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Pennsylvania - Amish Country Bike Tour
Trip Overview
Lancaster County is known for scenic cycling and for being the home of numerous Amish and Mennonite families as well as other farmers and artisans. The county offers tourist attractions focused on the Amish way of life. However, on this tour you experience much more than horses and buggies. Railroad enthusiasts will love the themed museum in Strasburg and a special steam train experience. You also visit towns such as Lititz … considered the prettiest town in the county. History buffs will enjoy the City of Lancaster — settled in the early 1700s with many buildings dating to the early- and mid-1800s. The city also has a vibrant art scene centered around numerous galleries that line Prince Street. Experience the best of Lancaster County and stay in prime locations that offer easy access to attractions … such as pretzel and chocolate makers, breweries and a whiskey distillery. This is also a great tour for nature lovers, with visits to two wildlife refuges and an option to visit a wolf sanctuary. Explore Lancaster County with us and learn why it’s a beloved area for cyclists.
Surfaces for this tour: 83% Paved and 17% Gravel.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Arrive in the afternoon and take an optional easy shake-out ride on a rail trail extending about 8 miles from Lititz to the nearby town of Ephrata. This would be an out-and-back ride, and you may turn around whenever you like. This allows you to get used to your bike and allows the leaders to make any necessary position adjustments. Enjoy staying at the Wilbur, which was converted from a chocolate factory to a hotel. Dinner Sunday is at the hotel’s restaurant.
Following breakfast at the hotel, head north from Lititz through rolling terrain, to the Middlecreek Wildlife Refuge. The large lake and abundant food sources from surrounding farmland make this a major habitat for migratory birds, particularly waterfowl. The museum and visitors center are very educational and a worthwhile stop. Round-trip distance from the hotel is between 25 to 30 miles, with additional loops available for stronger riders, including an option to ride into the more challenging hills of Southern Lebanon County. A picnic lunch is provided to enjoy in the refuge. Dinner is on your own in Lititz.
After breakfast, head north again, but this time to Speedwell Forge. This wildlife refuge contains a fascinating wolf sanctuary. Guided tours are available at 10 a.m., lasting about 1½ hours. After the tour, riders return to Lititz for lunch on your own. Spend the rest of the day either riding an additional afternoon bike loop out of town or exploring the many shops and attractions in downtown Lititz. Dinner is at the Bull’s Head Public House on the Square in Lititz.
Enjoy spinning along quiet country roads with little traffic in the heart of Amish country. Pass neatly manicured farms and perhaps a horse-and-buggy or two as you traverse this deliciously peaceful area with rolling terrain. Take note of one-room schoolhouses and historic wooden covered bridges along the way. Enjoy lunch on your own in the town of New Holland. Spend the afternoon exploring the town of Intercourse, stop by the touristy but interesting Kitchen Kettle Village for crafts and snacks, visit the hotel spa … or avid cyclists can add more challenging miles. Dinner is at the Historic Revere Tavern in Paradise, PA.
After breakfast at the hotel, get a fairly early start and cycle westward from Intercourse, through rolling farmland. Stop for lunch in Strasburg, a picturesque small town. Take time to visit the two main attractions just outside of Strasburg, the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum and the Strasburg Railroad, which are across the street from each other. Take the 45-minute excursion on the steam train through the farmland east of Strasburg. Avid cyclists can skip the train and add more miles with challenging hills. Continue riding to the City of Lancaster through a wooded park and finally into the city for less than a mile of urban riding. Stay the night in a former department store … turned into an elegant hotel with a rooftop bar and a preserved section of the Underground Railroad — and easy access to numerous art galleries. Farewell dinner is together.
Rise early and sample the goodies at the Lancaster Central Market, which opens at 7 a.m. across the square from the hotel. This is the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the United States, with many Amish food stands. Indeed, King George III, when granting the city a charter in 1742, specified that two markets were to be held each week of the year, forever, and so it has been ever since. The current building dates to 1889. After breakfast, do a final short ride. As an alternative, visit the Rock Ford Plantation, home of revolutionary war general Edward Hand. For those choosing to ride, return to the hotel for showers and check out. There is easy access to Philadelphia and elsewhere via train and public transit.
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.
What’s Included
5 nights' lodging, 5 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunch, 3 dinners, entrance to the Wolf Sanctuary and Train Museum. 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.
What’s Included
5 nights' lodging, 5 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunch, 3 dinners, entrance to the Wolf Sanctuary and Train Museum. 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.
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Gallery
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