Cortes Island

A ride mapped and described by Let's Go Biking

8 cycling stops along this route · Vancouver Island

50 km · Full dayChallengingCalm streets, some sharingMixed surface

Cortes Island takes two ferries to reach, which keeps its roads wonderfully quiet. The riding runs 20 to 50 km from Whaletown to Smelt Bay Park, with side trips to Squirrel Cove and Cortes Bay, through forest and along the sea. Do not let the island size fool you: the hills come steadily and steeply. Historic stops and swimming beaches reward the effort.

Our map below is a rough sketch

How to get the detailed route

The full map, turn-by-turns, and GPX for this ride are on Let's Go Biking. Our map shows roughly where the ride goes, not how to follow it.

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Communities along this route#

Mansons Landing 5 Cortes Bay 1 Squirrel Cove 1 Whaletown 1

Roughly where this ride goes#

Approximate lineGet the real route ↗

Show stops Mute other bike routes

AttractionsSuppliesCamping

The dashed line is our rough sketch, drawn only to show where the ride is. For the real, rideable route, get the book from Let's Go Biking.

BC Bike Stops#

Mansons Landing (5)

Cortes Island Library BranchInfo· Library · Free

Cortes Island Museum & ArchivesInfo· Museum / Gallery · Free

Cortes Natural Food CoopInfo· Grocery Store

MarketInfo· Grocery Store

Smelt Bay CampgroundInfo· Public Campground

Cortes Bay (1)

Wild CortesInfo· Museum / Gallery · Free

Squirrel Cove (1)

Squirrel Cove General StoreInfo· Convenience Store

Whaletown (1)

Gorge Harbour Marina ResortInfo· Private Campground

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Ready to ride it?

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