Walking the Camel Trail

by Gosia Giernalczyk

The Camel Trail presents access to the Cornish countryside along a disused railway line once used by the London and South West Railway between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow.

Looking to venture out on this walk yourself? Check out our flexible itineraries along the Camel Trail, or read on for our great experience along this gentle, meandering route.

The Camel Trail is an 18-mile path, which passes through diverse landscapes. All the contrasts in scenery, beautiful nature, breathtaking wildlife and tranquillity provide an amazing experience for walkers and cyclists looking to discover North Cornwall at their own pace.

Cornwall is one of the UK’s most popular destinations, especially in summer. Most tourists have heard about the South West Coast Path, but the Camel Trail is a great alternative for anyone who would like to explore Cornish woodlands and enjoy its peacefulness and lovely towns.

What was your impression of the Camel Trail before you started the walk?

Walking the Camel Trail was a very exciting opportunity for me to see Cornwall for the first time. Before this walk, I had visited South Devon a few times, but I did not have a chance to visit Cornwall. It is amazing that these days it is possible to take a short domestic flight from Manchester Airport. The fight to the nearest airport in Newquay took less than an hour.

I knew that the walk follows the Camel Estuary and disused railway line, and I was most looking forward to visiting Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow and enjoying the route through beautiful woods, especially between Wenfordbridge and Bodmin. The Camel Estuary itself is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It is interesting to know that the name of the trail is not connected with an animal, but comes from the Cornish word for elbow. It was decided in the past that the walk’s shape from Wadebridge to Padstow resembles the shape of an elbow.

What was your favourite section of the walk?

It is not an easy task to choose only one section, as all of them are unique. A very big asset of the Camel Trail is the landscape diversity, which lets everyone find something to admire. I must admit, I really liked the section of the walk from Wadebridge to Padstow.

Wadebridge is a very pleasant town, full of small shops and cafes. There is also an amazing bridge, built in 1468. The bridge has seventeen arches along its 320 foot length.

Towards the beginning of the walk, I walked along under a very high road bridge, which was a spectacular infrastructure object. Halfway between Wadebridge and Padstow I found a little café — a converted vintage train carriage. Located a few miles before Padstow, it provided a chance to buy refreshments along the trail. At the end of this section of the walk I entered the beautiful fishing port of Padstow. There were plenty places to dine and spend time. A little harbour in the town centre was unique and charming.

It was very interesting to see the Camel Estuary, where many different species of birds live. I discovered a few points where it was possible to watch them. Perhaps it could be a good idea to take binoculars, as it would make observation even more interesting.

What was the atmosphere like during your walk?

The first section of the walk from Wenfordbridge to Bodmin goes through woodlands. It was very quiet and peaceful and I did not meet too many cyclists or walkers in the beginning. The woods contain trees such as oak, ash and beech. It is also possible to see hazel, holly or spindle. Walking through the woodlands was super relaxing.

When I was entering Bodmin I started to meet more and more people. After an interesting visit to the famous Bodmin Jail, I headed on out of town. From Bodmin to Wenfordbridge I started to meet more tourists, especially more cyclists. It looks like the last section of the walk from Wenfordbridge to Padstow is the most popular and busy. I have met many cyclists along the way, as it’s possible to rent a bicycle in Wenfordbridge and Padstow. In Padstow there is a big cyclist park.

Additionally, I was very lucky with the weather, as most of the time the temperature was around 20 degrees with no rain at all — just ideal for walking!

How were the towns and accommodations?

How challenging did you find the walk?

The trail was signposted very well, and I spotted many fingerposts and information boards. Most of the time the trails follows the River Camel, so it is not difficult to proceed ahead along the trail.

I think the distances on the walk were ideal for me. I did not have to rush, which was very pleasant; I could just enjoy nature and all the views. I had enough time to take as many photos and videos as I wanted and to look around. These daily mileages are perfect for everyone who wants to take their time and explore, with plenty of time to sit down and take a break at one of many benches along the trail. They’re the perfect spots to have a picnic.

What was your most memorable moment?

I had two really memorable moments. The first was at the beginning of the walk, when I was entering woodlands from Wenfordbridge. It was very exciting and the forest looked amazing: peaceful and mysterious. It was a great feeling to get out into nature and listen to the singing birds.

The second memorable moment came when I was entering Padstow and finishing the walk. More and more buildings were visible from a distance and finally I passed the Padstow welcoming board. I felt very happy about finishing the walk. I was proud of myself.

Were there any surprises or things you weren’t expecting?

I was surprised by how big Bodmin Jail is. The prison was built in the 18th century and it is a large building with many attractions inside. These days it is under renovation and only the restaurant is open for now. According to the website, the entire building will be re-opened in May 2020 to give many more tourists the opportunity to visit.

When I was taking photos in Bodmin’s centre, a gentleman from the local council started to tell me many interesting stories about the city. In the local Tourist Information Centre I was able to take many different leaflets with information about local attractions and everyone was very friendly.

Another surprising moment was for me to see many cyclists on the section of the walk from Wadebridge to Padstow. Entire families were cycling together, enjoying the scenery and a beautiful day.

Would you recommend the Camel Trail to others?

The walk was very diverse, interesting and easy to follow. I think the walk would appeal to everyone. It shows Cornwall from a different perspective, because it provides a chance to explore Cornish woodlands and follow the River Camel to its estuary. Bodmin, Wenfordbridge and Padstow are unique and interesting historical places to visit.

The Camel Trail passes through diverse natural environments with spectacular views on the way. The trail is a great mix of quiet woodlands, historical sites, impressive riversides. It is a walk for an entire family with great potential for enjoyment and discovery.

What advice would you give to those interested in walking the Camel Trail?

Before going it could be a good idea to read about the local attractions and decide what to visit. There are many options along the way to take a break, including a wealth of attractions in Bodmin and Padstow and the Camel Valley Vineyard.

If you’re a bit of a bird watcher, it could be a good idea to take binoculars on the walk.  Between Wadebridge and Padstow you can see many different birds species, including: peregrines, swans, several types of duck, waders, divers, grebes, egrets, herons, cormorants, oystercatchers and many gulls.

As always, it is important to check the weather forecast before starting the walk each day. Don’t forget to bring your walking essentials and a positive attitude with you.

Contours Holidays pride ourselves on our expert knowledge of the UK's trails. We regularly set out to check our routes and directions and to make improvements on the holidays we offer. You can find several write-ups of staff expeditions in our Trail Diaries.