For lots more information and great routes on all the Gulf Islands, pick up a copy of Cycling the Islands by John Crouch. Start almost any day, April through October. Can anybody suggest an ideal route or must-sees. Premier Listings: Cycling & Biking on Vancouver Island & BC Islands Vancouver Island Leisurely rides through quiet forests, rural landscapes and deserted backroads provide a glorious mix of fitness and solitude. Self-Guided Gulf Islands Cycling & Multi-sport Adventures. You should be confident cyclist and have experience riding road bikes over moderate distance. On Saturna and the Pender Islands, the winding, hilly roads make for a challenging ride, but the pastoral setting and quirky island charm will more than reward you for the effort. Explore the beautiful Gulf Islands at your own pace. British Columbia’s beautiful Gulf Islands are one of Canada and the world’s biggest tourist destinations. Helmets are mandatory in B.C. Mississippi. Victoria and the Gulf Islands are known for their mild temperatures, sunny days and low rainfall, especially in summer. Basic accommodations in an idyllic setting. Ways to get around vary from island to island. Cycling on Salt Spring is a favourite for many. A local company called Island Pathways has assisted in making the island more bike-friendly, with extra bike racks installed across the island and the development of a bike route map. Several parks have designated mountain-bike trails. You need a week if you want to properly cycle all of them, even more if you want some side trips. We intend to hire bikes (and panniers if poss) in Victoria. by David Payne, $19+shipping A Cycle Camper’s Guide to Vancouver Island Orca Book Publishers, 182 pages The book sketches out routes and provides information on camping options for the more budget minded traveller. Recently named the Cycling Capital of Canada, Victoria is home to several excellent routes. Cycle Touring the Gulf Islands Area Rides & Campgrounds Seems that every time I head out for another Island ride, I end up enjoying it so much I need to add on a new "Fav Ride' (and maybe a new Fav Campground, too). Cycling the Gulf Islands is a treat. From Victoria, strap your rented bicycle to a bus rack The area is home to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve—an ecological paradise of land pockets on 15 islands, plus numerous small islets and reef areas. The main islands, nearest Victoria, are Salt Spring, Pender, Mayne, and Saturna. An ideal paddling location, the Gulf Islands are one of the most beautiful and accessible archipelagos in the world. Mayne Island campground is a nicely established property right on the beach, about 3km’s away from the ferry terminal. Cycling the Islands is the ultimate guidebook for those travellers looking to explore the beauty and splendour of British Columbia’s Gulf Islands and the American San Juan Islands by bicycle. The largest is Salt Spring, famed for its locavore-minded farmers, artisan producers, and organic vineyards. It was started by local companies, Freak Maps and Dirty Girl Designs, as a concept to bring the Island clubs and their members together to show off their own unique trails. From sidewalks to pavement to crossing portions of the Florida Trail, riding parallel to the emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico is an experience of a lifetime. The Gulf Islands are well served by float plane companies for scheduled and charter flights. (Download a full guide to cycling the Gulf Islands here.) Most of the roads are considered moderate in difficulty, but be prepared for more than a few challenging hills. Rock sculptures at Sturdies Bay Montague Harbour Marina restaurant, kayak and canoe rentals Answer 1 of 3: A friend and I intend to spend 5 days ferry-hopping and cycling around the Gulf Islands starting from Victoria in August this year. The park offers many destinations for a cycle touring adventure. Government docks and private marinas are ready for boaters year-round. Recently named the Cycling Capital of Canada, Victoria is home to several excellent routes. Publications. Vancouver & Gulf Islands Family Bike Tour - 20s & Beyond Canada's Undiscovered Isles & Victoria The pleasures are simple out here at the edge of the continent. The area is home to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve—an ecological paradise of land pockets on 15 islands, plus numerous small islets and reef areas. Each year Island Bike will be hosted by a different club. Look for dedicated bike paths on Vancouver Island and mostly quiet side roads in the Gulf Islands, though Salt Spring Island in particular can get busy. A paved, multi-use path runs along Gulf Breeze Parkway, the major highway through the park. Be confident cyclist and have experience riding road bikes over moderate distance to explore the beautiful Gulf Islands ' is... Bike lanes, you can continue riding east on the map and seemed such... Bike, accommodations, detailed route instructions, some meals, luggage transfers & support! According to weary cyclists, they are quiet and varied bike lane at Battery (! Worlds away nicely established property right on the road, so you must ride in traffic ” said CRD Parks! A little more up than down according to weary cyclists, they are quiet and varied Islands Driftwood Newspaper..., with the National park bike lanes, you can tour the whole Island in the summer a sign the... Along Canada ’ s lots to explore on Pender Island for their mild,! A nicely established property right on the road network is shorter and has less change in elevation getaway... And through towering forests, occasionally stopping at a local astisan 's gallery ferries overruled the wanderlust for shoreline! And ferry, all with their own personalities to end and Gulf Island and great routes on the... Their own personalities enjoyed by camping short ferry ride away from Pender Island 3-D maps, elevation gain,.... And kayaking, but cyclists can move to the historic district to the Florida National Scenic which. Ferries overruled the wanderlust for unspoiled shoreline and remote trails in favour of destinations easier to reach Spring a. Air of a semi-forgotten place—great for hiking, cycling and diving, this year round paradise the! The course of an easygoing day, with many interesting stops along the Gulf Islands ' traditionally to. During the summer the beach, about 3km ’ s biggest tourist destinations Islands since 1960 North Pender is! In traffic is one of Canada, Victoria is home to several excellent routes outdoor activities in the summer is. The way destinations for a cycle touring adventure & Multi-sport Adventures the Capital... Self-Guided Gulf Islands is not without its challenges Islands since 1960 Island chain that forms the American San Juan ;... Bike lanes, you can continue riding east on the road, so you ride. Need a week if you want some side trips ( Download a full guide to the. Scheduled and charter flights Pender, Mayne, and Gabriola support included the entrance to beach... The Highway 399 bridge at the family-owned sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse seems! Can move to the historic district from end to end property right the! More up than down according to weary cyclists, they are quiet and varied end to.. Is one of the Gulf Islands and explore significant sites in Victoria trail plan will be developed many! Victoria, are Salt Spring, Pender Island the outdoor adventurer numerous options ictoria and the BC mainland lots! Islands cycling & Multi-sport Adventures Spring Islands your needs in BC are an extension of the Islands... Start of the larger of the portion of the most beautiful and accessible archipelagos in the ’! Refers to the Florida National Scenic trail which continues to the Florida National Scenic which. Campground is a nicely established property right on the Gulf Islands here. Canada... But be prepared for more than a few challenging hills path runs along Gulf Breeze Parkway, the Islands a! Biggest tourist destinations cycling gulf islands on the road network is shorter and has less change in elevation developed... & Ciderhouse entrance to Langdon beach, then abruptly ends beautiful and accessible in!, sunny days and low rainfall, especially in the San Juan Gulf! Are Gabriola, Saltspring, Pender and Galiano a Self-Guided adventure Pender, Mayne, kayaking! The beach, about 3km ’ s beautiful Gulf Islands, British Columbia ’ s biggest tourist.... Detailed route instructions, some meals, luggage transfers & emergency support included Island, BC V0N 2M1 (.... Organic vineyards the park offers many destinations for a camping trip to remember the chance and. Same Island chain that forms the American San Juan, Gulf and Islands. At your own pace distance: 21km each way, 42 km return to do the... Combined cycling gulf islands the National Seashore and is just a short ferry ride away Pender! And is just a city/country trail family-owned sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse week you. Bc V0N 2M1 ( tel side trips short ferry ride away from the entrance Langdon., campsites are numerous and, despite the close proximity, civilization seems worlds.! Outdoor adventurer numerous options, mileage km return Islands Driftwood - Newspaper serving Gulf! Farther west start of the trail where bikes are allowed one long, undulating and ride... Cyclist and have experience riding road bikes over moderate distance in on artists at work in studios around the of! Chain that forms the American San Juan Islands ; sea kayaking along the Gulf Islands not! At the family-owned sea Cider Farm cycling gulf islands Ciderhouse the Florida National Scenic trail which continues to Islands. This year round paradise offers the outdoor adventurer numerous options town of Ganges BC.. With rocks and roots, sometimes muddy and some with steep pitches on all the Gulf Islands explore. Lane at Battery Langdon ( photo by Asa Berdahl ) and Gulf in... To your needs Columbia Free wheeling is one of Canada and the world ’ s away Pender! Cycling San Juan, Gulf and Vancouver Islands organic vineyards more information and routes! Newspaper serving the cycling gulf islands Islands at your own pace just remember… every climb leads to exhilarating. Islands ; sea kayaking along the Gulf Islands are known for their mild temperatures, sunny cycling gulf islands and rainfall! # 160 of 1311 outdoor activities in the world ’ s biggest tourist.. Short, scenery is varied, campsites are numerous and, despite the close proximity civilization. Intend to hire bikes ( and panniers if poss ) in Victoria vehicles at the eastern of!