Nova Scotia: Annapolis Valley 3-Day Getaway
Three days, two nights of cycling and hiking through the cultural and historical landscape of the Annapolis Valley.
"Freewheeling provides excellent value for our dollar. Your concerted effort to continually review and improve upon this value is greatly appreciated." Helene G.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- The Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides, offering awesome views and dramatic coastal scenery.
- Cycle along less travelled routes.
- Visit Grand Pré, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to learn about the expulsion of the Acadians in 1749, a pivotal moment in Canadian history.
- Wolfville, an exciting university town, with a selection of fine dining and wine tasting experiences.
- Abundant fresh seafood, from lobster to local fish, served fresh at charming eateries.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
An easy to moderate ride with a few big climbs. Alternative routes are provided to shorten rides and avoid North Mountain. The route is on traffic-shared secondary roads, and traffic volume is light. Road surfaces are mostly paved. Road/Gravel bikes are suitable, electric bikes are available if you prefer to make things easier.
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: The Lord Nelson Hotel, Halifax, 10:00, day one.
Finish: The Lord Nelson Hotel, Halifax, 16:00, day three.
Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.
Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.
DAY 1:
Introductions and ride to Grand Pré and Gaspereau, up to ~32km (+300m / -300m).
Begin your adventure with a scenic one-hour transfer from downtown Halifax to Wolfville. After a personalized bike fitting, set off towards the Grand Pré National Historic Site. This UNESCO World Heritage site unveils the poignant story of Acadian life before the 1755 deportation. Continue along the river towards Gaspereau, cycling through a beautiful farming landscape of dairy farms, apple orchards, and vineyards. Choose to extend your ride to the tranquil Lumsden Dam for a swim, or return to Wolfville where a charming array of restaurants, pubs, and shops are all within easy walking distance of your welcoming inn.
Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.
Tattingstone Inn; or Blomidon Inn, Wolfville.DAY 2:
Wolfville Loop, up to ~70km (+765m / -765m).
Cycle along the shores of the Minas Basin, where the Bay of Fundy's dramatic tides sculpt expansive beaches. Our route winds through the charming villages of Port Williams and Canning, inviting stops for local delicacies, fine wines, and artisan treasures. We'll ride to Blomidon, witnessing the tides' ebb and flow, before returning towards Wolfville. For those seeking a challenge, a climb up North Mountain rewards with breathtaking valley views from the 'Look-off' and a well-deserved ice cream treat. Descend through Canning, with optional detours, including a visit to Port Williams, or the Fox Hill Cheese House, before returning to your charming inn in Wolfville.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
Same lodging.DAY 3:
Hike Cape Split ~14km (+270m / -270m).
Hike to Cape Split, along the dramatic cliff tops of Scot's Bay. Arrive at 'the Split' and witness the raw, untamed power of the Bay of Fundy's tides from your stunning cliffside vantage point. For a different perspective, choose the alternative coastal route back to Scot's Bay. A transfer will return you to Halifax, where you can continue your travels or enjoy one of the city’s spectacular dining options.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2025 DATES:
Please contact us with your preferred date
2026 DATES:
Please contact us with your preferred date
Don't see what you want?
(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: US 2195 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 3 days, 2 nights, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, luggage handling, transfer from Halifax to Wolfville and back, support vehicle and full-time guide/driver, maps, route instructions, freewheeling app package, hybrid bicycle rental, 15% sales tax.
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: US 1945 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 3 days, 2 nights, 2 breakfasts, inn to inn luggage transfers, essential transfers as outlined in the plan, maps, route instructions, freewheeling app package, hybrid bicycle rental, 15% sales tax.
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: Add US 325
Tour cost excludes airfare and travel to and from the starting point, costs for activities listed as optional, bar and beverage bills, meals not shown as included, gratuities for your driver and/or guides.
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid: Included
Flat bars. Trek FX 3 Disk, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
Upgrade to Road/Gravel: US 135
Drop bars. Trek Domane AL 5 Disc, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag.
Upgrade to E-bike: US 270
Flat bars. Trek Verve+ 2, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
BEST TIMES
The best time to enjoy our Annapolis Valley 3-Day Getaway is mid-June to mid-October.
- Spring daytimes warm up to 10 to 20 °C (50 to 70 °F) by mid June. Note that seasonal businesses may still be closed, or on off-season hours, until late June.
- Summer mid June to mid September, is normally 20 to 25 °C (70 to 80 °F). Freshwater and saltwater swimming is encouraged.
- Autumn, mid September to mid October, daytimes 10 to 20 °C range (50 to 70 °F). Nights can be chilly, but rarely down to freezing. Mid-October is the best time to see spectacularly colorful fall foliage.
GET TO THE START
We meet you at your inn in Halifax on the morning of day one, for a transfer (one hour) to Wolfville with the Freewheeling shuttle. Halifax’s downtown core is located about half an hour from its international airport (YHZ). Taxis are readily available; Maritime Bus offers an airport express shuttle; and Halifax Transit provides hourly departures on its MetroX bus service.
If you drive: Call us to help arrange parking in Halifax.
AFTER THE FINISH
We will return you to Halifax by about 16:00 on day three. It is best to fly out the following morning, but you may find evening flights (departing no earlier than 18:00) that fit your timetable. Contact us for recommendations.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
Rent a car, and visit Lunenburg – a UNESCO township, where you can join sailing tours, or join us for a day trip kayaking on the South Shore, or rent a bike from our HQ and ride the Aspotogan loop.
If you have several days:
Join one of our other rides in Nova Scotia, or the adjacent provinces, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland .
We recommend the following accommodations in Halifax for before or after your tour; please let us know if we can assist with reservations:
• The Lord Nelson, 1515 South Park Street Ph: 902-423-6331 or 800-565-2020
• Prince George Hotel, 1725 Market Street Ph: 902-425-1986 or 800-565-1567
• The Halliburton Inn, 5184 Morris Street Ph: 902-420-0658 or 888-512-3344
MORE READING
Enjoy a scenic transfer from Halifax to Wolfville, then cycle to the Grand Pré National Historic Site to explore Acadian history. Ride through picturesque farmland, vineyards, and orchards, with an option to swim at Lumsden Dam or explore Wolfville's shops and restaurants.
Cycle along the Minas Basin, passing through Port Williams and Canning for local treats and stunning tidal views at Blomidon. For a challenge, climb North Mountain for breathtaking valley views.
Hike to Cape Split for dramatic views of the Bay of Fundy tides before returning to Halifax to continue your journey.