San Juan Islands

San Juan Islands Biking

Exploring the Islands in the Pacific Northwest

Amid the pristine waterways just northwest of Puget Sound lie Washington's San Juan Islands. Thick with cedar and fir trees, each island beckons you to explore. With shimmering water views before you, wind your way around hidden coves, where harbors shelter colorful boats. Pedal over rolling hills and through villages, with the snowcapped Olympic and Cascade Mountain Ranges rising in the distance. Your next island adventure is just a ferry ride away, and evenings are dedicated to relaxing in delightful inns and indulging in fresh seafood.

Trip Highlights
  • Island-hop by ferry, and pedal through stunningly diverse scenery, from conifer forests to farmlands to seaports
  • Wildlife cruise with a naturalist - you may spot an orca!
  • The breathtaking panorama of islands, snow-covered Mount Baker and the Olympic Peninsula
  • La Conner, a charming fishing village with a relaxed country feel
  • Waterfront lodging and fresh Northwest cuisine
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The Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1 la conner

Meet in La Conner, a charming fishing village with a collection of antique shops situated on the edge of the Swinomish Channel Bike through the fertile Skagit Valley, noted for its tulip and daffodil cultivation - some bulbs are even exported to Holland.

Days 2-3 eastsound

Bike to Anacortes and ferry to hilly Orcas Island, a tapestry of rural landscapes Perhaps stop by Orcas Island Pottery, where one-of-a-kind pieces are displayed among Douglas firs and western red cedar Explore the town of Eastsound, where you can browse art shops and galleries or treat yourself to a massage at a nearby spa Ride to Moran State Park and pedal or hike up Mount Constitution - from this highest point in the San Juans, gaze at a panorama of the Canadian Gulf Islands, and the Olympic and Cascade Ranges.

Days 4-6 friday harbor

Keep an eye out for breaching orcas, sea otters and soaring eagles on a wildlife cruise with a local naturalist Pedal past secluded bays and driftwood beaches For a new perspective of the island, consider an optional sea- kayaking excursion through the peaceful waters near Roche Harbor Perhaps you'll decide to relax at the hotel or spend time visiting shops, art galleries and the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor Ferry to Lopez Island, a bicyclist's paradise known for its rural beauty and protected harbors Our final ferry ride brings us to Anacortes.

Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!

This trip was an adventure for us to a new and spectacular landscape. It was interesting to do a biking trip that also offered opportunities for hiking and sea kayaking, mixed with a number of interesting geographic and historic learning experiences. Everyone was so friendly and engaging, and we really felt that we got to know everyone well. The leaders were wonderful, as has always been the case with Backroads, but especially for first-year leaders, they were exceptional. We are so glad to have discovered the uplifting Backroads type of vacation, and we shall continue to participate in these trips as long as we are physically able to do so.
Jackie Weidenfeller - Rockville, MD More about this Trip All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Washington tour experts. For biking tours in USA, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our USA biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning USA walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning USA multisport tours click here.

San Juan Islands Biking

WATER VIEWS: Premiere Inns

Channel Lodge
Channel Lodge

La Conner (1 night) Each room in this charming inn features a private balcony and beautiful vistas of the boats and birdlife residing in Swinomish Channel.

Outlook Inn
Outlook Inn

Eastsound (2 nights) Look out onto the sound from spacious and elegantly furnished suites in a quaint harbor town on Orcas Island.

Friday Harbor House
Friday Harbor House

Friday Harbor (2 nights) A blufftop inn with stylish guest rooms featuring fireplaces, whirlpool tubs and floor-to-ceiling views of Friday Harbor.

San Juan Islands Biking

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Routes For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Biking Average Walking Average
Insider Trips Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more.
1 2-3 hours 10-20 miles 2-5 miles
2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
Day 1
  • Levels 1 to 2  2 Route Options Available
  • 15, 22 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 2 to 4  4 Route Options Available
  • Morning Ride
  • 18, 22 miles          
  • 1000-2000 feet elevation gain
  • Afternoon Ride
  • 11, 16 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain 
Day 3
  • Levels 2 to 5   7 Route Options Available
  • Biking 9 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
  • Hiking 4.5 miles
  • 500 - 2500 feet elevation gain OR
  • Biking 11 miles
  • 2000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
  • Biking 6, 13, 17 miles
  • 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
  • Optional Walking 3 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 3 to 4  2 Route Options Available
  • 12, 20 miles
  • 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 2 to 5  4 Route Options Available
  •  21, 31, 41, 50 miles
  • 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
  • Optional Sea Kayaking 3 hours
Day 6
  • Levels 2 to 3  4 Route Options Available
  • 20, 26, 29, 31 miles
  • 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain