Nova Scotia’s South Shore

You may want to book an additional night in Halifax before your tour.

Day 1: Pick up at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax at 9:30 am.
Day 2: Loop ride around Wolfville through Hall's Harbour and Blomidon, 43 mi. (69 km). 14 km hike is available as an optional alternative.
Day 3: Wolfville to Lunenburg, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 4: Loop around Lunenberg, visit the sea caves and beaches near Kingsburg, 34 mi. (54 km). Additional hiking available. Optional alternative sea kayaking.
Day 5: Short ride to Mahone Bay, 8 mi. (13 km). Medium ride to Martin's River, 15 mi. (25 km). Long ride, 32 mi. (51 km). Optional 13 km extra to Backman’s Beach
Day 6: Ride to Bayswater, 19 mi. (31 km). Long ride to Mill Cove Beach, 28 mi. (45 km). Several short optional rides. Optional sea kayak.

*All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances 

Day 1: Pick up in Halifax and transfer to Wolfville,  21 mi. (33 km)
Pick up in Halifax for a one-hour transfer to Wolfville. Visit the Acadian site of Grand Pré, the inspiration of Longfellow’s Evangeline, and learn why Acadian culture has influenced so much of the world. Spend the afternoon riding between wineries established here to take advantage of the unusually sunny microclimate and relatively recently discovered terroir. If water levels are high enough you can float lazily down the Gaspereau River atop an inner tube through apple orchards toward the sea. Otherwise, you can climb to Lumsden’s Dam for a freshwater swim before resting in the university town of Wolfville.

Accommodations: Blomidon Inn or Tattingstone Inn
Meals included for guided tours: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Loop ride around Wolfville through Hall's Harbour and Blomidon, 43 mi. (69 km). 14 km hike is available as an optional alternative
Ride through the Acadian dyke lands and apple orchards with beautiful views of Cape Blomidon. Climb over North Mountain, and descend to picturesque Hall's Harbour, where lobster can be purchased on the wharf for immediate enjoyment while you watch the astounding tidal flux. Return to Wolfville on quiet roads in time to choose from the many dinner options in a small university town setting.

Accommodations: Blomidon Inn or Tattingstone Inn
Meals included for guided tour: Breakfast
Optional alternative: A four-hour hike takes you to Cape Split where you can wander along the precipices hundreds of feet above the Bay of Fundy, whose waters are transformed by strong tides into a tapestry of eddies, whirlpools, and white water currents. Enjoy a delicious lunch overlooking the expansive views of sea and sky before savoring the hike back to civilization and the choice of several excellent dining options in Wolfville. 

Day 3: Wolfville to Lunenburg, 29 mi. (47 km)
Transfer to the lighthouse at Port Medway, to begin riding the best coastal rides in Nova Scotia. You will pass through several seaside hamlets: Mill Village, Broad Cove, Vogler's Cove, Little Harbour, Cherry Hill Beach, and Beach Meadows, and a ride out along Crescent Beach to the LaHave Islands – a microcosm of quiet coastal life, with an interesting and tiny marine museum. Finish cycling at the cable ferry on the way to Lunenburg.

Accommodation: Boscawen Inn or Mariner King
Meals included for guided tour: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4: Loop around Lunenberg, visit the sea caves and beaches near Kingsburg, 34 mi. (54 km). Additional hiking available. Optional alternative sea kayaking.
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 paddle, 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.

Accommodation: Boscawen Inn or Mariner King
Meals included for guided tour: Breakfast

Day 5: Short ride to Mahone Bay, 8 mi. (13 km). Medium ride to Martin's River, 15 mi. (25 km). Long ride, 32 mi. (51 km). Optional 13 km extra to Backman’s Beach
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and prepare for one of Nova Scotia’s most interesting rides, on our favorite stretch of coastal country road. The pavement seems built for bikes to follow the pretty coast. A mid-day highlight is the village of Mahone Bay, where there are hidden coffee shops, a great craft brewery, many proud artisans, beautiful boats, and a maritime village feel that makes one inclined to linger. 

Accommodation: Boscawen Inn or Mariner King in Lunenberg or Mecklenburgh Inn or White Gate Inn in Chester
Meals included for guided tour: Breakfast and dinner

Day 6: Ride to Bayswater, 19 mi. (31 km). Long ride to Mill Cove Beach, 28 mi. (45 km). Several short optional rides. Optional sea kayak.
Ride from Chester around the Aspotogan Peninsula, a famous route for local cyclists. You will pass through traditional fishing villages of Blandford, Aspotogan, and Northwest Cove, and by 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. An alternative today is a wonderful sea kayak experience around the headlands of the Aspotogan Peninsula, between Mahone Bay and St. Margaret’s Bay, a nice way to finish a week of activity, with a tail-wind paddle and a salty swim. Finish with a transfer back to the seafront city of Halifax, home of one of the world’s largest natural harbors (second only to Sydney, Australia). You will arrive around 17h00.

Meals included for guided tour: Breakfast and lunch

Consider booking an additional night after your tour.

Take time to peruse our full list of bike tours in Europe or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and 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. Of course in the event of lack of availability, a comparable alternative will be offered.

Bicycles

Hybrid-fitness bikes

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.

Racing bikes

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, while carbon racing bikes have a saddlebag and are not suitable for carrying a load. 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 bikes

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.