San Juan Islands 6-Day Cycling - Lodge Based
San Juan Islands 6-Day Cycling - Lodge Based
Trip Length: 6 Days
Group Size: 4 - 12
Ride along the whale-spotted beaches and quaint towns of Washington's iconic San Juan Islands for six glorious days.
Experience the joys of climbing Mount Constitution, the highest peak in the San Juan Islands. Capture stunning views from the summit and on the descent as the sun reflects off the myriad inlets. Stay in unique, classic accommodations and savor locally-sourced meals at local restaurants or enjoy culinary delights prepared by our guides. Our San Juan Island property features private hot tubs for a relaxing soak under the starry Pacific Northwest sky before you turn in for the evening.
Trip Highlights
- Get a taste of island life of the Pacific Northwest while cycling the San Juan Islands
- Explore scenic villages with local shops, marinas, and restaurants
- Cycle among snowcapped peaks, bountiful islands, and beautiful beaches
- Climb to the summit of Mount Constitution, followed by an exhilarating descent
Activities
This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Participants should be experienced riders who are comfortable in the saddle for 2-6 hours per day; they should be comfortable riding paved chip-seal roads with light vehicle traffic. Rides range from 15-35 miles per day with the ability to add a few more miles on some days. Terrain is hilly with a few steeper ascents anddescents. Average elevation gains and losses are 1700' per day, not including the optional ride up Mt Constitution which is 2,200'. Most hillgradients average 3-6% and a few steeper points can reach up to 10% grades or higher. Vehicle support is always available when needed.
Accommodations
Inn and Luxury yurt accommodations; 5 nights
We will greet everyone this morning at Memorial Circle in Friday Harbor, WA, a short walk from the Washington State Ferry terminal. Luggage and guests will be loaded into the van and trailer for a short transport to Jackson's Beach for our orientation. While enjoying our first lunch together, our guides will brief the group on local island knowledge, safety and bike fit. The start of our ride will meander through open pastures and prairie land before encountering the first of the rolling hills we will experience over the next few days. Continuing along todays route, we crest a hill only to be greeted with the first epic view of the Straight of Juan De Fuca and Olympic Peninsula. The day continues with a visit to Lime Kiln State Park, the Alpaca farm, English Camp National Historical Park, and into the village of Roche Harbor. Enjoy a stroll around the sculpture park, the formal gardens, or a coffee and donut from the café. We finish the ride at our accommodations for the next 3nights; the lavish Yurts at Lakedale Resort; complete with spacious accommodations and hot tubs at each yurt. Lunch and dinner included.
Cycling: 26.8 miles; elevation gain/loss: +2035’/-1654'.
Our guides will prepare a hearty breakfast before we start our day riding south through the open meadows of Beaverton and San Juan Valleys towards False Bay. With our first views of snow-covered Mount Baker we make our way further south into the prairie ecosystem rarely found in western Washington. Riding through American Camp we ride the peninsula with expansive views of the Salish sea and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges on each side. We will eat lunch at the southernmost point of San Juan Island known as Cattle Point Lighthouse. Returning home to clean-up, we will soon head back to Friday Harbor for a meal at one of the local's favorite restaurant. All meals included.
Cycling: 30.6 miles; elevation gain/loss: +1775'/-1777’.
We start the day with an early breakfast before embarking on a scenic 5-mile pedal to Friday Harbor. From here, we board our boat and enjoy a morning marine wildlife cruise, followed by a delightful lunch near Friday Harbor with time to explore the shops. Giving our cycling muscles a rest, we’ll hike to the top of Young Hill, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the islands. Our day concludes with a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. This low-mileage day is packed with exploration and discovery of island treasures. All meals included.
Cycling: 5 miles; elevation gain/loss: +211’/-413': Hiking 2.2 miles; elevation gain/loss 587'.
Up early this morning, we have a ferry to catch. After a guide prepared breakfast, we shuttle to Friday Harbor to catch the early morning ferryto our day on Lopez Island. From the ferry terminal we will ride down the west coast of the island to Lopez Village where we can explore theshops before a guide prepared lunch at Shark Reef. The afternoon brings a visit to Agate Beach Country Park for eastward views of the NorthCascades. The interisland ferry leaving mid-afternoon will bring us to Orcas Island. We transfer from the ferry terminal to our lodging in Eastsound for the next 2 nights. All meals included.
The event of the day is to Climb Mt. Constitution, 5.2 miles, 2000 feet of elevation gain. We will have a picnic lunch at the top of the Mount Constitution summit with views of Bellingham, Mount Baker, and Rosario Strait. An exhilarating downhill back to Cascade Lake and a gentle downhill ride to Eastsound awaits us. We have time to explore the shops in Eastsound or a stroll along the beach before dinner. All meals included.
Cycling: 15.8 miles; elevation gain/loss: +2269'/-2620’.
We begin our final ride of our time together after breakfast. Heading back west, we leave Eastsound via the aptly named Enchanted Forest Road. As we meander through the forest, we ride past open pastures to our lunch stop along the way. We will ride to picturesque Deer Harbor before turning back for our final miles to the Orcas ferry terminal. We bid farewell as guests board a late afternoon ferry to Friday Harbor or back to Anacortes. Breakfast and lunch included.
Cycling: 19.5 miles; elevation gain/loss: +1534'/-1506’.
San Juan Islands Cycling - Lodge Based
2025 Departure Dates
Sunday, July 6th - Friday, July 11th - Available
Sunday, August 3rd - Friday, August 8th - Available
Sunday, August 31st - Friday, September 5th - Available
Sunday, August 7th - Friday, September 12th - Available
Sunday, September 14th - Friday, September 19th - Available
All dates are subject to lodging availability and may change. Lodging is secured approximately 6 months prior.
Don't see the dates you're looking for? Contact us to book a private departure.
The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mixand match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.
We provide
- Cycling Computer
- Drop Bar Road Bike or Drop Bar E-Bike
- Flat Pedals
- Handlebar Bag
- Paper Maps/Odometer
- Rear Bike Light
- Repair Kit, Including Spare Tube
What to pack
Required gear
- Cycling Helmet
- Cycling Jacket (Waterproof)
- Cycling Shoes or Shoes for Biking
- Cycling Water Bottle
- Prescription Medications
Recommended gear
- Bike Shorts
- Cycling Jerseys
- Cycling Pants
- Duffel Bag or Soft-Sided Suitcase
- Hand Sanitizer
- Handlebar Mount (If using Ride with GPS to Navigate)
- Insulated Jacket and/or Vest
- Luggage Tags and Locks
- Socks
- Sun Hat
- Sunblock and Lip Balm
- Sunglasses and Accessories
- Tee Shirts (Cotton and Synthetic)
- Toiletries
- Underwear
You might also consider
- Arm and Leg Warmers
- Bicycle Saddle (No Post)
- Camera and Accessories
- Cycling Vest
- Energy Snacks and Drink Mixes
- Face Mask
- Reading and Writing Materials
Weather
The San Juans average 50 percent less precipitation than Seattle itself. This is due to the rain shadow effect of the Olympic Mountains locatedto the south and west. On a number of islands you'll find prickly pear cactus - a true testimony to the dryness of the region. During summer months, expect moderate to warm daytime temperatures in the upper 60s and 70s with evening temperatures in the 50s. Most days are sunny with occasional fog in the early morning.
Single Travelers
There is no single supplement fee for those willing to share accommodations with a same-gender roommate. If you are willing to share but weare unable to pair you with a same-gender roommate, you will not be charged the single supplement fee. If you do not wish to share and request single accommodations, you will be required to pay the single supplement fee. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single accommodations available.
Single supplement 2025 - $975