Bike tours are tremendously popular adventure vacations. But what are the best bike tours in the United States and who are the most experienced tour guides? In this article, we’ve listed 10 of the top bike tours in North America.
We’re confident that at least one will inspire you to start packing your bike.
- White Rim Trail
- Route of the Hiawatha
- Oregon Coast Bike Route
- Napa Valley Vine Trail
- Going to the Sun Road
- A Tour of Vermont
- Kualoa Ranch
- Haines-Skagway
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Shark Valley Bike Loop
White Rim Trail
The White Rim Trail outside Moab, Utah is on the bucket list of many cycling enthusiasts. Impressively, this 100 mile long primitive trail in Canyonlands National Park is full of technical terrain, looping switchbacks, rolling hills and stunning scenery. If you love off-road adventure, the White Rim Trail is an excellent destination for a bicycle tour.
Bike tours for the White Rim Trail are 4-days long and cost $999 per person. The bike touring season starts in the spring, breaks for summer, and picks up again in the fall. Escape Adventures is an experienced tour guide offering mountain bike rentals for about $80 a day.
Route of the Hiawatha
The Route of the Hiawatha is an outstanding self-guided bicycle tour for those looking for a short, one-day retreat. This tour along the Montana-Idaho border winds through 15 miles of early 1900s railway featuring 10 train tunnels and 7 sky-high trestles. Periodically, you can stop to appreciate waterfalls and lookouts where you can learn about the history of the Hiawatha. And, there’s a lot to do when you’re not riding. For instance, many tourists enjoy the scenic chairlift ride to the summit of Lookout Pass. Others delight in spending an afternoon in the quaint town of Wallace, Idaho.
The Route of the Hiawatha bike tour comes with a free helmet headlamp to help you make your way through the tour’s long, dark tunnels. Bicycle and helmet rentals are available at the lodge. Because the trail is on Forest Service land, only Class-1 eBikes are allowed (pedal assistance up to 20mph and no throttle).
The bike trail itself is mostly downhill. On the way up, you can choose to power through the uphill climb, or save your quads and take the bus. Tickets for the self-guided tour are available online or in person. Adult tickets cost $36 for Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and are half-price the rest of the week.
Oregon Coast Bike Tours
The Oregon Coast Bike Route is held in high-esteem by cyclists all over the world. The journey is 370 miles long and takes you from the Washington border all the way to California. Along the way, you’ll see impressive landscapes, ocean-view panoramas, picturesque lighthouses and famous landmarks.
Details of Cycling Escape’s 6-day bicycle tour are available on their website. Expect to cover between 50 and 75 miles each day. Meals and lodging are included for just under $3,000 per person.
Napa Valley Vine Trail
Wine, dine and bike your way through Napa Valley. The Napa Valley Vine Trail offers 47 miles of level, bicycle-friendly paths from Vallego’s Ferry to Yountville. Currently, the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition has about 12.5 miles of trail construction completed. You’re welcome to take your bike down the entire trail but be prepared for a few bumps along the way.
Napa Valley Bike Tours will provide you with a bike (or upgrade to an eBike) and 12 to 14 miles of guided fun along the Napa Valley Vine Trail. You’ll visit two wineries and enjoy a catered picnic lunch. While you’re riding, your tour guide will provide you with information about the valley’s history and vine-to-bottle process. With Northern California’s temperate climate, this bicycle tour is ready to be enjoyed year round.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Glacier National Park welcomes millions of visitors each year. We recommend planning your bike tour in the spring because Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to cars in May and June, but open to bikes!
Glacier Guides leads a spring tour up and down Going-to-the-Sun Road. With almost 3,500 feet of elevation change this tour is considered to be moderately difficult. Unfortunately, due to insurance regulations, you aren’t allowed to bring your own bike. However, your Glacier Guides tour includes a bike or eBike rental.
Vermont’s Fall Foliage Bike Tours
There aren’t many places more beautiful in the fall than the Northeastern United States. Each year, cyclists travel from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the region’s deciduous trees as they burst into color. Vermont’s valleys and mountainous areas combine to make it a spectacular destination for a fall foliage bike tour.
Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations offers a 6-day fall color tour. Vermont bicycle tours start at $3,250 per person and include three days of biking. You’ll experience the small town charm of the Lake Champlain Valley before making your way through the Green Mountains to Stowe. You’ll also visit historic sites like the Old Round Church, sample homemade cider and donuts, and stay at the exclusive Inn at Shelburne Farms. Sojourn has a limited number of bikes available to rent so book yours early unless you plan to bring your own.
Kualoa Ranch Hawaii Bike Tours
Experience one of Hawaii’s favorite islands by bicycle. If you’re a fan of Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates or Jumanji, you can even opt to bike through the Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Preserve where these movies were filmed.
The Kualoa Ranch 90-minute Electric Mountain Bike Tour is the perfect way to experience the jungle, valley and sacred land that make up the Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve. This amazing bike tour includes your eBike rental and costs $120 for adults.
Haines-Skagway Alaska
Alaska is home to beautiful roadways for biking. Unfortunately, the state’s electric bike regulations can be hard to navigate. This is one reason why it’s always a good idea to book with an experienced tour guide.
May through September, REI Adventures organizes a great Alaskan bike tour. This 4-day road bike tour routes through the temperate rainforests of Southeast Alaska, through one of North America’s longest fjords and into the alpine tundra. Each day, you can expect to ride about 25 miles. Lodging, meals and park entry fees are all-included for $1,899.
Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tours
Experience one of America’s favorite bicycle tours. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers diversity in climate, vegetation, wildlife and geological features. And, it’s world-renowned for its ecological biodiversity. Within the 469 mile area that makes up the Parkway, you will find the oldest river in North America, the deepest gorge east of the Grand Canyon, and the highest waterfall east of the Rockies!
Each summer, the Adventure Cycling Association leads a 7-day bike tour across the Blue Ridge Parkway. Due to elevation gains (up to 6,700 feet per day), this tour ranks as one of the most challenging the Association offers. Budget $1,849 per person for this tour. Groups of 5 or more save 15%.
Shark Valley Bike Loop: Everglades National Park
Take a trip to America’s largest subtropical wilderness for a one-of-a-kind bicycle tour. Everglades National Park is home to numerous rare and endangered species. And, as a World Heritage site and International Biosphere Reserve, it’s a terrific vacation spot for history buffs and wildlife lovers alike.
Everglades National Park offers ranger led bike tours of the Shark Valley Bicycle Loop from January to April every year. On your 15 mile tour, you’ll learn about the various ecosystems, wildlife and cultural history of the Everglades. Reservations are required and can be made a week in advance.
Finish
Ready to book your bike tour? Whether you’re planning a day trip or a week-long excursion, one of the tour guides listed among the Top 10 Bike Tours In North America will be happy to assist you or answer any questions you may have about their services.
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