BEST OF CORNWALL 2020 Cornwall Adventure Sports & Activities Cornwall is a Mecca for adrenalin-seekers and there are numerous ways to enjoy thrilling activities while getting to see the county’s beautiful countryside and coastline at the same time. 11 BEST OF CORNWALL 2020 Whether you love surfing the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, climbing the steep granite The Camel Trail is the most well-known recreational trail in Cornwall and is suitable for children and cliffs, zooming along the shores in a kite buggy, or descending a rocky winding trail adults, and cyclists of all abilities. Follow the trail as it runs alongside a disused railway line between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. on a mountain bike, Cornwall offers plenty of adventure sports and activities for any The 18-mile trails offers views of the beautiful Camel Estuary and there are plenty of opportunities to age and any level. Plan a day out at one of our fun-packed adventure centres or try stop off at and visit local shops, pubs and attractions along the way. out a new sport with a qualified instructor and release the fear! On the following pages we have some of the best adventure sports and activities that Popular cycling trails in Cornwall include the Cornish Trail Multi-Way Trails, Mineral Tramway Heritage Project, First and Last Trail, Engine House Trail, Coast and Clay Trail, the North Cornwall Trail, St, Piran Cornwall has to offer: Trail, Saint’s Way, Wheal Peevor Mine Trail and the Goss Moor Trail. Land-Based Adventures GO KARTING / QUAD BIKING ABSEILING If you fancy yourself as a Formula One driver, and you need to get Abseiling originates from the German world abseilen which translates into “to rope down” and the some practice in, try out one activity involves the controlled descent down a cliff or rock face using a rope. The climber wears a of the go-karting centres in safety harness and uses the rope to climb down cliffs or slopes that are too dangerous to descend Cornwall. any other way. Test your driving skills in real With its soaring granite and slate races as you zoom around all cliffs that tower over the crashing weather tracks in four-stroke waves of the Atlantic Ocean engine karts and experience this or miles of golden soft sand adrenalin-pumping thrill. beaches, Cornwall offers plenty of abseiling opportunities, for Go-karting is a fantastic activity for both adults and children and the circuit centres in Cornwall offer beginners, to the more advanced a drive with a view due to their countryside locations. and adventurous climbers. St Eval Karting Racing Circuit offers a huge outdoor 1.2km track and caters for anyone over the Bodmin Moor, Carn Brea Quarry, age of seven, including groups of any size. The all-weather track is the largest in Cornwall and the Courtesy BF Adventure Courtesy and Cardinham Woods provide modern karts range from 8mph limits up to 70mph limits. Visitors can buy refreshments and there is fantastic spots for inland abseiling and both the north and south coasts offer dramatic descents with a spectator area. breathtaking views of Cornwall’s famous seascapes. Kartworld has an 800m track and a 100m infant’s track, making it a great day out for the family. ARCHERY The karts range from 15 mph limits to 40 mph limits and there are coin operated karts for children under six years old. The centre offers facilities including a restaurant, picnic area and an area Dating back to 25,000BC, archery has been used throughout history for hunting and fighting but in for spectators. modern times, this activity has become a recreational sport. HORSE RIDING Explore the ancient art of archery in Cornwall, home to some of the UK’s most historical castles and Gallop across the moors, canter along sites that were once the settings of bow and arrow combat. Learn how to aim and fire the bow within the sandy shores or trot along the gorgeous natural landscapes in the Cornish countryside. bridleways of Cornwall on horseback The activity is suitable for all ages and there are plenty of centres that offer archery tuition and discover Cornwall from a different and sessions. perspective. Whether you are a beginner or an BLOKARTING advanced rider, there are plenty of trails A Blokart is a small three-wheel to choose from to take in the views. cart powered by a sail. Blokarts Trek along the coastline, estuaries, or are fun, fast and safe and can woodlands with family and friends and be used in any open space by enjoy a fun day out. children and adults. Cornwall is home to many stables and With several long and flat riding schools and you can choose from beaches, Cornwall offers the lessons or guided tours within scenic surroundings. perfect terrain for this exciting KITE BUGGYING & KITE LANDBOARDING sport as the wind that blows off Courtesy Speed Sail UK Speed Sail Courtesy the Atlantic Ocean propels these three-wheeled karts along the shoreline. Beaches in Gwithian, Perranporth and Watergate Bay offer ideal conditions for the sport. You are strapped into the seat where you can control the direction of the kart with a single hand controlled sail that is steered by a hand tiller bar. All you need is the wind to get you going. The activity can also be carried out on airfields, large car parks and sports areas and is suitable for children and adults. CYCLING Though not technically an adventure sport, cycling is a very popular sport in Cornwall and with so many trails to choose from, what better way to take in the local sights Bay Watergate Academy, Extreme courtesy © Flexifoil, than hopping on a bike and doing your bit With a huge selection of flat, long and wide beaches to choose from, Cornwall is the perfect place to for the environment? enjoy kite buggying and kite landboarding. The diverse landscapes of Cornwall make Kite buggies are light purpose-built kart vehicles that are powered by traction kites (power kites). it a great place to cycle, from woodland Kite landboarding is designed for freestyle and performance riding. The rider’s feet are strapped into areas inland, to coastal paths along the bindings on a board, and like wakeboarding it’s all about the jumps, turns and board grabs as you are dramatic granite cliffs. propelled into the air by the power of the wind. 12 BEST OF CORNWALL 2020 These environmentally sustainable outdoor sports are a great way to explore the county’s stunning find a fourteenth century chapel when you get to the top. There are also a number of activity centres beaches such as Gwithian and Watergate Bay. Using the wind as your power, soar over the steep that offer tuition and courses for climbers of any ages where you can take part in challenges that will dunes of Crantock beach; roll down steep grassy hills inland; or zoom along the shores of physically and mentally prepare you for your adventures around Cornwall’s natural climbing sites. Pentewan beach. SEGWAY MOUNTAIN BIKING Experience this unique form of transport, likened to gliding on a magic carpet. Riding a Segway Cornwall offers ideal landscape for mountain biking is really easy and accessible to most ages and abilities (subject to weight and height restrictions) and riders of all ages and abilities can enjoy and most importantly great fun. As seen on television and film, from Dr Who to the Gadget Show to this sport. Riders can head to off-road trails, downhill Hollywood blockbusters. woodland descents, challenging tracks on quarries, ZORBING clay trails and coastal paths for an adrenalin rush, Ever imagined how a hamster must feel in one of those while taking in the views of some of Cornwall’s finest plastic clear balls as it rolls itself around the house or scenery. garden? Well, now you can experience it for yourself with zorbing. It involves rolling down a hill at high speed in a Take the family on a guided tour with an experienced 12-foot clear inflatable ball (orb) while strapped inside to mountain biking instructor, or go it alone and explore a harness. You can reach speeds up to 30 mph as you roll the country’s beautiful diverse environment. There are plenty of bike hire companies, mountain bike head over heels down the slope. You can either go it alone guides and mountain bike schools to choose from across Cornwall. or enjoy the experience with friends or family. The slopes POWER KITING are set within the rolling hills of the Cornish countryside Power kiting is one of the most popular sports in Cornwall, thanks to its variety of beautiful beaches but don’t expect much of a view along the way! and the prevailing Atlantic winds. Use the power of the wind to control the huge kite by grabbing on ZIP WIRE to the handle or bar as you soar across the sand and jump into the air. This is a great activity for all Cornwall’s cliffs, quarries and woodlands provide the ideal environment for adrenalin-pumping ages and there are different types of kites to suit different levels. zip-wire rides. ROCK CLIMBING Zip-wiring, also known as zip-lining, is a popular activity Cornwall’s coastline features dramatic cliffs and across the UK and consists of a pulley suspended on a rocky headlands, making it the perfect terrain for stainless steel cable mounted on an incline. Wearing a rock climbing activities. A range of climbing routes safety harness and helmet, feel the rush as you fly high can be found on both the north and south coasts along the cable that is suspended above woodland, lakes, of Cornwall to suit climbers of all abilities, from the Cornish quarries or soft sand beaches, to the other the jagged south westernmost cliffs of Land’s End, side.