Best Maine Cycling Tours 2022/23

Whet your cycling appetite and prepare for the Main(e) course: just you, your bike, and this state’s wild yet breathtaking scenery.

Some landscapes are better explored on two wheels, especially if those landscapes are as extraordinary as the ones found in the state of Maine. Pedal along rugged coastlines, speed by untouched wilderness, stop at a waterfall or two, and take in extraordinary national parks all from the seat of your bike on our Maine cycling tours. Follow your leader past colourful fishing villages and marvel at towering lighthouses before refuelling every night on a feast of fresh seafood. Set at a pace suitable for everyone, cycling through Maine will not only exercise your body and challenge your mind, but it will also fill your heart and free your soul.

Our Maine cycling tours

Cycle Maine & Acadia National Park

6 Days From 2300

Explore Acadia National Park and Maine on a 6-day cycling adventure with Intrepid from...

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Highlights of a Maine cycling tour

A bright, colourful lobster served at a restuarant

Fuel up on a seafood feast

Whether you want to start your cycling adventure with a full and happy stomach or need to refuel after a long day spent on the seat of a bike, satisfy your tastebuds by feasting on fresh seafood from salty scallops and calms to tasty crab and lobster. Straight from the ocean and onto your plate, Maine’s delicious seafood is cultivated in clean waters and harvested by fishermen who’ve been working the seas for 100 years.

Waves crashing against the rocky coastline at Bar Harbour

Take in the sights of Bar Harbour

It might be the gateway to the state’s most beloved national park, but Bar Harbour promises its own captivating scenery for you to get lost in. Put your bike away for the afternoon and use your legs to walk (instead of pedal) along Bar Harbour Shore Path for unparalleled views of Frenchman Bay and its scattered islands. Soak up the sunshine, grab a lobster roll (or two), and delight in the beauty of your coastal surroundings.

Explore Rockland’s picturesque landscapes

Just when you thought Maine’s scenery couldn’t get any more spectacular, the landscapes of Rockland unfurl before your very eyes. From travelling along quiet, wooded country roads to passing the ‘ponds’ of Damariscotta, your cycling journey from Portland to Rockland will take your breath away and deliver you to a town full of fascinating museums, unique lighthouses, and creative art galleries.

Cycle along the coast on your way to Bucksport

While cycling to Bucksport may take several hours, visiting this waterfront town is well worth the effort and exertion it takes to get there thanks to the unforgettable scenery you’ll be treated to along the way. From picturesque preserves to charming coastal towns, this leg of the journey allows you to reconnect with the very best of Maine’s natural landscapes in all their raw and dramatic beauty.

The Portland Head Lighthouse with a brilliant orange and pink sunset in the background

Stop at some historic lighthouses in Portland

There’s no better way to start your trip than by embarking on a looping ride past Portland’s historic lighthouses – Portland Head Lighthouse and Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse. Both perched peacefully on the coastline, these lighthouses remain some of the oldest in the state, standing guard over Portland and its residents for centuries. Marvel at their impressive structures and take a deep breath of fresh, salty air before continuing on with your cycling adventure.

Lone traveller cycling up Cadiallac Mountain on a sunny day.

Make your way through Acadia National Park

It just makes sense to explore some destinations by bike and Acadia National Park is one of those destinations. Saturated in natural beauty, this national park is not only loved for its dramatic and wildly different landscapes (think rocky coastlines one minute and lush greenery the next), but it’s also home to iconic spots such as Thunder Hole, Eagle Lake, Sand Beach, and Cadillac Mountain – known as the first place to see the sunrise in the United States.

Maine cycling tour reviews

Maine FAQs

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join a cycling trip in Maine?

Everyone traveling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage. 

All travelers are required to produce:

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

How to get to Maine

Traveling to Maine is relatively easy with a range of options including driving, catching a flight, or taking public transport in the form of a bus or train. Unfortunately, while you can use ferries to get to different areas of Maine, there are no ferries that travel between Maine and other neighboring states.

What's the weather like in Maine?

The weather in Maine is dictated by which area of the state you're in; coastal, southern interior (middle section of Maine), and northern interior (northern section of Maine). These individual sections have a slightly different climate so you can expect different weather patterns for each. The coastline is largely affected by the ocean and will often have cooler summers and colder winters than the rest of Maine. The two inland regions experience temperatures that are similar with cold winters and warmer summers.

Do I need to wear a helmet when I ride a bicycle in Maine?

There is currently no state policy that decrees anyone over the age of 16 needs to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle in a public setting anywhere in Maine. However, it is highly advised you wear a helmet at all times to avoid a serious injury to your head in the unlikely event that you fall off your bike.

What to pack for a cycling tour

Packing for a cycling tour isn't that different from packing for a normal adventure but if you want to be safe and comfortable while you're riding, here are some bike-specifc things you should pack:

Helmet
Comfortable sports shoes
Padded bike shorts
A sunhat/cap
Sunscreen
Quick-dry socks
Lightweight waterproof/windproof jacket.

Is Maine accessible for travellers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.