Cycling Mayne Island
- Marc S. Tremblay
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
A Bike-Touring Stop in the Southern Gulf Islands
One of the best ways to discover Mayne Island is on two wheels. Since opening The Grove B&B, we’ve welcomed cyclists arriving from near and far.
Some pedal from Vancouver or Victoria, others travel much farther, and many bring their bikes by car and ferry to explore the island’s quiet roads. For riders touring the Southern Gulf Islands, Mayne Island is a natural place to stop and stay.
However they arrive, one thing is always the same: cycling lets you experience Mayne Island at the perfect pace.
The Perfect Island for Exploring by Bike
Mayne Island’s quiet roads wind through forests, farms, and shoreline viewpoints. Traffic is light, the scenery constantly changes, and there are plenty of places to stop and take in the views.
New Safer Path from the Ferry to Miners Bay
Cyclists arriving by ferry now have an even easier start to their adventure.
The recently completed Mayne Island Regional Trail provides a 2.3 km gravel pathway connecting Village Bay ferry terminal to Miners Bay, offering a safe and scenic way to begin exploring the island by bike.
From there, quiet island roads lead to beaches, viewpoints, parks, and some of Mayne’s most beautiful coastal scenery.
Suggested Loop for Cycling Mayne Island
The terrain is… well, undulating... Cyclists in good physical shape often love the challenge of the rolling hills. Others quickly learn that Mayne’s steepest climbs can inspire a bit of walking alongside the bike. And these days, many visitors are discovering the island with e-bikes, which make it possible to enjoy the scenery without worrying quite so much about the next hill.
Cycling around Mayne Island is about 30 km with roughly 720 metres of elevation gain, making it perfect for one or two days of riding, with plenty of viewpoints along the way.
This Tour de Mayne gives riders plenty to see and experience while riding, starting out at Village Bay, where the ferry will drop you off, with a sleepover at The Grove B&B, of course.
See the legend and landmarks' descriptions below the image.
Legend and Landmarks
A. Miners Bay: Stop-in at the island’s town Centre for provisions, at Tru Value or the Trading Post, or perhaps a energize your ride with a world-famous Cronut at Sunny Mayne Bakery
B. Georgina Point Lighthouse: lookout for seals, otters, sea lions or passing orcas
C. Campbell Bay: explore the beach, look for fossils, go for a swim
D. Mayne Island Brewing Company: take a rest in the beer garden and rehydrate
E & F. Fernhill Centre: Farm Gate, Montrose Local, Mayne Bean, Inis Trading, Books on Mayne
G. Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (Campbell Point): walk to the point for a great view of Bennett Bay and Georgeson Island
H. Horton Bay and St. John’s Point Regional Park: stop in a the Briary, a roadside jam stand; check out picturesque Horton Bay and hike through arbutus groves at St. John's Park
I. The Grove B&B: make this your home-away-from home; relax on the deck and in the hot tub; take a 5-8-minute walk down to Gallagher and Piggott bays, go for a swim or just dip your toes in the ocean; start the next day with homemade breakfast to fuel your day
J. Japanese Memorial Garden: explore the beauty of the garden and understand the importance of Mayne's early Japanese community in the early 1900s
Cyclists We've Welcomed at The Grove B&B
One of the joys of hosting a B&B is meeting the incredible variety of people travelling by bike. Since opening, we’ve welcomed:
Couples on an extended by tour
Friends who decided to come to Mayne Island on a whim from Saturna Island, but forgot to check the ferry schedule and couldn't get back to their tent for the night
Families on multi-day cycle touring expedition
A father-and-son cycling team who decided to escape Vancouver's hustle and bustle for a couple of days
Groups of seniors discovering Mayne Island on e-bikes
One solo guest even happened to be the coach of the Canadian men’s endurance/pursuit cycling squad. Not content with a casual ride, she managed to explore virtually the entire island in a single day, including roads, viewpoints and summiting Mount Parke!
Bike-Friendly Amenities at The Grove B&B
Cyclists are always welcome at The Grove, and we try to make things easy for guests arriving on two wheels or with their bikes in tow:
Covered space for bikes
Charging for e-bikes
A comfortable place to rest after a day of riding
A hearty breakfast to fuel the next day’s adventures
We can even come to the rescue if you break down or run out of e-power!
And if something goes really wrong with your bike, you can call on Richard De Armond from Nomadic Routes, a part-time bike mechanic with over 35 years of bicycle repair experience, who can assist with repairs if needed. A few of our guests were very grateful for that after snapping a chain while trying to power up one of Mayne’s legendary hills!
Slow Down and Enjoy the Journey
Cycling on Mayne Island isn’t about speed or personal bests. It’s about slowing down, noticing the landscape, and enjoying the journey.
You might stop to watch seals at Georgina Point Lighthouse, wander down to a quiet beach, or pause at a farm stand or artists’ studio along the roads.
And after a full day of cycling, returning to a peaceful place to relax — perhaps with a soak in the hot tub under the stars — is part of the experience.
So if you’re planning a cycling trip through the Southern Gulf Islands, consider adding Mayne Island and the Grove B&B to your route.
We’ll be ready to welcome you, bikes and all.
Great suggested routes and great for those who can't bring a tent, or prefer a real bed!