Cycling the San Juan Islands
Road Cycling in Washington with Escape Adventures
Highlights
- Serene island roads take wrap around harbors, inlets, bays, and rolling, green mountains
- Explore the natural habitats of great blue herons, black-tailed deer, cormorants, seals, and king fishers
- Travel with the world's first carbon-neutral outfitter
Full Description
A combination of excellent road rides and ocean vistas make this cycling tour hard to beat *Best Seller
From quiet pebble beaches to blossoming meadows, our San Juan Island cycling vacation is a peaceful retreat from busy everyday life. A scenic ferry ride from Washington's Fidalgo Island brings us to the maritime world of the San Juans. Here we bike on serene island roads, navigating around harbors, inlets, bays, and rolling, green mountains. We cycle through colorful tulip nurseries and old sheep farms. We visit artist colonies and taste of fresh seafood cuisine.
In the fall, we can pick our fill of wild berries from just about anywhere along the way. A half-day's ride takes us to the top of Mt. Constitution, where we climb up an old stone fort's princess tower for a bird's-eye view of the entire San Juan Island chain, the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, Olympic National Park, and Cascade mountain range!
The San Juans are also a natural haven for wildlife. We cycle, swim, and kayak in the natural habitats of great blue herons, black-tailed deer, cormorants, seals, sea otters, and king fishers. We watch for dolphins and orca whales as we ferry through the island channels, where whale-season sightings are guaranteed!
Includes:
- Two guides
- All meals starting with lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day
- Support vehicle
- Snacks
- First-aid
- Bike maintenance
- Community gear
- Souvenir shirt
- Gratuities to local restaurants, hotels, transportation, and additional activities mentioned on this itinerary are paid by Escape Adventures. If you engage in an activity that is not part of this trip as outlined, then you are responsible for tipping.
Excludes:
- Airfare to and from our departure point
- Lodging before or after the tour
- Rental bike
- Gratuities to Escape Adventures guides
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: La Conner
After meeting in Seattle, we will shuttle to La Conner for a light lunch, pre-trip meeting, and orientation to the region. From La Conner, a quaint fishing village, we begin our ride through beautiful Skagit Valley. Skagit Valley is renowned for its multitude of tulips and daffodils, but it also provides great views in the distance as you look out upon the Swinomish Channel. The afternoon ride is a breeze while we get used to the bikes and the fresh Puget Sound air. Our inns tour guests will spend the evening in La Conner at the historic Country Inn, while our camp tour continues to the phenomenal Deception Pass and Whidbey Island. Total Mileage | 25 miles (inns), 25-40 miles (camp) Camp | Whidbey Island Inn | Country Inn, La Conner Total ascent | 545ft Total descent | 422ft
Day 2: La Conner to Orcas Island
We start our day with a ride to Anacortez. Our inns tour guests will have their opportunity to visit the spectacular deception pass this morning, while our camping guests will have the extra time for a scenic spin around Washington Park, a beautiful picnic spot on Rosario Strait with amazing views of the San Juans and the Olympic mountain range. We’ll board our ferry to Orcas Island in Anacortez. The ferry ride will provide our lunch time scenery. Once we arrive on Orcas Island, we’ll continue our ride 8 miles to the town of Eastsound. Orcas Island is a beautiful combination of rural landscapes dotted with western hemlock and more wildlife than you can imagine. We will spend two days here cycling rural winding roads and open valleys. Total Mileage | 32 miles (inns), 25 miles (camping) Camp | Moran State Park Inn | Outlook Inn, Eastsound Total ascent | 1370ft Total descent | 1322ft
Day 3: Orcas Island
This morning we’ll make our way over to the impressive Mt. constitution. Willing riders can enjoy a challenging ride to the top, while the others are shuttled part way up and continue the rest of the way on a beautiful, forested hiking trail. From the top, the highest point in the San Juans, gaze at a panorama of the Canadian Gulf Islands and the Olympic and Cascade ranges. Our lunch spot is back at the bottom beside Cascade Lake. Our optional afternoon ride is to a quaint pottery shop and bakery in Olga. If you’ve had enough riding for the day, you’re welcome to enjoy the afternoon in Eastsound. Tonight we have a special surprise! We’ll shuttle to the Rosario Mansion to learn about its builder and local philanthropist Robert Moran. We’ll conclude our evening with a concert in the music room, where Moran’s original 1913 Aeolian Pipe Organ and 1900 Steinway Grand Piano are still housed. Total Mileage | 10-30 miles, 1-5 miles hiking (optional) Camp | Moran State Park Inn | Outlook Inn, Eastsound Total ascent | 2279ft Total descent | 2256ft
Day 4: Orcas Island to San Juan Island
We begin our day exploring the West side of Orcas Island. We travel twisting and secluded back roads to Orcas Island Pottery, one of our favorite stops on the islands. Over 22 different potters from the island and surrounding areas display their work here at one of the oldest pottery studios in the Northwest. After our visit, we’ll continue to the ferry stop to await our lunchtime ride to San Juan Island and Friday Harbor. Once on San Juan Island we’ll have the afternoon off of the bikes to enjoy an activity of your choice. San Juan Island offers a number of tourist activities, from whale watching or kayaking, to the whale museum and shopping. Your guide can help you make arrangements for alternative ½ day tours. Total Mileage | 12 miles Camp | Lakedale Resort Inn | Elements, Friday Harbor Total ascent | 739ft Total descent | 758ft
Day 5: San Juan Island
Today is a fun and hilly ride around the entire San Juan Island. We'll ride to American Camp, a national historic park featured in an 1859 war between England and the United States, Cattle Point Light House, and Lime Kiln State Park- the only state park in the country devoted to observing orca whales. The riding today is nothing short of spectacular! Enjoy a relaxing evening strolling the quaint streets of Friday Harbor. Total Mileage | 42 miles Camp | San Juan Island Inn | Elements, Friday Harbor Total ascent | 743ft Total descent | 748ft
Day 6: Lopez Island
Cycle along the coast to the south end of Lopez Island. Here we enjoy lunch overlooking a secluded beach. The Olympic Mountains linger with the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the south, Victoria and Vancouver Island are to the west, and San Juan Island and Puget Sound in the foreground. We will conclude our tour with a ferry to Anacortez and shuttle back to Seattle. Total Mileage | 10-30 miles Total ascent | 616ft Total descent | 645ft
About The Operator:
Escape Adventures
Headquarters:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Specializing in western North America, Escape Adventures is a leader in first-class eco-friendly cycling and multi-sport adventure. In 2006, we became the world's first carbon neutral outfitter, bringing sustainable adventure to all the places we visit, from Alaska to Belize and beyond. By simply joining a tour with us, outdoor enthusiasts are now helping to preserve the beautiful backcountry areas they enjoy.
Whether cycling, hiking, climbing, or rafting, tour our guests claim that improving the environment has never been more fun. For example, by eating delicious organic menus prepared fresh on the trail, guests are supporting local and organic growers. They also do not contribute to pollution when riding in our brand new support vehicles powered by 100% renewable vegetable oil. And, by simply joining a tour and riding their bikes through some of the finest natural treasures of North America, guests are supporting the many efforts made by Escape Adventures to enhance and protect these areas.
With proven conviction for the land and people we serve, Escape Adventures maintains the highest standard of service in the industry. With over 16 years of experience and 50 destinations, we offer a wide variety of tours for a wide variety of active travelers. From road bikers to mountain bikers, from hikers to multi-sport enthusiasts, from first timers to accomplished athletes, Escape Adventures has just the adventure for you.
Escape Adventures is a proud partner of the Leave no Trace program, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wildlands.