4-Carboxycamphor, easily obtainable starting from camphor, is used as a versatile precursor in high-yielding syntheses of a wide range of cyclopentanecarboxylic acids using just a few steps. Regioselective bromination of 4-carboxy-and 4-methoxycarbonyl-3-bromocamphors leads to 10-bromomethyl derivatives in good yields. Grob-type fragmentation reactions proceed smoothly for 10-bromocamphor-4-carboxylic acid, 10-bromocamphorquinone-4- ...