Canada, Nova Scotia: South Shore & Rum Runners Trail Bike Tour
Five days; four nights. Easy cycling on the South Shore Lighthouse Route and Rum Runners Trail, featuring gentle beaches, fishing villages, and the UNESCO site of Lunenburg.
“ …a fantastic trip - a great mixture of cycling, hiking, and even kayaking, which was incredible.” – Becky M.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Cycle scenic coastal routes with breathtaking views, quaint villages, and hidden coves on our South Shore bike tour.
- The Rum Runner’s Trail – traffic-free connection between villages.
- The Lighthouse Route –quiet, white-sand beaches, artisan shops, historic boat-builders, art and antique shops.
- Historic Old Town Lunenburg – UNESCO heritage town displaying shipbuilding and fishing heritage.
- Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce National Historic Site in LaHave, established by the French as the capital of Acadia in 1632.
- The cool, artsy coastal communities of LaHave and Petite Rivière, attracting young residents with a creative vibe, historic charm, and vibrant culture.
- This is our home, and we love showing you the secret swimming holes, little-known cafés, and fantastic rides along obscure coastal stretches.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
The road follows the coast closely much of the time, so swimming, beaches, and good coastal photo ops are all frequently possible. There are short but manageable hills on the paved, quiet roadways, but no perceptible hills on the traffic-free Rum Runner’s Trail. Expect a bit of each on the Nova Scotia: South Shore Bike Tour.
Daily Distance:
- 1: St. Margaret’s Bay to Hubbards ~31km (+210m / -269m).
- 2: Hubbards to Western Shore; on the Rum Runners Trail ~41km (+397m / -393m), or on the Aspotogan Peninsula roadway ~69km (+724m / -720m).
- 3: Western Shore to Lunenburg ~42km (+392m / -393m).
- 4: LaHave Loop ~51km (+370m / -368m).
- 5: Lunenburg to Port Medway ~67km (+480m / -487m).
(Click image to enlarge)
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Halifax, The Lord Nelson Hotel, 11:00, day one.
Finish: Halifax, The Lord Nelson Hotel, 17:00, day five.
For those going to the airport: Halifax Transit operates its MetroX service from downtown to Halifax Stanfield International Airport. The #320 bus operates every 30 minutes during peak morning (6 am to 9 am) and afternoon (3 pm to 6 pm) times. The regular schedule departs every 60 minutes. Fares are $4.25 for adults/students and $3.00 for children/seniors. Exact fare is required.
Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.
Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.
DAY 1:
St. Margaret’s Bay to Hubbards ~31km (+210m / -269m).
Meet at your hotel in Halifax for a 20-minute transfer to Jerry Lawrence Park where you will begin cycling on the traffic-free railbed known as the Rum Runners Trail. Follow the Rum Runners Trail via the Train Station Bike & Bean into the picturesque community of Hubbards, where you can watch the sun set over the boats in Hubbards Cove.
Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.
Anchorage House & Cottages, or The Tuna Blue Inn, Hubbards.DAY 2:
Hubbards to Western Shore; on the Rum Runners Trail ~41km (+397m / -393m), or on the Aspotogan Peninsula roadway ~69km (+724m / -720m).
Ride on the traffic-free trail, through the charming coastal village of Chester into Western Shore. The longer route today includes 40km on the Aspotogan Peninsula roadway – a coastal ride popular with locals. You will pass through traditional fishing villages of Northwest Cove, Aspotogan, and Blandford, and by the beach at Bayswater. You 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 couples fantasy, a fairytale castle that inspires myths and tales. Make sure you stop in Chester, a popular sailing destination with a picturesque harbour and vibrant arts scene.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Oak Island Resort, Western Shore, or Mecklenburgh Inn, ChesterDAY 3:
Western Shore to Lunenburg ~42km (+392m / -393m).
Leave the trail behind as you head further down the South Shore, winding through Martins River and Indian Point where you can make another optional side trip. Descend into the oft-photographed town of Mahone Bay and cycle past the three churches to find hidden coffee shops, proud artisans, beautiful boats and a maritime village feel. Continue on to one of Nova Scotia’s nicest rides, on our favourite stretch of coastal country road. The pavement seems built for bikes to follow the pretty coast. Make sure to arrive with time to explore Lunenburg, the tiny but bustling shipbuilders' town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, or extend your ride to include the private beach at the end of Second Peninsula and/or the iconic fish shacks on quiet roads in Blue Rocks and Stonehurst.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Smugglers Cove Inn, Bluenose Lodge, or The Lunenburg Inn, Lunenburg.DAY 4:
LaHave Loop ~51km (+370m / -368m).
This is a beautiful loop ride, with side trips to the sea caves at the Ovens Natural Park and the quiet beaches near Kingsburg where you can also opt to explore a magnificent headland hike. Lunch options include a rural wood-fired pizza bar, exceptional bistro and, across the cable ferry, the sweet-smelling LaHave Bakery. Return to Lunenburg this afternoon. If you prefer, one of the best sea kayak experiences in Nova Scotia is available. You will meander between many islands, both inhabited and wild, and will be visited by dozens, maybe hundreds, of seals.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner.
Same lodging.DAY 5:
Lunenburg to Port Medway ~67km (+480m / -487m).
Ride from Lunenburg to Port Medway, taking the short cable ferry across the LaHave River, past the LaHave Bakery, Ploughman's Lunch, Crescent Beach, the LaHave Islands, and several seaside hamlets: Little Harbour, Petite Riviere, Broad Cove, Cherry Hill Beach, and Vogler's Cove. Finish at the lighthouse at Port Medway, with a short stretch to the hidden gem of Long Cove and its lighthouse. After a farewell dip in the ocean, there is a 90-minute transfer back to Halifax.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2025 DATES:
2026 DATES:
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(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: C 3695 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 5 days, 4 nights, 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, luggage handling, guide/driver support, maps, route notes, hybrid bicycle rental, 14% sales tax.
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 3245 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 5 days, 4 nights, 4 breakfasts, inn to inn luggage transfers, essential transfers, emergency on call support, route notes, maps, hybrid bicycle rental, 14% sales tax.
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: Add C 645
Tour cost excludes airfare and travel to and from the starting point, costs for activities listed as optional, bar and beverage bills, meals not shown as included, gratuities for your driver and/or guides.
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid: Included
Flat bars. Trek FX 3 Disk, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
Change to Road/Gravel: C 150
Drop bars. Trek Domane AL 5 Disc, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag.
Change to E-bike: C 300
Flat bars. Trek Verve+ 2, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
BEST TIMES
The best time to enjoy this tour is mid-June to mid-October.
- Spring daytimes warm up to 10 to 20 °C (50 to 70 °F) by mid June. Note that seasonal businesses may still be closed, or on off-season hours, until late June.
- Summer mid June to mid September, is normally 20 to 25 °C (70 to 80 °F). Freshwater and saltwater swimming is encouraged.
- Autumn, mid September to mid October, daytimes 10 to 20 °C range (50 to 70 °F). Nights can be chilly, but rarely down to freezing. Mid-October is the best time to see spectacularly colorful fall foliage.
GET TO THE START
If you fly: The best option is to fly to Halifax (YHZ). Halifax’s downtown core is located about half an hour from its airport. Taxis are readily available between the airport and Halifax city; Maritime Bus offers an airport express shuttle ($40 roundtrip or $22 one way); and Halifax Transit provides hourly departures on its MetroX bus service ($4.25 fare).
If you drive: We will meet you at your Halifax inn. Halifax is 1400km from New York, and 1900km from Toronto. You can park here for the week; call us for help if your inn does not offer the option.
AFTER THE FINISH
Cycling finishes mid-afternoon on the last day, normally in Port Medway. Freewheeling shuttle gets you back to Halifax usually in the evening. It is best to fly out the following morning. Contact us for hotel recommendations.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
Rent a car and go tidal bore rafting, visit Peggy’s Cove, or explore the waterfront city of Halifax. The Citadel is a good place for a scenic overview, and to learn about its history.
If you have several days:
Extend your trip by joining one of our other rides in Nova Scotia, or the adjacent provinces, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland.
We recommend the following accommodations in Halifax for before or after your tour; please let us know if we can assist with reservations:
- The Lord Nelson, 1515 South Park Street Ph: 902-423-6331 or 800-565-2020
- Prince George Hotel, 1725 Market Street Ph: 902-425-1986 or 800-565-1567
- The Halliburton Inn, 5184 Morris Street Ph: 902-420-0658 or 888-512-3344
MORE READING
One of the best parts of Southwest Nova Scotia are its Lighthouse Route, that 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 cafés, 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.
You will rest 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 near the beaches around LaHave, and can venture on foot to two of the most spectacular headlands in the province. This is a perfect introduction to Nova Scotia’s coastal charms, and will show you why many visitors return again and again.
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