The Best Brewery Rides to Improve Your Weekend
If you’re on the lookout for a top-notch ride where you and your friends can enjoy some beautiful scenery and end off with a refreshing Nova Scotian Beer or Cider, the routes we’ve gathered below will pair perfectly with this weekend’s excursion. With craft breweries popping up everywhere around the province, these options provide excellent ways to get out for an active afternoon while getting a taste of the amazing local offerings from regions all around Nova Scotia.
Any of the breweries that are starred* means that they are certified from Bike Friendly Nova Scotia. This means that they are equipped with designated bike parking and staff inside that are familiar with nearby bike routes, can lend advice/help you with your bike, and are happy to chat about cycling in the area!
Additionally, these rides have been picked to fit the needs of any skill level with low to medium-difficulty terrain across roads, rail trails, and packed gravel. If you want to make it a quick afternoon ride or turn it into a full day adventure, many of the distances can be easily shortened or lengthened to fit your needs.
Second Peninsula: Shipwright Brewing
Distance: 19.2 km Duration: 1:00/1:30 Ride Type: Out & Back
Over on the South Shore in Lunenburg, this ride is great if you’re looking for a beach destination ride, with a rewarding stop at Shipwright Brewing for a beer as you make your return. The ride takes you along fun and twisty roads along Martin Cove with gorgeous water views throughout. You’ll want to pack a lunch and a swimsuit for a nice relaxing cool-off at Backman Beach after the undulating hills. From here, make your return to beautiful coastal Lunenburg and continue down to the waterfront at Shipwright Brewing for a lively and welcoming experience. This tiny little spot offering quality craft beers overlooks the quintessential Nova Scotia waterfront area. Stay and have some of their award winning cuisine or continue along exploring the many little pubs and restaurants that Lunenburg has to offer.
To download this route to your mobile device, follow the link here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30232922
Cape Forchu: Heritage Brewing Co
Distance: 24.6 Duration: 1:15/1:45 Ride Type: Out & Back
This is a fantastic ride in Yarmouth for those looking to experience some true East Coast fishing villages, a rugged lighthouse and a rewarding pint back at Heritage Brewing. On your way out to Cape Forchu Lighthouse, enjoy these twisty ocean-surrounded roads. Out towards the end peninsula, you’ll come across a wonderful white sand beach. This is a perfect place to stop, enjoy the amazing scenery and have a relaxing walk to break up the ride. Heading back into town, stop in at Heritage Brewing for a fun social atmosphere that you and your friends and sit around a big table and enjoy some fantastic food and drink. During your ride, you’ll want to be wary of local traffic if riding in a group as the roads along are quite narrow and lack shoulders in many places.
To download this route to your mobile device, follow the link here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30263980
Big Spruce-Hunters Mountain: Big Spruce Brewing *
Distance: 18.7 km Duration: 50:00/1:15 Ride Type: Loop
This great little mountain ride along the Cabot Trail begins and ends at Big Spruce Brewing on 64 Yankee Line Road. Enjoy the beautiful nature-packed roads as you climb up Hunter’s Mountain with its rewarding downhill cruise back along the trans Canada highway. The serene inlet views of the water along the last leg makes for a breezy finish. You’ll want to ride cautiously along Yankee Line Road as it is quite narrow and lacks bike lanes. Hop on this ride for a wonderful afternoon outing in Cape Breton. The amazing tucked-away farmhouse at Big Spruce is nestled into the mountainous landscape. Enjoy their highly praised organic and locally brewed beers in this homey atmosphere, a perfect spot for you and your mates to gather after the ride.
To download this route to your mobile device, follow the link here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30265360
Inverness-Margaree Beach Tour: Route 19 Brewing
Distance: 23.8 km (one way) Duration: 2:30/2:45 Ride Type: Out & Back
On the shores of Inverness, this route along the Celtic Shores Trail is a great day long beach destination ride with a convenient stop at Route 19 brewing to finish with a sunset beer overlooking the ocean. Pack your swimsuit and a picnic for this one as it begins and ends at Inverness Beach and takes you out to the stunning sandy beaches of Chimney Corner Beach. As you make your return back to Inverness, enjoy the delicious food, local brews, and expansive ocean vistas at Route 19 brewing. The roads can be quite rough in spots without bike shoulders, however, the smooth sands at Chimney Corner Beach will make it well worth it. The ride is best for a full day trip so you can truly experience and take in the unique landscape of this beautiful area.
To download this route to your mobile device, follow the link here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30265448
Halifax Peninsula: 2 Crows Brewery
Distance: 15.0 km Duration: 40:00/1:00 Ride Type: Loop
For a day trip in Halifax, this leisurely tour around the city guides you nicely through the commercial districts, parks, historic sites, the waterfront, and with many brewery options through quick detours along the way. 2 Crows Brewing is conveniently located towards the end of the ride for a great way to reward you and friends as you finish up. However, feel free to stop in at the various brewery options the city has to offer. 2 Crows is a modern and vibrant brewpub that offers inventive craft beers and a fun experience to sit down and relax with your mates. The ride takes you through Point Pleasant Park, a series of little packed gravel woodland trails that move along the water. So it is best if your tires can handle some light off-road terrain. You’ll want to be sure to stay alert when riding through the downtown commercial and residential areas for pedestrians and traffic through the bustling city area.
To download this route to your mobile device, follow the link here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30232643
Wolfville Brewery Tour: Annapolis Cider Co*, The Church Brewing Co, Wayfarers Brewery, Sea Level Brewing
Distance: 19.0 km (One way) Duration: 1:45/2:15 Ride Type: Out & Back
This easy and relaxing ride through Wolfville offers all sorts of options for brewpubs and cider houses you and your friends to choose from. We’ve shortened this route from the original ride to where you start and finish at 2205 Grand Pre Road. Enjoy the tree-covered paths through Harvest Moon Trail and across the vastly-open agricultural land on the way to both Sea Level and Wayfarers Breweries. Here, you’ll arrive at the first two stops on Port Williams Wharf. At the Wayfarer’s Ale taproom, you can sit on the wharf patio with a pint overlooking the peaceful Cornwallis river. If you’re in the mood for a smaller setting offering amazing river views, go right next door to Sea Level Brewing to experience some tasty microbrews on this serene deck. You’ll turn around here and head back to Wolfville where you can head onto main street and finish off the ride. Head into Annapolis Cider Company where you can experience this quaint locally and family owned cidery with tastings and tours of their cellar. This great spot showcases the fruits of the Annapolis valley with its revered ciders. Next, head into the beautiful old stone church of The Church Brewing. Here, you’ll experience a large tasting menu with lots of yummy food options to satisfy your post-ride hunger.
To download this route to your mobile device, follow the link here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30264296
*These businesses are Bike Friendly, and are set-up to support visitors on bicycles
I am a fourth year Environmental Science student at Dalhousie University. My passions are surfing, skiing, skateboarding and of course, cycling! It was been my pleasure to work for BNS this fall writing blog postings in efforts to outline Nova Scotia’s amazing trail infrastructure. I hope that this work will make it that much easier for cyclists of all backgrounds and abilities to find the route that gets them out and enjoying this beautiful province.
Looking for more Nova Scotia cycling tips?
If you want to find more information on these rides and so much more, check out our Where to Cycle in Nova Scotia Guidebook https://bicycle.ns.ca/where-to-cycle-ns/
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