Plans for a multi skill mountain bike hub at Wheal Maid in the Bissoe Valley in Cornwall, have been set out in a Strategic Feasibility Study. The study outlines a facility designed for riders from beginners through to advanced, mapping the existing terrain and patterns of use to inform a coherent and inclusive network. It sets out an ambition to regularise and expand current mountain biking activity so that more people can ride there across all ages and abilities in a safe environment while protecting the wider landscape.

It is supported by Gwennap Parish Council, the Wheal Maid Solutions Group, Mei Loci Landscape Architects and community partners including The Cornwall Bicycle Project CIC. The document describes how existing riding at the site could be formalised and improved while balancing heritage and ecological considerations.

What we know:

Trail zones and layout

The proposal includes a clear zoning structure to support different types of site use. Red zones are mountain bike priority areas with defined routes and features. Green zones are multi use areas accessible to all, and Blue zones are primary multi use access routes. An indicative map shows several established access points and a primary arrival zone for parking and rider facilities.

Facilities and infrastructure

The feasibility report identifies a number of supporting facilities that could form part of the hub. These include parking, a pop up café, bike maintenance point, coaching zones, event hub space and improved links to public transport. The aim is to support a sustainable and community centred site.

Heritage and ecological considerations

Wheal Maid sits within a former mining landscape with heritage and wildlife sensitivity. The proposals emphasise the need to integrate ecological protection, erosion management and heritage interpretation into trail routing and site design so that recreation, conservation and community access are considered together. More recent meeting notes linked to the project also note that some valley bottom areas are identified as contaminated land and may be less suitable for improvement, alongside other environmental and land-use considerations being worked through at this early stage.

Broader context and involvement

The Cornwall Bicycle Project CIC confirm their involvement as part of the Wheal Maid Solutions Group, contributing alongside local riders and other partners. Their update encourages the community to follow the project and take part in shaping the future of the site. Their original post is available on Facebook here: The Cornwall Bicycle Project CIC.

Riders can also explore the wider mountain biking scene in the region through the iBikeRide Cornwall listings here:
iBikeRide Cornwall MTB search.

Rider use and perspectives

Wheal Maid is already an active spot for riders, walkers and other users moving through the valley, with the feasibility study noting increasing informal use by mountain bikers. It is part of the wider Poldice area known as the ‘Dice’ by local riders. For some riders the project may raise questions about how a more formal hub could change the character of the area, while for others it may offer the chance to improve access, facilities and safety. Local experience and feedback will play an important role in shaping how any future design responds to what people value about the site today.

Riders who use Wheal Maid or the wider Bissoe Valley are encouraged to share their views and experiences, whether that is about the riding as it stands now or what they would hope to see in any future development.

More recent meeting notes from the Gwennap Parish Council (19th August 2025) linked to the project add some additional context. They describe how rider use has been analysed using Strava route data to understand where mountain biking, walking and other activities overlap across the site. The notes observe that more advanced riding is currently concentrated in steeper parts of the valley, while other routes see mixed use, and they use this information to help think about future zoning, safety and potential areas of conflict.

They also reference specific locations where current use patterns raise safety or compatibility concerns between different users. Early ideas for trailhead facilities are outlined, including a meeting space, cycle stands, a pop-up café and bike maintenance. The notes briefly add that some valley bottom areas may be less suitable for improvement due to contamination, alongside other environmental and land-use considerations being worked through at this early stage. Source: Meeting Summary: Wheal Maid (PDF).

What we do not know:

Several aspects are not defined in the feasibility study or the public updates so far. These include the precise mix of trail grades that might be delivered within the different zones and the total length of any proposed trails, so it is not yet clear whether the final build will be a small local hub or something closer in scale to established trail centres. The impact on any existing trail network in the region is not stated. The detailed design of new lines or jump areas is also not set out in the material available.

The study refers to high level cost estimation, potential funding routes and an outline costing and funding strategy, but it does not confirm any funding amounts, sources or timescales. The overall programme for delivery, including phases, dependencies and a long term management model for the hub, is also still to be defined, as is the final scope of facilities such as whether any pop up elements become permanent structures.

Consultation

A public consultation event will take place on Wednesday 21 January 2026 at Crofthandy Village Hall. The drop in session runs from 2pm to 9pm with a presentation at 7pm. Attendees will be able to view the emerging plans and speak with parish councillors, Mei Loci representatives and members of the Wheal Maid Solutions Group. An online survey will be available for those unable to attend in person.

For those wishing to review the proposals in full, the Strategic Feasibility Study can be accessed here:
Wheal Maid Mountain Bike Hub Strategic Feasibility Study.

If you ride at Wheal Maid or in the wider Bissoe Valley we welcome your thoughts on how the site works today and what you would like to see from any future development. You can share views in the comments or contact us directly at https://ibikeride.com/contact.

There’s also an ongoing discussion about the proposed MTB hub over on Facebook. You can join the conversation in the comments below.