San Juan Islands Biking
Island to Island in the Pacific Northwest
It’s so close, you can smell it. Sharp, fresh, invigorating. The sea air permeates every scene. San Juan harbors dappled with sunlight, sailboats flitting across the deep blue Puget Sound water. Washington State Ferries, bigger and more majestic than you’ve imagined, sound their call, the workhorses of the waterway. Off the ferry and onto a new island. Biking the country roads, each day is an adventure. Evergreen-lined lanes give way to rural pastures, then back again. But you’re never far from the water. What’s around the next corner? Time to find out.
- Island-hop by ferry, and pedal through stunningly diverse scenery, from conifer forests to farmlands to seaports
- Wildlife cruise with a naturalist - you may spot an orca!
- The breathtaking panorama of islands, snow-covered Mount Baker and the Olympic Peninsula
- La Conner, a charming fishing village with a relaxed country feel
- Waterfront lodging and fresh Northwest cuisine
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 La Conner, a charming fishing village with a relaxed country feel on the Swinomish Channel 
Bike through the fertile Skagit Valley, noted for its tulip and daffodil cultivation, with Mount Baker crowning our route.
Day 2 Island-hop by ferry, and pedal through stunningly diverse scenery, from conifer forests to farmlands to seaports After biking to Anacortes, set sail for hilly Orcas Island, a tapestry of rural landscapes Stop by Orcas Island Pottery, where one-of-a-kind pieces are displayed among Douglas firs and western red cedar.
Day 3 The breathtaking panorama of islands, snow-covered Mount Baker, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula In Moran State Park, make your way up Mount Constitution, the highest point in the San Juans, on two wheels or two feet.
Days 4-5 Wildlife cruise with a naturalist - you may spot an orca! Spin past secluded bays and driftwood beaches Swap pedals for paddles on an optional sea-kayaking excursion near Roche Harbor, and watch for otters and soaring eagles Delightful shops and galleries abound in Friday Harbor.
Day 6 Waterfront lodging and fresh Northwest cuisine On Lopez Island - a bicyclist’s paradise - bike to Shark Reef and witness the fast-moving current between Lopez and San Juan Islands.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Wine Country Biking Maine Biking Canadian Rockies BikingOther Western US Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
This trip was an adventure for us to a new and spectacular landscape. It was interesting to do a biking trip that also offered opportunities for hiking and sea kayaking, mixed with a number of interesting geographic and historic learning experiences. Everyone was so friendly and engaging, and we really felt that we got to know everyone well. The leaders were wonderful, as has always been the case with Backroads, but especially for first-year leaders, they were exceptional. We are so glad to have discovered the uplifting Backroads type of vacation, and we shall continue to participate in these trips as long as we are physically able to do so.- Rockville, MD More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
San Juan Islands Biking
Premiere Inns
Channel Lodge
La Conner (1 night) A charming inn with private balconies and beautiful vistas of the boats and birdlife residing in Swinomish Channel.
Outlook Inn
Eastsound (2 nights) Tastefully furnished suites overlooking the water in a quaint harbor town on Orcas Island.
Friday Harbor House
Friday Harbor (2 nights) Described by Andrew Harper as an "appealing contemporary island lodge affording exceptional views of the San Juan Channel."
San Juan Islands Biking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2
2 Route Options Available
- 14, 22 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3 4 Route Options Available
- 18, 22 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
- 11, 16 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 5 7 Route Options Available
- Biking 9 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 4.5 miles
- 2100 feet elevation gain OR
- Biking 11 miles
- 2100 feet elevation gain
- Optional Biking 6, 16, 22 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Walking 3 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 12, 20 miles
- 1040 - 1200 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 21, 31, 41, 50 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 2 4 Route Options Available
- 14, 20, 23, 28 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain