Canol Road
During WWII, the US army constructed a road to bring oil from the Mackenzie River in Northwest Territory to a refinery in Whitehorse. Two years after completion, the 176 million dollar project was abandoned. The dirt road is still seasonally maintained by the Canadian government. The winding route takes you through some of the most beautiful northern country in this hemisphere. Bike past pristine lakes with loons calling. Observe relics of the road’s WW II past. View the scenic splendor of the autumn colors in vibrant reds and golds. At night, watch the northern lights overhead from your campsite.
Highlights
- Bike past pristine lakes with loons calling.
- Observe relics of the road’s WW II past.
- View the scenic splendor of the autumn colors
- Watch the northern lights overhead from your campsite.
Details
| Type | Hybrid tour bike |
| Duration | 10 days |
| Level | Moderate |
| Support | Guided |
| Total distance | 285 mi / 459 km |
| Group size | min. 4 max. 10 |
| Lodging | Camping, Hotel |
| Bicycle | Included |
| Month | August |
| Start | Whitehorse |
| Finish | Whitehorse |
| States or country | Canada |
| Airport start | Whitehorse International Airport |
| Airport finish | Whitehorse International Airport |
Starting from $ TBD
*Please note the prices are subject to change depending availability *
Itinerary
Day 1:
We depart Whitehorse, Yukon by van in the morning. We head north on the Klondike and Campbell Highways to Ross River. You spend the night at a YTG campground.
Day 2:
You board the Pelly River cable ferry and cross with the van to the opposite shore where the North Canol Road begins. We continue by van up the road and camp near the Northwest Territories border with a view of the Itsi Mountains. This is the northern end of the Rockies! It is possible to charter a flightseeing plane to a small airstrip near this point. This would avoid the van shuttle to begin. With this option, you would meet the group at the Itsi Mountains camp and begin biking the following morning. Contact us for more information.
Day 3:
Follow the river South, then climb over a ridge. The road traverses the remains of an old forest fire that swept through the region. Fireweed lines the way as you leave the Continental Divide behind. Our camp is on the shores of a large lake.
Distance: 35 miles.
Day 4:
You continue your southerly ride through rolling hills. You spend the night at a quaint camp overlooking another small lake.
Distance: 50 miles.
Day 5:
The last day of riding on the North Canol Road returns you to Ross River and a hot shower. You can bike to camp or shuttle in the van from town to the YTG campground at Lapie Canyon.
Distance: 35 miles.
Day 6:
The route ascends from the Lapie River Canyon to the start of the South Canol Road. You turn right off the Campbell Highway and pedal your way south to the Pelly Mountains and camp by a lake,
Distance: 40 miles.
Day 7:
Black spruce and willow line the road as you skirt by small lakes and rivers heading into the Pelly Mountains. The quiet and solitude of this country prevails. The night is spent camping on the shore of Quiet Lake.
Distance: 55 miles.
Day 8:
You hop on the bikes for your last day of riding as you descend to Johnson’s Crossing and a warm shower at the local motel,
Distance: 47 miles.
Day 9:
After breakfast the van heads to Whitehorse. You can fly south from there that afternoon or extend your trip in our around Whitehorse.
Day 10:
We stay in a hotel at Johnson’s Crossing on the last evening after finishing our ride
* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.
Bicycle
Bikes | Specialized Sirrus flat-bar hybrid road bikes included, a drop-bar road bike is also an option. Light weight rear rack with a trunk bag for gear storage while riding. You are also welcome to bring your bike, we can assist with assembly and post-trip boxing.
NOTE; Guests must be confident riding a bicycle with hand brakes. Helmets are required.
Lodging
This tour is primarily wilderness camping. You’ll be provided spacious tents, comfortable sleeping pads, warm sleeping bags, and camp pillows. We also set up a cook station with a shelter, a bug shelter if needed, and a portable toilet. The town of Ross River has had a hotel in the past, but currently does not. Our main indoor lodging for this route is the Johnson’s Crossing Lodge, a welcome shower, bed, and restaurant & bakery.
Included:
- Expert local leadership.
- Accommodations for all days of travel (camping or hotels, except last day).
- All camping equipment and provisions.
- Three meals and snacks for all tour days (excluding arrival and departure days)
- Rental bike
- Vehicle transportation and support
- On tour bike maintenance.
- Fees and permits for special sites
- Safety equipment, training and certification.
Not included:
- Our tours do not include airfare and travel to Alaska or Canada, lodging and meals for extra days spent in Skagway or Haines, insurance, alcholol, optional tipping to guides.
Pricing / Tour dates
Tour price 2024: TBD The Canol Road bike tour does not have a single supplement option.
Tour date 2024 :
This tour will not return in 2024
Conditions
Deposit 25%
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price
