10/2/2017
5.0Can all my biking vacations be like this one!
By Smoothfox
from Reading, PA
9/14/2017
5.0Backroads Nova Scotia - A true maritime experience!
By Bluenose Biker
from Burlington, Ontario
9/1/2017
5.0Backroads is the best bike touring company we have engaged.
By Sean C
from North Carolina
8/27/2017
5.0This trip was exceptional in every way!
By Julie
from Fort Collins, CO
8/21/2017
5.0Our first trip, absolutely was all we hoped for and more.
By First-timers TS and JG
from Kensington, Maryland
7/24/2017
5.0Beautiful countryside. Wonderful trip.
By Mark
from Houston, Texas
7/23/2017
5.0Top notch in every way!
7/16/2017
5.0What a wonderful way to experience Nova Scotia!
By Jan, of moderate physical capability!
from Gainesville, FL
7/9/2017
5.0A fantastic first bike tour
By Peter
from Brantford, Ontario
Load More
Load Less
Casual Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.
Lunenburg Arms
Lunenburg (2 nights)
This well-appointed inn overlooks the harbor and is set in the stunning World Heritage site of Old Town Lunenburg. (spa)
Hillsdale House Inn
Annapolis Royal (2 nights)
Built in 1859, this iconic family-owned inn offers Victorian charm and timeless hospitality.
Victoria's Historic Inn & Carriage House
Wolfville (1 night)
A Victorian antique-adorned bed-and-breakfast built for an apple baron in 1893.
This Trip Is Rated Levels 2-4
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.
Daily Route Options (drag to see full )
| Daily Route Options |
| 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 level 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.
Meals
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip or view our full bike fleet in further detail.
Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)
Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.
Touring Bike (Included)
Road Bike (Included)
For trips departing before 4/15/18, please see available bike options here.
Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price)
Wishing for a little extra assistance up those hills? Our custom Backroads Electric-Assist Bike lets you experience the thrill of exploring on two wheels while providing a boost when you want it. We've modified a selection of our great Titanium Bikes with the intuitive BionX "pedal-assist" system.
Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)
Specialized S-Works Roubaix & Ruby ($400 rental fee)
Ride like a pro with the new top-of-the-line S-Works bike featuring ultrasmooth Shimano Di2 electronic shifting. Faster and smoother than any other bike out there, this race-ready carbon machine delivers phenomenal acceleration and handling in an ultralight, ultrapowerful package—perfect for experienced riders. The Specialized S-Works Ruby is a light, agile speed machine precisely designed for women. You can upgrade to a Specialized S-Works Roubaix or Ruby on your trip.
Specialized S-Works Roubaix (Upgrade)
Specialized S-Works Ruby (Upgrade)
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)
Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)
Also Included
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Get the Straight Talk about This Trip
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.
Accommodations
Nova Scotia is a land of rich heritage and rustic charm, and while Backroads has selected the best properties in the places we visit, history and character outweigh elegance and luxury in this Maritime province. While our hotels offer simpler amenities than the typical Backroads property, they provide us with the greatest access to the best riding in the region.
Shuttles
To access the very best biking routes, we'll often bypass busy roads and traffic by starting our bike rides with strategic shuttles via van and boat.
Why Travel with Backroads in Nova Scotia
We Unearth Hidden Treasure
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.
The Best Leaders in Nova Scotia
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.
Everyone at Their Own Pace
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.
More Leaders to Support You
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.
We Know Our Neighbours Well
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.
Your Trip Will Run. Period.
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.
Great Bikes Included (or Upgrade)
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.
Navigate Your Way in Nova Scotia
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.
A Second Van When You Need It
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.
A Variety of Routes Each Day
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.
The Value of Casual Hotels
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.
Signature Backroads Picnics
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.
We've Set the Standard
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
