Day 1:
Optional transfer is available from Halifax. Meet in Baddeck at 17:00. Evening entertainment and dinner may include live music with your introduction to the unique culture of Cape Breton Island. Dinner is included on guided trips only.
Lodging: Broadwater Inn, Baddeck. www.broadwater.baddeck.com or Inverary Resort, Baddeck. www.inveraryresort.com
Day 2:
30 miles/48 km, plus afternoon options. Begin cycling at about 09:00, riding over Hunter’s Mountain (500ft.) and along Middle River Valley to enjoy a beautiful outdoor picnic at Lake O'Law. Afternoon options include fishing, finding swimming holes, and wonderful cycling on both paved and gravel roads (very quiet) to remote locations along the Margaree River Valley. All meals are included on guided trips, breakfast only on self-guided trips.
Lodging: Normaway Inn, Northeast Margaree. www.normaway.com
Day 3:
35 miles/57 km, plus afternoon options. Ride down the East side of Margaree River valley to the ocean, and then follow the shore through the Acadian region to Cheticamp. After an independent lunch at a local chowder house, options include cycling forays into the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, whale-watching, shopping, and hiking or off-road cycling to salmon pools. For your independent dinner, choose from several options along the Cheticamp waterfront.
Lodging: Pilot Whale Chalets, Cheticamp. www.pilotwhalechalets.com
Day 4:
53 miles/85 km. Today is a challenging day of cycling through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. You will climb two 'mountains' of about 1400 feet, breaking for lunch between them. The scenery is awe-inspiring; the ascents are long, and the descents...ahh, the descents! If only they'd go on forever. Finish at your beachfront chalets, and dine at the Markland Inn Resort. Breakfast is included on self-guided trips. All meals are included on guided trips.
Lodging: Markland Inn, Dingwall. www.marklandresort.com
Day 5:
35 miles/57 km plus an optional extra 30 miles/48 km to the northern tip of Nova Scotia at Meat Cove. Cycle the scenic route between Cape North and Neil's Harbour, stopping at spectacular White Point, where eagles often soar over spouting whales. Options include swimming holes, waterfalls, beaches, and golf on the Highland Links. Breakfast is included. Dinner is also included on guided trips.
Lodging: Keltic Lodge, Ingonish Beach. www.signatureresorts.com
Day 6:
32-50 miles/51-80 km. A long, undulating ride along the East Coast follows your initial climb over Cape Smokey (950'). Enjoy a picnic feast at Indian Brook or an interesting café in the middle of nowhere, and finish with either a ride to Baddeck, or a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell museum in Baddeck. Finish your ride by approximately 15:00 at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. Bell's airplane, the Silver Dart, was airborne about the same time as the Kitty Hawk. Optional return transfer to Halifax is available. Breakfast is included. Lunch is included on guided trips.
Start: Baddeck, Cape Breton Island at 17:00 on day 1. Optional 4 hour transfer from Halifax is $65 for guided trips, or $95 for self-guided trips. Transfer departs Halifax at noon or Halifax airport at 13:00 on Day 1
Finish: Baddeck, Cape Breton Island 15:00 day six. Optional transfer back to Halifax by 21:00 - $65 for guided trips, or $95 for self-guided trips.
