Truro to Bodmin via St. Austell - Trail Length 71.5 km - 45 miles ​

This is the most challenging trails, although there are easy sections to the north and south of St Austell, including the popular off road Pentewan Trail.

The Coast and Clay trails area a network of short walking, cycling and horseriding trails through mid Cornwall. They provide an intriguing glimpse into the China Clay industry of Cornwall. The trails offers a largely traffic free route that crosses through: rolling farmland; wooded valleys, colourful fishing villages and Cornish mining villages.

Starting from Truro:

The trail heads south out of Truro and onto quiet roads, past the National Trust gardens at Trelissick. From here, it crosses the upper reaches of the River Fal by the King Harry Ferry onto the picturesque Roseland Peninsula, following quiet lanes through some of the Roseland's finest scenery. As it nears the coast, the route drops down into the fishing village of Portloe and again at Porthluney Cove, the entrance point to Caerhays Castle. The trail then continues inland before reaching the coast once more at the fishing village of Mevagissey, an extremely popular holiday destination. The route out of Mevagissey passes the award winning 'Lost Gardens of Heligan' and enters St Austell along a largely traffic-free route.

From St Austell the trail heads north, following quiet lanes which offer stunning views across china clay country. There is also a link to the Eden Project, Cornwall's largest Millennium Project. From Eden, the trail continues to the National Trust property of Lanhydrock House along minor roads, from here you cross the A30 using an off-road purpose built 'millennial' bridge route which brings you into the historic town of Bodmin.

Facilities: Mevagissey, St Austell and Bodmin have stores, eateries, pubs and toilets