Canada, Nova Scotia: Yarmouth to Wolfville Bike Tour
Five nights; six days of cycling along the Acadian French and Fundy shores, through the Annapolis Valley, and on the Harvest Moon Trail. Optional whale-watching in the Bay of Fundy.
“The picnics, the lodgings, the music, the laughs and the roar of the ocean will be treasured by me for a long time.” – Joyce L.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Lighthouses!
- Quaint small towns and fishing villages.
- Mavillette Beach.
- The Acadian history of the region includes Le Grand Derangement, which influenced the cultural development of places all around the Atlantic Ocean, from Creole and Cajun to English and French.
- Rich fishing area. Expect fresh scallops, lobster, clams, and fish.
- Rich farming area. From grass-fed meat to corn and berries.
- Annapolis Royal – first Colonial settlement in North America. Visit the fort, and a trading outpost.
- Bay of Fundy shore – the world’s highest tides, and gorgeous views over the water.
- Harvest Moon Trail – a restored railbed that traverses the length of the Annapolis River Valley, and allows some traffic-free riding.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Easy cycling on paved roads, 45km–80km per day. On day five, the easy option includes cycling on an unpaved former railbed – the Harvest Moon Trail. The more challenging option includes some hilly riding on very quiet, sometimes coastal roads overlooking the Bay of Fundy.
Nova Scotia: Yarmouth to Wolfville 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: Yarmouth, 09:00, day one. Optional transfers from Halifax or Wolfville are $85 per person, departing the day before your tour begins at 14:00 from Halifax or 15:00 from Wolfville; please inquire when booking.
Finish: Wolfville, 15:00, or Halifax, by approximately 16:00, day six.
Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.
Yarmouth to Meteghan. ~60km
Meet in Yarmouth to begin cycling along the French Shore. You will ride through several Acadian fishing villages, past the wide strand at Mavillette Beach, and another lighthouse at Cape St. Mary’s on your way to Smuggler’s Cove and Meteghan. For dinner tonight, enjoy deliciously fresh local seafood, or try a traditional Acadian specialty. LD (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips only)
Au Havre du Capitaine, Meteghan
Meteghan to Digby. Short: 30km, and transfer to Digby. Long: ~60km
Ride through Church Point, home to a French university, and the tallest wooden church in N. America. There is another lighthouse at Belliveau’s Cove, where a coastal trail invites a nice break from the bike, and another beyond Weymouth, at Gilbert’s Cove. Finish in the fishing town of Digby, where fresh scallops and lobster are the thing. This is the Bay of Fundy, where the highest tides in the world make waterfront engineering a bigger challenge than usual. You can walk the waterfront and watch the boats over dinner. BLD
Dockside Suites, Digby
Digby to Annapolis Royal, ~43km via Bear River; or whale watching
Ride from the fishing port of Digby to Annapolis Royal – site of the first European settlement in N. America, after the Vikings in Newfoundland. On the way, stop in Bear River, locally known as the little Switzerland of Nova Scotia. where many of the houses hang over the tidal river on stilts. This attractive little village had the first solar aquatics waste water management facility in North America, now a community greenhouse you can visit. Finish the afternoon visiting Fort Anne – the earliest British settlement in North America, the beautiful historic gardens (www.historicgardens.com), or the restored 17th century trading post at Port Royal. Whale watching by Zodiac is an extra option for today, if your group all agrees, instead of the ride. Please announce your preference at booking. BLD
Queen Anne Inn, or; Hillsdale House, Annapolis Royal
~45km on Harvest Moon Trail, or ~81km along the Fundy Shore.
Choose between easy and challenging today. The easy route, 45km, takes you along the restored railbed now known as the Harvest Moon Trail, across iconic railway bridges and beside the Annapolis River. The challenging ride takes you over North Mountain to ride along the Fundy shore through very beautiful little ports on the shore. Finish with an afternoon transfer back to your inn in Annapolis Royal. BLD
Same Lodging
Harbourville to Wolfville. ~64km along Fundy shore, then to Wolfville
Transfer back a short distance to the area where you left off yesterday. The ride takes you to some very beautiful fishing ports on the shore of the Bay of Fundy, where the tidal change, even over a few minutes, will amaze you. Options for lunch may include lobster on the wharf. This is the breadbasket for the province, and good food is available through farmer’s markets along the way. Cycling finishes in Wolfville, the epicentre of Nova Scotia’s burgeoning wine industry and your resting place for the evening. BLD
Blomidon Inn, or, Tattingstone Inn, Wolfville
Flexible cycling distance, up to 33km
Starting from the Farmer’s Market, you’ll cycle the Harvest Moon Trail to historic Grand Pre, where Longfellow’s Evangeline was written, and will learn why Acadian culture has influenced so much of the world. After a visit to the site and a picnic lunch, you will spend the afternoon riding from one winery to the next. Those continuing on to the Fundy & Glooscap tour will return to Wolfville in time to refresh before dinner; those departing will transfer to Halifax for evening flights or an overnight stay in Nova Scotia’s capital. BL
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SCHEDULED DATES
2023 Guided:
- Jun 24-29
- Jul 15-20
- Aug 5-10
- Sep 9-14
2024 Guided:
- Jun 15-20
- Jul 13-18
- Aug 24-29
- Sep 7-12
- Sep 21-26
Self-Guided available any dates, except for those listed above. New dates are also welcomed for guided or private departures.
PRICING
Guided: C 3295 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 6 days, 5 nights, 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, inn to inn luggage transfers, full-time guide and van support, maps, route instructions, 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 2895 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 6 days, 5 nights, 5 breakfasts, welcome briefing, inn to inn luggage transfers, maps, route instructions, on-call emergency support, 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: 655
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.
| Difficulty | This route is rated easy (green circle). |
| Daily Distances | 25-80km/day |
| Optional Extras | Fishing, Swimming, Golfing |
| Best Months | June-October |
Best Times:
The best time to enjoy this tour is mid-June to mid-October.
BEFORE & AFTER THE TOUR
Getting There:
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). We can pick you up at your inn in Halifax at 2pm, or in Wolfville at 3pm, for a transfer (2 ½ hours from Wolfville; 3 ½ hours from Halifax) to Yarmouth, day 1.
If you drive: We will meet you in Wolfville. 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.
To Do:
If you have one day:
Wolfville is a wonderful, university town in an agricultural area, with many good restaurants. You can visit Grand Pre – site of the Acadian Expulsion, an historical event that influenced the development of much of the Western world. If you have a car, you can drive to the nearby 4-hour hike out to Cape Split, a fantastic overview of the natural tidal power here. Bald eagles gather here, too, and can be watched as they are farm-fed. You can also 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:
This adventure flows seamlessly into our Fundy & South Shore Bike, Fundy & Glooscap Bike, or Fundy & Glooscap Hike if you’d like a two week holiday.
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
• Halifax’s Waverley Inn, 1266 Barrington Street Ph: 902-423-9346 or 800-565-9346
• The Halliburton Inn, 5184 Morris Street Ph: 902-420-0658 or 888-512-3344
