Moderate
Difficulty level
Cycling
Activity (Bike)

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:


Learn about our difficulty-rating system

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.

Newfoundland: 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
Newfoundland: St. John's & Trinity Bike Tour

(Click image to enlarge)

 

Untitled Document


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.

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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 5265 (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 4765 (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: Included

Flat bars. Trek FX3 or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.

Upgrade to Road: 150

Drop bars. Trek Domane AL5, SL5, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag (no rack/bag on carbon frames).

Upgrade to Electric: 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.

 
PLEASE NOTE: Trip Cancellation Insurance is highly recommended. If this is not provided by your credit card or elsewhere, please let us know and we can provide recommendations.

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