A wonderful out-and-back ride along Cornish coastal paths.
Distance: 8.5km (5.3 miles). Climbing: 380m (1,247ft). Time: 1hr to 1hr 30mins.
Location details: Cornwall has hundreds of miles of coastal paths, but very few are open to cyclists. Even the rare section of bridleway used for this route ends abruptly after Vellan Head, so it’s a matter of retracing your steps from there.
Start/finish: National Trust Kynance Cove National Trust car park (grid ref SW 689/132, postcode TR12 7PJ).
Getting there: This ride starts nearly as far south as you can get, near Lizard Point in Cornwall, off the A3083 from Helston. Shortly before reaching Lizard Point, turn right at the brown National Trust sign for Kynance Cove.
Maps & books: Ordnance Survey Landranger 203: Land’s End & Isles of Scilly.Mountain Bike Rides in & around Exmoor & Dartmoor by Max Darkins (Rough Ride Guide).
Facilities: Parking and toilets at the start. The YHA Lizard hostel is a good place to stay (0345 371 9550, www.yha.org.uk). Kynance Cafe is very good and well placed, at the start and end of the route (01326 390436, www.kynancecovecafe.co.uk). Ellie's Soul Kitchen on the road in is brilliant and offers Sunset Supper on some evenings. Kynance camping is lovely too and there a lots more facilities in Lizard village.
Points of Interest: Kynance Cove and the Mermaid Pool are beautiful.
Route type: XC MTB Route