Canada, Newfoundland: St. John’s & Trinity Bike Tour
Six nights; Six days of bicycle touring on paved roads of Newfoundland’s East Coast, enhanced with some hiking.
“The food was fantastic… Wonderful organization with fantastic adventures.” – Barb W.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Excellent cycling through unspoiled coastal scenery.
- Skerwink Trail hike and amazing look-offs.
- Whale, bird, wildlife sightings!
- Depth of maritime history at Trinity.
- Lively Newfoundland culture.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Moderate rides on rolling terrain and paved roads. Best for energetic cyclists. Relaxed riders may choose shorter options, but might be advised to consider renting e-bikes, or will require some van support. Advanced cyclists will enjoy the longer distance options on our St. John’s & Trinity Bike Tour.
Daily Distance:
- DAY 1: Introductions & ~3km hike
- DAY 2: Short: ~25km, Med: ~55km, Long: ~73km
- DAY 3: ~82km
- DAY 4: Short: ~65km / Long: Up to ~160km
- DAY 5: ~40km
- DAY 6: Up to ~100km
- DAY 7: Optional ~16km; Return to St. John’s
Newfoundland: St. John’s & Trinity Bike Tour – Elevation Profile
(Click image to enlarge)
Newfoundland: St. John’s & Trinity Bike Tour
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: St, John’s, Georgestown Inn, 14:00, day one.
Finish: St, John’s, Georgestown Inn, 15:00, day seven.
Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.
Meeting, introduction, hike to Signal Hill: ~3 km
Meet in St. John’s for a pre-dinner walk through the Battery to Signal Hill, the site of the first transatlantic communication and a fabulous viewpoint over St. John’s Harbour. After dinner you’ll have the chance to enjoy some Irish influenced music in one of many venues on George Street. D
Georgestown Inn, or Elizabeth Manor Guest House, or JAG Hotel, St. John’s
St John’s & Bell Island Loop; Short: ~25km, Med: ~55km, Long: ~73km
The day begins with an option to ride or transfer to Portugal Cove, where a 20-minute ferry through the area known locally as ‘The Tickle’ at Conception Bay awaits. Spend the day leisurely circumnavigating Bell Island, once home to one of the most extensive submarine iron mines in the world, as you ride past meadowlands in search of abrupt cliffs and sea stacks. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Bell Island Lighthouse Cafe while watching for whales and seabirds. Discover the island’s haunted folklore at the underground mine tour and museum, and expand your knowledge of WWII history at the Coastal Battery. Ride through quiet rural communities, including the sites of Quidi Vidi, on your late-afternoon return to St. John’s. BLD
Same lodging
Blaketown, Hearts Delight, Hearts Desire and Hearts Content: ~ 82km
Start with a 60-minute transfer to Blaketown on the Shore of Dildo Pond where today’s cycling begins. You will ride through Heart’s Delight, Heart’s Desire and Heart’s Content – a spectacular coastal cycling route largely along the coast of Trinity Bay. You will find the local people in these scenic villages as unique and entertaining as the names of their villages. Finish your day on the shorelines of Harbour Grace. BLD
Belle View Manor Inn; or Hotel Harbour Grace; or Rothsay House Inn, Harbour Grace
The Baccalieu Loop: Short: 65km / Long: 164km
Today’s ride takes you around Conception Bay on the “Bacccalieu Loop” – a favourite ride of local cyclists. Enjoy magnificent seaside vistas of both Conception and Trinity Bays, and rewarding descents into quiet and picturesque fishing hamlets including Old Perlican and Bay de Verde. The cross-country route from Heart’s Content to Victoria is often a great place to see a moose enjoying a meal in the peaty fens, whether you cycle or take an end-of-the-day transfer back to Harbour Grace. BLD
Same lodging
Carbonear, Harbour Grace, Bryant’s Cove, Bay Roberts and Hibbs Cove: ~40km
Follow meandering roads along the shores of Harbour Grace and Spaniard’s Bay on route to Bareneed, Blow Me Down and Hibbs Cove, small outports first surveyed by Captain James Cook in the mid 18th Century. Early in the afternoon you’ll be transferred by vehicle about 2 ½ hours northwest to Trinity. A jewel of a place, most of Trinity is a national heritage site and considered an essential stop on any Canadian explorer’s agenda. Depending on the pace of the group this morning, an early arrival at Trinity may allow time to experience the Skerwink Trail, an award winning hike with views of Trinity, rocky cliffs, caves, and wildlife. BLD
Artisan Inn, Trinity; or Fisher’s Loft, Port Rexton
Bonavista Loop: Up to 100km
Circumnavigate the outer Bonavista Peninsula, visiting Catalina, The Bonavista Social Club, Bonavista Lighthouse, and the puffin colony in Maberly. Stop for a swim in Catalina after completing your loop for the day. Return to Trinity by van or bike, along the rolling hills you started your day on. Keep an eye out for moose today, sightings are common! BLD
Same lodging
Ride to New Bonaventure & Return to St. John’s
Start with an optional short morning ride to New Bonaventure where you may explore the Random Passage site and the enchanting, long-abandoned communities of Kerley’s Harbour and Ireland’s Eye, before the 3 hour transfer back to St John’s in time for dinner. B
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SCHEDULED DATES
2023 Guided:
- Jul 9-15
- Jul 23-29
- Aug 6-12
- Aug 20-26
2024 Guided:
- Jul 7-13
- Jul 21-27
- Aug 4-10
- Aug 18-24
Self-Guided available any dates, except for those listed above. New dates are also welcomed for guided or private departures.
PRICING
Guided: C 4795 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners, luggage handling, van and guide support, route notes and maps, 15% 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 4595 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, luggage handling, transfers on days 3, 5, and 7, route notes and maps, 15% 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: 1045
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid: 165
Flat bars. Trek FX3 or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
Road: 295
Drop bars. Trek Domane AL5, SL5, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag (no rack/bag on carbon frames).
Electric: 465
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 an average of 11°C (52 °F) by 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 15 to 20 °C (60 to 70 °F). Freshwater and saltwater swimming is encouraged.
Autumn, mid September to mid October, daytimes 10 to 15 °C range (50 to 60°F). Nights can be chilly, but rarely down to freezing.
BEFORE & AFTER THE TOUR
Getting There:
If you fly:
Fly to St. John’s International Airport (YYT).
If you drive:
Access the province by Marine Atlantic ferries, which operate between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. These superferries carry hundreds of vehicles and passengers to two entry points. There is a year-round, daily service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, in southwestern Newfoundland, and a June to September service operating three days per week between North Sydney and Argentia, Newfoundland (which is a 90-minute drive from the capital city of St. John’s). Please view Marine Atlantic’s website for schedule times, or to reserve your crossing at: www.marineatlantic.ca/en, or call 800-341-7981.
If you have one day:
Spend some time in St. John’s, enjoying the sights and sounds of this vibrant city.
If you have several days:
Extend your trip by joining our Newfoundland Viking Bike or Hike adventures, or one of
our Nova Scotia trips.
We recommend the following accommodations in St. John’s for before or after your tour;
please let us know if we can assist with reservations:
● The JAG Hotel, 115 George Street West
Ph: 709-738-1524
● Blue on Water, 319 Water Street
Ph: 709-754-2583
● Leaside Manor Heritage Inn, 39 Topsail Road
Ph: 709-722-0387
