Portreath Branchline Trail

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

The Portreath Branchline Trail is an 8.8km (5.5 mile trail) which follows the route of the old Portreath railway and the Portreath incline.

This is a multi-use trail for walking, cycling and horse-riding.

The railway itself is no longer present but the trail makes use of its former route, connecting Portreath on the north coast with old mining village of Brea inland via Illogan, Park Bottom and Pool. At Brea this trail joins with the Great Flat Lode Trail

The Portreath Branchline, opened in 1838 was part of the Hayle Railway. At its terminus at Portreath, the ore laden trucks would have been unloaded and the ore put onto ships while ships carrying coal and machinery would have had their cargoes removed and taken inland for use in the mines.

The steam locomotive would wait at the top of the incline while its trucks were raised or lowered depending on their cargo.

The gradient of the incline was 1 in 10. A steam engine and winding gear stood at the top of the incline for lowering and pulling up the trucks.

From 1843 passengers were also carried on the line. The Portreath branchline finally closed in 1932, although the steam winding engine remained in situ on the incline until 1938.

This trail links into the Great Flat Lode Trail at Brea, to the Tehidy Trail near East Lodge and the Coast to Coast Trail at Portreath.

Walkers, cyclists and horse riders please note that this trail is not completely off-road and has several sections using highways. It also passes through some built up urban areas as it gets nearer to Pool.

You can access this trail from one of the above mentioned trails or by joining it at Portreath or the East Lodge Car Park at Tehidy.

For a leaflet showing the Portreath Branchline Trail

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