Mineral Tramways Trail - Coast to Coast Cycle Route Cornwall
Also known as the Bissoe Trail, this is a fabulous, largely traffic free ride or walk, from Portreath to Devoran. The Mineral Tramways Coast to Coast trail takes you on a tour of some of Cornwall's historic mine buildings. The trail runs for about 14 miles along a path which steadily climbs to Wheal Busy before descending to Devoran.
The path starts on the coast at Portreath and heads through Wheal Rose, Todpool and Bissoe to Devoran. As well as the series of restored mines you will pass the beautiful Bissoe Valley Nature Reserve. The reserve was a former mine site and has heathland, woodland, ponds and variety of widlife.
If you enjoy this route then you could try the Great Flat Lode Trail which is another of Cornwall's Mineral Tramway Trails. The circular route visits South Wheal Frances Mine, South Crofty mine and the historic hilltop site at Carn Brea.
Mineral Tramways Trail Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Mineral Tramways Trail Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Mineral Tramways Trail OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Mineral Tramways Trail Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Near Redruth you will pass through the Poldice Valley. The area has a wonderful moon like appearance with the historic Poldice Mine buildings adding to the atmospheric landscape. It's a popular place for mountain biking with some excellent free jumps to try.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Portreath Beach - route start. Looking towards the west, with Gull Rock off to the right.
Sign on the Mineral Tramway west of Wheal Rose, Redruth
Engine house at Wheal Rose, North Treskerby. One of the many substantially intact engine houses in the Redruth area.
Pond in Bissoe Valley Nature Reserve. In the distance can be seen the remains of Point Mills Arsenic Refinery. Bissoe Valley Nature Reserve was donated to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust by Carrick District Council in 2000. The reserve is made from a former mine site, with woodland, ponds and regenerating heathland. The scarce blue-tailed damselfly is can be seen here.
Mineral tramways trail at Zimapan. Just below Unity Wood, the tramway trail passes this marker at Zimapan. The name of Zimapan House nearby recalls the Cornish connection with the old Zimapan metal mining area of Mexico.
Carnon Viaduct and cyclists on the trail. They are heading for Devoran on the Cornish coast-to-coast path.
Mining remains at Wheal Busy. These remains can be seen from a point where the trail crosses a local minor road. (Note that some of the buildings seen here are private, belonging to Wheal Busy Farm.) Wheal busy was a large concern and much of the heathland in the area has further remains.
Devoran Quayside. A quiet quayside for pleasure craft at private moorings. In the mid 19th Century as many as 20 cargo ships per week docked at this quayside to take on board copper ore and tin delivered to the quayside by railway and bound for the smelters of South Wales.