Camel Trail

Camel Trail

A relaxed walking holiday following the River Camel from Wenfordbridge to Padstow through beautiful Cornish countryside.

3 to 4 nights
18 miles
Easy to Moderate

From £385 per person

Find your holiday

About this route

3 to 4 nights
18 miles
Easy to Moderate
2nd January to 24th December

From £385 per person

Camel Trail

The Camel Trail is a scenic walking holiday that begins at the terminus of a former railway line in Wenfordbridge and travels 18 miles towards the coastal town of Padstow. This well-surfaced trail stays close to the River Camel, providing lovely waterside views and a calm ambience as it tells the story of North Cornwall’s amazing industrial history. The route wanders through ancient woodland, habitat restoration projects and other nature reserves, providing plenty of opportunity to spot a range of interesting plants and wildlife during this walk.

The Camel Trail is waymarked throughout and dotted with facilities and resting spots. This level walking holiday is a great choice for new walkers of all fitness levels and abilities.

As a Stile-Free walking holiday, the Camel Trail has no stiles or other challenging obstacles to contend with. Any climbs or descents are short and/or gentle. It is suitable for beginners, young families and those with mild mobility impairments.

Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays Camel Trail map
Wenfordbridge/Padstow
18 miles (28 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Exploring the wonderful villages of Wenfordbridge and Wadebridge along the route, as well as the fascinating old town of Bodmin.

Following the disused Bodmin and Wadebridge railway line through fabulous, colourful scenery, and uncovering the area’s past along the way.

Arriving at the lively harbour town of Padstow and making the most of its range of attractions and wonderful, sandy beaches.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
CT1 From Wenfordbridge(T) to Padstow 3 nights, 2 days walking Stile-Free - Moderate £385
CT2 From Wenfordbridge(T) to Padstow 4 nights, 3 days walking Stile-Free - Easy £515

Camel Trail - Stile-Free 3 nights, 2 days walking

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather
  • Holiday Highlights
Start

Travel to Wenfordbridge(T) where your first night's accommodation will be booked

Day 1

Wenfordbridge(T) to Boscarne(T). 7.5 miles (12km)

Day 2

Boscarne(T) to Padstow. 10 miles (16km)

Finish

Depart from Padstow after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.

Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£60.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£50.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays Camel Trail map
Wenfordbridge/Padstow
18 miles (28 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Exploring the wonderful villages of Wenfordbridge and Wadebridge along the route, as well as the fascinating old town of Bodmin.

Following the disused Bodmin and Wadebridge railway line through fabulous, colourful scenery, and uncovering the area’s past along the way.

Arriving at the lively harbour town of Padstow and making the most of its range of attractions and wonderful, sandy beaches.

What's included?

  • 3 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

Although the Camel Trail is a short route, it nevertheless passes through plenty of wonderful locations that are well worth pausing in and exploring more thoroughly. Extend your holiday by booking extra nights at any of your overnight stops, and enjoy the many fantastic attractions on offer in each new place.

You can extend your holiday by adding additional nights at the end of your walk in the lively harbour town of Padstow. The surrounding area is made up of rugged coastline, quiet coves and glorious sandy beaches, making Padstow a great base for a wide variety of water sports and activities. As well as a plethora of shops and visitor attractions, Padstow is known as one of Cornwall’s great foodie destinations, and is home to Rick Stein’s famous fish restaurant among many other fantastic eateries. Another point of interest is Padstow Museum, which houses a collection of memorabilia giving an insight into the history of Padstow over the past two centuries.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 17.5 miles (28 km)
Duration: 3 nights, 2 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 7.5 miles (12 km)
Maximum daily distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Code: CT1 Grade: Stile-Free - Moderate
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: Wenfordbridge(T)
End of holiday: Padstow

Route Profile

Camel Trail - Stile-Free Route Profile

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The nearest airports are at Newquay, Exeter and Bristol.

By Rail - The nearest train station to the start of the trail (Wenfordbridge) is at Bodmin Parkway (approximately 9 miles away). The nearest train station to the end of the trail (Padstow) is at Roche (approximately 14 miles away), although Bodmin Parkway (about 26 miles away) may be more convenient.

By Bus - Bus journeys to Wenfordbridge from Bodmin are somewhat long winded & non existent on weekends, so a taxi would be the best option. There is no direct bus service from Padstow to Roche, so a taxi would be a better option. Buses run from Padstow to Bodmin Parkway.

From London - Trains run regularly from London Paddington Station to Bodmin Parkway. From here you will need to take a taxi to Wenfordbridge.

Return To The Start - To return to the start of the trail, the easiest option is to take a taxi from Padstow to Wenfordbridge.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.
Harbour Cove Beach - Harbour Cove Beach
Harbour Cove Beach Harbour Cove Beach
Toward St Saviours Point - Toward St Saviours Point
Toward St Saviours Point Toward St Saviours Point
Cycling on Camel Trail Toward Padstow - Cycling on Camel Trail Toward Padstow
Cycling on Camel Trail Toward Padstow Cycling on Camel Trail Toward Padstow
Camel Quarry House - Camel Quarry House
Camel Quarry House Camel Quarry House
Camel Quarry House - Camel Quarry House
Camel Quarry House Camel Quarry House
Countryside - Countryside
Countryside Countryside
Cycling up to Padstow - Cycling up to Padstow
Cycling up to Padstow Cycling up to Padstow
Another view of River Camel close to Padstow - Another view of River Camel close to Padstow
Another view of River Camel close to Padstow Another view of River Camel close to Padstow
Harbour Cove Beach - Harbour Cove Beach
Harbour Cove Beach Harbour Cove Beach
Flowers along the Trail - Flowers along the Trail
Flowers along the Trail Flowers along the Trail
Dry River Camel - Dry River Camel
Dry River Camel Dry River Camel
Looking Accross River Camel 2 - Looking Accross River Camel 2
Looking Accross River Camel 2 Looking Accross River Camel 2
Hiking to Padstow - Hiking to Padstow
Hiking to Padstow Hiking to Padstow
Looking Back toward Wadebridge - Looking Back toward Wadebridge
Looking Back toward Wadebridge Looking Back toward Wadebridge
Walking Toward Keybridge near Wenford Bridge - Walking Toward Keybridge near Wenford Bridge
Walking Toward Keybridge near Wenford Bridge Walking Toward Keybridge near Wenford Bridge
Inland view from Harbour Cove Beach - Inland view from Harbour Cove Beach
Inland view from Harbour Cove Beach Inland view from Harbour Cove Beach
Harbour Cove Beach - Harbour Cove Beach
Harbour Cove Beach Harbour Cove Beach
Walking Through Wenford Bridge - Walking Through Wenford Bridge
Walking Through Wenford Bridge Walking Through Wenford Bridge
Bodmin & Wenford Railway Station - Bodmin & Wenford Railway Station
Bodmin & Wenford Railway Station Bodmin & Wenford Railway Station
Dry River Camel 2 - Dry River Camel 2
Dry River Camel 2 Dry River Camel 2
A39 Wadebridge Bridge - A39 Wadebridge Bridge
A39 Wadebridge Bridge A39 Wadebridge Bridge
Walking toward Harbour Cove 2 - Walking toward Harbour Cove 2
Walking toward Harbour Cove 2 Walking toward Harbour Cove 2
St Saviours Point - St Saviours Point
St Saviours Point St Saviours Point
South Quay - Padstow - South Quay - Padstow
South Quay - Padstow South Quay - Padstow
St George’s Cove 4 - St George’s Cove 4
St George’s Cove 4 St George’s Cove 4
Start of Camel Trail - Wenford Bridge - Start of Camel Trail - Wenford Bridge
Start of Camel Trail - Wenford Bridge Start of Camel Trail - Wenford Bridge
View toward Rock - View toward Rock
View toward Rock View toward Rock
Bodmin Jail Attraction - Bodmin Jail Attraction
Bodmin Jail Attraction Bodmin Jail Attraction
View from St George’s Cove 2 - View from St George’s Cove 2
View from St George’s Cove 2 View from St George’s Cove 2
Wadebridge Old Bridge - Wadebridge Old Bridge
Wadebridge Old Bridge Wadebridge Old Bridge
Just Pass Wadebridge - Just Pass Wadebridge
Just Pass Wadebridge Just Pass Wadebridge
St George’s Cove Near Padstow - St George’s Cove Near Padstow
St George’s Cove Near Padstow St George’s Cove Near Padstow
Toward Padstow - Toward Padstow
Toward Padstow Toward Padstow
Bodmin Jail Attraction - Bodmin Jail Attraction
Bodmin Jail Attraction Bodmin Jail Attraction
View from St Saviours Point - View from St Saviours Point
View from St Saviours Point View from St Saviours Point
Toward Padstow 2 - Toward Padstow 2
Toward Padstow 2 Toward Padstow 2
Wadebridge Town Sign - Wadebridge Town Sign
Wadebridge Town Sign Wadebridge Town Sign
Walking toward The Cornish Crepe Shop - Walking toward The Cornish Crepe Shop
Walking toward The Cornish Crepe Shop Walking toward The Cornish Crepe Shop
The Swan Hotel near Wadebridge - The Swan Hotel near Wadebridge
The Swan Hotel near Wadebridge The Swan Hotel near Wadebridge
Walking Toward St Saviours Point - Walking Toward St Saviours Point
Walking Toward St Saviours Point Walking Toward St Saviours Point
River Camel Near Padstow 3 - River Camel Near Padstow 3
River Camel Near Padstow 3 River Camel Near Padstow 3
Wenford Bridge Sitting Area - Wenford Bridge Sitting Area
Wenford Bridge Sitting Area Wenford Bridge Sitting Area
River Camel - 8 - River Camel - 8
River Camel - 8 River Camel - 8
Wadebridge Town - Wadebridge Town
Wadebridge Town Wadebridge Town
Walking Next to River Camel near Wadebridge - Walking Next to River Camel near Wadebridge
Walking Next to River Camel near Wadebridge Walking Next to River Camel near Wadebridge
Walking to Padstow - Walking to Padstow
Walking to Padstow Walking to Padstow
Walking on Camel Quarry House - Walking on Camel Quarry House
Walking on Camel Quarry House Walking on Camel Quarry House
Shell Woods Forestry 2 - Shell Woods Forestry 2
Shell Woods Forestry 2 Shell Woods Forestry 2
Walking toward Little Petherick Creek Bridge - Walking toward Little Petherick Creek Bridge
Walking toward Little Petherick Creek Bridge Walking toward Little Petherick Creek Bridge
River Camel 2 - River Camel 2
River Camel 2 River Camel 2
Walking Through Camel Quarry House - Walking Through Camel Quarry House
Walking Through Camel Quarry House Walking Through Camel Quarry House
Resting area near Camel Quarry House - Resting area near Camel Quarry House
Resting area near Camel Quarry House Resting area near Camel Quarry House
Walking toward St Saviours Point 2 - Walking toward St Saviours Point 2
Walking toward St Saviours Point 2 Walking toward St Saviours Point 2
Walking toward Padstow 2 - Walking toward Padstow 2
Walking toward Padstow 2 Walking toward Padstow 2
Padstow Harbour 4 - Padstow Harbour 4
Padstow Harbour 4 Padstow Harbour 4
Looking at River Camel - Looking at River Camel
Looking at River Camel Looking at River Camel
River Camel 7 - River Camel 7
River Camel 7 River Camel 7
Woodlands near Wenford Bridge - Woodlands near Wenford Bridge
Woodlands near Wenford Bridge Woodlands near Wenford Bridge
Looking at Rock-Padstow Ferry - Looking at Rock-Padstow Ferry
Looking at Rock-Padstow Ferry Looking at Rock-Padstow Ferry
Looking Accross the River - Looking Accross the River
Looking Accross the River Looking Accross the River
Looking back toward Wadebridge - Looking back toward Wadebridge
Looking back toward Wadebridge Looking back toward Wadebridge
Lower Beach near Padstow - Lower Beach near Padstow
Lower Beach near Padstow Lower Beach near Padstow
Near Camel Quarry House - Near Camel Quarry House
Near Camel Quarry House Near Camel Quarry House
Looking inland - Looking inland
Looking inland Looking inland
Looking other side of the River - Looking other side of the River
Looking other side of the River Looking other side of the River
Near Shell Woods Forestry Commission Car Park - Near Shell Woods Forestry Commission Car Park
Near Shell Woods Forestry Commission Car Park Near Shell Woods Forestry Commission Car Park
Other Side of Padstow - Other Side of Padstow
Other Side of Padstow Other Side of Padstow
On Little Petherick Creek Bridge - On Little Petherick Creek Bridge
On Little Petherick Creek Bridge On Little Petherick Creek Bridge
Resting at Padstow Harbour - Resting at Padstow Harbour
Resting at Padstow Harbour Resting at Padstow Harbour
Resting Bench near Padstow - Resting Bench near Padstow
Resting Bench near Padstow Resting Bench near Padstow
Near Shell Woods Forestry Commission Car Park 2 - Near Shell Woods Forestry Commission Car Park 2
Near Shell Woods Forestry Commission Car Park 2 Near Shell Woods Forestry Commission Car Park 2
Padstow Harbour 3 - Padstow Harbour 3
Padstow Harbour 3 Padstow Harbour 3
Passing Pinkson Creek - Passing Pinkson Creek
Passing Pinkson Creek Passing Pinkson Creek
River Camel 3 - River Camel 3
River Camel 3 River Camel 3
River Camel Boat - River Camel Boat
River Camel Boat River Camel Boat
River Camel Bank - River Camel Bank
River Camel Bank River Camel Bank
River Camel - River Camel
River Camel River Camel
Shell Woods Forestry - Shell Woods Forestry
Shell Woods Forestry Shell Woods Forestry
Snail's Pace Cafe - Wenford Bridge - Snail's Pace Cafe - Wenford Bridge
Snail's Pace Cafe - Wenford Bridge Snail's Pace Cafe - Wenford Bridge