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Exploring History on Two Wheels: UNESCO World Heritage Bike Tours

Imagine pedaling through landscapes that are not just breathtakingly beautiful but also steeped in centuries of heritage. This is what Trek Travel offers with its unique bike tours that weave through some of the most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the globe. Join us as we go on a journey that combines the joy of cycling with the awe of exploring the world’s most cherished historical and cultural treasures.

Unveiling the Charm of Portugal’s Evora on a Cycling UNESCO Site Adventure

In the heart of Portugal lies Evora, a city where history lives in every stone. As part of our Portugal Bike Tour , you’ll explore the ancient streets of Evora, surrounded by centuries-old walls. The city’s Roman Temple, one of the best-preserved in the Iberian Peninsula, stands as a testament to its storied past. The medieval architecture, from the Gothic cathedral to the picturesque town square, tells tales of times long gone. Cycling in Portugal is like traveling through different eras. Each pedal stroke brings you closer to understanding the rich culture of this UNESCO World Heritage Cycling Tour destination. You’ll experience the unique blend of Roman, Gothic, and Baroque influences that make this city a living museum.

Japan: A Cultural and Historical Bike Tour Through Time

Our Japan Bike Tour is a journey into the heart of Japan’s cultural history. Nara, once the capital of ancient Japan, is home to some of the country’s oldest and most significant temples and shrines. Cycling through Nara feels like a serene pilgrimage, where each site, from the grand Todai-ji temple to the peaceful Kasuga Taisha shrine, offers a unique story. Beyond historical sites, our Japan Cycling Experience offers a deep dive into Japanese culture. Staying in a Ryokan, you’ll experience traditional Japanese hospitality. The Onsen baths provide a soothing respite after a day of cycling, and the sushi-making session is not just about food; it’s about understanding and appreciating a centuries-old culinary art form.

Norway’s Architectural Marvel: The Urnes Stave Church

Our Norway Bike Tour takes you to the Urnes Stave Church, a marvel of ancient Norse architecture. This church, dating back to the 12th century, showcases intricate wood carvings that depict medieval Christian symbolism mixed with Viking-era motifs – a rare and fascinating blend of cultural influences. The journey to Urnes is as breathtaking as the destination itself. Cycling through Norway’s rugged landscapes, with fjords, mountains, and lush greenery, is an experience that combines physical exhilaration with spiritual tranquility.

Italy’s Renaissance Heart: Urbino Cycling Experience

Discover Urbino, a quintessential Renaissance town, as you cycle across Italy’s diverse landscapes on our Italy Coast to Coast bike tour . This trip leads you to Urbino, a quintessential Renaissance town. As you cycle towards this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll be greeted by the sight of its majestic Ducal Palace and the harmonious blend of Renaissance architecture. Urbino is not just a town; it’s a testament to humanistic values and artistic excellence. In Urbino, every cobbled alley and square offers a new discovery – from Raphael’s birthplace to hidden art treasures. Dining in Urbino is as much about the ambiance as it is about the food, with local bistros offering authentic Italian cuisine in settings that feel like a step back in time.

Trek Travel’s World Heritage Bike Journeys are an invitation to explore the world differently. These Cultural Heritage Cycling Trips are not just about seeing new places; they’re about experiencing them in the most authentic and enriching way possible. So, whether you’re a history buff, a cultural enthusiast, or simply someone who loves the freedom of cycling, these tours promise an adventure that’s as rewarding as it is unforgettable.

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Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

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Activity Level

Road : 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Road : 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Road : 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Road : 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel:  4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

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Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

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Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

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Biking the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail; finding safe & scenic sections

By: Author Bonnie Gross

Posted on Last updated: April 12, 2023

Just as Henry Flagler longed to take his railroad to Key West, bicyclists have long dreamt of riding a safe bike trail to the southern tip of the scenic Florida Keys.

The dream is close to coming true, but we’re not quite there.

There is a bike trail operated by Florida State Parks, but it is not complete and it sustained hurricane damage from both Irma in 2017 and Ian in 2022.

PLEASE NOTE: As of April 2023, some bike bridges in the Lower Keys are still closed from Hurricane Ian damage, causing cyclists to revert to pedaling along the less safe and desirable roadside bike lane. The bridge over the Ohio-Missouri Channel at MM 39 is still closed and areas along Long Key State Park in the vicinity of MM 71 are bumpy and underwater after rain.

Despite the challenges, strong riders with street smarts and/or on guided rides bike the whole 106-mile-long Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail by the dozen every month, raving about the tropical scenery.

The bike trail through the Florida Keys may be flat, but it has its ups and downs. Many riders (me!) would not have fun on sections where you must ride on 3-foot-wide shoulders as cars whiz by at 50 miles per hour with drivers distracted by scenic beauty. If you read trip reports on Trailink , complaints about the bike trail are as common as is awe over the scenery.

On several visits to the Keys where my husband and I bicycled sections of the trail, I concluded there are sections that make the Florida Keys a great place to bicycle for nearly everyone. You just have to pick your spots . And when you do, you get to enjoy one of the key reasons I love to tour by bike: You take in the scenery at a slower pace, where it’s easy to stop and enjoy.

Here are recommendations for bicyclists who want to experience the Keys on their bikes but don’t want to bike the entire length or ride on narrow shoulders adjacent to traffic.

I’ve assembled tips based on my experiences biking and driving the Overseas Highway, information from Florida State Parks and advice from Mark Terrill, biking guru at Key Largo Bike and Adventure Tours.

Some sections are more scenic than others. Some are safer and more comfortable than others. And it’s important to note that the entire trail is actually hard to follow, as it regularly crosses from bayside to oceanside and back, or continues on a parallel route not clearly marked and not visible from the U.S. 1.

For those who want to bicycle the entire length, Mark Terrill’s Key Largo Bike and Adventure Tours offers one- or two-day tours and a variety of other support services. He also offers bike rentals for longer or shorter rides and tours along specific sections of the trail. He has seen use of the path grow dramatically in recent years.

For shorter trips, riders can easily plan do-it-yourself tours, as I did.

Here are four sections of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail to consider for do-it-yourself Keys bike tours:

Between MM 90 and 80 along the Old Road

For 10 miles, the old state road (State Highway 4A) parallels U.S. 1 on the ocean side.  It’s a scenic stretch, but has only occasional water views as it mostly passes through a woodsy residential area.

The homes range from multi-million-dollar gated mansions owned by celebrities (Coach Jimmy Johnson, actor Gene Hackman) to funky oceanfront trailer courts to resorts and businesses. It’s fun to spend time seeing life in the Keys up close, including places where people live and work.

The bike trail here is actually just a low-traffic residential road and is not clearly marked. (To make it more confusing, there is also a bike lane bayside along U.S. 1 too.)

At two short bridges in this section, the old road rejoins U.S. 1 and bicyclists cross the bridge in a designated lane along the shoulder. While I wouldn’t tackle the long Keys bridges riding in the shoulder (such as the Seven Mile Bridge), these bridges were easy and felt safe. We walked our bikes at the center of the bridges just to enjoy the view.

It’s easy enough to find parking in this area. We started from The Islander Resort, where we were staying, but there are spaces in the nearby Islamorada commercial district at MM 81.5 .

From there we pedaled south, turned around at the Tea Table Channel , then headed north and turned around at Coral Shores High School. Another good place to start your trek might be from that high school area.

On our 20 mile round-trip on this section of the Keys bike trail, we also enjoyed stopping at picturesque marinas like Bud N Mary’s (MM 79.8) and historic sites, including the interesting hurricane memorial at MM 81.5.

The hurricane monument tells the story of the devastating 1935 storm.  In 1937, ashes of many of those who died were buried here when the monument was dedicated. Be sure to see the beautiful tile-mosaic map of the islands hit by the storm in front of the monument.

There’s a charming small residential area between the hurricane monument and ocean in Islamorada and it’s worth exploring on bike to the end, where you’ll find the Moorings, the expensive resort popular for fashion shoots. It’s also where the Netflix series Bloodlines is filmed.

We also shopped at the Old Road Gallery (88.8 on U.S. 1 and with an entrance also on the old road), which has gardens and an adjoining “Red Cross hurricane house” now used as an art gallery, which you can tour.

Islamorada cherishes the historic extra-strong poured concrete houses built by the Red Cross to house survivors of that 1935 Labor Day hurricane. You’ll pass several marked with plaques on the ride.

Around the Old Road Gallery we also admired some of the dozens of peacocks that roam this area.

You’ll have an easy time finding a place to pause for a snack. Here are a few suggestions:   Midway Café and Coffee Bar , MM 80.4,  which earns 4.5 stars on both Yelp and TripAdvisor; Lazy Days Restaurant , MM 79.8 oceanside, has excellent fresh fish and a spectacular ocean view.

Located along the way are two craft breweries in Islamorada that are worthwhile places to end your ride. Here’s more about them. 

Here’s a Florida Rambler story about how Islamorada is emerging as a hub for activities.

Long Key section

Between mm 71 at the channel 5 bridge to the end of the historic long key bridge at mm 62.

This 18-mile-round-trip section of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail has spectacular views of water and sky, including from the 2.2-mile-long historic Long Key Bridge.

Because it is close to the water oceanside, this section was badly damaged by waves and flooding from Hurricane Irma in 2017. During 2020, however, most of this section has been repaired. 

For this ride, you can park at the southern base of the Channel 5 Bridge at MM 71 bayside at a lot for those using the fishing bridge. (One drawback: You almost immediately have to cross the highway as the trail continues on the ocean side.)

On this route, you’ll also cross the shorter Tom’s Harbor Channel Historic Bridge (MM 61), which, like the Long Key Bridge, has cantilevered fishing platforms added to provide space for both fishing and bikes. 

The bike path runs along Long Key State Par k, and has some good views of the beaches and the beguiling turquoise water. (It’s a beautiful park; it’s well worth making a stop here.) 

The Long Key bridge is the second-longest bridge of Henry Flagler’s railroad and is preserved as a bike and pedestrian path parallel to the new highway bridge. Smooth and traffic-free, it is as scenic and safe as a bike trail can get. (My husband, who doesn’t like heights, did have to ride right down the middle to avoid freaking out.)

Once you cross Long Key Bridge, however, the improved trail pretty much ends and is just a 3-foot-lane along the shoulder for the next two miles south. Instead of continuing, we crossed to the bayside and rode through Little Conch Key, a funky island with old cottages, mobile homes, views of the water and lots of general Keys flavor. From there, we turned around at MM 62 and headed back.

If you want a short ride just on the Long Key Bridge and back, you can park at the southern end of the bridge at MM 65.6, where this is a parking lot and signage.

Lower Keys to Key West

From mm 15 to key west and back.

This may be the best section of the FKOHT. My husband and I rode MM15 to MM5 and back in December 2016.  Here’s my full report .

What we liked:

• It’s carefree. For the entire stretch, the trail has its own lane, hugging the water on the ocean side, included its  own dedicated bridges. (NOTE: Hurricane Ian in September 2022 knocked out some bridges and sections in the Lower Keys where bicyclists must use the bike lanes on US 1.)
• The scenery. Highlights are a half dozen bridges and long stretches with open views of water.
• There’s a great starting point where you can park and caffeinate– Baby’s Coffee at MM15 — and some good turn-around spots, like Key West Botanic Gardens on Stock Island in Key West.
• Here are the details on the bike trail into Key West .

Old Seven Mile Bridge to Sombrero Beach

This tour will be about 14 miles roundtrip, but with the scenery and activities, you could spend all day on it.

Start your ride near the start of the Old Seven Mile Bridge at MM 47 bayside. There’s a parking lot there, but it’s hard to find parking there because the newly re-opened bridge is so popular.

It’s a gorgeous 2.2 mile ride on the refurbished section of the Old Seven Mile Bridge, so 4.4 miles round trip. There are bike lanes here and views the whole way. Here’s more about biking and visiting the Old Seven Mile bridge .

For a longer ride from the bridge area, pedal north along the Oversease Keys Overseas Heritage Trail for three miles through Marathon. At this point, the trail is separate from the highway and is located bayside. At MM 50, Sombrero Beach Road, leave the Overseas Heritage Trail and ride a dedicated bike path east to Sombrero Beach. This is a beautiful free local beach and well-landscaped park with picnic tables, rest rooms, swimming and snorkeling. The nice thing about biking to Sombrero Beach is that you don’t have to worry about getting a parking space.

General tip for riding the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail:

• On longer rides, flat tires are common because of road debris. Serious cyclists suggest Kevlar-lined tires, fat-tire bikes or at least plenty of spares. (We had two flat tires on one ride.)
• Take special care in crossing busy U.S. 1 and in residential and commercial areas where people are turning into or coming out of driveways. This is the most hazardous aspect of the trail.
• Prevailing winds make a south-bound trip easier than a north-bound one.
• The northern-most section of the trail – from MM 106.5 to 91 — is primarily a paved bike trail separated from the highway. But as nice as the trail quality is, it’s hard to recommend because it’s not terribly scenic.
• To pedal across the famous Seven Mile Bridge, you face a five-foot shoulder, often strewn with debris, as semis roar by and drivers gaze too long at the view. (Note: If you are on a bike and don’t want to ride across the Seven Mile Bridge, you can call a cab. In Marathon, they all have bike racks, Terrill said.)

Resources for planning a trip on the Florida Keys bike trail:

• Map of Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail 
• Most recent trail brochure (PDF)
• State park website for Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
• Electric bikes ARE allowed on the Florida Keys Overseas Trail.
• Mile marker guide with dozens of stops to help make the most of your drive south.
• Islamorada: New things to do make it an appealing stop
• Florida Keys wildlife : Places to see animals
• Tiki bars:  Soak up the Keys atmosphere
• 12 great kayak outings in the Keys
• Best beaches in the Florida Keys

All articles on FloridaRambler.com are original, produced exclusively for our readers and protected by U.S. Copyright law. Any use or re-publication without written permission is against the law.

This page contains affiliate links from which Florida Rambler may earn a sall commission when a purchase is made. This revenue supports our mission to produce quality stories about Florida at no cost to you.

The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida.

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Friday 7th of April 2023

Hopefully doing the ride December 2023, has the damage from the two hurricanes been repaired?

Bonnie Gross

Wednesday 12th of April 2023

Chris: A state park representative said bridges are big, expensive projects and the damage to bridges (the largest being at MM39, the bridge over the Ohio-Missouri Channel) has not been completed. -- Bonnie

Friday 9th of December 2022

My wife, her friend and I completed an ebike ride from Key Largo to Key West and back from Nov 28 to Dec 2. The ride south was great, with the wind at our backs; the north return was no fun with 20-30 mile headwinds. The ride north is not for the faint of heart! Many of the lower Keys pedestrian bridges are closed due to storm damage so you must ride on the highway bike paths or along the road shoulder. With strong winds, these roadside rides become a real adventure.

I wish locals who ride bikes would practice good bike manners and call out a loud verbal warning, "Passing on the left," when overtaking another rider. Not once was I notified of approaching riders with the result in Marathon that a rider squeezed in on me on a narrow path and forced me off the path, hitting a large boulder and knocking me to the ground. My back and hip are still very sore and my injuries could have been much, much worse.

Thank you so much for sharing this. Prevailing winds make that northward trip a bear -- I guess even with an e-bike! I recently drove to Key West and was so sorry to see the two bridge outages in the Lower Keys. That used to be the safest and best section of the trail. My experience with previous hurricane damage is that the state park system, which manages that trail, takes a LONG time to make repairs. So I'm afraid it will be years before those bridges are reopened. As for biker etiquette. It's a shame! I'm a slower rider and I have had that experience.

Florida Rambler

Wednesday 9th of November 2022

Note to our readers: For those looking to pedal the entire bike trail south to Key West and looking for a way back without making it a round-trip, there are two public transportation options to consider.

There is a bus operating from Key West to Marathon, where you can transfer to a Miami-Dade bus that continues on to Key Largo. Here’s a link for more information: http://www.kwtransit.com/ Flixbus, http://www.FlixBus.com, a European company that operates service from Miami to Key West with several stops. In looking at the reservation site, it appears "bike slots" are largely taken. You can also call 855-626-8585.

Mike Nanoff

Bonnie, great article and love your site!

To anyone reading, I plan to bike the FKOTH the full 105 miles Key Largo to Key West on Saturday, Nov 12, hopefully departing Key Largo by 8am. Would be great to not do it alone, if anyone adventurous riders would like to join reply and we'll connect. I'm probably an "above-average" cyclist (I guess tackle this that would be expected), maybe hoping to average 17-18 mph (wind dependent) with a couple brief stops along the way. I'll spend the night and try the bus route Bob Rountree suggested below to get back to Key Largo on Sunday. If the bus plan fails, I get another century ride to get back. Still looking for the best overnight parking in Key Largo, and hopefully this Hurricane Nicole doesn't linger long enough to ruin my plan!

Ride safe! Mike

Friday 4th of December 2020

Hi, is there a part of the trail that would be safe to ride with children (9 yo)? We are staying on Islamorada, would it be possible to ride bikes with the kids there?

Wednesday 9th of December 2020

The section of the trail in Islamorada is actually the Old Road, which parallels the main highway. It does have cars on it, though traffic is light, but I probably wouldn't choose it for kids. 

What I think would be fun for kids would be the part of the trail that is on the Long Key bridge. It's about 15 miles south of Islamorada.  The Long Key bridge is the second-longest bridge of Henry Flagler’s railroad and is preserved as a bike and pedestrian path parallel to the new highway bridge. Smooth and traffic-free, it is as scenic and safe. The bridge is 3 miles long, so it's a 6-mile round trip. At the southern end of the bridge at MM 65.6, where this is a parking lot and signage on the bayside of the road.  

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Tidewater Potomac

• Riding Conditions
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Ride through American history and natural wonders.

The Tidewater Potomac Heritage Bicycle Route introduces the cyclist to an area rich in scenic beauty, ecological diversity, and early American colonial history. Museums and points of interest give ample opportunities for sightseeing. Several historic sites are connected to George Washington, the father of the U.S. They include Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s Ferry Farm, where he lived from age six until early adulthood, and the George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

This route lies within a portion of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail corridor. The route begins in Washington, D.C., and traverses both sides of the Potomac River in Maryland and Virginia until it reaches the Chesapeake Bay. At this time it’s best if you reverse your route rather than attempt a loop by crossing the Chesapeake Bay. Due to the rising costs of fuel, both cruise companies listed in the map’s Riding Conditions only run the ships if they have enough passengers registered for the trip (15 minimum) and even then it usually only runs on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, these circumstances cause the ship to be canceled most days.

This route begins and ends at Union Station in Washington, D.C. A spur route within the city is also shown to connecting to the eastern terminus of the C & O Canal Towpath for those cyclists who may want to continue up the Potomac River. The route crosses the Potomac and heads into Virginia along the Mt. Vernon Trail. You’ll have to pedal approximately forty miles before leaving the suburbs behind and getting into the rural countryside. The route skirts the Quantico Marine Corps Reservation on its way to Fredericksburg. This town has its share of museums and historic sites, so plan to spend a day sightseeing.

Leaving Fredericksburg, you’ll head eastward into the peninsula known as the Northern Neck. Traffic decreases the farther east you go, and it’s pleasant riding on smaller back roads. Stratford Hall Plantation, the birthplace of Robert E. Lee, is located on the Potomac River, and there are several museums to visit in the small towns along the route. If you want to explore further, there’s a 25-mile spur to the Rappahannock River bridge.

The route in Maryland meanders along smaller roads through fields and woods. There are many points of interest, museums, and state parks to visit along the way, so plan your days accordingly. Nearby towns offer full services. Automobile traffic increases the closer you get to the Washington area. You will need city-riding skills as you share the road with traffic entering the District of Columbia.

Photo by Adam Coppola

The District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland have flat to rolling topography. A few short hills will be encountered. Rivers and bays create fingers of land called “necks,” and the route dips down into the necks, allowing easy access to points along the Potomac River.

The lower Potomac River region has considerably warm weather and humidity during the summer months. Otherwise it may be ridden from early spring to late fall (typically April to October). Only privately owned cruise ship companies cross the Chesapeake Bay, so working within their schedule is a must if you want to cross the bay. Occasionally delays can occur due to inclement weather, so be prepared.

Due to the rising costs of fuel, both cruise companies listed in the map’s Riding Conditions only run the ships if they have enough passengers registered for the trip (15 minimum) and even then it usually only runs on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, these circumstances cause the ships to be canceled most days.

Another option for crossing the Chesapeake Bay between Smith Point and Point Lookout is to hire a private fishing boat to ferry you across. Captain Danny Crabbe of  Crabbes Charter Fishing  has been offering this service to cyclists for years. You’ll need to call ahead and make reservations.

All services and bike shops can be found in Washington and in the cities and suburbs nearby. Fredericksburg also has bike shops. When you leave the suburbs and ride into more rural areas, services will be less plentiful, though small towns with the basic convenience stores appear frequently.

Some campgrounds will charge a cyclist traveling alone less if they have hiker/biker sites, but often they will charge the price of a regular tent or RV site, and that can easily be $10-$40/night. The maps list churches that have opened their doors to cyclists, but they aren’t all that closely spaced. If you’re friendly and ask around, you can often get yourself invited to camp in a yard. Our routes sometimes go through national forests (moreso in the west) and you are allowed to camp anywhere on national forest land as long as you “pack it in, pack it out.” Many city parks are free to camp in.

You may also wish to sign up with Warmshowers , a reciprocal hospitality site for bicycle travelers, for other overnight options.

Route Highlights

Tidewater potomac highlights.

• Numerous national and historic sites in Washington D.C.
• Chesapeake Bay
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington
• Kenmore Plantation and Gardens
• George Washington’s Ferry Farm
• Fredericksburg Spotsylvania National Battlefield
• Northern Neck of Virginia
• George Washington Birthplace
• Stratford Hall Plantation
• St. Clelments Island Potomac River Museum
• Thomas Stone National Historic Site
• National Colonial Farm Museum
• Fort Washington National Park
• Oxon Hill Farm

More Route Resources

• Washington Area Bicyclist Association (D.C. area trail maps)
• U.S. Bicycle Route 1  (Virginia)
• Virginia DOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Program
• Virginia Bicycling Federation
• Crabbe’s Charter Fishing (Chesapeake Bay crossing)
• Smith Island Cruises
• Maryland DOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Program
• Maryland DOT Interactive Bicycle Map
• Connect and share photos with other riders on Instagram: #acaPotomac 

RIDING CONDITIONS

Traffic can be heavy leaving Union Station, so be prepared for urban riding. When walking out of Union Station, Louisiana Ave. NW is directly across the circle from you. You have the choice of riding on the roadway around the circle to access Louisiana Ave. NW, or during busier times, walking your bicycle straight across the circle on the pedestrian crossing to access the route.

There is an alternate starting/ending point for the route at milepost 0 of the C&O Canal Towpath.

This text is written following a counter-clockwise direction. Caution is needed after the Maine Avenue Fish Market – the sidewalk narrows and traffic is heavy. It’s worth staying on the sidewalk even if you have to walk your bike under the railroad overpass and around the curve. Then it’s easy riding along Ohio Dr. through East and West Potomac Park. After crossing the river, you will ride on the Mt. Vernon Trail paralleling the Potomac River. This path is heavily used by both bicyclists and pedestrians.

U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR) 1 is signed throughout Virginia. Occasionally you will see a sign that points to a different road than what the map says. Our routing is not always concurrent with USBRs. Be aware that signs can be damaged, stolen, or otherwise missing so you can never rely totally on following signs. For more information see: www.virginiadot.org/programs/bikeped .

In Virginia, the route uses mostly a well-surfaced network of county roads that are signed. The terrain is rolling with a few steep hills. Expect heavy traffic when traveling through the northern Virginia suburbs.

Riding southeast out of Fredericksburg you will be on two-lane SR 3 for 14 miles. The highway carries a moderate amount of traffic, including trucks, and has intermittent shoulders. Please be very careful here.

Use extreme caution when crossing the 4-lane, highly-trafficked U.S. 301. And continue to use caution on SR 3 as there can be high speed traffic with an intermittent shoulder. If you prefer, the 17.5-mile Leedstown Alternate has less traffic and will take you close to the Rappahannock River.

The 25-mile Rappahannock Spur travels on county roads as well as SR 3, so continue to use care on SR 3. If you are continuing off the route over the Rappahannock River, use extreme caution as the Norris bridge is almost 2 miles long, narrow and without shoulders. Do not cross the bridge during morning or afternoon rush hours.

This spur takes you over the bridge and toward historic Williamsburg, where you can access the Colonial Parkway. The 26-mile Colonial Parkway is a bicycle-friendly corridor that joins the communities of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. This route is also part of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail.

The two cruise ships on Chesapeake Bay are a very important link for this route. We have discovered that the best day for both ships to run is Saturdays during the summer. One ship gets you to Ewell on Smith Island, and the other takes you to the continuation of the route in Maryland. Both of these cruise ships make, at most, one trip a day between Smith Island and their respective states, so plan carefully when approaching this area. Ewell has limited overnight accommodations and few options for food. If you do miss the ship, there are multiple opportunities to catch a boat to Crisfield, Maryland, which has all services.

You need to make one-way reservations for the two different cruise ships to get between Virginia and Maryland. The cruise ship from Smith Point, VA, to Smith Island operates from May 15th through October 15th (though if business is slow they will be closed early and/or late in the season). One-way reservations are required for both you and your bicycle, which is considered freight. The cruise needs a minimum number of passengers and are also subject to closure due to inclement weather. Call Chesapeake Bay Camp Resort ahead at 804-453-3430 for reservations and more information.

The cruise ship from Point Lookout State Park, MD, to Smith Island sails from June through August, and limited weekends in May and September. It operates four days a week, Thursday through Sunday. One-way reservations are required for you and your bicycle, which is considered freight. Call 410-425-2771 for reservations or see www.smithislandcruises.com for more information.

As an alternative to the cruise ships, you can contact Captain Danny Crabbe at www.crabbescharterfishing.com or 804-761-0908 for details on ferrying you and your bicycle across the bay. It is recommended that you make reservations a couple of days in advance.

The only other way across the Potomac River is between maps 4 and 9 on the Nice Bridge/U.S. 301, which does not allow bicycles. The Maryland Transportation Authority may, if staff and time are available, transport cyclists and their bicycles across this toll bridge for a fee. Contact the Authority at least 24 hours prior to arrival at 301-259-4444.

Most Maryland state highways have paved shoulders and moderate traffic. County roads are, for the most part, two lanes with local traffic, and generally don’t have shoulders. The route in Maryland is mostly flat with occasional descents and climbs into and out of the Potomac River area. Rivers and bays create fingers of land called “necks” and the route dips down into the necks allowing easy access to points along the Potomac.

Caution is needed in riding the highway shoulders and in crossing SR 5, U.S. 301, and SR 210. The towns of Leonardtown, La Plata, and Indian Head are not on the route but are easily accessible.

Automobile traffic picks up as you near the Washington area. You will need city riding skills as you share the road with cars on S. Capitol St. SW and Martin Luther King Ave. SW. After Firth Sterling Ave. SE, a bike/pedestrian path along S. Capitol St. takes you to the sidewalk across the Frederick Douglass Bridge.

As you pass the capitol and turn left onto Constitution Ave. NW, get immediately into the rightmost left-hand turn lane for the left turn onto Louisiana Ave. When approaching Union Station you have the choice of staying to the inside lane and circling around to the station, or you can dismount your bicycle and walk straight across on the pedestrian crosswalk.

The Potomac River region is characterized in the summer by considerable warm weather including at least several hot, humid periods. Relative humidity varies inversely with temperature — high in the morning and low in the afternoon. The heaviest precipitation occurs in the summer, though this is the season when severe droughts are the most frequent. Principal sources of moisture are the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. May, June, July and August make up the thunderstorm season, with July being the peak.

Updated: Dec 22, 2017

Updates to Recently Released Maps

If you are planning a bike tour, be sure to get the most recent map updates and corrections for your route by selecting the route, and the appropriate section(s), from the drop-down menu below.

Over time maps become less useful because things change. Every year Adventure Cycling’s Routes and Mapping Department create map updates and corrections for every map in the Adventure Cycling Route Network, which now totals 52,047 miles. With the help of touring cyclists like you, we receive updates on routing, services, camping, and contact information. Until we can reprint the map with the new information, we verify the suggested changes and publish corrections and updates here on our website.

PLEASE NOTE: Covid has been particularly hard on the small businesses along our routes. While we do our best to keep the maps and these online updates current, you may encounter more closed businesses and longer stretches with limited or no services.

Refer to these updates for the most current information we have and submit reports of changes to the Route Feedback Form for the cyclists coming after you.

NOTE: Map updates and corrections only pertain to long term changes and updates. For short term road closures, please see the Adventure Cycling’s Routes Temporary Road Closures discussion in our Forums.

2024 Wheeling Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour

SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2024

100k tour 7:30 a.m., 50k tour 8:00 a.m., 15k tour 9:00 a.m..

The Ohio Valley Trail Partners present the 16th tour of the Wheeling Heritage Trail on Sunday, May 26th at Heritage Port in Wheeling—1201 Water Street.

Registration will begin at 7 a.m. The tour will begin at 7:30am with the start of the 100km riders. Those riding 30 miles (50km) will begin at 8am. Road guards will be posted at critical intersections. The 10 mile (15km) ride begins at 9 am and heads South on the trail from Heritage Port.

The 100km (62 miles) ride will leave the trail for a hilly loop towards Bethany with a stop at Bethany College. It is a challenging ride with great SAG support.

Snack/water stops will keep riders hydrated: 3 on the 100km ride and 2 on the 30-mile ride. Every participant is required to wear a helmet. Entrants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

We ride rain or shine!

For further information/100km questions, call Quick Service Bicycle Shop at (740) 635-3700 or email [email protected] .

The 2024 Wheeling Heritage Trail Tour is made possible by our generous sponsors and by thousands of volunteer hours by members of the Ohio Valley Trail Partners and residents of the Ohio Valley.

Money raised by this event supports expansion and care for the Wheeling Heritage Trail, trail projects, and trail equipment as well as continued advocacy for bike/ped connections in our communities.

Bicycle Tour

Sunday, may 26, 2024.

• Half Marathon
• Tough As Nails
• Ultra Urban Challenge
• 5k RUN/WALK

WHEELING HERITAGE TRAIL BICYCLE TOUR

The Ohio Valley Trail Partners presents the 17th annual tour of the Wheeling Heritage Trail on Sunday, May 26th. This year’s cycling festivities will begin at 7 a.m. at Heritage Port in Wheeling—1201 Water Street. The tour will kick off at 7:30 a.m. with the 100km riders, followed by the 50km route at 8:00am and our 15km ride at 9 a.m.

The 100km (62 miles) ride will leave the Heritage trail for a hilly loop on country roads with a stop at Bethany College. It is a challenging ride with great SAG support. Snack and water stops will keep riders hydrated on both the 50km and 100km rides. Every participant is required to wear a helmet. Entrants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. We ride rain or shine! All riders will enjoy a post ride lunch (included with registration cost) with live entertainment as the Tough As Nails Event will begin at 12 noon on Sunday.

The 2024 Wheeling Heritage Trail Tour is made possible by our generous sponsors and by thousands of volunteer hours by members of the Ohio Valley Trail Partners and residents of the Ohio Valley. Money raised by this event supports expansion and care for the Wheeling Heritage Trail, trail projects, and trail equipment and continued advocacy for bike/pedestrian connections in our local community. For further information about the race routes, call Quick Service Bicycle Shop at (740) 635-3700 or [email protected] . For general tour questions contact [email protected] or call 304-715-BIKE.

Sunday, May 28, 2023 @ 7:00 a.m.

• 100K Bike Tour 7:30 am
• 50K Bike Tour 8:00 am
• 15K Bike Tour 9:00 am
• Bar Opens 10:00 am
• Tough as Nails 12:00 am

100K Tour Map

50K Tour Map

15K Tour Map

Our proud bike tour sponsors.

REGISTER NOW

And kickstart your training, choose your race registration.

• (570) 963-6730 x8200

About The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour

Saturday, may 21 st : 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., the heritage explorer bike tour will be held on may 21, 2022.

The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour is back! We hope you'll come along for the ride!

Lackawanna Heritage Valley's Heritage Explorer Bike Tour is returning in-person to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in 2022, showcasing the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail from Carbondale through Fell Township.

The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour has become an annual tradition to promote the development of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail (LRHT). After more than a year of uncertainty, this year's event is made extra special, proudly bringing our community together once again along our region's favorite recreational asset. Cyclists will embark on a 20-mile stretch of the scenic path, linking the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail to the D&H Rail Trail.

The event is a fun, family-friendly and noncompetitive event - offering riders of all ages and abilities the chance to ride along the Heritage Trail from Carbondale, past the Stillwater Dam in Uniondale, and to Ararat Township. The event will take place on Saturday, May 21st, beginning at the John Street Trailhead in Carbondale. From kids on tricycles to octogenarians and longer distance cyclists, hundreds of people will enjoy breakfast treats at the YMCA Community Park in Carbondale before heading out on the trail. After completing their ride, lunch will be provided as families join in on other fun and interactive activities.

Registration If you have any additional questions or concerns ahead of May's Bike Tour, please call us at (570) 963-6730 .

Be part of the enthusiastic team that welcomes bicycle riders of all ages to the Heritage Explorer Bike Tour! The event depends on more than 100 volunteers to make the day run smoothly. Most volunteer assignments do not involve cycling. Bike Tour volunteers help with registration, prepare the trail for the big day, set up the Bike Tour Information Station and all of the Station Stops, serve snacks and beverages at the Station Stops during the Tour, direct traffic on the course, direct traffic at the YMCA Community Park, or serve on set-up and clean-up crews. However, if you want to ride your bike during the Bike Tour, you may qualify to be a bike marshal.

• Bike Tour Set up/Tear Down
• Course Marking
• Registration
• Station Stops

Bike Tour volunteers must be 14 years or older by May 1 st 2022. All volunteers between the ages of 14 and 18 must be accompanied by a supervisory adult, such as a parent or Scout leader. Groups of family members, friends, and co-workers, as well as service organizations (including Scout troops, Rotary groups, and youth groups) are welcome to help out at the Bike Tour. Volunteering is a lot of fun! You'll be an important part of the region's most popular non-competitive bike ride. All volunteers will receive a free official Bike Tour T-shirt.

Lodging Visiting Lackawanna Heritage Valley from out of town? Consider booking a place to stay at the Hotel Anthracite or Oliveri's Crystal Lake Hotel conveniently located in Carbondale!

DADE HERITAGE TRUST BIKE TOURS 2024

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People without bikes can rent bikes from the Coast Bike Share at the meeting spot.

Upcoming dates:

-10/10/21 at 10a -11/20/21 at 12p -12/29 at 9a

Cost: $15/adults and $8/kids (12 or younger)

Charlie Guy

October 11, 2021at9:07 am

Welcome! What a fantastic and very timely idea! We at the Southside Greenway.org salute your fine efforts to help the community to better attract to our area the HUGE international & national VERY active African American Tourism market!! We also hope to soon be able to assist your fine efforts!!!!! Charlie Guy, Co-Founder

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City Different E-Bike Tour An adventure through hidden Santa Fe

Tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday morning tour only (march and november): 10:00 am - 12:30 pm morning tour (april through october): 8:30 am - 12:00 pm afternoon tour (april through october): 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm.

*Includes Comfortable Class 2 E-Bike, Bike Helmet, Bike Trunk Bag, & Safety Reflective Triangle. Minimum 15 years of age. Previous E-Bike riding experience recommended.

This tour operates rain or shine.

ADDITIONAL INFO

BOOK NOW [ CANCELLATION POLICY ]

What to Expect: City Different E-Bike Tour

We aim to unveil and explore the hidden gems that take you beyond the tourist path. explore our rich culture, art and heritage shared by our expert tour guides. our pedal assist tour is an educational and fun adventure connecting you to the city different experience the cultural crossroads, the majesty and colorful diversity of santa fe, #ebikesantafe #heritageinspirations.

Santa Fe is known for its beautiful climate and glistens in the sun on average 325 days a year. Located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, it is the highest capital city in the US, sitting at an elevation of 7,199 feet above sea level. The elevation may seem like a challenge to travelers visiting from lower elevations, but we have created a way for our guests of all ability levels to traverse the city streets and climb into the foothills of the mountains by embarking on a half day E-Bike tour through the backroads of Santa Fe.

Powered by a motor, your E-Bike makes it easy to climb your way up the hills and through the pygmy forests of Santa Fe before gliding down the narrow, charming hillside roads and pathways of the City. Our first stop is the historic Cross of the Martyrs and the site of old Fort Marcy, where we enjoy an unrivaled birds eye view of the area while you learn about its significance in the 400 years of history of the City.

Next we wind our way through the historic neighborhoods in the heart of downtown, on our way to the Santa Fe River. These neighborhoods offer a glimpse into the living history of the City, this part of our ride is sure to charm and inspire.

After crossing the Santa Fe River, we’ll make our way slowly up Canyon Road, the epicenter of the local art scene. Canyon Road is home to more art galleries than anywhere else in the country, beautiful gardens dating back centuries, and typifies the charm of old Santa Fe. From here we’ll traverse the open roads of the Sangre de Cristo foothills, learning more about the history and culture of Santa Fe as we go. We pass through Museum Hill, home to some of Santa Fe’s best museums and go by the State Capitol building as we descend back into downtown.

Leaving Santa Fe’s historical past, we will journey to the recently redeveloped Railyard Arts District. Here a pedestrian promenade guides us to the Acequia Trail that weaves its way peacefully behind a busy and trafficked corridor. This trail shadows one of the celebrated irrigation ditches leading to the historic park of Frenchy’s Field.

We return to the Inn and Spa at Loretto on a breezy and scenic path that follows the Santa Fe River back into the heart of the city.

How to Get Here, What's Included, What to Bring + Traveler Tips

Difficulty rating: 3.

1 = Easy  |  3 = Moderate  |  5 = Difficult

GUEST MIN/MAX: 2 min / 6 max

How to Get Here

FLY DIRECT to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or Taos Learn More ›

MEET AT: H.I. Travel Hub - Inn & Spa at Loretto Get Directions › -->

RETURN TO: H.I. Travel Hub - Inn & Spa at Loretto

What's Included

• Comfortable Class 2 E-Bike
• Bike Helmet
• Bike Trunk Bag
• Safety Reflective Triangle
• Minimum 15 years of age
• Previous E-Bike riding experience recommended

What's Not Included

Gratuity for your inspired guide.

Traveler Tips

At high elevations and in a dry climate, proper hydration, warm breathable layers, and sun protection is a necessity. New Mexico weather can also change without much notice.

All roads traveled on are paved and only moderately hill like terrain. Many of the streets are narrow so riding safely and alert is very important.

Speak with your inspired travel planner

1-888-344-tour(8687).

[email protected]

H.I. HQ TOUR HUB, TAOS inside EL MONTE SAGRADO RESORT 317 Kit Carson Road | Taos, NM 87571 575.737.9827

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© All Rights Reserved. All materials and photographs on website by Heritage Inspirations LLC. Absolutely no usage without written permission.

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Southeast Asia

Central asia.

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Latin america, vietnam heritage by bicycle, about this cycle tour.

With a history over 4,000 years old, our heritage bicycle tour fuses the beauty of Vietnam’s central landscape with a glimpse into its rich, evocative past. Concentrated to just 250 km, our journey envelops the area surrounding the Hai Van Pass in central Vietnam. At Hue, the former Imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, step into the past to enjoy manicured gardens and the sprawling complex of stunning palace buildings. Then our bicycle tour through Vietnam continues on down the coastal road to My Son, built by the kings of Champa between the 4th and 14th centuries, now the site of the most extensive Cham remains.

Cruise the Perfume River, enjoying the tropical scent of flowers from which it gets its name, up to the impressive seven-story Thien Mu Pagoda. Cycle Vietnam through quiet country lanes,as we make our way to Phuoc Tich, an untouched settlement of 500-year old 'ruong' houses, symbolic of the region. Surrounded by a backdrop of lush greenery, explore the beautiful village to catch locals making colorful incense and pottery.

Wander southerly Hoi An, a port city famous for colonial influences, which has worked hard to preserve its highly traditional culture. The Ancient Town still standing as a historical example of graceful architecture cut through with canals. Sample age-old Vietnamese dishes and local delicacies served street side. For a genuine understanding of Vietnamese life and culture, look no further than this lavish heritage tour of Vietnam by bicycle.

Book Your Cycling Holiday

Additional cost details.

Elevation Profiles

Perfect way to.see parts of Vietnam.not on tourist route and to.enjoy authentic Vietnamese hospitality

Everything about this tour was excellent, from the booking customer service (thanks, Lu!) to the accommodations, to accommodating my dietary restrictions, to the cycling tour and our guide (thanks, T.O.!) and drivers. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. Cycling is such a great way to explore a new country– you see urban settings and rural areas that otherwise would not be explored alone and by foot or car. The sites we saw were varied, from urban cycling to biking up a mountain and through rice fields. Can't wait to book the next tour! Thanks, Spice Roads!

What a great way to see the country and to visit places I would have never known about on my own. It was a beautiful, memorable experience.

Other suggestions for you

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Tours in: Vietnam

Activity Profile

What's included, what's excluded, trip profile.

Our biking adventure takes us from Hue to Hoi An with lots of time spent sight-seeing and exploring enigmatic Vietnam. We ride a total of 250 km in five cycling days. The biking is on a mixture of well-surfaced roads and good quality, wide dirt tracks. The bicycle is still the most common form of transport, and you will share the road with school children and farmers alike.

Suitability: This trip is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. This trip is not too arduous, and so riders with less experience are more than welcome, although the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it.

Biking Conditions: This trip is mainly on good quality tarmac roads and some vehicle-width dirt roads. There are undulating rides in Hue and Hoi An and a climb to the top of Hai Van Pass. Participants can cycle as much or as little as they like and still enjoy the same views as the rest of the group.

Day 1 Meet in Hue

We start this bike tour by meeting in Hue, the old capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. It is worth arriving in the morning, so you have time to explore this wonderfully historic city. You can fly to Hue from Saigon or Hanoi, or alternatively you can fly into Danang and transfer up to Hue (transfer can be arranged at an additional cost). SpiceRoads can arrange these internal flights. We meet in the early afternoon for an introduction to the Nguyen Dynasty at the Imperial Citadel, modeled after the Forbidden City in China. While much of this site was destroyed during the Tet Offensive, you will nevertheless gain a clear understanding of how the royal family lived during the peak of their rule. We then end our day with a traditional Vietnamese dinner.

Day 2 Hue's Tombs

We explore by bicycle and boat the rich heritage left behind by the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. We start our cycling trip with with a ride to a pier where we meet our boat for a cruise on the Perfume River to the seven-story Thien Mu Pagoda that has become the symbol of the city. Be sure to get a photo with the marble turtle! Then it's back on the bikes for a ride through the rolling countryside to Ming Mang mausoleum. After a walk through this extensive complex, we cycle back across the Perfume River to Hue via the mausoleum of Khai Dinh. After our undulating ride, we will have earned our dinner of Vietnamese specialties.

Day 3 Hue Countryside

This morning, we cycle a loop of Hue’s lush countryside on a mix of footpaths and quiet country lanes to the traditional village of Phuoc Tich. The route follows back roads passing through many untouched villages and local markets. Along the way, we'll come across a Catholic village, perhaps see locals making colourful incense or cutting bamboo into useful items. A highlight of Phuoc Tich are the many homes that date back 200 years and follow traditional feng shui design. We visit ancient houses and learn more about this rich and culturally significant village. In the afternoon, loop back toward Hue along quiet country lanes. Dinner is on your own tonight to experience some authentic Vietnamese dishes.

Day 4 Hue - Lang Co

We leave Hue and follow the coast south. During our cycle, we'll pass roads shaded by coconut palms, and dunes scattered with mini mausoleums. These colourful graveyards are comprised of inlaid broken tiles and dishes creating symbols of the afterlife with lotus flowers, dragons, and cranes. We ride to Phuoc Tuong Hill and then transfer the final 40 km to Lang Co Beach. Here we have lunch, and the rest of the day is free to enjoy the resort and beach.

Day 5 Lang Co - Hoi An

Our hardest cycling day lies ahead, with a 11-km climb and an ascent of 550 m to the top of Hai Van Pass. It is a gradual gradient with many switchbacks, and the superb views at the top make it well worth the effort. The reward is a downhill to Danang, our destination for lunch. After lunch, we have a flat and very scenic ride to Hoi An. It is just a short distance to the Marble Mountains, an outcrop of five rocks said to represent the five elements, (Wood, Water, Metal, Fire, and Earth). We then visit Danang Beach (formerly China Beach), made famous by the American TV series “China Beach”. After a brief stop at the beach, we continue down this country road to Hoi An. The town was known as Faifo to early western traders and was one of Southeast Asia’s major trading ports during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was an important point of call for Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese traders, and the architecture reflects its cosmopolitan past. More than anywhere in Vietnam, Hoi An retains the feel of the past. There are over 844 structures of historical significance, and most people spend the afternoon wandering around and enjoying the sights and atmosphere.

Day 6 Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An

We ride out on small village roads on our way to visit My Son, the ancient centre of the Cham civilisation. The ride is worth the effort, as we cycle along scenic country backroads past paddy fields and many pretty villages. Eventually, we arrive at My Son, which was once Champa’s greatest city from the 4th to the 14th centuries. Although many of the temples were destroyed by American bombs, there is still enough of the archaeological site to impress visitors. We take lunch before spending the afternoon visiting the site. Then, we transfer by bus back to Hoi An for dinner. Dinner is your choice, though the decision may be difficult with so many choices!

Day 7 Hoi An Departure

Our cycling adventure comes to an end today. We celebrate our success with one last breakfast together. Then, we can assist with arranging transport to the airport or with hotel arrangements if you'd like to stay in Hoi An longer. Those looking to explore more of Vietnam can head to the beaches of Nha Trang or cruise around Halong Bay.

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.

Nuts & Bolts

Included in this tour are well-known makes of mountain bikes with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, v-brakes, and Shimano components and front suspension.

We also have E-Bikes available for hire, but they are limited in number & size - please send an email to us to check on availability.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

The Nitty Gritty

Passports and visas.

If your nationality is not on the list for e-visa eligibility, or you need options for longer stays or multiple entries, then you may consider Visa on Arrival. The process for this is more complicated than e-visa and requires the acquisition of a visa letter prior to arrival. Please see here for a detailed overview.

Recommended vaccinations are typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days. Vietnam is a malarial area and you will need to take anti-malarial tablets. Please speak to your doctor for the most up to date information.

Weather in Vietnam is divided into 4 main regions - the far north, north, central and south.

The far north can get very cold in December and January while the dry season runs from October to late March and the wet season between April to September.

In Hanoi & the north, it is hot, wet and humid from May to October while November to April is cooler and dry.

Central Vietnam experiences hot, dry weather between January & August with temperatures ranging in the mid 30°C. High levels of rainfall are during September - November.

Southern Vietnam is dry and hot from November to April, and warm and wet between May & October, with the highest rainfall in June, July & August.

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are Vietnamese food and features noodles, rice curries and soups. Vietnamese cuisine is world famous and we make sure you sample as much variety as possible. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere in Vietnam but is NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$10, for incidentals. It is customary to tip local tour guides and drivers, however, the amount you give should be dependent on the level of service you receive. As a general guide, we suggest US$ 3-4 per person per day is appropriate.

The official national currency is the Vietnam dong (d), but the US dollar is widely accepted in tourist centers. However, in smaller towns and villages the dong is preferred. ATMs are available in all major tourist destinations and big cities. Vietcombank has the best network with a single withdrawal limit of 2,000,000d (about US$125). Most major currencies can be exchanged at leading banks in Vietnam, but the US dollar is preferred away from the tourist centers. Changing US$100 will make you an instant millionaire! You cannot legally take the dong out of Vietnam but you can reconvert reasonable amounts of it into US dollars on departure.

General booking info

Flexible booking conditions, confirming your booking.

Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.

TRIP STATUS

Booking online.

From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).

If you are having any problems please send us an email , or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.

BOOKING OFFLINE

Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS

We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.

The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.

In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.

In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.

The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.

FULL FLEXIBILITY FOR TOUR CANCELATIONS

If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).

If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).

Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.

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International flights.

The information in this document is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we will always do our best to adhere to this original itinerary

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HISTORIC BIKING TOURS

Get More from your Ride

Discover the Historic Side 

Make Sleeping Bear’s historic sites part of your vacation! Combine your love of being active outdoors with learning. Discover the charm, local lore, and history of Port Oneida, by immersing yourself in nature and culture. Get an up-close guided tour in a small group of the rural landscape’s farming, logging and maritime heritage, imagining life in the early 19 th century. Listening devices allow learning while cycling. You’ll also have the unique opportunity to step inside some of the historic buildings on the Port Oneida Tours. Connect with each other and your heritage!

Bring your own bike, or rent through our partners The Cyclery in Glen Arbor at a discount. Book the bike tour first to get the discount promo code. Bike rentals will need to be picked up and returned to The Cyclery. Advanced reservations are required to ensure a spot or the minimum required. Group discount for six or more!

This program raises funds for historic preservation and interpretation in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

  TOUR #1   B iking a By-Gone Era

Time: 9:30 am – 12:00       Miles: Approx. 5.5 miles 

Cost:  $25 per adult/$15 per child ages 10-17

Explore the beautiful historic landscape of Sleeping Bear and its 19th century heritage as we ride the Heritage Trail and scenic, rural roads in the heart of Port Oneida past farms and pastures. Enjoy 5 stops of interest, unique views of Lake Michigan, and get inside some of the farm buildings. On this leisurely paced ride, hear about folk lore, harrowing stories of shipwrecks and pirates, and how the land was used through time. A good balance of stops and narration along the way. The tour starts and ends at the Port Oneida Heritage Center.  Group discount available.

Bike Type:   Road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid, fat tire and e-bikes. SKINNY tires are NOT suitable.

NOTE: E-bikes allowed in the national park must be Class Type 1 pedal-assist only , with no throttle.

Difficulty:   Moderate . Combination of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, scenic rustic back road, and paved back road (Port Oneida road). No hills, but gravel road can be bumpy.

Ages: Not suitable for children under age 10.

Location: The tour starts and ends off of M-22 at the Port Oneida Heritage Center. The Heritage Center is located at the Charles Olsen Farm, between the Bay View Trailhead and Port Oneida Trailhead on the Heritage Trail Map.

Note: Please make sure your bike is in working order for the ride. Bike helmets are required To safeguard against invasive species, being brought into National Lakeshore’s trails the park recommends you spray, scrape, or brush soils, seeds, plant parts, and invertebrates from exterior surfaces to the extent practical. . Photo credit above:  Glen Arbor Sun Newspaper

ADD A WHEELS & WATER PACKAGE!

Wheels & Water Package

Click to add.

Add a kayak or canoe rental to this tour through Crystal River Outfitters, creating a day-excursion at a discount! Enjoy your active bike tour ending at noon, eat lunch (have your packed picnic at the Port Oneida Heritage Center or grab a bite in Glen Arbor), then at 1:30 cool off paddling the Crystal River! Enter code PHSB to receive 10% off as a thank you for taking part in the bike tours! (Make sure to book the bike tour first.)

TOUR #2   Peddling Port Oneida’s Past

Time: 9:30 am – 11:30    Miles :  Approx. 4.5 miles

Cost:  $25 per adult/$15 per child ages 8-17;(no cost for children in child trailers)

An engaging guided tour discovering the hidden gems of Sleeping Bear, it’s pioneer heritage! Perfect for family and friends.You’ll pass scenic pastures and farmsteads in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District, the largest agricultural district in the nation. Step inside some of the historic buildings of this now ghost community. Learn about spirit holes, tragedies of the times, the people who lived here and how they forged a life from the wilderness. Includes seven stops of interest. Incorporates a hunt for history for any children on the tour, and at the Olsen Farm afterward.

Bike Type:   Road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid, fat tire and e-bikes. SKINNY tires are NOT suitable. NOTE: E-bikes allowed in the national park must be Class Type 1 pedal-assist only , with no throttle.

Difficulty:   Easy. Combination of the crushed stone Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, and paved back road (Port Oneida road). Level terrain.

Ages: Not suitable for children under age 7. (Children 4-7 in totes/trailer fine but please be aware the trail is crushed stone) Ages 7 and older can be on their own bike  – but please gauge the ability of your child.

Note: Please make sure your bike is in working order for the ride. Bike helmets are required. To safeguard against invasive species, being brought into National Lakeshore’s trails the park recommends you spray, scrape, or brush soils, seeds, plant parts, and invertebrates from exterior surfaces to the extent practical.

TOUR #3   Secrets of D.H. Day’s kingdom and Beyond

Time: 9:30  – 12:00    

Miles: 8   

Cost:  $25 per adult/ $15 per child ages 8-17;(no cost for children in child trailers)

There’s more history than you can imagine tucked in and around the dunes and Glen Haven! Join us by bike to get the behind-the-scenes look at secrets and unfamiliar facts about the baron of Glen Haven – D.H. Day – and the surrounding dunes area: the railroad, the “ovens”, alligator hill, riparian rights, a sawmill, the historic Great Lakes Picnic area, dune formations, lumberjacks, and Pierce Stocking and D.H. Day’s  grand vision for the area. From a spectacular bird’s eye view imagine the interpreted activities of the town and water that hummed with 1800s tourists, a fruit cannery, and maritime activities. Good balance of stops along the way with narration while riding. and fabulous photo opportunities.

Location: Start and end in Glen Arbor at the Heritage Trail Alligator Hill Trailhead on Forest Haven road. Look for our guides in reflective light green vests. Trailhead map

Bike Type:   Best for road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid, e-bikes and fat tire. Not suitable for bikes with very skinny tires.

Difficulty: This is all level with the exception of one hill that many of us will walk together while still interpreting. One 300 ft. section of dirt road.

Ages: Not suitable for children under 4. Ages 4-7 must be in a trailer/carrier. Ages 8 yrs. old can be on their own bike.

Note: Please make sure your bike is in working order for the ride. Bike helmets are required.If renting a bike from Crystal River Outfitters, please allow 15 minutes to bike from there to the start point.

To safeguard against invasive species, being brought into National Lakeshore’s trails the park recommends you spray, scrape, or brush soils, seeds, plant parts, and invertebrates from exterior surfaces to the extent practical.  

YOUR GUIDES

It goes without saying, our Guides love the area, the history, the beauty, and sharing it with you!

Bob is an avid cyclist who joins us for his second season on our team. He lives in Glen Arbor in the summer, and Royal Oak the rest of the year where he is Executive Director for the Detroit chapter of an national nonprofit that gives free bikes to kids! His first career was as an engineer in the corporate world for 20 years before becoming a teacher of physics. As a teacher, he biked the 7 mile commute to school almost every day.

This is Alice’s 3rd season as a guide for our heritage tours, and helped develop the program. Her love for Port Oneida was nurtured when working at what used to be Camp Innisfree near Pyramid Point. Alice bikes about 16 miles per week and takes at least one week-long bike trip each year. She worked for children’s camps over the years. As a retired Leland School librarian, Alice loves to convey this historical knowledge to others.

Biking brought John and Sandy together years ago when they met on a bike tour for singles. They bike frequently on annual trips to places like Italy, Germany and Vermont. The husband and wife team moved from Chicago to Glen Arbor in 2020.  John was formally a Global Engineering Manager, and Sandy practiced labor law for 31 years. This will be their 4th season with us and make a great team!

PERSONAL TOURS

Please contact us at 231-334-6103 if you are interested in a personal tour. We will try to accommodate your schedule and tour preference. depending on how booked we are.

Cost: $50  per adult; $40  ages 10-17

TESTIMONIALS:

“I didn’t know there was so much history!” 2021 participant

“ My family of five had a wonderful time on this tour! It was the perfect way for us to learn some local history, enjoy the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and be active. My children loved the opportunity to ask questions and step inside buildings to see what life was like in Port Oneida in the 1800s” – K. Neff  2023

“I really enjoyed my Peddling Port Oneida’s Past tour! John was knowledgeable, easy-going, informative, and just plain fun. I definitely recommend this tour and would gladly do it again! – David Elliott  2023

“This tour was so fun and informative. Highly recommend!” – N. Cummins  2021

“Participated in an historic bike ride to multiple farmsteads, a graveyard, and other cultural artifacts. Our guide, Alice, did a terrific job narrating, answering questions, and telling the stories of the  people of the land. The routing of the ride was perfect, and the beauty of the land speaks for itself.”  – R. Cojeen  2021

“Our guide was amazing!” – Amanda B. 2022

“A+ tour I would strongly recommend it.” B. Pauszek 2022

“Our guide Alice was amazing! Both friendly and knowledgeable, she provided a fascinating glimpse into Port Oneida’s history along with a very enjoyable bike ride.” – C. Pauszek  202 2 

TOUR PARTNER

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• [email protected]
• +6082 238801

Best of Kuching: Heritage & Kampong Bike Tour

Visit Lonely Planet’s Sights of Kuching

Explore Sarawak Culture at Kubah Ria Market

Ride Past Traditional Malay Stilt Houses

This unique bike tour covers 85% of Kuching’s “sights” as listed by the Lonely Planet , and much more! In this ultimate Kuching tour, we explore the culture of the city’s heritage zone with visits to temples and monuments. Take a ride across the Sarawak River on a traditional ‘sampan’ boat and then cycle through rural kampongs (villages). Indulge in local street food in Kubah Ria, the open-air market . A great way to spend a morning with family or friends!

Tour Highlights

Discover temples and monuments in Kuching’s heritage zone.

Explore rural kampongs and cycle along country paths.

Learn about the heritage of Sarawak and its people.

Cruise across the Sarawak River on a traditional sampan boat.

Visit the vibrant, open-air market of Kubah Ria, a must-visit (but lesser-known) sight on the tour.

Learn about and taste exotic fruits and vegetables and shop for local, artisan treats.

Click the Tabs to Find Out More

Trip details, good to know.

• Adult (12+): MYR 220.00
• Children (3-11): MYR 110.00
• Young children (1-6): MYR 55.00

Departure Time

Meeting point.

Paradesa Borneo office

Availability

Year-round: Monday to Sunday

2-16 persons

Difficulty Level

Peanuts (easy)

• Local English-speaking guide
• Bike and helmet
• Bike (MTB for adult 27.5 wheel” diameter XS,S,M,L,XL. Kid’s bike, Infant Tag-along bike & Baby seat suitable for all kids size)
• Food/local fruit samples and a refreshment
• Rain ponchos are provided in the event of rain
• A great time!

Not Included

Transportation from the hotel to the starting point

What to Bring

• Extra cash for additional street food and drinks, local souvenirs, and personal shopping
• Insect repellent, sunscreen, a towel, antiseptic, a change of clothes, and a plastic bag to keep electronics dry
• Wear light, comfortable shoes and clothes

About Your Guide

• Our passionate, local English-speaking tour leaders take great pride in their heritage (as well as their own personal stories) and are experts on Borneo’s history, culture, and natural wonders
• One guide will serve up to a maximum of 8 guests

What You'll Do

Driven by popular demand, the Best of Kuching Bike Tour combines the highlights of our pioneering Heritage Bike Tour (opens in a new tab) with our best selling Kampong Bike Tour (opens in a new tab) . This unique Kuching tour covers 85% of the city’s sights as listed by the Lonely Planet, and much more!

Discover the hidden gems of Kuching, see our temples and monuments through the hidden lanes inside the heritage zone, and indulge in a wide variety of popular authentic Sarawak local street foods, drinks, and desserts! After a relaxing cruise across the Sarawak River on a traditional sampan boat, we will guide you through off-the-beaten-track routes of the rural Malay kampongs  and wooden bridges lining the banks of the great Sarawak River.

Along the way, you can explore the vibrant and exotic open-air market of Kubah Ria . Marvel at the variety of colors of tropical fresh fruits and vegetables, shop for local handicrafts at non-tourist prices and discover a whole range of jungle produce including unique wild ferns, exotic vegetables, and plants. Open up your senses and discover authentic Sarawak! You will go home with both your mind and soul enriched, and your taste buds tingling!

• Reservations are recommended to avoid disappointment
• No helmet, no ride
• Rain or shine we always ride
• We include a pre-tour safety briefing and mandatory equipment checks
• A selection of good quality kids’ bikes of various sizes, baby seats (rear-mounted for above 9 months old), and child bike trailers are available
• We recommend guests bring your own refillable water bottles and avoid using one-off plastic water bottles.
• During our tours, we recycle wherever possible, and try to keep our waste as low as possible. We discourage the use of plastic bags, and suggest that you bring your own dry bag or small waterproof backpack.
• Check out Our Responsible Tourism Commitment (opens in a new tab)

See What Our Guests Are Saying

Kate h | aug 2019, tripadvisor.

Wanted to do an activity on our last day before flying back to UK. Found this 3 hour tour which was perfect. Only wish we’d done it on the first day! Our guide was Farah and she was amazing- spoke perfect English and incredibly knowledgeable as well as being fun. Only 2 of us on this tour as she put it on specially for us as my husband didn’t think he could handle a longer session in the saddle. As it happens there are lots of stops. The tour includes a short ride out of the city and then along quiet back streets and through villages you would never normally go. We stopped at a market where she explained what the weird fruit and veggies were and then we had a laksa brunch before getting on one of the traditional river boats to return back to base. Can’t recommend this tour and company enough.

Giles L | July 2019

We did the half day best of Kuching heritage and kampung tour and we absolutely loved it!!…the staff were very friendly and our tour leader Delilah was really knowledgeable and attentive to all our needs.We loved getting to ride through the kampungs as you get to see a completely different side of the city and you feel like you are a million miles away I – the locals were so friendly as well!!…we got to try some yummy local food and loved exploring all the hidden heritage streets.The bikes were in great working order and we always felt safe.We would highly recommend people to do a trip with Paradesa you won’t regret it! Read less

Mogues_11 | Feb 2019

My husband and I have just done the ‘Best of Kuching’ bike tour. Our guide Max was a lovely chap with lots of knowledge about the history of Kuching and surrounding area. The ride was at a leisurely pace, on quiet back roads and tracks also some more main roads. The bikes and helmets were in excellent condition and we felt very well led and completely safe. The route was varied with a crossing of the river by sampan, through quiet village streets, a visit to a market, a hearty bowl of laksa and drinks, and returning to the riverfront via several mosques on the south bank. Thank you Max for a great afternoon.

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Heritage tour, kampong tour, sunset kampong tour with hawker food.

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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• Golden Ring tours
• St Petersburg tours
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• Travel Tips
• Upcoming group tours
• Moscow events

Moscow metro of the last 20 years

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