Nova Scotia’s South Shore

Since your itinerary begins and ends on days with cycling, we advise booking an extra night before and after your tour. 

Day 1: Halifax - St. Margaret's Bay - Hubbards, 15 mi. (24 km)
Day 2: Hubbards - Mahone Bay + include the Aspotogan Peninsula roadway, 34 or 51 mi. (54 or 81 km)
Day 3: Mahone Bay - Lunenburg, 8, 16, 20, or 28 mi. (12, 25, 32, or 45 km)
Day 4: LeHave loop, 25 mi. (40 km) or sea kayaking
Day 5: Lunenburg - Port Medway - Long Cove - LaHave, 39 mi. (62 km)

*All distances are approximate. Weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities may alter the itinerary.  For example, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions.

Day 1: Pick up in Halifax and transfer to Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park, 15 mi. (24 km)
Start your day with a quick transfer from your hotel to the Jerry Lawrence Provential Park in St. Margaret's Bay. Enjoy the scenic coastal views, rugged coastline, and sandy beaches as you cycle the Rum Runner's Trail. After lunch, continue to the picturesque community of Hubbards where you can watch the sunset over the boats in Hubbards Cove (guided tour includes L, D).

Sample Accommodations: Anchorage House & Cottages or The Tuna Blue Inn (Hubbards)

Day 2: Hubbards - Mahone Bay + include the Aspotogan Peninsula roadway, 34 or 51 mi. (54 or 81 km)
Ride on an abandoned railbed with beautiful bridges, and the wonderful variety of wilderness and open vistas of the sea. The longer route also includes 40km on the Aspotogan Peninsula – a popular coastal ride with locals. You will pass through the traditional fishing villages of Blandford, Aspotogan, and Northwest Cove, and the beach at Bayswater. You can make extra side trips to see where the biggest whaling station in Eastern North America used to operate in “New” Harbour; to gaze at the distant lighthouse on East Ironbound Island, and to see one couple’s fantasy, a fairytale castle that inspires myths and tales. Your destination is the oft-photographed town of Mahone Bay where there are hidden coffee shops, proud artisans, beautiful boats, and a maritime village feel (guided tour includes B, L, D)

Sample Accommodations: Fisherman's Daughter B & B, Oak Island Resort, or Kitch'Inn (Mahone Bay)

Day 3: Mahone Bay - Lunenburg, 8, 16, 20, or 28 mi. (12, 25, 32, or 45 km)
Today begins with one of Nova Scotia’s nicest rides on a scenic stretch of coastal country road. The basic ride is short – just 12 km to Lunenburg, and it’s nice to allow time to explore that tiny but bustling shipbuilders’ town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but you will have several excellent options to extend your ride to include the private beach at the end of Second Peninsula, and/or the iconic fish shacks on quiet roads in Blue Rocks and Stonehurst (guided tour includes B, L)

Sample Accommodations: Bluenose Lodge, The Lunenburg Inn, or Smugglers Cove Inn (Lunenburg)

Day 4: LeHave loop, 25 mi. (40 km)
This is a beautiful ride to the sweet-smelling LaHave Bakery, with side trips to the sea caves at The Ovens Natural Park, and the beautiful beaches near Kingsburg where you can also opt to explore a magnificent headland hike. Return to Lunenburg this afternoon to explore more of this tiny but bustling shipbuilders’ town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
If you prefer, a full-day kayaking excursion, one of the best sea kayak experiences in Nova Scotia is available instead of cycling. You will meander through many islands, both inhabited and wild, and will be visited by dozens, maybe hundreds, of seals. There is a supplemental fee for sea kayaking, and we need to know well ahead of time. Please tell us at the time of booking (guided tour includes B, D)

Sample Accommodations: Bluenose Lodge, The Lunenburg Inn, or Smugglers Cove Inn (Lunenburg)
 
Day 5: Lunenburg - Port Medway - Long Cove - LaHave, 39 mi. (62 km)
Ride Lunenburg to Port Medway, with the short cable ferry across the LaHave river, past the LaHave Bakery, Ploughman’s Lunch, Crescent Beach, the LaHave Islands, and several seaside hamlets: Little Harbour, Petite Riviere, Broad Cove, Cherry Hill Beach, and Vogler’s Cove. Finish at the lighthouse at Port Medway, with a short stretch to the hidden gem of Long Cove and its lighthouse. After a farewell dip in the ocean, there is a 90-minute transfer back to Halifax with the tour ending at the Lord Nelson Hotel at approximately 5 pm (guided tour includes B, L)

Take time to peruse our full list of bike tours in Europe or view all our featured tours, specials, & news.

Your accommodations for this tour range from a 5-star bed and breakfast, to a 4-star historic inn, to cottage accommodations all with a unique atmosphere reflecting the culture of the South Shore. Please see each day’s detailed itinerary for the preferred accommodation that is used. In the event of lack of availability, a comparable alternative will be offered. You will want to book an extra night before and after your tour since Day 1 of the itinerary begins with cycling and Day 5, the last day, ends with cycling. We advise Booking.com for researching and reserving your extra nights. You can read a detailed description of the hotels offered including a clear listing of amenities, customer reviews, and ratings. Other hotel recommendations:
• The Lord Nelson
• Prince George Hotel
• Halifax’s Waverley Inn
• The Halliburton Inn

Bicycles

Standard-Fitness Bike

Rental bikes are Trek FX3 or equivalent, and all sizes, including children's, are available. They come equipped with water bottle, odometer, rear rack, trunk bag, high visibility vest, lock, pump, patch kit, and spare inner tube.

Road Bike

Aluminum or carbon racing bikes are available. The fleet is mostly comprised of Trek Madone, Domane, or Emonda road bikes with full Shimano 105 components. The aluminum racing or gravel bikes will have a rear rack and trunk bag and can carry panniers. Included is a visibility vest, a rear light, a pump, lock, patch kit, and spare inner tube. Two water bottle cages can be supplied on request.

Electric Bike

E-bikes, or electric pedal-assist with a possible range of about 130km between battery swaps. Most are Trek bikes with BionX 500, Bosch, or Shimano STEP motors. Batteries can be recharged quickly, and spare batteries are available by request.