The best gravel rides around St. Austell

Gravel biking around St. Austell offers a unique blend of landscapes. You'll primarily encounter the dramatic Clay Country, characterized by its distinctive clay tips and turquoise-blue pits, often referred to as the 'Cornish Alps.' Beyond this industrial heritage, routes also traverse rolling hills, wooded valleys, and picturesque coastal areas, particularly around St. Austell Bay and Gribbin Head.

There are over 9 gravel bike trails documented in the St. Austell area on komoot, offering a variety of experiences for different skill levels.

Yes, while many routes offer a challenge, there is at least one easy gravel bike trail available. The region's network includes options suitable for different ability levels, with some routes featuring mostly paved surfaces or gentler gradients.

The gravel bike trails around St. Austell vary significantly in length and duration. For example, routes can range from shorter options like The Eden Project – The Clay Trails Map loop from St Blazey, which is about 10.9 miles (17.6 km) and takes around 1 hour 7 minutes, to more extensive rides such as Great Treverbyn Skytip – Goss Moor Trail loop from Roche, covering 30.2 miles (48.7 km).

Many of the gravel bike routes around St. Austell are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the popular Pentewan Railway Trail – Charlestown Harbour loop from Par and The Eden Project – The Clay Trails Map loop from St Blazey.

The trails often pass by significant points of interest. You might encounter historic sites like Mevagissey Harbour or Charlestown Harbour. Natural attractions include the unique Clay Country landscape itself, and you could also pass by the famous Lost Gardens of Heligan or the Treffry Viaduct.

The gravel biking experience in St. Austell is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars. Reviewers often praise the unique Clay Country terrain, the blend of coastal paths and wooded valleys, and the variety of routes available for different skill levels.

Yes, the Clay Trails are a series of routes specifically designed to showcase the historic china clay district. A notable example is the Great Treverbyn Skytip – Goss Moor Trail loop from Roche, which explores the unique Skytip formations and sections of the Goss Moor Trail, offering a distinctive cycling experience through this transformed industrial landscape.

Absolutely. The The Eden Project – The Clay Trails Map loop from St Blazey is a popular route that leads directly through the Clay Trails and past the iconic Eden Project, allowing you to combine your ride with a visit to this ecological attraction.

St. Austell offers good gravel biking opportunities throughout the year. Spring and autumn provide pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery, with wildflowers in bloom during spring. While winter riding is possible, be prepared for potentially wetter conditions, especially on unpaved sections.

While specific cafe or pub stops are not detailed for every route, the St. Austell area is well-equipped with local amenities. Many routes pass through or near towns and villages where you can find cafes, pubs, and shops. Coastal areas like Charlestown Harbour also offer various dining options.