Adventure Cycling Association

Arrive in Sandpoint, Idaho, a scenic town on Lake Pend Oreille. Use this zero-mile day to meet your leaders and fellow riders, set up and check your bike, and go over border-crossing logistics and van-supported systems. You’ll organize your gear for transport in the van and enjoy time exploring Sandpoint before riding begins.

We’ll ride north through Idaho’s panhandle toward Bonners Ferry. The route follows quiet, lightly traveled roads with views of mountains and river valleys, giving you a gentle introduction to the tour. The van carries your luggage while you carry what you need for the day, and you’ll camp just north of Bonners Ferry that night.

Continuing north to the U.S.-Canada border, choosing either paved or “champagne gravel” roads, we’ll cross into British Columbia, passports in hand. The terrain will be rolling as we pass through farmland and forest on the way to Creston. Once in Creston, you’ll settle in for the evening with enough time to enjoy this small agricultural town backed by mountains.

Today, we’ll ride from Creston through pleasant farmlands and orchards toward Kootenay Lake. Expect some tough climbing and rewarding descents as you approach the the fjord-like shoreline. You’ll finish near Crawford Bay, an artsy, lakeside community, where you can relax and take a swim.

We’ll take a ferry across Kootenay Lake, enjoying dramatic views of mountains and water. On the opposite shore, our route continues along lightly traveled lakeside roads toward Kaslo. Though shorter in mileage, the day includes rolling terrain and scenic curves along the lake before you reach historic Kaslo for the night.

The day’s route will follow one of the region’s classic scenic roads from Kaslo to New Denver. This compact-but-hilly day will bring you past lakes, forests, and mountain slopes, with climbs and descents that showcase the Selkirks. Arriving in New Denver on the shore of Slocan Lake, we’ll again have time to explore the town and enjoy lakeside views or a swim.

This ride from New Denver to Nelson, either along the paved highway or the Slocan Valley Rail Trail, will be one of the longer days of the trip. Expect sustained climbing, sweeping descents, and lake and mountain vistas. With the van transporting most of your gear, you’ll be able to focus on the miles as we work our way to lively, artsy Nelson, where we’ll overnight indoors and enjoy the town.

Today, we’ll take a rest day in Nelson. Explore cafés, shops, and steep streets, or simply relax by the lake and recover from the hills. If you’re craving more movement, you can walk or mountain bike the bountiful trail around the town. This layover gives you a chance to reset, do laundry, and enjoy more time in one of British Columbia’s most charming small cities.

Departing Nelson and riding south toward the U.S. border, we’ll cross back into Washington State and continue through forested country and along river valleys toward Metaline. The day will include hilly riding and a sense of moving from the Canadian interior back into the rural Northwest.

Today, we’ll follow the Pend Oreille River south from Metaline to Newport. This will be another full day in the saddle, with rolling and sometimes steep terrain, beautiful river views, and small communities. You’ll arrive in Newport for a final night under the stars.

We’ll ride the final miles back to Sandpoint, Idaho, completing our international loop. The route brings us back toward Lake Pend Oreille and the Selkirk foothills. In Sandpoint, you’ll pack up, say goodbyes, and celebrate the completion of your U.S.–Canada–U.S. circuit.