South-east British Columbia is possibly the closet you’ll get to heaven on a bike.
Rivers, lakes and mountains abound here! Miles of scenic roads, pristine scenery, bike-friendly towns, and endless vistas make this a cycling paradise!
Our route follows portions of the International Selkirk Loop, from northern Washington State into southern Canada to Slocan Lake before crossing over the Selkirk Mountains to Kootenay Lake and eventually returning to Idaho along its shores. Breath deep, ride hard and soak up day after day of glorious views. Bring your Passport.
Type | Road bike, Hybrid, E-bike |
Duration | 7 days |
Level | Moderate |
Support | Guided |
Daily distance | 50 – 70 mi |
Group size | Maximum 13 |
Lodging | Hotels |
Bicycle | Included, (E-bike for an extra fee) |
Month | June, July, September |
Start | Spokane |
Finish | Spokane |
States or country | Idaho, British Columbia (Canada), Washington |
Airport start | Spokane airport |
Airport finish | Spokane airport |
*Please note the prices are subject to change depending availability *
The Selkirk Mountains range (pardon the pun) into eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and southeastern British Columbia. After a 1.5-hour shuttle from Spokane we begin riding in Colville, Washington heading north through mixed forests to the banks of the Columbia River. Continue upriver into Canada to spend the night in the small mountain town of Rossland, famous for its winter skiing as well as summer mountain biking. Rest up at the Prestige Mountain Resort for the night.
Distance 52 miles (or less) Elevation +4105 ft / -2327 ft
Meals: Lunch, Dinner. Lodging: Prestige Mountain Resort Rossland
Ride from Rossland along the border to the artsy cultural center of Nelson, British Columbia. Once a silver mining town, then a logging town, then a haven for well-educated draft-dodgers from the U.S. who were willing to put down roots, it is now considered one of the prettiest small towns in Canada for it’s heritage buildings and storybook setting. Surrounded by Provincial Parks offering a veritable playground of recreation opportunities, the result is a smart, hip and extremely fit population. Enjoy the waterfront setting at Prestige Lakeside Resort.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Lodging: Prestige Mountain Resort
Distance: 68 miles (or less) Elevation: +5008 ft / -6613 ft
From Nelson we veer east then northeast following rivers to crystal clear Slocan Lake, 25 miles long and almost 1000 feet deep. Pass through history in Slocan City at the foot of the lake – once a boisterous boomtown packed with hotels, saloons and miners hoping to strike it rich, it has mellowed into a peaceful town of gold-rush era architecture filled with people in pursuit of the new “gold in them thar hills” – recreation. Enjoy a lakeside pedal to New Denver (yes, it was named after the “old” Denver in Colorado) in the afternoon. Soak up the views from town at the Valhalla Inn or New Denver Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Lodging: Valhalla Inn, or New Denver Lodge
Distance: 63 miles (or less) Elevation: +5012 ft / -4933ft
Today we follow a historic mining route through thick forests over a relatively low pass (3600ft) through the Selkirk Range that separates Slocan Lake from Kootenay Lake – one of the largest lakes in British Columbia. Snow-capped peaks rise to the north and south as you pedal through thick forests past a handful of mountain lakes, eventually descending to the lakeside town of Kaslo. Today’s ride is shorter, giving you the afternoon to settle in, relax, and shake out the legs for tomorrow’s cycling. We’ll be at the Kaslo Hotel for a couple of nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Lodging: Kaslo Hotel
Distance: 29 miles. Elevation: +2578 ft / -2618 ft
You have a tough decision to make today – ride or relax? Since we return to Kaslo at the end of the day, there’s really no reason to do … anything. That said, we do suggest you consider a ride up to the end of the Kootenay Lake and back. If it makes any difference in your decision, a regional bike and ski shop calls this “the most stunning out and back you will ever ride.” High praise in a region with world class scenery for sure. Since it’s an out and back route, and lunch and dinner are on your own today, you can go as far as you choose.
Meals: Breakfast. Lodging: Kaslo Hotel
Shuttle a half-hour to catch a ferry across Kootenay Lake at Balfour in the morning. Various claims have been made that pedaling the east side of Kootenay Lake is actually the most spectacular ride in the region, or anywhere in Canada for that matter. All we know is that the route has been on our Selkirk tour itinerary for years now and is always a guest favorite! Try not to go off the road while you pedal the lakeshore for over thirty miles admiring the views. Fans of roadside attractions will likewise want to contemplate the Glass House constructed from over half a million embalming fluid bottles. (We urge you not to ask where they came from!) Overnight in Creston at the Ramada Inn.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Lodging: Ramada Inn
Distance: 50 miles. (or more) Elevation: +3625ft / -3463 ft
Pedal out into the countryside past farms and agricultural lands on some quiet roads as we continue generally south this morning. Cross the border into Idaho to complete riding in two states and one province in two countries in seven days! You have the option to continue cycling all the way into Bonners Ferry or get picked up before the highway gets busier. The town was named for Edwin Bonner who built the original ferry across the Kootenay River to used transport mules and miners to the Canadian gold rush. Later, lumber became the local cash crop and it was home to one of the world’s largest lumber mills. Celebrate a fantastic week on the banks of the river before we load into the van for the two-hour shuttle back to Spokane.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Distance: 27 miles. (or more) Elevation: +1476 ft / -1625 ft(or more)
While this is indeed a spectacular route, most of the cycling on this tour is along state and provincial highways (there are few, if any, other paved roads) Riders should be comfortable cycling on highways with varing amounts of shoulder, guard rails and some traffic.
* 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.
Road bike and Hybrid included in the price, E-bike for an extra fee
Giant Defy Advanced 3
Ride farther and faster with an all-new composite frame set that’s engineered with endurance geometry and built-in compliance. Handcrafted with Advanced-grade composite material, it’s engineered with tube shapes that are optimized to absorb road shocks and vibrations. And the frame is still stiff in all the ways that matter—for pedaling efficiency as well as steering and cornering precision. It’s made with a specific carbon layup to give it just the right feel. And for added control, it features integrated disc brakes with flat mounts and 12mm thru-axles. The D-Fuse seatpost and handlebar system also help reduce road vibrations, adding to its smooth, compliant feel on the road.
Giant Fastroad SL 1
The perfect balance of road bike speed and city bike versatility. Built on a lightweight ALUXX SL aluminum frame set, this new flat-bar road bike puts the rider in a comfortable position that’s smooth and efficient. The fast-rolling 700c wheels and vibration-absorbing composite D-Fuse seat post help smooth out rough roads. The fast-rolling 700c wheels can accommodate large tires up to 32c, perfect for tackling rough roads with confidence and control, while integrated ergo bar ends keep your hands comfortable on longer adventures. Powerful disc brakes give you added control in all types of weather, and easy-to-use rack mounts make FastRoad SL a smart choice for commuting, fitness riding and weekend adventures.
Giant Roam E+ GTS E-bike available for an extra fee of $200.00
Engineered with a lightweight ALUXX aluminum frame set and a new SyncDrive Core motor, Roam E+ is all about versatility. Blending the best qualities of a mountain bike and a road bike, it encourages you to explore more adventurous routes. It comes with wider tires and a 63mm suspension fork so you can comfortably ride rough roads or paths. Make the rough roads feel a little smoother and the hard climbs a little easier with the do-it-all Roam E+.
International Selkirk Loop Tour
Prestige Mountain Resort Rossland
Valhalla Inn, or New Denver Lodge
Kaslo Hotel
Ramada Inn
The hotels, Inns, and B&B’s we use are always among the finest the area has to offer. Our smaller group sizes(max. 13) allow us to stay at some award-winning places that can’t handle groups of 25 or more. We work closely with the innkeepers to make sure they understand your needs and ours, whether that is having a place to store your bike, an early morning breakfast or a convenient place to park the van, they are as committed to your vacation experience as we are.
Lodging is based upon two people to a room with a private bath. If you’re traveling solo on any of our trips, we’ll assign you a roommate of the same gender and often of the same age bracket. There is no extra charge if we can’t find you a roommate, even if you sign up the day before the trip starts. You can guarantee yourself a private room and bath if you pay the Single Room Fee. Occasionally a room with two beds consists of one bed plus a roll-away bed or sofa bed.
Tour price 2025: $ 4174.- pp single fee $ 1174.-
You can avoid a single supplement by sharing a room with another rider.
Extra option rental E-bike $ 200.-pp
Tour dates 2025:
21 Jun – 27 Jun
19 Jul – 25 Jul, guaranteed
14 Sep – 20 Sep
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
Meals and dining:
We know how important breakfast is to make sure your day starts off right. Most breakfasts are served at the inn where we spend the night and are either a set menu or a continental breakfast buffet. But if there is a local restaurant with a reputation for a great breakfast, we can guarantee we will find it and you will be treated to a nutritious meal to start the day.
Lunch is provided at a state park or similar scenic setting midway during the day’s ride. Guests are always surprised at the variety and quality of lunches we prepare. Besides sandwich fixings and cold drinks, we offer fresh fruits and vegetables and hot lunches such as tortellini with pesto or veggie burritos. If you prefer a certain item of food or drink, just let your tour guide know and we will be sure to prepare just the right lunch to keep your energy up for the rest of the day.
During the day water, fruit juices, soft drinks, energy bars, fruit, and snacks are available from the van. A cold beer from our cooler waits at the end of the day, and you can relive the day’s highlights at our wine and cheese party before dinner.
Dinner is eaten together at the best restaurant in the area. At most restaurants, you order what you want from the menu. Except for alcohol, everything is included, even appetizers, salad, soup, and dessert. If we have to shuttle everyone a short distance to get to that special place, we do it. We like to eat well.
If you have any special dietary requests, please let us know in advance. We regularly accommodate vegetarians and other restricted diets. All of our meals are carefully selected to provide you with the unusually high nutritional and caloric needs of your body on an outdoor adventure.