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Four Islands of Maine

Summary

This cycling tour is the perfect introduction to the beauty and culture of mid-coast Maine. Pedal on miles of quiet roads on Maine's most exquisite islands and along the beautiful St. George Peninsula. The tour is combined with lots of activities. Stay in charming inns and B&Bs and enjoy delicious meals.

Recreational, Road bike

7 days

270 km / 168 mi

$ 2,495.-

Bike on quiet, country roads amidst Maine’s most picturesque coastal scenery.
Sea kayak around Camden Harbor.
Hike through the “elf forest” and craggy bluffs of Monhegan Island
Take a dip in Lawson’s Quarry, on Vinalhaven Island
Eat seafood fresh out of the sea and enjoy a classic Maine lobster boil

Gallery

Details

Type

Recreational, Road bike

Duration

7 days

Level

Moderate

Support

Guided

Daily distance

40-60 km / 25-37 mi

Total distance

270 km / 168 mi

Lodging

Deluxe, full board

Luggage transport

Daily luggage transfers

Bicycle

Included

Dates

21 Jun 2020 - 27 Jun 2020
06 Sep 2020 - 12 Sep 2020

2022 dates and prices are not available yet.

Start

Camden (10.00)

Finish

Camden (12.00)

Airport at start

Portland Int. Jetport (PWM)

Airport at finish

Portland Int. Jetport (PWM)

Prices

Price per person

The tour price per person

$ 2,495.-

Road bike rental

$ 200.-

Optional

Single supplement

If you travel alone a single supplement is charged. With some group tours you can avoid a single supplement by sharing a room with another rider.

$ 495.-

Itinerary

Inclusive / Not Inclusive – lodging

Day 1:

Day one of the bike tour we meet for introductions and bike fittings. In the late afternoon, we will jump into kayaks to explore the magnificent Camden Harbor. Overnight in a charming Inn in Camden.

Day 2:

The first day's ride will pass through the beautiful Rockport and Camden harbors and then make a loop exploring the lovely homes in the area and the beautiful surrounding countryside while biking on quiet seaside roads. We continue our ride inland and make a short climb to a magnificent view of the ocean and surrounding countryside.

Day 3:

You will catch the ferry and bike on Islesboro. This lovely, friendly island, 3 miles off Lincolnville Beach, has a terrain of woods, fields and a rural, rocky shoreline. You will see small roads winding along the shore, stately summer homes and peaceful villages with trim white houses. After a sumptuous beach picnic, you will catch the Quicksilver, a converted lobster boat, and cruise to the rockier Vinalhaven. This island is also known as "The Lobster Capital of the World". Historically Vinalhaven was the home of a major granite industry and it is dotted with secluded, small quarries, which make ideal swimming spots. You will bike across this magnificent island and you can stop along the way for a refreshing swim.

Day 4:

Today you will bike on two of Maine's beautiful and interesting islands. North Haven, originally the home of fishing, ship building and sheep farming, today lobster fishing and tourism are the main domestic industries. You will bike around the island and explore the small town of North Haven. Other highlights include the majestic view of the Camden Hills, a short hike up to Ames Knob and biking over pleasantly rolling hills to the stone beach at the end of Crabtree Point. To finish our visit to North Haven, you will have a picnic lunch on a secluded beach. After lunch, you will return to the Vinalhaven where we will bike the southern part of the island. You will end this memorable day with a traditional Maine "lobsta" boil on the dock in the harbor.

Day 5:

First thing in the morning, you will catch the ferry to Rockland on the mainland. Rockland has become an important cultural center with art galleries everywhere. There are opportunities to visit the Farnsworth Museum as well as the Puffin and Owls Head Transport Museums. You will then bike around the Owls Head Peninsula stopping at its famous lighthouse and continuing on down quiet roads to the quaint fishing villages of Tenants Harbor and Port Clyde. Along the way, you may wish to stop for lunch on the dock at Millers Lobster Pound where you can watch the lobster men bring in their catch.

Day 6:

We catch the mail boat to Monhegan Island. Mohegan is an art colony with many galleries. There is spectacular hiking through woodlands and along rocky cliffs with the sound of crashing waves along the shore. On the woodland part of the hike, you will see the "elf homes" created by local residents in little nooks and crannies along the way. We will wrap up with a wonderful, farewell dinner in Port Clyde.

Day 7:

We will bike through Tenants Harbor, South Thomaston, Rockland back to Camden where we will arrive around 12 a.m.

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Included:

6 nights accommodation in quality inns and B&Bs.
All breakfasts, Four dinners including a traditional Maine lobster boil, two picnic lunches.
Hybrid bike to use during the tour
Kayaking in Camden Harbor.
A ride on the Quicksilver, a converted lobster boat, from Islesboro to Vinalhaven.
All Ferry tickets for passengers and bikes.
Experienced guides familiar with the local area.
SAG (Support and Gear) Van to provide baggage relocation, mechanical support, snacks, fresh water, and “rest rides” as needed.
Cue sheets and maps with daily meetings to review route options and points of interest.

Not included:

Airfare is not included.
Night before and night after the tour.
Upgrade road bike $200
Gratuities guides

Lodging

Hawthorn Inn:
The Hawthorn Inn was a private residence known as the Emma Knight House until it was converted to bed and breakfast in 1984. It is one of the few Queen Anne style houses in the High Street Historic District of Camden Maine. The backyard gate of the Inn will get you to the picturesque harbor’s water edge, a mere 180 steps away.
Tidewater Motel:
Built on a bridge separating Carver’s Harbor from Carver’s Pond on Vinalhaven Island, the Tidewater Motel is just inches shy of being in the water. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views and unforgettable sunsets from their private decks that jut out over the water. At night the ebb and flow of the tides will lull you to sleep, and in the morning you’ll wake to the sounds of a working harbor.
Ocean House Hotel:
Overlooking the harbor in Port Clyde, Maine, the Ocean House Hotel was originally built in the1830’s as a rooming house for local fishermen, seamen and dock workers. The hotel is just a short walk away from the Drift-in Beach and the Marshall Point Lighthouse and Museum. From the second-floor common porch, guests can see the islands of Muscongus Bay and enjoy beautiful sunsets.

Map & Routes

Map

Satellite

Bicycle

Hybrid bike included or Road bike for an extra $200.