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 the fishing village of La Conner 
Ride around the lush Skagit Valley, noted for its fields of tulips and daffodils.
Days 2-3 eastsound
Bike to Anacortes and ferry to hilly Orcas Island, a tapestry of rural landscapes Spin through forests of western hemlock Explore the town of Eastsound, where you can browse art shops and galleries, visit the island's Historical Museum housed in an original pioneer log cabin, 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 As an optional activity for a new perspective of the island, slip into a sea kayak to paddle through the peaceful waters of 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.
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
- 9, 14 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 5 8 Route Options Available
- Biking 9 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 1.5, 4.5 miles
- 500 - 2500 feet elevation gain
- Or Optional Biking 11 miles
- 2000 - 2500 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
- Wildlife-Watching Cruise 3 hours
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 21, 31, 41, 50 miles
- 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Sea Kayaking 3 hours
Day 6
- Levels 2 to 3 4 Route Options Available
- 20, 26, 29, 31 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Trips 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 | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| 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 |
2008 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 8/10-15Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1100 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/24-29Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1100 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/7-12Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1100 for sgl. occ.)
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 6/14-19Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $910 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/28-7/3Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $910 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/12-17Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $910 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/26-31Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $910 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/9-14Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $910 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/23-28Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $910 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/6-11Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $910 for sgl. occ.)
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Trip praise
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
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