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San Juan Islands Biking

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.

big map San Juan Islands Biking

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
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
San Juan Islands Biking
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
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

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.
Jackie Weidenfeller - 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.
Stephen Rabinowitz - Larchmont, NY