Biking in an Archipelago of Natural Wonders
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 the Gulf Islands. Pedal along quiet roads, past orchards and farms, to unspoilt coves. Browse in artists’ galleries and studios, offering everything from baskets to pottery to stained glass. Fill your days with experiences you’ll treasure forever.
662 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC V8W 1R7, Canada
Day 1+2
Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada
Day 3+4
Galiano Island, BC, Canada
Day 5+6+7
| Start any date between Apr 1 and Oct 31. |
|---|
| Custom trips are also available and can start any date, call or email for details. |
We recommend starting any day of the week, other than Friday.
Total Days
Arrive/Depart
Activity LevelModerate
40 km (25 mi) daily
TerrainThe terrain is moderately hilly as the islands are ‘volcanic’ in origin. Having said that the highest paved road is at an elevation of 200 m (600 ft) so, we rate it as moderate.
CostCasual Accommodation: CAD $2,250
Single Supplement: CAD $580
Classic Accommodation: CAD $2,450
Single Supplement: CAD $620
Luxe Accommodation: CAD $2,950
Single Supplement: CAD $750
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: CAD $320
Racing Bikes: CAD $420
E-Bikes*: CAD $480
Prices are per person before tax. British Columbia applies a 5% GST.
*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.
Getting There
The tour begins in Victoria, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.
Note: It is also possible to start from Vancouver with an alternate itinerary.
Victoria, the beautiful capital city of British Columbia, is easily reached by ferry from both Vancouver and Seattle. For schedules and fares, please visit the BC Ferries website.
Major airlines offer flights from Vancouver and Seattle to Victoria International Airport, situated just north of the city. Shuttle buses are available from the airport, with a travel time of approximately 30 minutes to downtown.
For travellers from the United States, you may also choose to fly into Seattle and take the high-speed catamaran from downtown Seattle directly to Victoria Harbour — right in the heart of the city.
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. There is a short optional ride you can do out to the site of Fort Victoria and back along the Galloping Goose trail. Staying in Victoria provides the opportunity to dine at amazing restaurants – we will provide a list of our favourites.
Distance (optional): 22km; elevation gain: 130 m
Victoria
Admire the view from Fisherman’s Wharf as you cycle out along the coast, stopping to visit the birthplace of Emily Carr, one of Canada’s most famous artists. Continue to Ten Mile Point for outstanding views over the Oak Bay Islands Ecological Reserve. We recommend lunch at a casual, quaint cafe on your return route. Visit Craigdarroch Castle, built in 1889 by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. If you want a longer ride and more challenge, we provide two other options (60km & 100km) that take in some of the popular cycling roads for local road and club cyclists including Ryder Hesjedal, who hails from Victoria.
Distance: 40 km; elevation gain: 300 m or 60 km; elevation gain: 585 m or 100 km; elevation gain: 1,120 m
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.
Distance: 50 km; elevation gain: 380 m
Salt Spring Island
We recommend riding the north end of Salt Spring this morning. There are some short steeper climbs, but the views make them worthwhile as you cycle along Trincomali Channel to Fernwood and back via Vesuvius, where a delightful café awaits. The Treehouse Café in Ganges is a great spot for lunch. Afterwards, if you wish additional riding, 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. There are many superb dinner options in Ganges – we’ll share our favourites.
Distance: 26 km; elevation gain: 300 m or 44 km; elevation gain: 610 m
Galiano Island
After the short ride out to Long Harbour, cruise to Galiano Island and the luxurious Galiano Inn & Spa. Named for the Spanish sea captain who explored the surrounding waters in 1792, Galiano Island is home to more than 130 species of birds and a haven for naturalists. Many options exist here; you can combine cycling with a hike up Mt. Galiano, or ride to the north end of the island (stop at Lovers Leap viewpoint), or climb up to Bodega Beach Drive, a traffic-free road ideal for cycling.
Distance: 40 km; elevation gain: 850 m
Galiano Island or Mayne Island
You have many options today. You could walk or ride more on Galiano Island or ferry to Mayne Island, the smallest of the inhabited southern Gulf Islands, for a day trip. On Mayne Island, browse in the shops of Miners Bay and learn about the history of the area in the museum, which was once the jail. Bike along meandering roads to tree-lined shores, picnic at Georgina Point Lighthouse, which has overlooked Active Pass since 1885, and watch seals and orca whales gambol in the waves while seabirds glide overhead. Take some time to hike through the forests of Mount Parke Regional Park, the highest point on the island. Return to Galiano Island in the evening.
Distance: 40 km; elevation gain: 520 m
Depart
After breakfast, depart at your leisure.
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". A five minute trip to all downtown Victoria’s attractions.
Across the road from the harbour, this small charming inn built in the 1930s has the best location on Saltspring. A 2-minute walk from the famed Salt Spring Saturday Market and 7 km from the ferry terminal. This inn also features a lovely dining room, where breakfast is served.
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.
*Luxe Accommodation
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.
This upmarket hotel has recently undergone a major renovation inside and out and has a great location close to town and overlooking Ganges harbour.
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.
*Luxe Accommodation
This luxurious oceanfront resort and spa is a waterfront hotel located in downtown Victoria, featuring large guest rooms with an elegant décor. There’s a heated indoor pool, a Japanese garden, plus a restaurant with a patio and harbor views.
A 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. Member of Small Luxury Hotels; Relais & Chateaux.
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.
Tour Reviews
“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.”
“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.”
“[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.”
“The trip exceeded our expectations. The nature, mounts, sea, routes: everything was amazing. Accommodations are very nice, the Hastings House Hotel is exceptional. The bikes are in good condition. RideWithGPS is perfect. Welcome and support from our Area Manager exceeded our expectations. Victoria & the Gulf Islands is a place to go, so wonderful!”
“Victoria was a treat to bike in. So bike friendly. Our interactions with Travel Advisor and Area Manager exceeded our expectations. Very helpful even during trip. Be ready for steep hills on the islands.”
“The accommodations were awesome. The flowers were beautiful every where. All interactions were timely and informative and they were easily contactable by email or phone.”
“Abigails and Woodstone Manor were exceptional. Abigails was outstanding for its location, customer service, good place to assemble our bike and store it. Breakfasts were fantastic. Our Travel Advisor/Area Manager could not have been better and even answered texts on the weekend. Routes were clear. Planning and documents were great. At one hotel, we were even offered a kayak to get to dinner – that was a real treat!”
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