Walking the Camel Trail

The Camel Trail is a beautiful coastal walk in Cornwall, the length of a disused railway line from St. Breward to Padstow - and Walks Around Britain follower Angie Silver sent us this great description of her experience...

More Info :
County/Area : Cornwall
Author : Angie Silver
Padstow to Wadebridge - 5.5 Miles 8.8 Km
Wadebridge to Boscarne (Bodmin) - 5.75 Miles 9.25 Km
Boscarne to Wenfordbridge - 6.25 Miles 10.1 Km
Ascent : Quite flat
Grade : moderate

We picked up the walk, parking in Bodmin by the Borough arms pub and starting our adventure there. It is a very pleasant almost flat route, traffic free and family friendly, apart from other walkers and cyclists and the birds you are left to your own thoughts – blissful.


Setting off from Bodmin, on a beautiful sunny morning, we walked just under 6 miles into Wadebridge, passing old rail stops – as the line you walk along used to be a railway track, a tea room (one to remember for the return journey). Whilst all along the way being serenaded by spring bird calls and all along the path between us butterflies and damselflies dance a merry dance.

There are plenty of places to stop for a bit of lunch / or a snack, plenty of picnic tables. Then you pass the entrance to the Camel Valley vineyard – a chance to take a break and enjoy a glass of local wine on the terrace (the Sauvignon Blanc is lovely) with amazing views across the Camel Valley.

You cross two small roads, remembering to close the gates behind you, passing old railway cottages and beautiful tinkling streams.

Starting again on the walk, you go through central Wadebridge, where there are plenty of amenities, past a co-op and then past the old harbour edge, before picking up the trail again across the river.

We cross the estuary, and see beautiful sea birds, cormorants and waders, and here sounds of “chiff chaff” as walkers pass exchanging greetings.

We pause to look out at the area designated an area of outstanding natural beauty, the sky is blue not a cloud to be seen. The sea twinkling like diamonds, the smell and taste of salt in the air. Kingfishers dart back and forth in the banks, then we continue to walk the 5.5 miles to Padstow arriving close to the lobster hatchery, after refuelling on Rick Stein’s fish and chips from the shop on the Quay, we repeat the 11.2 mile walk back to bodmin – happy and fulfilled.

A glorious day filled with sights and sounds that only Cornwall can provide. A truly memorable experience with extensive views across the Camel Valley and Camel Estuary and beyond, one to be repeated at any time of the year, but particularly if you're in Cornwall and you wake up and the sky is blue with no clouds to be seen – then pack up a bag and head for the hills – a day for walking is to be had.


Many thanks to Angie for sending this in.  If you've got a walk with some photographs you'd like to share, please email it to info@walksaroundbritain.co.uk.