at its finest as you cycle from guesthouse to guesthouse and enjoy local hospitality all along the way.
This tour is not all about cycling. Walk the rocky cliffs, explore sea coves and taste the salty sea spray that blows on the wind. Learn more about the history of Cornwall, including the significance of the mining and fishing industries in shaping present-day Cornish culture. You’ll be enchanted by the unique geography that is so characteristic of this ruggedly beautiful region.
Because this tour is self-guided, you’ll feel free to linger in the areas that interest you most. Don’t miss a moment of the fun and adventure that awaits you in Cornwall! Book your Far Southwest Cornwall Cycling Tour today!
This self-guided cycling tour of Cornwall is a gem. The far southwestern part of England in Cornwall is as unique as it is beautiful, and you’ll experience it in a special way by bicycle on the Southwest Cornwall cycling tour. Experience Cornish culture at its finest as you cycle from guesthouse to guesthouse and enjoy local hospitality all along the way.
This tour is not all about cycling. Walk the rocky cliffs, explore sea coves and taste the salty sea spray that blows on the wind. Learn more about the history of Cornwall, including the significance of the mining and fishing industries in shaping present-day Cornish culture. You’ll be enchanted by the unique geography that is so characteristic of this ruggedly beautiful region.
Because this tour is self-guided, you’ll feel free to linger in the areas that interest you most. Don’t miss a moment of the fun and adventure that awaits you in Cornwall! Book your Far Southwest Cornwall Cycling Tour today!
Read more
The Far Southwest: Cornwall Cycling Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Penzance
Make your way to collect your bike by 9.30am in Penzance, with many guests adding a nice in Penzance to start. Once you have your bike then ride to the north coast where the mudflats of the River Hayle are a rich habitat for wading birds. Follow the coast road past miles of sand dunes then above rugged cliffs with spectacular views of the Atlantic. Explore a woodland cycle trail at the tranquil Tehidy Country Park, on the way to the popular surfing cove at Portreath. This was one of the main mining areas in Cornwall until the early 20th century and you can still visit Cornish Goldsmith workshops and exhibitions as well as the Tolgus Tin Streaming works nearby. The ride ends along beautiful, wooded valleys back into Truro.
Overnight Location: Truro
Distance: 52km
Meals: None
Day 2 Truro Circuit
Today’s route takes you from Truro via the Roseland Peninsula, taking in the best of the local landscape. It uses mostly country lanes and cycle paths once you have left Truro and is a peaceful day’s riding. This is the most challenging route of the trip with a lot of hills, but a shortcut will be provided if you need it. The full route is hillier than the shortcut, but worth it to see the truly spectacular scenery in the local area. Please note, the trip includes a transfer via King Harry’s Ferry, which costs £1.50 per person and is payable locally.
Overnight Location: Truro
Distance: Full Route: 29 miles / 47 km; Short Route: 19 miles / 31km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Truro to Helston
Traversing between Truro and Helston for your next overnight stay, this route takes you past the old tin mine at Wheal Jane to Penryn, once the main port in this area, where you’ll find its heritage displayed in some fine architecture from Tudor to Georgian and in a small museum. Continue down the coast to Falmouth, a busy pleasant town where the atmosphere is flavoured by the salt sea air. Here you can visit several exotic gardens, a Maritime Museum and some pleasant beaches. Impressive fortifications of Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle still dominate the headland. Continue past more subtropical gardens to Gweek on the Helford Creek, the home of the National Seal Sanctuary where they rescue injured seal pups from local beaches and also care for other abandoned sea mammals. The terrain is not as tough as the circuit from Truro, but there are still some steep climbs out of Truro and around Falmouth, Constantine and Gweek.
Overnight Location: Helston
Distance: Full Route: 30.5 miles / 49km; Short Route: 23 miles / 37km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Helston Circuit
Explore the west coast of Cornwall through the delightful Church Cove to Mullion from where you can continue all the way down to Lizard, the most southerly point of the British mainland. This also takes you to Kynance Cove where the combination of the rare serpentine rock and the powerful sea has produced amazing beaches with cliffs, caves and islands. Next, cross Goonhilly Downs where the underlying serpentine rock gives the area most of its special characteristics. The soil it produces is the ideal habitat for the Cornish Heath that is almost unique to this area. It supports rare wildlife including the hen harrier and short-eared owl and is also the home of a satellite tracking station.
Overnight Location: Helston
Distance: Full Route: 35 miles / 56 km; Short Route: 24 miles / 38 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Helston to Penzance
Leaving Helston, continue to Porthleven which for many years was the local centre for boat building and is still a working fishing port. Then follow the coast west to Praa Sands, this mile-long sweep of sand is renowned as one of Cornwall’s finest family beaches and is very popular with surfers. Further on is one of Cornwall’s most famous landmarks, St. Michael’s Mount, a little island community that can be reached by causeway at low tide, which is also the perfect photo opportunity!
Overnight Location: Penzance
Distance: Full Route: 18 miles / 29km; No Short Route
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Penzance Circuit
The circuit from Penzance takes you out to Newlyn – England’s busiest fishing port. The local scenery inspired the Newlyn School of artists and their legacy can be seen in museums and galleries around the town. Continue through narrow streets past little Mousehole harbour and over to the pretty, sheltered Lamorna Cove, which is a lovely spot for a swim. Pass the Merry Maidens, a Bronze Age stone circle that stands amidst a remarkable concentration of ancient Celtic standing stones to Lands’ End, where the road stops and you can enjoy a variety of entertainments and attractions. Drop your bikes back at the shop by 5:30pm.
Overnight Location: Penzance
Distance: Full Route: 28 miles /45 km; Short Route: 18 miles /29 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Departure Day
Sadly, your cycling tour of Cornwall has come to an end. Buses and trains are available to take you to Newquay Airport, or to Plymouth, Exeter, or London and beyond. Have a pleasant journey!
Overnight Location: N/A
Distance: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
2026 Prices for Southwest Cornwall Cycling Tour
This Self-Guided Standard Biking tour is always run as a private tour for your group only. This tour can be customized for you, and prices depend on group size, room types, trip customizations, and date of travel.
2026 Pricing for Southwest Cornwall Cycling Tour The departures are available daily from January to December, 2026.
The starting price for two people sharing a double or twin room is GBP1275 per person.
Accommodation on The Far Southwest: Cornwall Cycling Tour
This tour is based in 3-4-star hotels and bed and breakfasts. In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of USD425 to have a private room in a hotel.
What’s included in the Far Southwest: Cornwall Cycling Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included with accommodations. Lunches, dinners and drinks are not included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights along the tour. Extra nights may be added for an additional fee.
Also Included
- Luggage Transfers
- Bicycle hire (hybrid bike) + one-size helmet
- Puncture repair kit, pump, lock, panniers
- Full Tour Pack with color-coded routes on local maps
- Smartphone App with GPS routes
- 24-hr emergency helpline
Not included
- Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
- Entrance to attractions
- Buses and/or Ferries unless otherwise stated
- E-Bike Hire (available for an additional fee)
- Tourist Taxes where applicable
Optional Extras
- Want an easier trip? You can rent an E-Bike for an additional charge
- Additional nights in Truro, Helston, or Penzance
- Optional 3-day/2-night extension from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly
- Optional 3-day/2-night extension from Truro to the Eden Project
- This trip can be extended to up to 14days, 13 nights with extensions to the Isles of Scilly and the Eden Project
- How hard is this tour?
- What kind of rental bike is included?
- Can I bring my own bicycle?
- Do I need a helmet?
- Do I need a Visa?
- Are meals included?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Truro to start this tour?
- Where does the tour end?
- Can I extend my tour?
- Do I need vaccines?
- What should I wear?
- What is the weather like in Cornwall?
- When is the best time to travel to England for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. The difficulty level is moderate but you should be ready to ride up to 35 miles (56 km) per day over hilly terrain. If this is too much, consider an e-bike.
Rental of a hybrid bike is included in your tour price. The bicycles are branded tour bikes, lightweight, and equipped with 21-speed derailleur and freewheel. They do not come with stands. Also included: puncture repair kits, pumps, locks, panniers, and a handlebar mounted mobile phone pouch. Computers are not provided.
Yes! If you prefer to bring your own bike, the cost of the bicycle rental can be deducted from the price of your tour.
A one-size helmet is included with the rental bicycle. You may bring your own if you prefer. Helmets are not required by law in the UK, but they are always recommended for your safety.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Breakfasts are included with your accommodations. Lunches, dinners, drinks, and other food is not included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
The best way to reach Truro is by train. There is a direct route from London that takes 4.5-5 hours. You can also reach Truro by train from Bristol or Exeter. The closest airport is Newquay (NQY) with bus connections to Truro. If you are arriving by car, please note this at booking as parking is limited and must be reserved in advance.
The tour ends in where it began, in Truro.
Yes! Optional extensions to the Isles of Scilly (from Penzance) or to the Eden Project (from Truro) can be added. Each of these extensions adds 3 days and 2 nights to the trip.
Check with your family doctor.
Dress for the weather of the season in Cornwall. Always pack a jacket in case the temperatures are cooler than expected, and quality rain gear. Sun protection such as a hat and sunglasses is also recommended. Choose clothes that are comfortable and manage moisture well. Padded cycling shorts will help improve your comfort on the trip.
Cornwall has generally cool but mild weather, without extremes of heat or cold, making it reasonable to visit at any time of year. This beautiful area is not known for abundant sunshine and it rains frequently, particularly during the fall and winter. More information about weather in Cornwall.
The best time to travel to Cornwall for this tour is during the warmer months from May to September, but the trip is available year-round.
Customer Ratings
Compass Holidays has been helping walkers explore the best walks in the UK since 1990. Their expert team organize great walking holidays so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your time away.
