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Coast of Maine Bike Tour

  • Maine sunrise Bar Harbor
  • Acadia Maine carriage road bridge
  • Bar Harbor Maine shoreline
  • Popover from Jordon Pond house Acadia
  • Margaret Todd sailing at sunset
  • Bikers on carriage road Acadia
  • Maine Blueberry pie
  • Lori & Earl kayaking
  • Maine biking
  • Bar Harbor inn from the island
DURATION
6 Day(s)
DAILY BIKING
10 to 40 miles
TRIP DIFFICULTY
2-Easier to Intermediate
REVIEWS
STARTING FROM
$3995
SINGLES ADD FROM
$900

Trip Overview

Dynamic rocky coastline, evergreen forests and open meadows, fresh seafood, galleries, seals, ducks, geese and jabbering seagulls — these are the images of a Maine that does exist, and our tour, based on beautiful Mount Desert Island, takes you there.

And as a special treat, you unpack once and spend all 5 nights at the prestigious Bar Harbor Inn, where you stay in a premium ocean-front room with a private balcony.

For a change of pace from cycling, experience a morning of professionally guided kayaking along quiet inlets followed by an afternoon on an easy yet rewarding hike with views out to the Cranberry Islands. Don’t be shy at the dinner table! Local specialties, including a “Down East” lobster feast, are waiting for you.

Take full advantage of your accommodations at the lovely Bar Harbor Inn, which is just a short walk from “downtown” Bar Harbor with its multitude of stores, craft shops, museums and galleries. Don't miss this chance to explore classic Maine scenery by bike and stay at this iconic inn.

Surfaces for this tour: 80% Paved and 20% Gravel.

Itinerary

From start to finish, check out the route.

DAY 1 - Arrival Day
Distance: 10 miles | Terrain: Easier | The Bar Harbor Inn
This is arrival day. Many plan to arrive early to fully enjoy the spectacular inn or to stretch your legs with a stroll around Bar Harbor. Join us at 1 p.m. for a bike fitting and safety meeting followed by an optional warmup ride. Dinner is at approximately 6 p.m.
DAY 2 - The Quiet Side
Distance: 20 miles plus 2- or 3-mile walk | Terrain: Easier | The Bar Harbor Inn
After a lovely New England breakfast at the Bar Harbor Inn, you transit 20 minutes to start your cycling in the village of Seal Cove on the “quiet side” of Acadia National Park. Our cycling winds through the towns of Bernard and Tremont before turning up through Bass Harbor with a stop at the iconic Bass Harbor Lighthouse, one of the most photographed locales in the state. You continue on through the park’s “Wonderland” primitive area, with an option to enjoy a short walk overlooking intimate Ship Harbor. Enjoy lunch at the dynamic Seawall Picnic Area before proceeding into the bustling little town of Southwest Harbor. Spend your afternoon roaming the shops, cafes and galleries of this charming town and, afterward, you are treated to a truly unique Maine repast at the local fishing pier — an authentic boiled lobster dinner with all the trimmings. Transit back to Bar Harbor by early evening, giving you plenty of time to relax at the inn or continue to explore the many streets and shops of Mount Desert Island’s largest town.
DAY 3 - Northeast Harbor to Bar Harbor
Distance: 22 or 31 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | Bar Harbor Inn
Today’s ride is a great introduction to some of the beautiful carriage roads of Acadia National Park. The construction of the 57 miles of Carriage Roads was financed and directed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. between 1913 and 1940 and they are restricted to use by bikers, hikers, horseback riders and, of course, carriages. You get to appreciate the care that was taken to leave the land as intact as possible … and the overall result of a beautiful network of roads leading you through unbelievably gorgeous scenery. Stop and admire each of the bridges you cross — they are famous for their beauty, engineering and use of natural materials.

Begin with a ride along Sargent’s Drive — surely one of the greatest oceanside cycling routes imaginable. Then spin on into the village of Northeast Harbor, passing some magnificent shingled “cottages” owned by folks who have clearly made their fortunes. The harbor area of Northeast Harbor has an interesting variety of commercial fishing boats, private yachts and sightseeing excursion boats, and the village itself has interesting stores, a great number of galleries (and a good bike shop!). As you leave Northeast Harbor, you can stop and explore the paths leading through the lovely Asticou Azalea Gardens. From there, continue your exploration of the Acadia National Park Carriage Trail system with a stop at the Jordan Pond House — renowned for serving popovers at this site since 1893. A wonderful optional ride takes you to the lookout on Day Mountain, where you can see much of Mount Desert as well as experience a great view over the water to the Cranberry Isles.

Tonight you dine as a group in Bar Harbor.
DAY 4 - National Park Sea Kayak Tour
Distance: 22 or 30 miles | Terrain: Easier | Bar Harbor Inn
Today enjoy a great kayaking adventure along the quiet inlets of Pretty Marsh Harbor. You are instructed and led on this adventure by the expert guides of the National Park Sea Kayak Tour Company. Often this is followed by a scenic hike. In addition, we offer you several cycling options — to take after (or in lieu of) the kayaking — which include local roads as well as sections of the Park Loop Road.

You are on your own for dinner this evening. Enjoy a stroll along the “Shore Path” which runs alongside the Bar Harbor Inn, or perhaps walk the nearby sand bar to Bar Island (tides permitting!). For nightlife, take in as much as you want … as many of the shops and galleries stay open late and live music can be enjoyed in many of the outdoor restaurants.
DAY 5 - Park Loop & Cadillac Mountain
Distance: 22 or 32 miles | Terrain: Easier | Bar Harbor Inn
Experience what must surely be one of the most scenic rides anywhere … the Loop Road of Acadia National Park. The mileage is modest today since we know you will want to linger and enjoy the fabulous views at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Point etc…. And then wend your way back along the carriage roads and follow the Eagle Lake carriage road system as it leads past Bubble Pond and Eagle Lake. This afternoon, there's an option to cycle to the top of Cadillac Mountain. Your final dinner is at Cafe This Way, where artfully prepared meals are served in a setting as comfortable as your own living room and as relaxed as your front porch.
DAY 6 - Departure Day
Distance: 10 or 16 miles | Terrain: Easier
Our last day includes shorter rides to allow for guests’ travel plans. Perhaps start the day with a sunrise ride up Cadillac Mountain? Or sleep in … it’s your vacation! After-breakfast options include the Duck Brook carriage roads. Basic mileage is 10 or 16. Additional miles are available. Lunch is on your own with one complimentary shuttle to Bangor Airport leaving at 2 p.m.

Map

Dates & Pricing

Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.

Start End Cost Availability
Jul 14, 2024 Jul 19, 2024 $3995.00 Hurry! Filling up! Reserve Reserve
Aug 18, 2024 Aug 23, 2024 $3995.00 Hurry! Filling up! Reserve Reserve
Aug 25, 2024 Aug 30, 2024 $3995.00 1 to 4 spaces left! Reserve Reserve
Sep 15, 2024 Sep 20, 2024 $3995.00 Available! Reserve Reserve

What’s Included

5 nights' lodging, 5 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches, 4 dinners (you are on your own for 1 dinner), Seal Cove Auto Museum and National Park admission. Free transfer at limited times provided from/to Bangor International Airport. Professionally guided kayak trip (weather permitting). We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. Airfare is not included.

Dates & Pricing

Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.

Start: Jul 14, 2024
End: Jul 19, 2024
Cost: $3995.00
Availability: Hurry! Filling up!
Reserve
Start: Aug 18, 2024
End: Aug 23, 2024
Cost: $3995.00
Availability: Hurry! Filling up!
Reserve
Start: Aug 25, 2024
End: Aug 30, 2024
Cost: $3995.00
Availability: 1 to 4 spaces left!
Reserve
Start: Sep 15, 2024
End: Sep 20, 2024
Cost: $3995.00
Availability: Available!
Reserve

What’s Included

5 nights' lodging, 5 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches, 4 dinners (you are on your own for 1 dinner), Seal Cove Auto Museum and National Park admission. Free transfer at limited times provided from/to Bangor International Airport. Professionally guided kayak trip (weather permitting). We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. Airfare is not included.

Inns

Where you stay along the way.

Bar Harbor Inn
Discover a Bar Harbor hotel with the perfect blend of location, setting, style and service on the waterfront. With a convenient location to stroll in Bar Harbor or along the harbor, this hotel is a great place to stay and relax.

Guests say …

Quotes from guests about this tour:


"The restaurants chosen for us were excellent. The leaders were lovely to have with us. Truly, their personalities were perfect for letting guests be guests and have center-stage at times, but they were totally tuned in to everyone's personality and individual needs. I think everyone felt very included and felt like an important part of the group. Accomplishing that with a random collection of tourists is a major victory!!"
— Linda T.

"Attention to detail, room, meals, and the leaders were especially top notch"
— Cindy M.

"Perfect combination of paved roads and carriage trails. "
— Wendy G. 

"Exceptional scenery, outstanding cycling on the generally very good pavement or gravel roads. "
— Tom L.

"Carriage roads are very special! The Park Loop road is so scenic. Day Mountain and Cadillac Mountain were challenging but very satisfying at the top!"
— Ellen B.

Gallery

Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.

Maine sunrise Bar Harbor Acadia Maine carriage road bridge Bar Harbor Maine shoreline Popover from Jordon Pond house Acadia Margaret Todd sailing at sunset Bikers on carriage road Acadia Maine Blueberry pie Lori & Earl kayaking Maine biking Bar Harbor inn from the island