With 2022 lining up to be the busiest travel season ever, those who haven’t booked a summer vacation may already be feeling they are missing out. For those still undecided on where to go this summer, or who are hesitant to travel too far from home, tour operators VBT Bicycling Vacations and Country Walkers have compiled a list of legendary biking and walking destinations that explore the natural wonders and culture of North America. Some of these destinations have been driven by and flown over for decades, which means fewer crowds exploring the road less traveled.
E-bikes are available on all VBT itineraries, and an added bonus, since VBT and Country Walkers take care of all the logistics, there’s less stress involved when it comes to planning. Here’s a selection of programs with these biking and walking destinations:
Mississippi: The Natchez Trace (VBT, Guided)
Ponder the legacy of the Civil War at the ruins of the Windsor Plantation, relive the Siege of Vicksburg with a local historian on a guided tour of Vicksburg National Military Park, visit one of the largest Native American ceremonial sites Emerald Mound, and marvel at stately antebellum homes.
Maine: Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park (VBT, Self-Guided)
Explore Acadia National Park, browse Bar Harbor’s shops and art galleries, ride through unspoiled landscape of rugged coastline, forested coves and idyllic fishing harbors, and sample mouth-watering dishes infused with Maine blueberries.
California: Wine Country & the Pacific Coast (VBT, Guided)
Enjoy private tastings at some of the most renowned wineries in the region, bike along the Pacific coastline and into the rolling countryside blanketed with grapevines, explore Healdsburg and some of the most charming Spanish Colonial towns in the West, and cycle the Napa Valley Trail.
Arizona: Saguaro National Park & the Sonora Desert (VBT, Guided)
Soak in sprawling desert landscapes and ride across vast, versatile ranges. Enjoy picnics and tastings in winery row, bike among the cacti of Saguaro National Park and Tumacácori National Historical Park, and savor local cuisine infused with Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo-American influences.
Washington: Olympic Peninsula (CW, Guided)
Gain a fascinating perspective on Native American culture as a Quinault elder shares her stories and legends over a glass of wine, explore the enigmatic Mima Mounds Natural Preserve, marvel at majestic Sol Duc Falls and enjoy a relaxing soak at Sol Duc Hot Spring Resort.
Alberta & British Columbia: Banff, Yoho & the Canadian Rockies (CW, Guided)
Discover Alberta’s ranchlands in the foothills of the Rockies, join a local guide along Ghost River in an exploration of plant medicine from an Indigenous lens, visit Fallentimber Meadery and Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, and explore Lake Minnewanka and Columbia Wetlands.
Georgia: Savannah & the Golden Isles (CW, Guided)
Hike marine forests, delicate estuaries, and the white-sand dunes of Cumberland Island National Seashore, spend two nights on a private island exploring 11,000 acres of protected beach, wilderness and bird sanctuaries by foot, kayak, boat and bicycle, and enjoy a walking tour of Savannah.
For over 40 years, Country Walkers and VBT Bicycling Vacations have been providing active travel experiences throughout the world. From their shared location in Williston, Vt., the companies’ adventures and insider access provide well-crafted itineraries for walking and biking vacations. A range of guided and self-guided options highlight local cuisine, authentic accommodations and immersive cultural experiences.