San Juan Islands Biking
Amid the pristine waterways just northwest of Puget Sound lie Washington’s San Juan Islands. Thick with cedar and fir trees, each island beckons you to explore. With shimmering water views before you, wind your way around hidden coves, where harbors shelter colorful boats. Pedal over rolling hills and through villages, with the snowcapped Olympic and Cascade Mountain Ranges rising in the distance. Your next island adventure is just a ferry ride away, and evenings are dedicated to relaxing in delightful inns and indulging in fresh seafood.
Day 1 la conner
Meet in La Conner, a charming fishing village with a collection of antique shops situated on the edge of the Swinomish Channel 
Bike through the fertile Skagit Valley, noted for its tulip and daffodil cultivation - some bulbs are even exported to Holland.
Days 2-3 eastsound
Bike to Anacortes and ferry to hilly Orcas Island, a tapestry of rural landscapes Perhaps stop by Orcas Island Pottery, where one-of-a-kind pieces are displayed among Douglas firs and western red cedar Explore the town of Eastsound, where you can browse art shops and galleries or treat yourself to a massage at a nearby spa Ride to Moran State Park and pedal or hike up Mount Constitution - from this highest point in the San Juans, gaze at a panorama of the Canadian Gulf Islands, and the Olympic and Cascade Ranges.
Days 4-6 friday harbor
Keep an eye out for breaching orcas, sea otters and soaring eagles on a wildlife cruise with a local naturalist Pedal past secluded bays and driftwood beaches For a new perspective of the island, consider an optional sea- kayaking excursion through the peaceful waters near Roche Harbor Perhaps you’ll decide to relax at the hotel or spend time visiting shops, art galleries and the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor Ferry to Lopez Island, a bicyclist’s paradise known for its rural beauty and protected harbors Our final ferry ride brings us to Anacortes.
WATER VIEWS: Premiere Inns
Channel Lodge (1 night): Each room in this charming inn features a private balcony and beautiful vistas of the boats and birdlife residing in Swinomish Channel.
Outlook Inn (2 nights): Look out onto the sound from spacious and elegantly furnished suites in a quaint harbor town on Orcas Island.
Friday Harbor House (2 nights): A blufftop inn with stylish guest rooms featuring fireplaces, whirlpool tubs and floor-to-ceiling views of Friday Harbor.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 15, 22 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 4 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
- Biking 6, 13, 17 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Walking 3 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 12, 20 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 20, 30, 40, 49 miles
- 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Sea Kayaking 3 hours
Day 6
- Levels 2 to 3 4 Route Options Available
- 20, 26, 29, 33 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 6/27-7/2Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $770 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/11-16Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $770 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/25-30Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $770 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/8-13Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $770 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/22-27Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $770 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/5-10Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $770 for sgl. occ.)
Guest Trip Reviews
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
Fabulous! Great trip, great guides, good accommodations and food, and a great group of travelers too. I always love traveling with Backroads. It is hard to travel with any other company because of the fine quality that comes with the trip being run by Backroads.- Sugar Land, TX
This was my first trip with Backroads and I had a wonderful time. Beautifully organized, yet flexible and open to our varying needs.- Albuquerque, NM
Our leaders were just amazing. I wish the people that worked for me were as attuned to client/customer service as they are. They are a credit to your company.- Larchmont, NY
One of my best Backroads trips -- very relaxing and stunningly beautiful!- Brooklyn, NY