This coast was just rated one of the top ten coastal destinations in the world by National Geographic! See details here.

The road follows the coast closely most of the time, so swimming, beaches, and good coastal photo ops are all frequently possible. There are short hills, especially on the first day of riding, but they are small, and the route becomes easier as the week progresses. Extended options and abundant side trips are available some days. Most riders enjoy this route.

Highlights:

A lighthouse every day! Hubbards Cove sunsets; Aspotogan peninsula beaches; the scenic approach to Mahone Bay via Indian Point; dinner and walks in “downtown” Lunenburg; the LaHave cable ferry and bakery; the hot tub at White Point Beach. Cathy’s “bike skills and yoga” training; some people afterward say the seals are doing yoga, too!

Nova Scotia: South Shore Secrets Bike

Six-days. Relatively easy cycling; seakayak and hike options. Hug the coast on the Lighthouse Route.

The best part of Nova Scotia's Lighthouse Route is that it so frequently follows the water’s edge. Quiet roads skirt myriad white-sand beaches, and there are many hidden coastal treasures. It is perfect for a gentle bike ride. Friendly people, fishing villages, secluded anchorages, boat builders, antique shops, artists’ hamlets, and beautiful beaches all contribute to the feeling of being in paradise. This is our home, and we love showing you the secret swimming holes, little-known cafes, and fantastic rides along obscure coastal stretches You can dine on lobster, swim in warm lakes or the cool ocean, feel the warm sand between your toes, and appreciate the cooling sea breeze in your hair. There are two nights in the UNESCO heritage township of Lunenburg, whose uniquely crafted architecture reflects skills of numerous shipbuilders and fishermen whose lifestyle built the town. You will cross the cable ferry to the beaches near LaHave; you can soak in the hot tub at White Point Beach; and can venture on foot to one of the nicest remote beaches in the province, for a long beach walk or a cool swim with the curious seals. This is a perfect introduction to Nova Scotia’s coastal charms, and will show you why many visitors return again and again.

Day 1: 
16:00 pickup in Halifax, or meet at 17:00 in Chester/Hubbards for a delicious introductory dinner. D (Meal inclusions shown for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfasts only).
Mecklenburgh Inn, Chester; or
Anchorage House & Cottages, Hubbards

Day 2:  Cycle up to 78km/49 miles. Shorter options available 
Riding around the Aspotogan Peninsula – a famous route for recreational and racing cyclists from nearby Halifax, you will pass through traditional fishing villages of Blandford, Aspotogan and Northwest Cove, and by the beach at Bayswater, and can make extra side trips to see where the biggest whaling station in Eastern North America used to operate in "New" Harbour; to gaze at the distant lighthouse on East Ironbound Island; and to see one couple’s fantasy – a fairytale castle that inspires myths and tales. Return to your waterfront village to explore independent evening dining options. BL
Same lodging

Day 3:  Cycle 46km/29 miles, plus options. Short route begins at Martin’s River. Longer route begins in Chester. Extra ride includes Blue Rocks and Stonehurst
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and prepare for one of Nova Scotia’s most interesting rides. You will begin on an abandoned railbed with beautiful bridges, and the wonderful variety of wilderness and open vistas of the sea. You will then hop off the trail to ride our favourite stretch of coastal country road anywhere. From here to Lunenburg, the pavement seems built for bikes to follow the shoreline. It’s hard to choose between savouring them slowly or speeding to Lunenburg in time to explore the wonders that make this tiny but bustling town a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fortunately, a mid-day highlight is the village of Mahone Bay, where there are hidden coffee shops, proud artisans, cafes, beautiful boats, and a maritime village feel that makes one inclined to linger. BD
Alicion B&B; or
Smuggler's Cove Inn, Lunenburg

Day 4:  Cycle 41km/26 miles, plus options; or seakayak to the seal rookery
This is a rich ride, with side trips to delightful places, including seacaves reached through tunnels at The Ovens Park, fine beaches around Kingsburg and Rose Bay, and of course the sweet-smelling bakery reached by a cable ferry. Return to Lunenburg in time for an independent dinner. If you prefer to paddle, this is one of the best sea-kayak experiences in Nova Scotia. You will meander through many islands – both inhabited and wild, and will be visited by dozens, maybe hundreds, of seals. B (There is a supplemental fee for seakayaking but lunch is provided).
Same lodging

Day 5: Cycle 80km/50 miles or 110km/69 miles. Shorter options available
Cross the LaHave cable ferry first thing this morning. Stop to see Fort Point Lighthouse before enjoying another of the best coastal rides in Nova Scotia. Passing through several seaside hamlets: Broad Cove, Vogler's Cove, Little Harbour, Cherry Hill Beach, Beach Meadows, Port Medway, you will enjoy a picnic lunch (guided trips only) near a beautiful lighthouse, and another lighthouse in which you can sound the foghorn. At White Point Beach, you can stroll the white sand of the beach, swim in ocean, outdoor or indoor pool, or soak in the hot tub before dinner.  BLD
White Point Beach Lodge, White Point; or
Quarterdeck Beach Villas, Port Mouton

Day 6:  Hike 10km/6 miles to a deserted beach, or seakayak (optional) to deserted islands. Whichever option you choose today, you are in for a treat. The hike takes you to a seldom visited part of the Kejimkujik Seaside National Park, and a fabulously remote white sand beach. In spring and early summer we stay below the high tide mark on the beach to avoid disturbing nesting birds near the dunes, and we sometimes offer to help Parks Canada with monitoring and protection projects. The seals can also be good company here, especially if you like to swim in the surf! The kayaking – an optional extra that needs a few days of advance planning – takes you from a gorgeous string of beaches connected by trails to wilderness islands just offshore. Both are special experiences your guides love to show you. After a wonderful day of activity, we transfer you back to Chester/Hubbards or Halifax in time for dinner.  BL