Maine Bike Tour
This trip is for: Couples, Friends & Solos
Itinerary
Iconic Coast from Camden to Acadia National Park
Maine’s beauty lies in its rawness. Imagine tart wild blueberries. The rocky shores of Acadia National Park. Coastal roads full of character. And morning mist on Penobscot Bay.
Maine
Start/End Portland
HIGHLIGHTS
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Bike picturesque routes, enjoying the salty sea air, the morning fog and the crash of waves on Maine's rugged rocky shores and scenic peninsulas
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Engage your senses as you listen to the silence of deep pine forests and soak up ocean views
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Discover the countless charms of seaside Camden, with its historic homes, working harbors and welcoming galleries and shops
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Experience the mouthwatering flavors of the day’s fresh catch, like lobster with plenty of butter for dipping and a glass of crisp local white wine
DAYS 1-2
Bike amid the majestic firs and towering spruces of Somes Sound on beautiful Mount Desert Island • Enjoy a tranquil ride through Acadia’s carriage road system, a gift from John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the early 1900s • Pedal over a number of lovely arched stone bridges as you follow these quiet roads past Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake • Listen to the pounding surf colliding with the rugged coastline and wonder at the lush boreal and hardwood forests blanketing the craggy hills of Acadia National Park • In the mood for a challenge? Cycle to Cadillac Mountain’s 1,532-foot summit, the North Atlantic Seaboard’s highest point and reputedly the first US location to see the rising sun.
Days 3-5
Ride through Down East Maine, bicycling along Penobscot Bay and past classic 19th-century New England cottages • Relish Camden’s sublime harborside setting and wealth of historic architecture • Cycle into the heart of Rockland, home of the Farnsworth Art Museum, nationally recognized for its rich collection of Wyeth family paintings • Cycle on to reach the picturesque Owls Head Lighthouse or return to Camden to browse the local shops and bookstores • Sail along the rocky coastline in a restored windjammer • A fabulous farewell dinner awaits at our inn’s elegant, award-winning French restaurant • Enjoy one last scenic spin through the countryside around Camden and Lake Megunticook, stroll through Camden Harbor or linger over coffee on the wraparound porch.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Nights 1-2
West Street Hotel
Bar Harbor * Premiere Hotel
Spectacular views and elegant accommodations await at this luxury boutique hotel on Frenchman Bay. (pool, spa)
Nights 3-4
Camden Harbour Inn
Camden * Premiere Hotel
An award-winning restaurant, exceptional hospitality and plush amenities come together to create a “refined stylishness that balances classic with contemporary,” according to Andrew Harper. Travel + Leisure World’s Best.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
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Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
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Snacks and beverages between meals
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Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
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Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
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Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
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Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
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All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
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Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
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On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
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Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
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Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
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Park and other entry fees
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Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
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Select coach transfers
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Baggage transfers and porterage
Not Included: Leader gratuities, transportation to and from your Backroads trip start & end locations, and on-your-own meals & activities.
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Backroads Performance Bike
Included in your trip price
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Ideal for avid cyclists
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Redesigned for 2024
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Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
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Responsive, efficient and comfortable
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Drop handlebars only
Backroads Hybrid E-Bike
Included in your trip price
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Backroads Hybrid E-Bike
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Included in your trip price
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One of the lightest e-bikes available
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Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
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Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
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Upright handlebars only
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Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours
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Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Join us for an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Maine, featuring Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. This exclusive trip is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7th through Sunday, October 11th, perfectly timed to experience the region’s stunning peak fall foliage.
This 5-day, 4-night adventure is priced at $4,199 per person, which includes your choice of a regular bike or e-bike. Accommodations for this tour are in Premier-level hotels, offering an elevated travel experience.
We are also happy to arrange an optional pre-extension in Boston, Portland, or Vermont, depending on your preferred arrival and departure plans.
If you’re interested in joining this extraordinary journey, please contact Cal Cheney at:
📧 Cal@BucketListTravelAndTours.com
📞 303-667-4857
We encourage you to reach out as soon as possible, as space is limited for this peak-season adventure.
New England Pre-trip Extension
New England (4 Days/3 Nights) | October 2026
Experience the charm of New England in peak autumn as we travel from Boston through Vermont’s rolling Green Mountains, New Hampshire’s dramatic White Mountains, and Maine’s iconic coastline. This beautifully curated journey blends scenic drives, charming towns, gentle nature walks, and classic regional experiences—from mountain valleys lined with fall color to historic seaside villages and heritage railway views. With cozy stays in Stowe and Portland, we will enjoy a perfect mix of outdoor beauty, small-town character, and coastal New England culture. This itinerary offers an inviting snapshot of the region’s landscapes and seasonal magic, making our four-day adventure both refreshing and unforgettable.
New England Itinerary
Day 1: October 4, 2026
Vermont's Green Mountain
Our journey begins with a morning departure from Boston, traveling northwest into the rolling landscapes of Vermont’s Green Mountains. As you cross into Vermont, the scenery shifts to pastoral countryside,
forested hills, and classic white-steepled villages.
Upon arrival in northern Vermont, we’ll explore the charming alpine town of Stowe or the craft-driven village of Waterbury, both known for their welcoming atmosphere, artisan shops, excellent coffee houses and bakeries.
Depending on weather and timing, optional short walks may include Moss Glen Falls, a picturesque cascade accessible via a short forest path, or scenic pull-offs along the winding roads of Smugglers’ Notch, where sheer rock walls and colorful mountain forests create one of Vermont’s most iconic drives.
Later in the afternoon, enjoy free time in Stowe village for browsing boutiques, sampling Vermont maple treats, and photographing covered bridges tucked into quiet country lanes.
Outdoor enthusiasts may opt for an easy walk at Trapp Family Lodge, made famous by The Sound of Music, offering panoramic mountain views and well-maintained meadow trails.
Our afternoon concludes with a scenic drive
through the surrounding countryside before heading toward our overnight accommodation, The Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa.
Day 2: October 5, 2026
White Mountains and Conway Scenic Railway
After breakfast, we depart Vermont and travel east into New Hampshire’s White Mountains region, one of New England’s most dramatic mountain landscapes, where narrow passes, granite peaks, and rushing waterfalls define the scenery. Upon arrival, our guide will lead us through Franconia Notch State Park, an awe-inspiring mountain corridor flanked by towering cliffs
and dense forests ablaze in autumn color.
Time permitting, enjoy short walks to The Basin, a naturally carved granite pool with cascading water, or explore Flume Gorge, a wooden pathway winding through towering rock walls and waterfalls. These gentle walks allow us to enjoy the sights without strenuous hiking. A stop in North Conway provides time for lunch, village strolling, and shopping in one of New
Hampshire’s most popular mountain towns.
In the afternoon, board the Conway Scenic Railway for a nostalgic rail journey through the Mount Washington Valley. Traveling along the Saco River and through forested landscapes, this heritage train ride offers one of the region’s best leaf-peeping experiences from the comfort of a beautifully restored railcar.
Later in the day, we’ll continue south toward Portland, Maine, following scenic byways through rural New Hampshire before reaching the Atlantic coast, where we will stay for 2 nights.
Day 3: October 6, 2026
Wells, Kennbunkport Cruise and Portland
Today begins along Maine’s beautiful Atlantic coastline as we depart Portland and head south to explore some of the state’s most scenic seaside Communities. Leaving the city behind, we’ll follow coastal byways through salt marshes, fishing villages, and forested inlets before arriving in Wells, Maine.
Known for its wide sandy beaches, tidal marshes, and abundant birdlife, Wells
offers a relaxing introduction to Maine’s quieter coastal charm. Time permitting, enjoy
a brief seaside stop or walk along the shoreline, where panoramic ocean views and
crisp sea air set the tone for the day.
From Wells, continue north to Kennebunkport, one of Maine’s most iconic harbor towns, famous for its historic sea captain homes, lobsterboats, and working waterfronts. Here, we’’ll enjoy a scenic coastal cruise exploring
protected bays and rocky shoreline, with chances to spot lighthouses, seabirds, and
seals while learning about the area’s maritime heritage. Before or after our cruise, enjoy free time in Dock Square to browse boutiques, relax at harborfront cafés, and sample classic Maine seafood.
In the afternoon, return to Portland (approx. 45 minutes), Maine’s largest city and cultural hub. Spend time exploring the Old Port district with its cobblestone streets, brick warehouses converted into shops and galleries, and bustling waterfront atmosphere. Optional light walking includes the Eastern Promenade Trail for ocean views or a visit to the iconic Portland Head Light if timing allows.
Our day concludes back in Portland, where our guide will assist with hotel return at the Portland Regency Hotel.
Day 4: October 7, 2026
Departure for Separate Bike Tour
Check out of the hotel at the appropriate time or standard hotel check out time.
