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Planning a motorbike trip in Cornwall can be pretty confusing.
This is mainly because there are many routes and trails to choose from, each offering different sights and experiences. Additionally, you may consider stopping at a few locations during the trip for sightseeing, exploring, or experiencing the local culture.
That’s why, to make things easier, we’ve done the research and put together this detailed guide on the 13 best motorcycle road drives in Cornwall. Hopefully, this will make it easier for you to make a decision.
13 Best Motorcycle Road Drives In Cornwall
1. The Lizard Peninsula
One of the best motorcycle road drives runs from St. Ives to Lands End, through the B3306, heading in the south-west direction along the Cornish coastline. This area has a rich mining heritage and offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the route will take you through the villages of St. Just, Pendeen, and Zennor.
Alternatively, The Lizard Peninsula can be reached from St. Michael’s Mount in Marazion through the A394 that goes through the Helston region. Here, you can take a detour from the main road to visit Praa Sands Beach, with another stop at Porthleven. This place has a beautiful harbour and is the southernmost port in the UK.
After reaching The Lizard Peninsula, you will need to hike down to it, which is, again, the southernmost point in Britain. It is a National Character Area (NCA) and a part of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Cornwall.
Nearby beaches include Kennack Sands, Kynance Cove, and Coverack Beach.
2. The Roseland Peninsula
St. Mawes is the most famous spot on the Roseland Peninsula, but the best thing about this drive is that you won’t find tourists here. The single roads with sweeping bends surrounded by the rugged coastal scenery provide a breathtaking experience, and famous locations like Portloe, Carne, Veryan, and Pendower lie on the route.
You can take the King Harry Ferry from this peninsula, which connects to other regions like Falmouth and Truro. Or visit the various small businesses nearby for refreshments and rest. As for the natural beauty of this area, there are several beaches, cliffs, and woods, along with picturesque villages dotting the coast for several miles.
Roseland Peninsula has an excellent car park, but you can even ride your motorbike to the beach, several of which are located in the area. The best ones worth checking out include Summers Beach, Towan Beach, and Porthscato Beach.
For those who want to relax after the continuous ride, the South West Coast Path is perfect for taking a walk before continuing their journey.
3. Newquay To Padstow
Newquay and its surrounding regions are known for their natural beauty, thanks to the stunning Cornish coastline, which makes this route very well suited for a motorbike ride. This route passes through Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay, which have some of the prettiest beaches in this British county.
Then, there are the Seven Bays of Harlyn and Trevone, Mother Ivey’s, Booby’s Bay, Treyarnon, Constantine, and Porthcothan. These provide amazing views and are the best for those planning to ride out on a summer evening. You’ll also occasionally experience winds from the coast here, if you’re lucky, making the experience even more enjoyable.
4. Tintagel To Bude
Tintagel is perhaps most famous for being known as the birthplace of the legendary King Arthur, and you will be greeted by a fantastic route here. Dramatic cliff tops rising on one side provide breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, while the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic lies on the way and is worth visiting.
This road from Tintagel is another one on the South West Coast Path, and you can find remains of mining quarries when passing through the area. While several country roads connect Tintagel and Bude, almost all of them have rest stops that are ideal for picnics.
There are many noteworthy spots to visit at Bude, most of them bike-friendly. One of the best ones is The Lock Gate Cafe at Bude, which hosts a biker’s night on Wednesdays, where you’ll find many other bikers travelling to Bude or Tintagel.
The Summerleaze beach, one of the most popular beaches, also lies here, in addition to the Bude Sea Pool and the Castle Bude.
5. St. Austell – Mount Edgecumbe
If you’re planning a summer weekend ride, this is the perfect motorbike road drive for you, beginning from St. Austell and ending at Mount Edgecumbe. The latter is famous for The Armchair/Adventure Festival, held in July and August annually, which celebrates motorcycling and adventuring, with well-being classes, talks, workshops, and live music.
This drive takes you from St. Austell to the port town of Fowey, which has a charming fishing port that is a must-visit destination. From there, travellers can catch the Fowey Ferry that connects to Bodinnick, where the most famous spot is the Old Ferry Inn. This is a traditional Cornish pub where visitors can stop for refreshments after spending long hours on the tarmac.
After that, you can continue along the stunning coastline of Polperro to Looe, then on to No Man’s Land. A detour here takes bikers to Whitsand Bay, Downderry, and Seaton. Finally, you can reach Mount Edgecumbe House and Country Park at Rame Head. This provides an excellent view of the Royal William Yard in Plymouth and the naval base.
6. Zennor To Sennen
Zennor is a beautiful and quiet village that sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Cornwall. It is usually known for being the place where the 20th-century novelist D.H. Lawrence spent a few years and is the point from which this motorbike route starts.
The majority of this route lies next to the coastline, so expect beautiful scenery all around while travelling. This also means there are several spots worth stopping for along the way to take pictures and tiny establishments like cafes where you can get something to eat.
Apart from the stunning vistas this route offers, there are a few secret beaches you can visit while heading to Sennen. The St. Just Mining district also lies on the route and is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage. Additionally, this road has a lot of twists and turns, which make for an exhilarating experience when travelling by motorbike.
Once you complete the trip and reach Sennen, Sennen Cove, a historic fishing village that has a lifeboat house, is the place to visit.
7. Land’s End To St. Michael’s Mount
Land’s End, situated on the southern end of Cornwall, lies close to the town of Penzance and provides a superb opportunity to explore the Penwith Peninsula. There are also several high cliff tops that you can walk around on, taking in the view of the Atlantic.
Alternatively, you can explore the peninsula and visit Mousehole, a beautiful fishing village on the south coast. This village hosts several festivals throughout the year, which is another reason to stop by before heading to St. Michael’s Mount in Marazion.
At Marazion, there are several things to do, such as riding down to the beach, taking a trip to the local museum, or even visiting the Flambards Theme Park.
8. St. Michael’s Mount
With its mediaeval castle and impressive coastal scenery, St. Michael’s Mount is an extremely popular destination in Cornwall worth visiting on a bike ride. You can reach this spot from the village of Mousehole, then relax by walking to the island via the causeway.
St. Michael’s Mount, set on a hill, is a fantastic spot if you wish to explore Cornwall in all its glory. It is the ideal place to relax after a continuous journey and one of the most visited destinations in the UK. Apart from the castle on the hilltop surrounded by sub-tropical flora, there is a gift shop on the island where you can discover and buy some lovely trinkets.
9. Falmouth
You can reach Falmouth, which is famous for having the third largest harbour in the world, by travelling up the road from The Lizard Peninsula. This harbour lies on the Fal Estuary, and there are several beaches that are worth visiting here as well, such as Gyllyngvase and Swanpool.
Another spot worth visiting here is Pendennis Castle at Pendennis Point. Once you’ve taken in the beautiful views offered by this location, you can travel to The Roseland by taking the King Harry Ferry.
Then, continue on from The Roseland Peninsula along the coast, next to which lie the villages of Pentewan and Mevagissey. Several remote treasures can also be seen in this region, including Veryan, Portloe, and Pendower.
From here, you can travel inland to reach the opposite coast, where lies the Newquay area.
10. Tintagel And Boscastle
If you’re travelling from Padstow on a motorbike, then taking the road along the coast will help you reach Polzeath, best known for its secluded coves and stunning golden beaches. Further along this route lies the fishing village of Port Isaac, known for its beautiful scenery, before continuing on to Tintagel.
Carry on travelling through the same route from Tintagel to reach Boscastle, which lies to the northeast. Apart from the picturesque village and natural harbour, Boscastle has several stone cottages, tea rooms, and shops, making it a must-visit destination.
11. Whitsand Bay
This bike-riding route begins at Rame Head, and there are several miles of sandy beaches and rugged cliffs next to it that make this a spectacular stretch of road. However, it is among those routes best taken when the weather is pleasant since the winds blowing over the cliff tops can be quite treacherous.
Timing your journey right will ensure you get the best experience, with panoramic views of the magnificent landscape and the ocean.
12. Boscastle To Bude
The stretch of road between Boscastle and Bude is said to be among the most scenic in all of Cornwall. One reason for this may be that the highest cliffs in the county are situated here that reach up to 223 metres. Boscastle also lies in an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK and has a mediaeval harbour looked after by the National Trust.
Several routes pass through this site, and the A39 between Boscastle and Bude is known for being possibly the best for road trips by motorbike or car.
13. Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor
Most people will be familiar with the name Jamaica Inn, thanks to Daphne Du Maurier’s novel set in this traditional Cornish inn on Bodmin Moor. This spot, which was historically used by smugglers, is the start of another enjoyable bike riding route, which moves south along the Fowey River.
Driving along this path will take you to the Golitha Falls, one of the most famous Cornwall waterfalls, comprising a series of waterfalls and cascades. Continue moving west to reach the town of Padstow, where there is a lovely tourist resort you can stay at. The route then moves along the north coast and turns inland to reach Newquay.
Buying And Renting Motorcycles In Cornwall
If you’re visiting from outside, the first thing to do is to make arrangements for a bike for the drive. While there are various dealers in the area, North Cornwall Motorcycles is one of the best ones. They have an impressive selection of both used and new bikes, from all the leading brands, including Honda, Royal Enfield, Benelli, and more.
In addition, they have an excellent workshop where repairs are performed, and you get the most exceptional service here. Visitors can also enjoy drinks at the onsite Kick Start Cafe while waiting for their bikes and enjoy great offers.
So, if you’re wondering where to rent or buy motorcycles in Cornwall, this is the place to visit before setting out on the most scenic motorcycle rides in Cornwall.
Conclusion
While Cornwall is most famous for its natural beauty, it also has some fantastic roads that can be used for motorbike road drives. Many of these lie along the coast, providing the perfect opportunity to take in the best sights that Cornwall has to offer.
However, since the weather can be a bit extreme on some of these routes, preparing well before a trip is vital. You can do so by checking that the bike is in perfect condition, undergoing physical training, and consulting local area guides who can provide useful tips.
This will ensure you have the most enjoyable motorcycle trips in Cornwall.
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