Some people come to Hawaii to relax. Some come to play. This trip is for those who love doing both. Sure, you can spend the entire trip on two wheels, testing your legs on climbs through some of the world's most incredible scenery and relishing exhilarating long descents to picture-perfect coastline. Even ride two centuries in a single week if you like. And what if your ideal vacation also includes swimming, snorkeling and basking on a pristine beach with an icy Mai Tai in hand? But of course! Whatever you choose, the Big Island awaits.
Day 1 Circumnavigate the Big Island on your bike,
starting amid rain forests, Kona coffee plantations and scenic beaches 
Fantastic ocean views highlight the route to Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, an impressive archaeological site known as the Place of Refuge.
Days 2-3 Volcano Village and Kilauea Iki Crater,
which we hike through with a local guide Descend along the Kau Coast, passing the southernmost point of the United States Gear down for a 4,000-foot climb past black-sand Punaluu Beach, where green turtles lounge, and up through lava fields to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hilina Pali Overlook dazzles with sweeping vistas of the Pacific and the Kau Desert.
Day 4 Feast on Pacific Rim cuisine, fresh fish and tropical fruit
En route to Hilo, gravity does the work to bring you to the island's "wet side," with its verdant hills, rugged cliffs and lava-rock beaches Grassy highlands and sprawling cattle ranches? You'll find them while pedaling in paniolo (cowboy) country.
Days 5-6 Bike 30 miles of the Kona Ironman Triathlon's cycling course
No guilt here! Sumptuous meals are well deserved after the challenging rides along the Kohala Coast and the small communities of Puako and Hawi Return through fields of black lava to quiet Pauoa Bay.
Trip Highlights
- Circumnavigate the Big Island on two wheels, passing lava fields, rain forests, coffee plantations and scenic beaches
- The ride from the Kilauea Crater to the lush Hamakua Coast - an optional century!
- Feast on Pacific Rim cuisine, fresh fish and tropical fruit
- Kilauea Iki Crater and Thurston Lava Tube
- Bike 30 miles of the Ironman Triathlon's cycling course
Casual & Premiere Inns
Royal Kona Resort (1 night): This full-service resort centrally located in town is set on 12 oceanfront acres overlooking Kailua Bay. (pool, spa, tennis)
Kilauea Lodge (2 nights): An up-country bed-and-breakfast with ideal access to Volcanoes National Park.
The Fairmont Orchid (2 nights): Blissful resort offering abundant amenities, a lovely half-moon beach and sweeping views of the Pacific. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List. (pool, spa, tennis, golf)
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.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 23* | 1500 | 34 | 3000 | ||||||
| 2 | 29* | 1000 | 37* | 1100 | 43* | 1500 | 52* | 1700 | ||
| 81* | 6500 | |||||||||
| 99 | 8000 | |||||||||
| 3 | 9* | 500 | 30 | 1800 | 39 | 1800 | ||||
| 15* | 500 | |||||||||
| Hiking (4.9 miles) | ||||||||||
| 4 | 30* | 500 | 37 | 1000 | 46* | 1500 | 71 | 2000 | ||
| 111 | 3500 | |||||||||
| 5 | 28* | 1000 | 35* | 1100 | 50 | 1500 | 70 | 2300 | ||
| Optional afternoon swimming, tennis or golf | ||||||||||
| 6 | 17 | 500 | ||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 6/18-23 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/2-7 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/14-19 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/13-18 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/15-20 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/6-11 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/27-11/1 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/1-6 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/12-17 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/19-24 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/26-31 Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES-SOLOS TRIPS
- 11/10-15 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/7-12 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $830 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
2014 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 1/26-31 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 2/23-28 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 4/13-18 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 5/18-23 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/17-22 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/15-20 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/12-17 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/14-19 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/5-10 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/26-31 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 11/30-12/5 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/11-16 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/18-23 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/25-30 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES-SOLOS TRIPS
- 1/2-7 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 1/19-24 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 3/2-7 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/1-6 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/29-8/3 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/12-17 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/6-11 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
I just returned from my Hawaii bicycle trip and as usual, the trip was fabulous! I personally want to express my thanks to a wonderful organization. Backroads goes the EXTRA mile to make each guest feel comfortable with their trip. I never feel "short-changed" on a Backroads trip. The accommodations, meals, equipment and last but not least, the group leaders are superior, top of the line. I am a devoted Backroads supporter.- Los Angeles, CA
Another fantastic Backroads trip! Our first trip to Hawaii and what a great way to see the Big Island. I keep coming back because Backroads continues to provide the best of what I am seeking.- Libby, MT
The place of refuge valley was a wow. The backroads near Hilo were a wow. The road from Waimea to the coast was a wow. Excellent trip - rigorous enough to keep me amused. Well supported enough to make life easy. Gorgeous big blue sky and blue ocean. Thanks for a fun week.- Sacramen!o, CA
A delight! What a coup having a certified volcanologist and small coffee grower share their experiences with us!!- Troy, MI
Awesome trip - had a great time!! The Hawaii trip was very special. Seems like it's a great trip for the novice rider or someone who wants to pound out the miles. Broad shoulders and relatively light traffic makes the ride around the island very safe, It was very easy to drop the novice rider off at the top of the hill and let them ride a bunch of descent miles and feel like they accomplished a lot. For the experienced rider, the trip provided a very challenging course and several epic rides. I loved the trip!!- San Francisco, CA
This trip was amazing!!! The leaders went out of their way to make sure everyone was having a great time, and I am very appreciative of their efforts! The rides were well organized, directions were clear (even to a blond!) and the break points along the way were all well timed. They did all the work for us, and they made it look effortless - not easy, especially given the wide range of ages and cycling ability levels. To say they "exceeded all expectations" would be an understatement. Incredible.- Potomac, MD