Get away from it all! Journey to a place where lush forests meet the deep blue sea. Experience the charm of Victoria, then sail away to the beauty and tranquility of Salt Spring Island. Pedal along quiet roads, past orchards and farms, to pristine coves. Browse in artists’ galleries and studios, offering everything from baskets to pottery to stained glass. For a quick getaway to the islands this is a great escape!
Location
Victoria
662 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC V8W 1R7, Canada
Day 1+2
Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada
Day 3+4
What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP
4 nights hotels
All breakfasts and 1 dinner
Luggage transfers (we enlist your help getting the luggage onto and off the ferry)
Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
Detailed route instructions & maps
Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager
Area manager available on call throughout the tour
Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits
Ferry fares - you pay as you board the ferry to Salt Spring
Particulars
EVENT DATES
Start any day except Friday between April 1 and October 31.
We recommend that you start your trip on a Tuesday or Wednesday so you can enjoy the splendid market in Ganges held every Saturday on Salt Spring Island.
We recommend that you start your trip on a Tuesday or Wednesday so you can enjoy the splendid market in Ganges held every Saturday on Salt Spring Island.
Custom trips also available and can start any day. Call or email for details.
TOTAL DAYS
5 days / 4 nights, with 3½ days cycling
ARRIVE / DEPART
Victoria / Ganges
ACTIVITY LEVEL
40 km (25 miles) daily average
TERRAIN
Salt Spring is moderately hilly with some short steep hills
COST
Casual/B&B Accommodation: CAD$1,450
Single Supplement: CAD$375
Classic Accommodation: CAD$1,650
Single Supplement: CAD$425
Luxe Accommodation: CAD$1.850
Single Supplement: CAD$475
Bike Rentals
Hybrid or Racing Bikes: CAD$184
E-Bikes: CAD$320
E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. Any discrepancy between website itinerary and detailed itinerary - assume website itinerary price is correct. If you have any questions before making your reservation, please contact us.
Getting There
The tour starts in Victoria (on the southern tip of Vancouver Island). *note it is possible to start from Vancouver with an alternate itinerary.
Victoria, the beautiful capital city of British Columbia, is easily accessible by ferry from Vancouver; and Seattle, Washington. Please visit www.bcferries.com for Schedules and Fares.
Major airlines fly from Vancouver and Seattle to Victoria International Airport, located north of Victoria. Airport shuttle buses are available. The ride downtown takes 30 minutes.
For Americans, you may choose to fly into Seattle and take the high speed catamaran from the harbour in downtown Seattle to Victoria harbour, in the centre of the city.
1
Day 1
Victoria
Arrive in Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Once a Hudson’s Bay Company fort, Victoria is now a pretty city that revels in its Englishness. Stroll along the quaint streets, enjoy afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel, and visit the Royal British Columbia Museum to learn about the history of British Columbia.
2
Day 2
Victoria
Two rides tempt you today. Admire the view from Fisherman’s Dock as you head out along the coast, stop to visit the birthplace of Emily Carr, one of Canada’s most famous artists, then continue to Craigdarroch Castle, built in 1889 by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. Or pedal along the scenic Galloping Goose trail, an old railbed transformed into a bike path, out of the city to the magnificent Butchart Gardens, once a quarry and now one of British Columbia’s main attractions. You’ll spend tonight in Victoria.
Ride Distance: 22 km, elevation gain 154 m or 34 km, gain 275 m.*
3
Day 3
Salt Spring Island
Today you cycle out of Victoria to Swartz Bay. There you’ll hop on the ferry that will take you to Salt Spring Island, the largest of the Gulf Islands, and famous for its scenery, sunshine, and warm hospitality. It’s also a haven for artists and everywhere you go you’ll find galleries and studios. This could be where you find that perfect souvenir. Stroll through Ganges, the island’s main town, then ride north in a loop taking you through the hills to the shore of Trincomali Channel and back to Ganges.
Ride Distance: 49 km, elevation gain 379 m.*
4
Day 4
Salt Spring Island
Today explore the southern end of Salt Spring Island. Wind through the hills to Ruckle Provincial Park, named after the family who came to farm here in 1872. The family’s ornate Victorian house still stands and some of the park is still a working farm. Watch for the sheep wandering in the orchards, explore hiking trails among huge old trees, and enjoy a picnic on the beach. Pause at Fulford Harbour set deep in narrow inlet, then climb over the shoulder of Mount Maxwell on your way back to your accommodation.
Ride Distance: 39 km, elevation gain 733 m or north end 31 km, gain 400 m.*
5
Day 5
You’ll be transferred to Long Harbour ferry dock, where you’ll catch the ferry back to Swartz Bay. Depart for home or onward to your next adventure.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
Casual/B&B
Abbeymore Manor
Located directly across the street from the Lieutenant Governor's mansion in historic Rockland neighbourhood, this property was built in 1912 amongst the castles, gardens and tree-lined streets of "Old Victoria".
Salt Spring Inn, Salt Spring Island
This small charming inn has the best location on Saltspring, with seven tastefully appointed guest rooms, three of which have sea views, fireplaces and en-suite bathrooms – these are the only rooms we book. This inn also features a lovely dining room, where breakfast is served.
Classic
Abigail's Hotel, Victoria
Abigail’s Hotel is a classic 1930s Tudor-style boutique hotel with tastefully decorated rooms. It is just 3 blocks from the Inner Harbour which makes it easy to explore downtown Victoria and its many restaurants and cafes.
Harbour House, Salt Spring Island
This (now) upmarket hotel has recently undergone a major renovation inside and out and has a great location close to town and overlooking Ganges harbour.
Luxe
Inn at Laurel Point Hotel, Victoria
This luxurious oceanfront resort and spa features large guest rooms, each with a breath-taking view, wood burning fireplaces, and a casually elegant décor. The restaurant has been receiving rave reviews for its inspired West Coast cuisine.
Hastings House, Saltspring Island
A boutique luxury waterfront lodge, spa and restaurant on 22 acres close to the village of Ganges. It is a magnificent 11th century Sussex-style Manor House overlooking peaceful Ganges harbour. 18 unique guest rooms and suites, each with its own décor and history are situated in seven lovingly maintained buildings around the estate. Member of Small Luxury Hotels; Relais & Chateaux.
Trip Reviews
“Loved the autonomy, not being guided in a group but being on our own but with very clear instructions. Supported, but independent. We could stop and go as we liked; loved it. Communication was prompt; staff were really doing their best to find something that worked for us, and on short notice! Both the tour and the region exceeded my expectations. The daily difficulty level and distance was fantastic: the cycling was certainly more challenging than expected but still fabulous. All accommodation was beautiful and unique in its own way. Aunty Pesto’s on Salt Spring Island was delicious and the view was beautiful. The route instructions & GPS exceeded my expectations.”
“Randonnée offered what we wanted, where we wanted, when we wanted” and “Tour was excellent. Organization good (riding instructions were almost too detailed). Island hosts and managers were all great.”
“All of our hosts went beyond our expectations. Breakfasts were spectacular. Judith on Mayne Island was exceptionally nice, accommodation simple, comfortable, host intelligent, thoughtful and great cooks! Great balance of small city (Victoria), small island (Mayne) and something in the middle (Salt Spring). Also had variable biking conditions (some flatter, some hillier) and we enjoyed kayaking in Mayne Island. The area managers were terrific. They really went out of their way for us.”
“Hastings House was really exceptional. I also found Oceanwood really nice. We had a large room to ourselves with a beautiful view of the bay. The fairly short distances still allowed us to see most of Salt Spring and Mayne and half of Galiano and gave us a lot of time to stop, take pictures and enjoy the scenery.”
“We really enjoyed the trip. Lots of fun-met my needs-close by, same time zone, not too hot, not too crowded, peaceful. Accommodations were all magnificent, Hastings House was stunning! We enjoyed good food all around. The Sat Market in Salt Spring was fun. Ferries were fun.”
“Perfect way to visit these lovely islands (Gulf) in a very friendly and beautiful scenery setting. We enjoyed very much the places where we stayed.”
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