Redwoods and Coast Multisport Tour
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
- A 6-day guided, all-inclusive, multisport cycling tour of northern California’s redwood forests and along the coast.
- Cycle scenic byways through some of the tallest and most massive trees on earth.
- Go kayaking in the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
- Stay in historic lodging in Arcata, Ferndale and Benbow.
- Hike in Redwoods State and National Park and Humboldt State Park.
- Visit the “Lost Coast” – the most remote area on the California coast.
Standing taller than a football field is long, and occurring nowhere else on planet Earth, the ancient redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) of northern California can live 2,000+ years. Ride and hike through several reserves guarded by these amazing sentinels. Explore Victorian architecture, coastal gold-rush provision towns and kayak in Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Thrill to the only section of California’s coastline without a major highway – a magical and very remote stretch called the Lost Coast.
National Parks on This Tour: Redwoods National and State Parks
This tour is operated under special use permit/s with Redwoods National and State Parks. Bicycle Adventures is an equal opportunity provider.
COMBINING TOURS: We schedule our coastal California tour dates to make longer adventures possible. You can combine our Redwoods and Coast Tour with our Big Sur Bike Tour for the ultimate Cali cycling experience!
Itinerary
Day 01
Cycle and hike through the massive Prairie Creek Redwoods.
Meals
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Hotel Arcata
Distance
17 miles cycling (or more) and about 3 miles easy hiking.
Elevation
+1,222 ft / -1,223 ft (or more)
Meet us in Eureka (we found it!). After a short one-hour shuttle north, we begin cycling on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway through the mammoth trees of Prairie Creek Redwoods. After lunch we get “up close and personal” on a hike. “Listen” to the silence here! Crane your neck at Big Tree, standing over 300 feet tall. It measures 21 feet in diameter and just keeps on growing past its estimated 1,500 years. Stay at the historic Hotel Arcata tonight and tomorrow.
Day 02
Pedal from Trinidad south along the coast to Eureka.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Hotel Arcata
Distance
39 miles
Elevation
+1,197 ft / -1,314 ft
Shuttle back up the coast after breakfast to the lush ferns and mosses at Sue-meg State Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Ride back south on the scenic drive through Trinidad before heading inland on pastoral farm roads. Pause for lunch in Arcata, a one-time gold-rush provisioning stop on the shores of Humboldt Bay and now home to Humboldt State University. Pedal on a bike path along the water from Arcata to Eureka and back – no cars! Or you can use the extra time in the afternoon to explore Arcata’s galleries or take a walk out to the refuge for some world-class birdwatching.
Day 03
Kayak Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and ride the South Jetty to Ferndale.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Lodging
Victorian Inn
Distance
33 miles
Elevation
+932 ft / -887 ft
Kayak Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, one of California’s most pristine wetlands. After a quick lesson, paddle through archaeological sites, an egret rookery and windswept cypress trees. After lunch, continue cyclng to historic Ferndale, which posed as the ideal 1950s town for Jim Carrey’s movie The Majestic. You’ll love the Victorian Inn, which National Geographic Traveler calls ‘…one of the world’s top ten great places.’ Dinner is on your own tonight in Ferndale.
Day 04
Ride the "Lost Coast" over Panther Gap and through Bull Creek Redwoods.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Victorian Inn
Distance
47 miles (or skip the big climb)
Elevation
+5,015 ft / -4,894 ft (or skip the big climb)
Ride from the “Lost Coast” over Panther Gap and through the Bull Creek Redwoods. The wild and rugged Lost Coast is the only section of California’s coastline that doesn’t have a major highway. Despite some rough sections of road on today’s route, this is an unforgettable ride you won’t want to miss! Begin cycling along shimmering blue waters and utterly deserted beaches. Along here, it’s not hard to imagine the relatively undisturbed California coast of a century ago – essentially, you are looking at it! Eventually the road veers inland following a remote river valley that feels likewise “lost in time.” After about 25 miles the grade kicks up dramatically as you begin the 2500’ ascent to Panther Gap – the summit for today’s ride. Or you can choose to do like many folks and opt for a scenic and relaxing boost over the pass in the van instead. Whichever method of transportation you choose, dizzying views over the Pacific Ocean and redwood forests await. After the descent, pedal a quiet road through the massive redwoods of Bull Creek before shuttling back to Ferndale for a second night at the Victorian Inn.
Day 05
Ride the Avenue of the Giants through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Benbow Inn
Distance
43 miles (or more)
Elevation
+2397 ft / -2139 ft
Ride through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Pedal along the banks of the Eel River amongst ancient redwood forests on the “Avenue of the Giants.” These magnificent Coast Redwoods can live more than 2,000 years and are the tallest living things on earth, reaching heights of more than 350 feet – taller than a football field is long! Ride your bike through a giant space between the roots of a living redwood. Options today range up to 50+ miles, if you’d like to do them all. Relax on the banks of the Eel River at the historic Benbow Inn tonight.
Day 06
Hike Bull Creek redwoods.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Slow down and wind down with a hike along Bull Creek in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Savor the quiet serenity of the forest primeval – the largest old-growth redwood forest remaining in the world! Wander through cathedral-like groves and enjoy their magic spell one more time before shuttling back to Eureka for your trip home.
*Bicycle Adventures operates under special use permits while on Federal Lands managed by the National Forest Service (USDA), National Parks and Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Bikes (See our Guest Info Packet for specific bike make and model.)
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