Gems of Southern New England
In addition to its remarkable history, charming communities and glorious scenery, New England can proudly boast its miles and miles of incredible bikes paths, and our Gems of Southern New England with show you why! This tour traverses the 3 lower New England States – Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and ever mile is on spectacularly beautiful bike trails! And after 5 glorious days of cycling, this tour caps off with a walking tour of the famous Newport Mansions!
On Demand: This tour is also available for custom dates for groups of 4 or more. Please call to discuss dates, details and availability.
TOUR PRICING
Per Person Double Occ: $1889 -- Single Occ: + $450
A deposit of $500 per person is required at time of reservation. You will be invoiced for balance, including any discounts or adjustments, in 2 separate installments. Final balance due 90 days prior to tour.
Please review our Reservation and Cancellation Policy before booking.
THE ESSENTIALS
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Difficulty: Easy
Total Miles: 130 -- Avg. Daily Miles: 30 miles
Meals: Daily Breakfast; 1 Dinner
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Cycling 25 Miles
We’ll pick you up at the designated location and shuttle to the trailhead where we’ll provide tour orientation and bike fitting for those using our rentals. Then its on the bikes as we cycle the beautiful, all paved, Norwottuck Trail which, in only 4 miles delivers us to the sprawling campus of U. Mass Amherst and charming Amherst College. In Amherst you can visit the Emily Dickenson Homestead and the Beneski Museum of Natural History (free), and find a great place for lunch. After lunch we continue on enjoying the beautiful scenery until reaching the end of today’s ride at Dinosaur Footprints park in Holyoke MA.
Day 2: Farmington Canal Heritage Trail to Hartford
Cycling 33 Miles
Today you’ll enjoy the first half of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. This flat, perfectly paved trail meanders through the gorgeous countryside of Connecticut, following the old canal towpath and the Farmington River.
Day 3: Farmington Heritage Canal Trail to Yale
Cycling 30 Miles
It’s back on the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail for the second half of this wonderful trail, which today takes you to lovely and historic New Haven and the campuses of world-renowned Yale University. We suggest finding a great place for lunch, and then using our provided map which will navigate you around this charming area and take you to the beautiful waterfront of Long Warf along Long Island Sound.
Day 4: Hop River & Airline Trail
Cycling 32 Miles
Today’s ride takes you on the Hop River and Airline Trails, both are converted rail trails and are the only trails on this tour that are not paved. And while these trails are gravel and crushed stonedust, they are in excellent condition and offer easy cycling and gorgeous scenery! You’ll begin on the Hop River trail and enjoy following along this babbling stream with frequent roiling cascades. In about 15 miles you’ll connect with the Airline Trail which lives up to its name as it was built as a highly raised railway to overcome the rivers, streams and valleys it transverses. The result is nearly flat cycling with incredible views!
Day 5: Blackstone River Trail & East Bay Trail
Cycling 32
Today it’s back on paved trails as you enjoy cycling along the beautiful Blackstone River and Rhode Island’s famed Narragansett Bay, with breathtaking scenery filling every mile! On the Blackstone River trail you’ll take in magnificent lookouts some with fabulous waterfalls. In about 18 miles the Blackstone River Trail connects with the East Bay trail, named because it runs directly along the east side of Narragansett Bay providing unparalleled views of the bay, including incredible views of the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse standing sentry in the middle of the bay.
Day 6: Cliff Walk & Tour of Newport’s Historic Mansions
Today we’ll explore by bike and/or foot as we visit lovely Newport RI. Newport's enchanting Cliff Walk delivers stunning panoramic ocean views and crashing waves on one side, and remarkable century-old mansions on the other. During the Gilded Age, America’s wealthiest families flocked to the “City by the Sea” making the area their summer playground. The meticulous preservation of more than a dozen of these homes provides an intimate view of the artistry, personality, and luster of the Gilded Era.
Optional: If you will be joining the Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard Tour, please call our office and we can help you coordinate your travel plans.