Distance: 10 miles | Terrain: Easier | The Bar Harbor Inn
This is arrival day. Many plan to arrive early so as to fully enjoy the spectacular inn or to stretch your legs with a stroll around Bar Harbor. Join us for an optional warmup ride beginning at 1 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by an introductory meeting with your leaders.

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.

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 at McKay’s Public House, where the traditional elegance of Bar Harbor’s past has been recaptured in this historic Victorian building on Main Street. Lobster is on the menu, as well as many other local and classic favorites.

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 up the Bubbles or Beech Mountain where you enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of Mount Desert and the adjoining islands. 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.

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 or ride in the van 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.

Distance: 10 or 16 miles | Terrain: Easier
Your last day includes shorter rides to allow for guests’ travel plans. The biking brings you to another lovely area in the carriage road system: cycling over Paradise Hill with its sweeping vistas of Hulls Cove and Frenchman Bay, and past Witch Hole Pond (where we often see a pair of cavorting loons). A very nice optional route takes you past Gilmour’s Meadow and Aunt Betty Pond, both of which provide ideal habitat for deer, otter, beaver and a number of birds.