Essential Cycles
Cumberland Escape
Cumberland Escape
4 Nights / 5 Days — Vancouver Island's Mountain Bike Mecca
Cumberland is where BC mountain biking was born. Over 200 km of hand-built singletrack, loamy forest trails, iconic wooden features, and a village that lives and breathes bikes. This isn't a tourist tour — it's a proper Island escape with locals who know every line.
You've heard the legends. Now come ride them.
Tour at a Glance
4 nights / 5 days
Thursday to Monday
Cumberland Guesthouse
Village of Cumberland
Min 4 / Max 10
Small group vibes
Intermediate to Expert
Chill & Thrill options
The Itinerary
Day 1: Thursday — Arrival
Travel: Self-Drive guests catch the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (~1h 40min), then drive to Cumberland (~1.5 hrs). We Drive guests get picked up from Essential Cycles in North Vancouver — we handle the ferry and all driving.
Afternoon: Check in at Cumberland Guesthouse. Shake-out ride right from the front door — the trails literally start a block away. Easy group loop to spin the legs out and get a feel for the famous Cumberland loam.
Evening: Welcome drinks at Cumberland Brewing Company. Dinner in the village.
Day 2: Friday — Cumberland Day 1
With 5+ riders, we split into two groups based on how you like your trails:
🟢 CHILL
Vibe: Flow, features, grins
Berms, small drops, wooden features you can session. The iconic trails that put Cumberland on the map — boardwalks, A-frames, perfectly groomed loam.
🔴 THRILL
Vibe: Steep, tech, consequence
Rock rolls, steeper chutes, gaps, commitment moves. Freeride features and raw natural tech for those who like it rough.
Stats: ~25-35 km riding, ~600-800m climbing. Groups regroup for lunch and post-ride hangs.
Evening: Post-ride swim at Comox Lake (10 min away). Dinner in village.
Day 3: Saturday — Mount Washington Bike Park
Vancouver Island's only lift-accessed bike park. Chairlift up, gravity down. Views of the Comox Glacier, Salish Sea, and Coast Range between laps.
Everyone rides together but picks their own adventure — the park has everything from mellow flow to legit gnar.
🟢 CHILL
Flowy, bermy, confidence-building. Perfect for progressing your bike park skills.
🔴 THRILL
Steep, rocky, raw. The gnarly stuff that Mt Washington is famous for.
Stats: ~400m descent per run. Unlimited laps. You'll lose count.
Evening: Dinner at Mt Washington before heading down. Legs cooked — recovery mode.
Day 4: Sunday — Cumberland Day 2 + Forbidden Plateau
Morning — Cumberland Round 2: Chill crew hits more flow favorites or re-rides Day 1 highlights. Thrill crew tackles the technical XC classics — demanding climbs, raw descents, earn every metre.
Afternoon — Forbidden Plateau: A 10-minute drive across the valley to a different trail network. Pedal up, then descend classic Island tech — rock rolls, steep chutes, natural features. The OG zone where Island mountain biking started.
Evening: Farewell dinner at Cumberland Brewing or Riders Pizza. Swap stories, compare Strava, plan the return trip.
Day 5: Monday — Last Laps & Departure
Morning: Sleep in, or squeeze in one more lap from town. Quick favorites before packing up.
Late Morning: Check out. Self-Drive guests head to Departure Bay for the ferry home. We Drive guests are back in North Vancouver by early evening.
What's Included
| SELF-DRIVE | WE DRIVE |
|---|---|
| ✓ 4 nights Cumberland Guesthouse ✓ Expert local guiding (4 days) ✓ Chill & Thrill trail options (5+ riders) ✓ Mt Washington Bike Park lift ticket ✓ Grab & go breakfast basics ✓ Daily post-ride snacks & drinks |
Everything in Self-Drive, PLUS: ✓ Round-trip transport from North Van ✓ Ferry crossing (vehicle + passengers) ✓ All island transportation |
Not Included
- Meals (village has excellent options — we'll steer you right)
- Bike rental (available if needed)
- Travel/medical insurance
- Alcohol & gratuities
- Self-Drive only: Ferry fare (~$90-110 RT with vehicle), fuel
Pricing
| SELF-DRIVE | WE DRIVE | |
|---|---|---|
| Per person (double occupancy) | $1,299 | $1,799 |
| Single supplement | +$450 | +$450 |
The Details
- Dates: Select weekends, June – September
- Group size: Minimum 4, Maximum 10
- Skill level: Intermediate to Expert (Chill & Thrill options available)
- Deposit: 20% to secure your spot
- Balance due: 60 days before departure
Ready to Escape?
Questions? Want to check dates? Let's talk.
Email: jaclyn@essentialcycles.com
Cumberland's been calling. Time to answer.