Cabot Trail Bike Tour CUSTOM (Hovey)
ITINERARY:
June 22: Introductions
An optional transfer departs Halifax at midday. Otherwise, meet late this afternoon at your first inn, where you can park your car for the week if you’re driving yourself. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips only)
- Glenora Inn and Distillery, glenoradistillery.com, Inverness; or
- Inn at Glendyer, innatglendyer.com, Glendyer; or
- Normaway Inn, thenormawayinn.com, Margaree.
June 23: Independent day of golf in Inverness (not included in the price)
http://www.golfcapebreton.com/
- Same lodging
June 24: Inverness to Cheticamp
Short: ~42km
Long: ~77km
Ride on the rail trail into the pretty village of Inverness – home to one of the highest rated golf courses in the world, a horseracing track, and a fabulous beach. From there, follow Broad Cove Banks along a spectacular coastal ride, with stops at two more wonderful beaches, to where the Margaree River spills into the sea at Margaree Harbour. Short option riders will transfer to Cheticamp from Belle Côte. The long option follows the ocean through the Acadian coastal region to Cheticamp. If you arrive early enough, you can spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring this very Acadian town and its surroundings. There are hiking, off-road riding, and swimming opportunities, and you can sometimes whale watch from the bluffs at Cheticamp Island. BL
- Maison Fiset House, maisonfisethouse.com; or
- Silver Lining Inn silverlininginn.ca; Cheticamp
June 25: Cheticamp to Dingwall
Short: ~46km +786m/-762m
Long: ~78km +1393m/-1388m
Today is a challenging day of cycling through Cape Breton Highlands National Park; cycling distances and terrain can be adjusted using transfers. Short option finishes at MacIntosh Brook with a transfer to your inn at Dingwall. Long option includes climbing the second of two ‘mountains’ each of about 430m/1400 feet. The scenery today is awe-inspiring; the ascents are long, and the descents…ahh, the descents! If only they’d go on forever. BLD
- Markland Inn, themarkland.com, Dingwall
June 26: Dingwall to Ingonish
Short: ~31km +398m/-381m
Long: ~53km +601m/-591m
Cycle the scenic route between Cape North and Neil’s Harbour (where the shorter ride begins), stopping for a short hike at spectacular White Point, where eagles often soar over spouting whales. Options include swimming holes, waterfalls, beaches, and golf at the Highland Links. BLD
- Keltic Lodge, kelticlodge.ca, Ingonish Beach; or
- Castle Rock Country Inn, castle-rock-country-inn.business, Ingonish
June 27: Ingonish to North River
Short: ~44km+359m/-605m
Long: ~61km +759m/-746m
A nicely undulating ride along the East Coast follows the initial climb over Cape Smokey. You can choose to ease the ride with a transfer up and over Smokey. Enjoy a picnic at Indian Brook or an interesting café in the middle of nowhere, and finish at a secluded inn on the shores of St. Anne’s Bay. BD
- Chanterelle Inn, chanterelleinn.com, North River; or
- Lynwood Inn, com, Baddeck
June 28: North River to Baddeck. ~35km.
On this morning’s ride to Baddeck, you can stop to visit the Gaelic College Great Hall of the Clans Museum, or if you are already in Baddeck, visit the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. Bell’s airplane, the Silver Dart, was airborne about the same time as the Kitty Hawk. There are good lunch options to choose from in the waterfront village of Baddeck, before returning to Glenora or Halifax with our free shuttle. B
- Lord Nelson Hotel https://lordnelsonhotel.ca/, Halifax
June 29: Independent departure
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
PRICING
Guided: C 4405 (per person – based on a minimum of six participants)
Includes 7 days, 7 nights, 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners, luggage handling, transfer from Halifax to Cape Breton and back, support vehicle and full-time guide/driver, maps, route instructions, hybrid bicycle rental, park and other entry fees, 15% sales tax.
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 departure, this usually involves a surcharge depending on the details. Those who prefer to travel self-guided typically need only two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and we can sometimes offer reduced rates for larger groups. Please get in touch for more information.
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.