San Juan Islands Biking
Thick with cedar and fir trees, Washington’s San Juan Islands invite you to explore. With shimmering water views before you, pedal around hidden coves and harbors sheltering colorful boats. Ride over rolling hills and through friendly villages, with the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges rising in the distance. Know that your next island adventure is just a ferry ride away and evenings are dedicated to relaxing in welcoming hotels and indulging in fresh seafood.
Day 1 la conner
Meet in La Conner, a fishing village and oasis of antiques shops situated on the edge of the Swinomish Channel 
Ride around the fertile Skagit Valley, noted for its tulip and daffodil cultivation—some bulbs are even exported to Holland.
Days 2-3 orcas island
Ferry to Orcas Island, the largest and most mountainous of the San Juan archipelago, with its rocky shores, dense forests, peaceful valleys and hilly terrain Spin through forests of western hemlock and visit the renowned studios of Orcas Island Pottery Ride to Moran State Park, a nature lover’s paradise 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 4-5 san juan island
Board a private charter boat for a wildlife-watching cruise to San Juan Island and keep your eyes peeled for orcas, seals, porpoises, great blue herons and majestic bald eagles At Roche Harbor, you might decide to paddle the waterways around Henry and Posey Islands on an optional sea kayaking excursion Pedal over rolling terrain interspersed with some steeper hills, enjoying sweeping vistas of Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula along the way Friday Harbor’s quaint streets, lined with shops and galleries, invite a stroll The trip ends with a ferry ride to Anacortes.
WATER VIEWS : Casual Inns
Country Inn (1 night): Relax in the cozy library, pamper yourself with an in-room spa treatment or browse the nearby art galleries and boutiques.
Cascade Harbor Inn (2 nights): Perched on a hillside above Cascade Bay amid a grove of fir and madrone trees, this hotel features Eastsound views and a walking path to the Rosario Marina.
Elements Hotel and Spa (1 night): With a spa resort's amenities and the hip, retro style of a classic motor inn, this unique hotel is perfectly located in the center of town.
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
- 9, 14, 18, 22 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 3 to 5 6 Route Options Available
- Hiking 1.5, 4.5 miles
- 500 - 2500 feet elevation gain
- or Biking 11 miles
- 2000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Biking 6, 11 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Optional Walking 4 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 3 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- Wildlife-Watching Cruise 4 hours
- 15, 21, 25 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
- Optional Kayaking 3 hours
Day 5
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 20 miles
- 500 - 1000 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
- 8/3-7Price: $2198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $720 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/17-21Price: $2198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $720 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/31-9/4Price: $2198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $720 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES+SOLOS 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 little gem is a biking trip for all levels. Diverse beauty, a fantastic climate and friendly locals make this one of our favorite destinations. You can definitely kick back on this cycling adventure but be prepared to kick it into gear when necessary, in order to conquer the occasional hill we've thrown in, just to spice things up!- Trip Development Coordinator, California & the Southwest