Cycling in Atlantic Canada
Rewarding seacoast biking
Touring Atlantic Canada by bike is lots of fun! Though these provinces are the smallest in Canada, do not think Atlantic Canada is a small region. With Canada being the second largest country in the world, each province can equal the size of many European countries. The main feature of this region is its seacoasts. The pace is relaxed, and people are considered friendly and helpful, making this a great destination for solo and women travelers.
New Brunswick offers astonishing diversity of cycling trips. Here you can cycle along the shores of the Bay of Fundy, home to the world's highest tides, or enjoy the pleasant culture along the Acadian Coastal Drive. You can cross the world's longest covered bridge or visit the highest peak in the Maritimes and an extinct volcano. Grand Manan Island offers 20 miles (33 km) of county roads and the nearby Quoddy Loop is an impressive bicycle route as well.
Newfoundland and Labrador is also a rewarding cycling destination. Remoteness and rugged terrain offer challenging routes filled with spectacular coastal and wilderness scenery. Keep in mind that distance between communities if often quite far, so be prepared with the right gear and food. Cycle the long Viking Trail and discover two UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way, or try the Trans-Labrador Highway for a challenging tour.
Roads and mountain bike trails will bring you to isolated outposts through rocky landscapes. Since two ferries connect Newfoundland to the 'mainland' of Cape Breton, one at the east end, the other at the west, it eliminates cyclists having to retrace their route.
Nova Scotia is a prime cycling destination. Cape Breton Island's hilly Cabot Trail is properly the most popular bicycle route in Eastern Canada. The orchard-rich Annapolis Valley is gorgeous, and the south shore of Nova Scotia offer quiet coves and rustic inns to enjoy. From the highlands of the north to the shores of the Bay of Fundy, plenty of rolling hills will challenge your stamina and provide a memorable adventure cycling vacation.
Prince Edward Island offers cyclists stunning ocean coastline and green pastures. Confederation Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail, boasts 217 miles (350 km) of rolled stone to bike. For mountain bikers, Demonstration Woodlot has steep grades and challenging downhill trails.
PEI can be entirely circum-cycled in 5-7 days and the beaches here offer a beautiful retreat. Cyclists can reach the island by a shuttle bus across Confederation Bridge from Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick, or by ferry from Caribou, Nova Scotia. You can extend your cycling tour by taking the ferry to the Magdalene Islands, part of the province of Québec.
