Day 1: 5km/3mi warmup walk and 15km/9mi ride.
Optional swimming or inner tubing.
09:00 meet in downtown Halifax for transfer to Wolfville. Hike the Acadian dykes to historic Grand Pre, where Longfellow’s Evangeline was written, and learn why Acadian culture has influenced so much of the world. After a picnic lunch and introduction to rental bikes, spend the afternoon riding between wineries that have been established here to take advantage of the amazing sunny microclimate. If water levels permit, spend the afternoon inner tubing down the Gaspereau River, through apple orchards, or go swimming at Lumsden’s Dam. LD (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips only. Self-guided trips include breakfasts)
Victoria’s Historic Inn; or
Tattingstone Inn, Wolfville
“....Tattingstone were great, beyond what we expected.” – Tom Web
Day 2: 75km/46mi ride. Optional 14km/9mi hike.
Ride through Port Williams, Canard, and Canning to Hall’s Harbour, for tide-watching, appreciation of how fishermen have adapted to the huge tides, and for a freshly-cooked lobster lunch. There are two 800ft hill climbs today, but on guided trips the van will be ready to boost you up (or down). Optional alternative: Morning hike out to Cape Split, returning in time for lunch at the Look-off, or even, for energetic participants, riding to Hall’s Harbour before returning to Wolfville, where several dinner choices await your pleasure. BL
Same lodging
Day 3: Up to 111km/68mi ride.
Optional river rafting not included in tour cost.
Transfer to Windsor to begin riding on the Avondale Shore through Brooklyn to Kempt, with a visit to a lighthouse and boatbuilding shop enroute. Follow the quiet coast through Walton and Noel, up the Shubenacadie River to Maitland. This is a long and sometimes hilly ride, through scenic coastal farmland and forest. Tidal bore river rafting is an alternative activity, and is only available when tide times are appropriate. Finish with a transfer to Parrsboro where you may have the option to attend a live performance at Ships Company Theatre. BLD
Gillespie House B&B, Parrsboro
Day 4: Ride 25km/15mi to Black Rock and optional 18km/11mi to Two Islands. Optional hikes to Partridge Island or Ward’s Falls.
Short but hilly rides take you to spectacular views over the Bay of Fundy today. The beaches are beautiful – small pebbles, lots of driftwood, and very different with changing tidal states. You may complement or punctuate your ride with a walking tour at the base of Partridge Island to search for gems and fossils, or the exquisite wooded riverside walk to Ward’s Falls. BL
Same lodging
Day 5: 51km/31mi ride.
Ride west to Port Greville for a picnic lunch. After a visit at the Age of Sail Museum cycle on towards Cape Chignecto Park on a challenging bit of road well off the beaten track. Your retreat tonight is at a Lighthouse overlooking the Bay of Fundy, or at cabins tucked behind a beach littered with driftwood, and perfect for an evening fire. BLD
The Light Keeper’s Kitchen and Guest House, Cape d’Or; or
Driftwood Park Retreat, Advocate Harbour
Day 6: Ride 50km/30mi to West Apple River and back. Optional 6km/4mi hike. Optional afternoon seakayaking not included in tour cost.
Ride through New Salem and Apple River to the north side of Cape Chignecto Provincial Park. There is a unique basalt sea-stack formation known as the Three Sisters, visible either by a one-hour hike into the park, or by joining an optional seakayak group to see them from the marine perspective. This area, near the outer end of the peninsula where the Cobequid Mountains meet the rips and ferocity of the Fundy tides, is known for its fantastic shorelines. Return to your lodge for the night and enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. BLD
Same lodging
Day 7: 60km/40mi ride.
Ride one of Nova Scotia’s quietest stretches of beautifully-paved road through the Chignecto Game Sanctuary to Joggins, recently added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, thanks to the remarkable abundance of rare fossils accessible to anyone walking on the beach. For more intriguing information, visit http://jogginsfossilcliffs.net. Finish with a transfer back to Halifax. BL
The Bay of Fundy has tides as high as 50 feet - the highest in the world and teems with so much life that hundreds of whales gather here to feed every summer.
This adventure follows quiet roads around its perimeter on the Evangeline & Glooscap Trails, and gives you options to explore its nooks and crannies in exciting ways. Begin with a hike along the Acadian dykes built to protect rich farmland from the tremendous tides. Float on inner tubes or swim in sun-warmed water near the small university town of Wolfville. Ride to a tiny harbour where you will see significant tidal change while you eat a lobster for lunch. If you like, you can choose to hike to a cliff-top view over the currents and whirlpools below, and descend to explore pristine beaches where agates and sparkling amethysts are the gifts of the wave-wracked rocks. Bicycle the Glooscap Trail to Parrsboro, where Mi'kmaq legends tell of the mighty Glooscap’s magic. From Parrsboro, ride to spectacular look-offs, and hike to waterfalls cascading off the Cobequid Mountains. Near Cape Chignecto Park, you can ride to each end of the park trail, and if inclined, can hike into the park or paddle seakayaks to the spectacular Three Sisters, before a nice, long final ride to the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, recently elected to the UNESCO list.
This adventure takes you to less-visited parts of Nova Scotia, and teaches you about one of the natural world’s greatest phenomena.
| Start: |
Downtown Halifax, 09:00, or Wolfville, 11:00, day one. |
| Finish: |
Downtown Halifax, 19:00, day seven. |
| Guided Cost: |
$2365 (per person, includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners, museum fees, inner tubing, luggage handling, full-time guide and van support, maps and route notes) |
| Self-guided Cost: |
$1895 per person, includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, , luggage transfers, essential transfers, maps and route notes). |
| Single Occupancy: |
$485 |
| Bicycle Rental: |
Hybrid: $145; Racing: $195. Full Carbon Racing or Electric-assist: $265 Delivery charges apply to self-supported trips |
| 2013 Guided Dates: |
Jun 16-22; Jun 30-Jul 6; Jul 7-13; Jul 14-20; Jul 28-Aug 3; Aug 11-17; Aug 25-31; Sep 8-14; Sep 22-28 Add your own dates (learn more) |
| Self-guided Dates: |
You choose! We confirm within 48 hours |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
14% sales tax applies. 7% for non-Canadians.
“The staff at Freewheeling was very helpful in all aspects…a pleasure to deal with.”
– Bill K
“Overall it was a truly memorable trip and thanks so much.” – Chris G & Clarissa B
“It was an awesome trip which I will never forget. Kudos to everyone and especially Marie and Vern whose meticulous planning and attention to detail made it great for us.” – Rebecca S
“The food was fabulous everywhere!! Lobster and fish were great, very fresh. The desserts were great. The guides really had great lunches also, the "extra" special espresso was great!! They went out of their way to please” - Idress G
“Thanks for your help, as always. I don't know if I told you this, but last summer I biked across Switzerland with another company. Everything went fine, but they just didn't have the same attention to detail as Freewheeling. It simply wasn't the same. I'm happy to be back.” – Michael B
“I noticed our favorite riding drinks appeared after the first day. I found the side trips had some of the most interesting scenery. Enough rolling hills to add some challenge.” - Vivian H
More great cycling is available in Nova Scotia, try the South Shore & Fundy Bike adventure!
