Canada: Nova Scotia: Annapolis Royal Getaway
Three days, three nights of gentle cycling and hiking through the rich history, coastal landscapes, and quiet beauty of the Annapolis Royal region.
"Very professional top to bottom" - Victor B.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- The beautiful and culturally-significant Annapolis Royal, named a National Historic Site of Canada.
- Abundant fresh seafood, from lobster to local fish, served fresh at charming coastal eateries.
- Less travelled route.
- The Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides, offering awesome views and dramatic coastal scenery.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
An easy to moderate ride with a few big climbs. The route is on traffic-shared secondary roads, and traffic volume is light. Road surfaces are mostly paved. Road/Gravel bikes are suitable, electric bikes are available if you prefer to make things easier.
Daily Distance:
- 1: Introductions and ride to Port Royal Historical Site, ~26km (+215m / -215m).
- 2: Annapolis Royal to Bear River Loop, up to ~54km (+630m / -630m).
- 3: Annapolis Royal to Mount Hanley ~52km (+750m / -700m).
- 4: Farewells & Transfer
(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: The Lord Nelson Hotel, Halifax, 10:00, day one.
Finish: The Lord Nelson Hotel, Halifax, 12:00, day four.
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:
Introductions and ride to Port Royal Historical Site, ~26km (+215m / -215m).
Begin your adventure with a scenic two-hour transfer from downtown Halifax to Annapolis Royal. After a personalized bike fitting, set off towards the Port Royal, a reconstruction of one of North America's earliest European settlements. This site offers a fascinating glimpse into 17th-century life and serves as a great introduction to the area's rich history. After exploring this living museum, return to Annapolis Royal for dinner.
Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.
Queen Anne Inn; or Garrison House, Annapolis Royal.DAY 2:
Annapolis Royal to Bear River Loop, up to ~54km (+630m / -630m).
Cycle inland on quiet country roads to Bear River, where you can discover the tranquility of rural life and the unique stilted houses. Descend to have lunch at a local café, and consider stopping at Bear River Vineyards. Afterwards, ride to Clementsport and follow the shore back to your familiar lodging.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
Same lodging.DAY 3:
Annapolis Royal to Mount Hanley ~52km (+750m / -700m).
Ride over North Mountain to the Fundy coastline and cycle along a quiet, paved road through picturesque little ports. Stop for a swim at a rocky beach before a steep climb and descent to your European-style lodging. Alternatively, ride a flat, traffic-free trail along the restored railbed, now known as the Harvest Moon Trail. Finish near Mount Hanley or Margaretsville.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Edelweiss Inn, Mount Hanley; or Little Bird Inn, Margaretsville.DAY 4:
Farewells & Transfer
Depart following breakfast for a two-hour transfer back to Halifax.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2025 DATES:
Please contact us with your preferred date
2026 DATES:
Please contact us with your preferred date
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(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: C 2995 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 4 days, 3 nights, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, luggage handling, transfer from Halifax to Wolfville and back, support vehicle and full-time guide/driver, maps, route instructions, freewheeling app package, 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 2775 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 4 days, 3 nights, 3 breakfasts, inn to inn luggage transfers, essential transfers as outlined in the plan, maps, route instructions, freewheeling app package, 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 495
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 our Annapolis Valley 3-Day Getaway 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
We meet you at your inn in Halifax on the morning of day one. Halifax’s downtown core is located about half an hour from its international airport (YHZ). Taxis are readily available; Maritime Bus offers an airport express shuttle; and Halifax Transit provides hourly departures on its MetroX bus service.
If you drive: Call us to help arrange parking in Halifax.
AFTER THE FINISH
We will return you to Halifax by about 12:00 on day four. It is best to fly out the following morning, but you may find evening flights (departing no earlier than 18:00) that fit your timetable. Contact us for recommendations.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
Rent a car and visit Nova Scotia’s South Shore, including the lovely Mahone Bay and the UNESCO township of Lunenburg, where you can join sailing tours, or join us for a day trip kayaking, or rent a bike from our HQ and ride the Aspotogan loop!
If you have several days:
Join one of our other rides or walk 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
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