ACADIA NATIONAL PARK BIKE TOUR - Trek Travel
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Acadia National Park Bike Tour
EXPLORER | 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS
TREKTRAVEL.COM | 866-464-8735
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK BIKE
TOUR
COASTAL MAINE AND ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
From
Join us for our Maine bike tour to explore the best of charming coastal $3599
Maine, including Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. It all
Rider Type
begins with a quintessential New England lunch at a lobster shack Recreational
featuring freshly caught crustaceans in a picturesque setting. Throughout
Hotel Style
our Acadia National Park bike tour, take in the views of historic lighthouses,
Explorer
fields of purple lupine, and quaint fishing villages adorned with colorful
buoys as you pedal along the coast. Visit the charming harbor towns of Duration
5 days | 4 nights
Rockland and Camden, help haul a lobster trap, and enjoy a private tour on
a lobster boat. Bike Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park, Start | End
from the “quieter side” to the island's heart in bustling Bar Harbor. In true Portland, Maine
Trek Travel fashion, we’ve designed our cycling routes to allow you to Dates
cover nearly all 45 miles of Acadia’s historic crushed-stone carriage trails, 2021/Jun/Jul/Aug
stopping along the way for photos at iconic locations like Jordan Pond. You
will also have a chance to climb to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest
point in Acadia, for panoramic views extending from the coastal islands in
Frenchman Bay and across the Atlantic to the horizon. Finish it all off with
an early morning spin along Acadia’s rugged eastern edge, showcasing
sights like the serene crescent-shaped Sand Beach and crashing waves at
Thunder Hole. Along the way, enjoy a variety of delicious Maine fare from
casual coastal lobster shacks to a gourmet farm-to-table dinner. Book your
trip with confidence »
TRIP WOWS
Cover Acadia by bike as you pedal nearly all 45 miles of the famous carriage roads, stopping to savor idyllic
viewpoints like Jordan Pond along the way
Take a private tour on a lobster boat and have lunch at a picturesque lobster shack, featuring fresh-caught
crustaceans
Experience dinner at Primo, “a farm that has a restaurant at the edge of it” for the ultimate farm-to-table meal
curated by Chef Kelly, a two-time James Beard award winner
Pedal through coastal Maine’s fishing villages adorned with colorful buoys and visit Owl’s Head lighthouse
Savor panoramic views of Frenchman Bay and the coastal islands as you ascend the winding road to the top of
Cadillac Mountain, Acadia’s highest point
DAILY ITINERARY
2021
TODAY'S RIDE:
Day Thomaston to R ockport
Approximately 31 miles with 1,550
feet of climbing
1
DESCRIPTION:
Get ready for a full day of adventuring to start off your Maine bicycle tour! Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the AC
Hotel in Portland at 10:00 AM on the first day of the trip. After a 90-minute private shuttle, your trip begins with – you
guessed it – lunch at a lobster shack! You’ll dine at The Slipaway, a charming family-run restaurant perched on the
Thomaston town pier. The menu includes a variety of options including locally sourced seafood, fruits and vegetables from
nearby farms, and scratch-made desserts by none other than the owner’s mom. With views of the St. George River from
every seat, this is the perfect introduction to coastal Maine. After lunch, your guides will discuss bike safety and specific
tips for riding in Maine before familiarizing you with your Trek bicycle and ensuring a comfortable fit. It's no surprise that
Maine's official title is "The Lighthouse State" with over 65 historic lighthouses marking its jagged shoreline and 1,400
coastal islands. You’ll experience both on today’s ride! You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time as you
ride out to Spruce Head Island, home of a handful of fisherman and McLoon’s lobster shack. Pedal past fields of purple
lupine and countless lobster buoys on your way to Owls Head State Park. Here you’ll break for a short walk to the historic
lighthouse, which sits atop a bluff overlooking Penobscot Bay. Your ride continues through the artsy seaside town of
Rockland. We highly recommend stopping at Lulu’s ice cream shack for a taste of Maine's best blueberry ice cream. A few
last pedal strokes bring you to Samoset Resort, your seaside home for the next two nights. After getting settled, we'll
gather together for social hour on the lawn, which is said to have one of the best coastal views in Maine, for a toast to the
week ahead. But the day’s not over yet. Tonight’s dinner is a short shuttle away at Primo, where the menu is inspired by the
day’s harvest from their five-acre sustainable, organic farm and prepared by Melissa Kelly, the Executive Chef and owner,
who also happens to be a two time James Beard award winner.
HOTEL: INCLUDED MEALS:
Samoset Resort Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner
TODAY'S RIDE: AVID OPTION:
Day R ockport to Camden with Hope
Loop
SHORT OPTION:
R ockport to Camden
R ockport to Camden with
B elmont Loop
Approximately 28 miles with 2,500 Approximately 12 miles with 700 feet Approximately 46 miles with 3,350
feet of climbing of climbing feet of climbing
2 DESCRIPTION:
After a hearty breakfast, your ride begins by following the meandering coastline to Camden, another charming seaside
town with one of the most picturesque harbors in Maine. If you want, you can stop here and enjoy the morning perusing
Camden’s shops or enjoying a coffee and admiring the historic schooners that grace the harbor. Otherwise, continue riding
through the pine trees and undulating terrain dotted with family farms and apple orchards. All routes end in Camden today,
where you’ll have a chance to change clothes and enjoy lunch at a café of your choice before we rendezvous at the harbor
for a late afternoon cruise on a lobster boat. On our private one-hour tour, kick back with a post-ride beer as you learn
about the lobster trade and, if you wish, help haul in a lobster trap. The sights of Penobscot Bay include the Curtis Island
lighthouse, seaside mansions, perhaps a porpoise or harbor seal, and birds such as osprey, cormorants, guillemots, and
bald eagles. Afterwards, we’ll load up in the van for the short drive back to the hotel. Tonight, dinner is up to you. Relax and
enjoy the hotel’s Enoteca and La Bella Vita restaurant or your guides will offer a shuttle into downtown Rockland where
there are several great restaurants to choose from.
HOTEL: INCLUDED MEALS:
Samoset Resort BreakfastTODAY'S RIDE: SHORT OPTION:
Day Around the Mountain Loop to B ar
Harbor
Around the Mountain Loop to
N ortheast Harbor
Approximately 31 miles with 2,175 Approximately 15 miles with 1,150
feet of climbing feet of climbing
3 DESCRIPTION:
After an early breakfast, we’ll depart for Mount Desert Island. Our journey to the western edge of Acadia National Park will
take just under two hours. Today’s ride introduces you to the tranquil yet scenic landscape of Mount Desert Island which
was carved by glaciers some 18,000 years ago, leaving dramatic cuts like Somes Sound, as well as smoothly rounded
mountain tops, numerous ponds and lakes, and randomly placed boulders throughout the park. On arrival, you’ll waste no
time getting started on the crushed-rock carriage roads, which were built by John D. Rockefeller between 1913 and 1940 to
showcase the beauty of the area. Your route encircles Penobscot and Sargent Mountains, offering a distant view of Eagle
Lake from the high point. The small village of Northeast Harbor is today’s lunch destination, where you’ll take a break at a
local favorite café that serves up a variety of delicious sandwiches, salads, and baked goods made from scratch! After
fueling up, continue on along the edge of Somes Sound, the giant tidal inlet that nearly divides the island in half, before
returning to the park and some of the lesser-known carriage roads. After skirting Aunt Betty and Eagle Lakes, you’ll end in
Bar Harbor, your seaside home for the next two nights. Of course, if your legs have had enough, you can always choose to
join your guide in the van for the scenic drive across the island. After checking into your ocean view room, the evening is
yours to explore the nooks and crannies of this bustling town, so you can take advantage of whatever is calling to you.
Perhaps sample the original blueberry ale at Atlantic Brewing and head to the Reading Room for a lobster feast or, if you
have the energy to burn, grab a quick bite followed by a sunset kayak in Frenchman Bay. Please note that kayaking is not
included in the trip price, but your guides can help you make arrangements.
HOTEL: INCLUDED MEALS:
Harborside Hotel Breakfast | Lunch
TODAY'S RIDE: AVID OPTION:
Day B ar Harbor Loop with Jordan
Pond
B ar Harbor Loop with Jordan
Pond and Cadillac Mountain
Approximately 30 miles with 2,250 Approximately 36 miles with 3,275
feet of climbing feet of climbing
4 DESCRIPTION:
Today’s ride will begin early with a trip up Cadillac Mountain Road. Don’t worry, the stunning views from the gently winding
pavement will distract you from the effort of the climb! After three miles, you’ll reach the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the
high point of the park at 1,529 feet. Spend some time up top – you’ve earned it! – soaking up the panoramic views that
stretch from Frenchman Bay across the Atlantic to the horizon, making this a popular destination for sunrise. When you are
ready, enjoy the descent to the Park Loop Road which will soon reconnect you to the carriage roads. Your destinations
today include viewpoints on Day Mountain and Jordan Pond. Be sure to stop and take the short walk behind Jordan Pond
House. The edge of the pond is strewn with boulders, and the water reveals the stunning reflection of the surrounding trees
and the prominent glacial mounds that rise on the far side. It's a photo opportunity you don't want to miss! The ride will
also take you past a few of the 17 spectacular stone bridges that were designed and built by Rockefeller along with the
carriage road network. Notice as the scenery continually shifts from long shady stretches of woodlands full of native
plants like sheep laurel, ferns, and blueberry bushes, to views of peaceful lakes and ponds, and to lumbering granite
mountains. Near the end of the ride, you’ll break for a casual seaside lunch followed by an optional visit to a nearby local
potter’s studio. From here, you can choose to ride the final few miles back to the hotel or call it a day and return in the van.
Tonight, we'll gather for social hour and raise our glasses in gratitude, celebrating the preservation of our National Parks
as well as the lighthouses and fishing villages that make coastal Maine such a special place. Tonight we'll gather for a
final social hour to reminisce about the week's adventure, followed by dinner at local favorite restaurant. Like the rest of
this week, today is an experience you won’t soon forget!
INCLUDED MEALS:
HOTEL: Breakfast | Lunch | Social Hour |
Harborside Hotel DinnerTODAY'S RIDE:
Day Otter Point Loop
Approximately 12 miles with 800 feet
of climbing
5
DESCRIPTION:
Today we wrap up our Acadia National Park bike tour in style. You’ll depart early for a final spin, this time along its eastern
edge with stops at Sand Beach and Thunder Hole. Once again, the scenery shifts as you are now riding along the dramatic
and rugged Atlantic coastline with cliffs high above you and waves crashing on the rocks below. Savor the sights and
sounds of the ocean and forest as you pedal along on your final ride. Sadly, the time has come to check out and bid your
guides farewell. At 11:00 AM, you'll depart on a private shuttle back to Portland with a packed lunch from our favorite little
sandwich shop, the Down East Deli.
INCLUDED MEALS:
Breakfast | Lunch
WHAT'S INCLUDED
For us, the details matter most
Every moment of a Trek Travel bike trip has more than you could have ever dreamed. More romance. More scenery. More choice.
It's the little additions to every Trek Travel cycling vacation that make it truly special. And that's how we help you create more
memories.
What's Included
• Four nights of accommodation at handpicked hotels
• Two experienced guides to provide local knowledge, support, and camaraderie
• Daily route support with both guides and our support van
• Daily breakfast, four lunches, and two dinners
• Two social hours of drinks and hors d'oeuvres
• Ride a Trek Domane SL 7 disc or Trek Verve 2 Hybrid
• Up to three daily route options on riding days
• Snacks and drinks for each day's ride
• Trek Travel Bontrager cycling jersey to keep
• Trek Travel water bottles to keep
• Cinch sack day bag to keep
• Each bike is equipped with a Garmin Edge 1030 GPS computer, flat pack, front and rear Bontrager Flare R lights, a Bontrager
saddle, and pedals (Shimano clipless road pedals, Shimano clipless mountain pedals, caged or flat pedals)
• Bontrager WaveCel helmets
• All gratuities for drivers, local experts, and hospitality staff
• All luggage transfers and transportation during your trip
• A personalized digital photobook of your trip
• Entrance fees for all activities, private tours, and events
Gear
•Trek Domane SL 7 disc carbon road bike with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting
•Trek Verve 2 Hybrid
•Trek Travel Bontrager cycling jersey to keep
•Trek Travel water bottles to keep
•Shimano clipless road pedals, Shimano clipless mountain pedals, caged, or flat pedals
•Bontrager WaveCel helmet
•Bontrager men's and women's specific saddles
•Bontrager front and rear Flare R lights and a flat pack
•Garmin Edge 1030 GPS computer
•Cinch sack day bag to keep
•Upgrade your bike to include carbon wheels (+$200)
•Coupon valued up to $500 off a new Trek Bicycle. Your coupon will be delivered via email prior to your trip.
•For the most comfortable ride, you may choose to bring your own pedals, saddle, and helmet on the trip. Your guides will install
your gear on the first day during your bike fit.
THANK YOUR GUIDES, BY TIPPING
Gratuities for your Trek Travel guides are not included in your trip price. We recommend tipping 7.5-10% of your trip price for the
guide team. Local currency is preferred and unless you want to tip separately, guides will divide tips amongst themselves. Please
tip your guides at your discretion, based on their level of professionalism, guest care, and service.What’s Not Included
• Electric-assist bikes will not be available on this trip due to Acadia National Park’s policy of prohibiting commercial tours from
using e-bikes on carriage roads
• Airfare and transportation to and from the trip pick-up/drop-off locations
• Lodging before and after the trip
• Personal items purchased during the trip
• Optional activities not scheduled by Trek Travel
• On select trips some meals are not included. On these trips, Trek Travel invites you to explore the local cuisine at your leisure.
HOTELS
SAMOSET RESORT THE HARBORSIDE HOTEL
ROCKPORT, MAINE BAR HARBOR, MAINE
Enjoy the seaside elegance of the The Harborside Hotel is ideally
Samoset Resort, nestled on the shore located on Bar Harbor's waterfront
of beautiful Penobscot Bay. Your and just steps away from the center
newly renovated and thoughtfully- of town. Enjoy spectacular views of
appointed room comes with a partial the Atlantic Ocean from your Deluxe
view of the bay or Rockland Harbor, King Oceanfront room, which also
as well as luxurious bedding features a semi-private balcony or
(hypoallergenic bedding available), terrace. These oversized Bar Harbor
50" HDTVs, and iHome radios. Sip accommodations are newly
your morning coffee on your private renovated in coastal-chic style and
balcony or terrace while watching the include a king-sized bed, marble
sunlight dance across the water. bathroom with a standing shower,
Relax at the pool and spa or take a coffee maker, and other amenities.
stroll to the historic lighthouse during Take advantage of your downtime by
your stay. Samoset is an Opal making an appointment at the full-
Collection property and AAA Four service spa or relaxing poolside as
Diamond and Condé Nast Traveler you feel the ocean breeze and listen
Readers' Choice award winner. to the waves rolling into shore. The
Harborside is an Opal Collection
property and AAA Four Diamond and
Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice
award winner.
MEETING &
DEPARTING
How To Get There Meeting Time And Location
We suggest that you arrive at least Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the AC Hotel by Marriott Portland
one day prior to the trip start, which Downtown/Waterfront, 158 Fore Street, Portland, Maine at 10:00 AM on the first
will enable you to adjust to the time day of your trip. Afterwards, we'll shuttle 90 minutes to the town of Thomaston.
zone and minimize the risk of Here you will enjoy a delicious lunch at a harborside seafood restaurant followed
missing the trip start due to flight- by a bike fitting session and our first ride. Please come dressed in your cycling
related delays. clothes and have your riding gear in a separate bag or readily accessible, to avoid
having to unpack your luggage.
We recommend that you fly into
Portland International Jetport If you will be late for the pick-up or are going to miss it altogether, please inform(PWM). If you are staying at the AC your guides. You will receive an email a week before the trip starts with their
Hotel by Marriott, it has a free airport names and contact details. If you cannot reach them, please call our first hotel,
shuttle which you can arrange by Samoset Resort at 207-594-2511, and leave a message with your expected arrival
calling 207-747-1640 once you arrive time and contact details. A taxi from Portland to your ride start or first hotel will
at baggage claim. Otherwise, you take about 90 minutes and cost around $200 plus gratuity.
may take a taxi for about $20 plus
gratuity. It is approximately five
miles from the airport to downtown
Portland. Departing Time And Location
On the final day of our Acadia National Park bike tour, you will say farewell to
your guides and board a private shuttle from Bar Harbor to the AC Hotel in
Portland, departing at 11:00 AM and arriving at approximately 2:30 PM. The
shuttle will then continue to Portland International Jetport, arriving at
approximately 3:00 PM. If you are flying out today, please do not schedule a flight
before 5:00 PM.
AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT PORTLAND DOWNTOWN/WATERFRONT
Before & After: Portland, The AC Hotel Portland hotel is ideally located two blocks from the Old Port
District, which is known for its shopping, restaurants, and outdoor activities.
Maine Located on Fore Street and the site of The Grand Trunk Station across from
Portland's Waterfront, this is the only hotel in Portland with unobstructed views of
The city of Portland, Maine has a Casco Bay. Portland's newest hotel is a short walk to Casco Bay Ferry Lines, The
relaxed, small-town feel that makes it Victorian Mansion, East End Beach, and the 70 miles of green space that
an ideal place to unwind before or encompass Portland Trails. You will appreciate the stylish, modern rooms and
after your trip. Take a few days to European inspired breakfast featuring fresh-baked croissants, artisan cured
explore the cobbled Old Port District, meats, and sweet and savory assorted quiches. Unwind in the evenings in the AC
check out the working waterfront, Lounge, complete with outdoor waterfront seating, signature cocktails, and a
visit the Portland Museum of Art in unique tapas menu.
the arts district, and stop by some of
the many historical sites in town. www.marriott.com/pwmac | ~$300
Take a trolley tour or lighthouse tour
and visit the Wadsworth-Longfellow PRESS HOTEL
House, the childhood home of the
American poet Henry Wadsworth The Press Hotel is a boutique luxury hotel in Portland’s famed Old Port District. It’s
Longfellow. According to locals, part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott, which features unique and
Portland has more restaurants and imaginative properties selected for their quality, bold originality, rich character,
bars per capita than any other city in and uncommon details. Enjoy the array of artwork throughout the hotel and a
the country outside of San Francisco. beautifully appointed guestroom with oversized windows, marble-tiled bathrooms,
Many of the more popular luxury linens, vintage desks, and conveniently located USB ports.
restaurants are chef-owned and
highly renowned. We recommend the www.thepresshotel.com | ~$450
following accommodations for your
pre- or post-trip hotel. PORTLAND REGENCY HOTEL & SPA
The Regency is also located in the Old Port District and offers a boutique
experience in a property originally built as a home for the Maine National Guard in
1895. Each room retains some architectural elements from the original design of
the home—alcoves, torrent windows, and decks. An on-site spa and fitness center,
complimentary wireless internet, and valets who provide complimentary
transportation to the airport make the Regency a convenient place to stay for your
extra time in Portland.
www.theregency.com | ~$425
* Hotels listed above are local properties we love. We do not have special rates available.FAQS
What Are The Daily Rides What are the options for a non-rider travel companion?
Like?
On most Trek Travel trips, we offer non-riding options for riders who want to take
• Rider Type | 2 - Recreational the afternoon off, or travel companions who want to spend little or no time in the
saddle. Some of these options may need to be scheduled before your trip–please
• Average Daily Mileage | 26
contact one of our Trip Consultants for more information. Expenses and/or
• Terrain | Undulating transportation related to these activities are not included in the trip price unless
• Average Daily Elevation | 1,855 feet they activity is specified as being part of the itinerary. Some non-riding options on
• Total Miles | 132 this trip are:
• Total Elevation | 9,275 feet
• Tour the organic farm that fuels Primo Restaurant
Averages and totals are calculated • Take a private cruise on a lobster boat
from our Today’s Ride options. • Hike in Acadia National Park
The terrain is generally flat along the • Visit Rockland, the art capital of Maine, and tour the Farnsworth Art Museum
coast and undulating with a few • Go kayaking or whale watching
steep hills as you ride inland. In • Visit Camden and Bar Harbor
Acadia National Park, our rides will • Sail on a historic schooner
take place mostly on carriage roads. • Enjoy a spa treatment at either hotel
The roads are shared with
pedestrians and occasionally horses.
They are 16 feet wide and covered Trip Changes
with crushed stone. Acadia is best
suited for our Type 2 Riders. Our Trek See itinerary for specific daily ride distances and elevation options. On all of our
Travel guides can also easily vacations, Trek Travel seeks to find quiet, paved secondary roads or bike paths to
accommodate Type 1 Riders, who experience a region; busy roads are avoided as much as possible. Our itineraries
seek less mileage or fewer uphills, are an approximation of our trips. Trek Travel strives to offer every guest a
with a boost in the van. Type 3 vacation of a lifetime on every trip. At times routes, hotels, activities, etc. listed
Riders will enjoy the extra mileage here may change at the discretion of the trip designer or guides to improve the trip
and climbs the avid route options experience.
offer.You can also read
