Bicycle Touring in the Annapolis Valley

Bicycle Touring in the Annapolis Valley is very popular. There are many different routes you can take and so much to see no matter which one you take.

As far back as I can remember growing up in the Annapolis Valley whenever we took a drive anywhere in the summer we always met up with bicyclist along the road. They were usually in groups of two to two hundred, it seemed. They were usually spread out quite a bit and you seemed to always catch up to a group at a bend in the road or on a hill.

But it was always nice to see these people out enjoying the outdoors exploring our countryside, being able to see so much more than us driving by in our faster cars.

Today bicycle touring is even more popular with the cost of gas these days and the drive to become more active. I have heard from several people who take their vacations touring the land on their bikes that it is the best way to travel if you want to really see the country.

The Annapolis Valley and the Bay of Fundy shore welcome these cyclists and even encourage them, no matter if they are local or a visitor to our area. Our natural environment provides many and varied cycling experiences to challenge cyclist of all ages and fitness types.

Annapolis County really promotes Bicycle Touring, they have a brochure made up for their "Share the Road Campaign. It has lots of great tips, and maps and directions of 21 good routes to take. These brochures are available at local Tourist Information Centres or online as a PDF file at the Bicycle Annapolis County Share the Road Campaign. (Click on Recreation - General Information and it will be listed on the right side. It is a PDF file). You are also welcome to check out their Bicycle Annapolis County page under "Recreation - Programs - Bicycle Annapolis" found at the same site.

Also for one week in early to mid-June the Annapolis County Recreation Services host the Bicycle Annapolis County Week in co-operation with recreation departments, Police Departments, businesses and community groups throughout the Annapolis County. During this week and throughout the whole month of June several activities are planned for you and your bicycle from Bear River to Middleton.

Through the Annapolis Valley you will find moderately flat routes that will take you through the various farm lands, orchards, towns and vineyards. The beauty of the farm land with the Annapolis River and other smaller rivers running through it is breathtaking at times. It is the perfect tranquil ride.

There are however several side routes you can take that will provide you with even more breath-taking scenery to see. Some of these routes may be a little more challenging as there is some climbing involved. Most of the roads are paved or a good hard-pack and travelling by bicycle touring should not be too bad.

There is a very detailed description of the bicycle routes in the Annapolis Valley by David Dermott on line. These routes were originally described in the news-group rec.bicycles.rides in early 1994. Some things are probably out of date, however it is still a good guide of the routes available in the Annapolis Valley.

A bicycle tour of the area would not be complete though until you have taken one of the many roadways over the North Mountain and travel a ways along the mighty Bay of Fundy. The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world and the rugged shoreline provides wonderful scenery.

The mountain is really only a very big hill which is sharper on the south side than on the north. It will still make for a challenging climb, there is no easy way, but the views are well worth the effort. If it is a hot day you will be happy to notice the temperature will be about 10 degrees cooler along the coast than in the valley.

Again Mr. David Dermott has provided great descriptions of all of the mountain crossing. You will find them at his Guide to North Mountain of Annapolis Valley.

There are a few bicycle touring events that happen in the Annapolis Valley every year that you might want to check out. In mid-July watch for the RONA MS Bike Tour - Vineyards & Valleys for a great two-day ride between Windsor and Wolfville.

Then about mid-August the bikes come out for the Heart of the Valley Century Bike Ride held in Middleton.

This six day Bicycle tour gives you a unique way to tour our beautiful Annapolis Valley. You are shuttled from Halifax to Annapolis Royal where you will stay in an inn there for the first couple of nights. You will visit Bear River on the first day and then take the Candlelight Graveyard Tour that night in Annapolis Royal. You will visit the Fort Anne and the Habitation.

Then it is over to the Bay of Fundy where you will travel along side the coast through Young’s Cove and Phinney's Cove and up to Port Lorne. Back over the mountain again and into the valley you will ride through Middleton and over the Annapolis River to Nictaux. Continuing on you will visit Halls Harbour, Wolfville, Cape Split and Grand Pre. Through out the whole tour you will stop and visit several historic sites, parks and other points of interest. All too soon the van is there to pick you up and transport you back to Halifax.

This bike tour is available from Pedal & Sea Adventures, 9075 St. Margaret's Bay Rd., RR#2, Hubbards, NS B0J 1T0 or call 1 877 777 5699. Package includes 5 night’s accommodations, 4 dinners, 2 lunches, 5 breakfast, van support, guides, snacks and refreshments and entrance into the Graveyard Tour and the Grand Pre Exhibit.

If mountain biking is more your style, make sure to check out my Mountain Biking Page.

So how about a great bicycle touring vacation this year in the Annapolis Valley? It is one of the best ways to see the countryside, enjoy the outdoors, and get lots of exercise and save fuel; saving money and helping the environment! If you are looking for a place to stay while you are riding through, don't worry we have lots. Check out our list of accommodations here; or check out our many great campsites here.

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