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Maine: Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

Nothing could be more seamless than VBT’s spectacular self-guided tour of Acadia National Park. A three-night stay at the historic Bar Harbor Inn gives you the flexibility to ride as much, or as little, as you want each day—and with VBT’s audio-guided navigation app, finding your way around is a breeze! Mount Desert Island’s extensive network of carriage trails are carefully graded—providing optimal conditions for riding one of VBT’s beautifully-fitted and maintained gravel bikes, with local VBT support available 24/7. This is the perfect getaway for riders of all interests and abilities—whether you’re looking to challenge yourself with a climb up Cadillac Mountain, explore Acadia’s charming coastal shops and villages, or relax with a luxurious spa treatment at your hotel. The choice is yours!  

Tour Highlights

  • Ride along Rockefeller’s historic, car-free carriage roads through Acadia National Park.
  • Browse Bar Harbor’s enticing shops, art galleries, and seafood bars.
  • Ride through a refreshing and unspoiled landscape of rugged coastline, forested coves, and idyllic fishing harbors.
  • Pause at Jordan Pond’s pristine waters reflecting the beautiful curves of the Bubbles, two of Acadia’s distinctive small peaks.
  • Sample the Pine State’s famous mouth-watering scones, pies, cobblers, and martinis infused with Maine blueberries.

Positive Impact

VBT is proud to support Friends of Acadia with a donation on behalf of each guest on this tour. Working closely with the National Park Service and local communities, Friends of Acadia helps protect one of the country’s most heavily trafficked national parks so it will remain beautiful for generations to come. They work to preserve trails both inside and near the park organize volunteer projects. Through their Acadia Trails Forever program, the Island’s trail system stays protected for all generations to enjoy.

What to Expect

This tour offers a full range of easy terrain and moderate hills and is ideal for beginner and experienced cyclists. Please verify your bike selection for this tour as changing bikes once you arrive is not always possible. Travel with your friends and family—we can accommodate multiple guests on this self-guided vacation. Our 24/7 support system is available if needed.

  • Daily Mileage: 8 - 26 miles|
  • Biking: 1 - 3 hours
Activity Easy/Moderate Easy / Moderate
Cycling
Bar Graph Beginner - Experienced
Cyclists
24/7 Support System 24/7 Support
System

Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):

Apr67º/50º

May65º/45º

Jun74º/54º

Jul79º/59º

Aug78º/59º

Sep70º/52º

Oct59º/42º

Average
Precipitation:

Apr2.39 in

May4.6 in

Jun4.1 in

Jul3.5 in

Aug3.3 in

Sep4.5 in

Oct5.3 in

Tour Only

3 nights in a historic inn Check
3 meals: 3 breakfasts Check
Puncture-protected tires Check
Gravel Road Bicycle

Gravel Road Bicycle

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Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle 9

Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle

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Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle 9

Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle

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Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike) 3

Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)

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Self-Guided Biking Packages Include:

Custom VBT bike with puncture-protected tires

Welcome orientation and bike fitting

Luggage transportation

Ride with GPS and daily route notes

VBT Road Book with destination information

24/7 emergency support from local host

Helmet, bike bag, and tool kit

Your choice of VBT branded gear for your adventure

Itinerary

Sat, Jun 1 to Tue, Jun 4 - 2024

Show Itinerary:

Make your own independent arrangements for travel to Bar Harbor. If you’re flying to Maine, Bangor International Airport is the closest airport. For suggestions on traveling to Bar Harbor, please refer to your VBT Handbook.

As you begin biking Acadia National Park, you’ll meet your Local host and any other VBT guests arriving on the same day in the lobby of the Bar Harbor Inn in the lovely seaport town of Bar Harbor. At 1:00 p.m., join your VBT Local host for a Welcome Orientation and head out on a ride.

Today’s Ride Choices

Bar Harbor to Schooner Head — 8.3 miles

What to Expect:

Ride to Schooner Head Scenic Overlook along paved roads and enjoy the lovely ocean views before returning the way you came.

Today’s route biking Acadia National Park passes Compass Harbor, site of George Dorr’s Old Farm ruins. If you wish, a short hike (one-mile roundtrip) takes you to Dorr Point with views of Compass Harbor and the Porcupine Islands. Continue on the Park Loop to Sand Beach, where you can relax on the shore. After the Fabbri Memorial Picnic Area, you may cycle back to Bar Harbor or, for additional miles, continue on the Park Loop Road past Cadillac Mountain Summit Road. If you’re feeling strong and want to bike to the summit, the road is a steady ascent of 1,000 feet in 3.5 miles but the view from the top is worth the effort. Be forewarned that unless you go early in the morning, the road may be busy with cars.

Tonight you’ll find several delightful options for dinner in Bar Harbor.

Today’s Ride Choices

Park Loop Road to Sand Beach short option — 14.4 miles | Park Loop Road base of Cadillac Mountain long option — 22.6 miles | Long option with out-and-back ascent of Cadillac Mountain Road — 29.6 miles

What to Expect:

Short option:
Today features a nice ride along the Park Loop Road to Sand Beach where you can spend time on the sand or hike along the cliffs. You’ll return to your cycling route on Park Loop Road and visit Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, and Fabbri Memorial.

The long option:
This longer ride continues past the Fabbri Memorial Picnic Area on the Park Loop Road passing Bubble Rock and the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road, back to Bar Harbor.

Long option plus Cadillac Mountain Ascent:
If you love to climb, at mile 18.1, you can add a seven-mile roundtrip pedal up and back down Cadillac Mountain Road for an elevation gain of 1,000 feet and spectacular views.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today’s route biking Acadia National Park has you depart the Bar Harbor Inn skirting the edge of town and at 3.4 miles, you’ll merge with the carriage roads of Acadia National Park joining a loop around Eagle Lake that brings you back along the carriage roads and past Breakneck Ponds and back to Bar Harbor.

This afternoon, you may choose among several activities (at your own expense) including sea kayaking in Frenchman Bay or a sunset cruise on the schooner Margaret Todd. You may also decide to spend time browsing Bar Harbor’s charming gift shops and boutiques.

Today’s Ride Choices

Carriage Roads to Eagle Lake — 15.9 miles

What to Expect:

Depart the Bar Harbor Inn skirting the edge of town and at 3.4 miles, you’ll merge with the carriage roads of Acadia National Park joining a loop around Eagle Lake that brings you back along the carriage roads and past Breakneck Ponds and back to Bar Harbor.

Included Meals: Breakfast

This morning, you can  ride the carriage roads one last time for a ride around Witch Hole Pond from your hotel in Bar Harbor.

Today’s Ride Choices

Witch Hole Pond Loop — 8.7 miles

What to Expect:

In Ride with GPS Experience, select “D2 Witch Hole Pond Loop.” Depart the Bar Harbor Inn skirting the edge of town and joining the Carriage Roads at the Duck Brook Carriage Road trailhead. A counterclockwise loop provides views of Witch Hole Pond and surrounding wetlands with an option to stop at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center before returning to Bar Harbor.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Maine: Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

Download PDF Itinerary:

Tour Only (PDF)

Accommodations (May vary depending on departure date. )

Reviews
26 out of 30 (87%)
4.2 out of 5 stars.
Read More Reviews

We thoroughly enjoyed our self-guided VBT Acadia National Park cycling trip. This was our first self-guided cycling experience and this location was perfect. The GPS worked really well and, as expected, the bicycles were great. We were able to explore at our own pace having ample opportunity to improvise. The Carriage Roads within Acadia are a pure joy. The scenery was absolutely stunning. The accommodations were both wonderful. We highly recommend the self-guided cycling trip in Acadia National Park.

Randee R, Skokie, IL

Maine: Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

First time in Maine had a Great time. Anne and Barb are excellent guides very informative of the region and did a wonderful job keeping us safe. The group was so pleasant. Beautiful scenic rides with delightful food.

Erin, New Mexico

Maine: Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

Dates & Prices

Select Year :

Tour Only

4 Days. Includes Self-Guided bike vacation only.

Single Supplement: From $495

Sat, Jun 1 - Tue, Jun 4, 2024

From
$1,545

Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, Jun 8 - Tue, Jun 11, 2024

From
$1,545

Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, Jun 29 - Tue, Jul 2, 2024

From
$1,645

Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, Jul 13 - Tue, Jul 16, 2024

From
$1,645

Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, Jul 27 - Tue, Jul 30, 2024

From
$1,645

Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, Aug 10 - Tue, Aug 13, 2024

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Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, Aug 24 - Tue, Aug 27, 2024

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$1,645

Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, Sep 7 - Tue, Sep 10, 2024

From
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Sat, Sep 14 - Tue, Sep 17, 2024

From
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Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, Sep 21 - Tue, Sep 24, 2024

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Sat, Sep 28 - Tue, Oct 1, 2024

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$1,645

Per person, double occupancy

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Sat, Oct 5 - Tue, Oct 8, 2024

From
$1,645

Per person, double occupancy

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For more information, call: 800-245-3868

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