Set your wheels in motion along the beautiful Bay of Fundy. Gaze at the crashing North Atlantic. Pedal past historic towns and colorful homes. Savor fresh Nova Scotian lobster, halibut and farm-to-table produce. Give in to the calm pace of village life and warm Maritime hospitality. Enjoy every minute of it.
Day 1 Start your trip at the vibrantly colored waterfront of colonial Lunenburg, a World Heritage site | Pedal from the seaside town of Gold River to postcard-perfect Mahone Bay and the fishing community of Blue Rocks.
Day 2 Beautiful rides on country and coastal lanes await | Explore the rich history of Lunenburg on a guided walking tour | Cruise between the gorgeous LaHave Islands on a private boat | Bike by coastal tundra, sleepy fishing villages and picturesque bays and inlets | Dine on local fare, including deliciously fresh produce and seafood.
Days 3-4 Pedal along a scenic tidal estuary to Annapolis Royal and past historic battlegrounds | Step back in time to 1604 at Port Royal, a National Historic site | Visit Bear River, where the Mi'kmaq First Nations people have lived for thousands of years | Browse in shops and galleries before our picnic featuring famous Digby scallops | See Victoria Beach, where the receding tide leaves fishing boats sitting on the ocean floor twice a day.
Days 5-6 Behold the Bay of Fundy as you weave along a bucolic coastline punctuated with lighthouses | Experience some of the prettiest coastal riding in Nova Scotia before heading into verdant Annapolis Valley | Taste unique varietals at an award-winning winery and delicious cheeses, bread and jams from local purveyors.
The trip leaders, the routes, the accommodations, the meals, the tours. All flawlessly combined to make a truly unique and memorable visit to our maritime province. Did I mention the lighthouses, the boats, the lobsterpots, the farms, the orchards, the history!- Burlington, Ontario
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
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This well-appointed inn overlooks the harbor and is set in the stunning World Heritage site of Old Town Lunenburg. (spa)
Built in 1859, this iconic family-owned inn offers Victorian charm and timeless hospitality.
A Victorian antique-adorned bed-and-breakfast built for an apple baron in 1893.
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 17 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Reviewed by 17 customers
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Comments about Nova Scotia Bike Tour:
The trip leaders, the routes, the accommodations, the meals, the tours. All flawlessly combined to make a truly unique and memorable visit to our maritime province. Did I mention the lighthouses, the boats, the lobsterpots, the farms, the orchards, the history!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Bluenose Biker
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Comments about Nova Scotia Bike Tour:
Let me preface this narrative with the fact that my wife and I have used numerous bike companies over a span of 15 years. Backroads is the best bike touring company we have ever engaged. It far exceeded our expectations and set the standard for trips to come.
The options of daily routes were manageable for every skill level and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. There was always enough time to walk into town and we never felt rushed. SAG support was always there when needed.
From the attention to detail like filled water bottles at the beginning of each ride to each days briefs and debriefs, Backroads never failed to impress. But none of this would have been possible without the superb guidance, leadership, and patience from our tour guides, Alan, Darren and Jennifer. Their energy, joy and tirelessness was infectious and made the trip what it was. Accommodations and scenery are expected, but what makes the trip are the people who make it happen.
Comments about Nova Scotia Bike Tour:
This trip was exceptional in every way! Much more than we ever expected. We felt so pampered and well taken care of. The bikes were comfortable, the rides were scenically spectacular and challenging. The Inn's that we stayed at were beautiful and had so much character and history. And I don't even know where to begin with the food: fresh digby scallops; whole lobster; fresh salmon; and halibut. I thought I would lose some weight on this trip - I was wrong.
I really want to give extra kudos to our Sherpa's (Alan, Jeroen, and Tyler). They made the trip spectacular. Everything was ready and prepped in the morning, they were at every corner to make sure we didn't miss our turn, they did maintenance on the bikes, set out an awesome spread of food daily, knew everything about the history of Nova Scotia. They even came looking for us when it appeared that we were lost (and we were :). Their fun easy going, but responsible personalities were perfect for working with a full range of guest personalities :) I would recommend this trip to anyone who loves biking and can do 20 miles comfortably.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Julie
Yes. This was one of our meals!
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Comments about Nova Scotia Bike Tour:
Everything was planned so well for us, we had no concerns about any of the usual travel details interfering with our fun. The guides were not only knowledgeable, but also incredibly patient, positive and caring.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by First-timers TS and JG
Our group, Gaspereau Winery, NS
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Beautiful Minas Basin, Gaspereau Winery, NS
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Comments about Nova Scotia Bike Tour:
Excellent balance of riding options without overdoing it. Lots of time to really get to see and enjoy the area. As challenging as you want (definitely NO flat areas!) yet wonderful scenery and the most pleasant people in the world!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Comments about Nova Scotia Bike Tour:
Very thoughtful itinerary. Well run trip with good food and great support.
Comments about Nova Scotia Bike Tour:
Very well organized - you think of everything! The meals were fantastic - the lobster dinner was beyond our greatest expectations! The routes gave each of us a chance to challenge ourselves as our son often did the longer courses and we did the shorter ones. I knew he was well taken care of and with the GPS and maps, it was easy to follow the courses. The excursions such as the history tours were led by excellent guides (esp the walking tour of Lunenburg and the graveyard tour at Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal.) Tyler and Cristina and Jay deserve a shout out for being so supportive and encouraging every step of the way. We loved our trip to Nova Scotia and the group was really fun to travel with, we met great people on this trip!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Marci
Stop at Blue Rocks
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Along the ride to Bear River
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Lobster night!
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Comments about Nova Scotia Bike Tour:
Everything on this trip was stellar in my opinion--and I've gone with other tours. The trip and support leader personnel; the accommodations; the food; the choice of activities; the local tour guides; the seeming ease with which the staff organized this trip. All made for a comfortable, fun, and interesting experience. I loved being able to use an ebike, the first time for me. It made me able to go farther distances and explore more, without feeling like I was pushing myself beyond my physical capabilities. I really loved this trip!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Jan, of moderate physical capability!
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Comments about Nova Scotia Bike Tour:
We were recommended to Backroads so came in with high expectations. They were exceeded. The leaders were phenomenal, the ride excellent (we are rookies) and the experiences in between rides incredible.
Comments about Nova Scotia Bike Tour:
I always recommend Backroads. This particular trip was perfect. The biking was fun and the area relaxing
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The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
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.
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| 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 | 22 | 1000 | 37 | 1600 | ||||||
| 29 | 1200 | |||||||||
| 2 | 22* | 900 | 36 | 1600 | ||||||
| 28 | 1200 | |||||||||
| Lunenburg Guided Walking Tour (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 18 | 600 | 33 | 1100 | 51 | 1700 | ||||
| 4 | 19* | 1200 | 31* | 2000 | 47 | 2500 | ||||
| 5 | 26* | 1500 | 38* | 1800 | 52* | 2200 | ||||
| 6 | 19 | 900 | ||||||||
Note: Nova Scotia's landscape is characterized by constant rises and valleys. The continuously rolling terrain can make the routes, which include sections of chip-sealed pavement, feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
And it's not doubloons, but the personal stories of the colorful Maritimers we meet along the way. Like the friends who host a lobster boil in their beautiful seaside garden, or the old-time shipbuilder who shares the secrets of his craft, or the local historian who takes us on a fascinating graveyard tour. Of course the biking is great on winding coastal roads and through historic fishing ports. But as always, it's the people who bring this wonderful place to life.
Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Nova Scotia, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.
We design and support our Nova Scotia trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
On our Nova Scotia trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the road—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.
Backroads first headed up to Canada in 1980, when an older Trudeau was prime minister, and we've been exploring its spectacular landscapes ever since. Our leaders are Canadian and many are proud to make their homes in Nova Scotia—where we offer more trips than any other active travel company and have spent many more years finding the best ones.
Under our Book with Confidence policy, your Backroads trip will run even for one or two people (or a family of three or four), subject to a nominal extra fee. Or transfer to another trip, and we'll give you a credit. It's all part of our trademark commitment to treating guests with integrity, transparency and total accountability. Read all the details.
Choose a Backroads Custom Titanium or Custom Electric Assist bike—both are included in your trip price. Maybe a Specialized carbon-fiber pro model is more your speed or go for double fun on a tandem. Our fleet is the best in active travel, so you don't have to roll the dice on this vital trip component. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders. See the bike options for this trip.
Your ride comes equipped with a Garmin Edge Explore 1000, the best bike-touring GPS device on the market. This is a Backroads exclusive, and it's included with your bike in Nova Scotia. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.
Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in Nova Scotia—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.
In Nova Scotia you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.
In addition to the ideal balance of comfort and hospitality in our choice of lodgings, this trip featuring Casual Hotels includes nearly all of your meals, plus everything from cocktail receptions to the best snacks along the road. So there's rarely a need to reach for your wallet – we've got you covered.
Guests rave about our picnic spreads. Enjoy a welcome break in a scenic spot, or a quick refuel stop if you don't want to lose momentum. And because we have two vans, one can host lunch while the other is out providing support along the route.
For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
