The BEST

BIKING

SATURNA ISLAND

East Point Road hugs the Strait of Georgia shoreline for part of the East Point “There & Back” ride; Cabbage and Tumbo Islands are in the distance, accessible only by watercraft (013126).

Worth knowing: 1) Cyclists don’t require a motor vehicle on Saturna, although riding 6.5 km (approx. 4 miles) each way from the Saturna General Store to the Narvaez Bay Campground (GINPR) along gravel, bumpy, and pothole-laden Narvaez Bay Road after a jaunt out to East Point or up Mount Warburton Pike requires logging a demanding number of kilometres for many. Fortunately, Saturna General Store’s supply and refreshment services are well-positioned for two-wheeled travellers. 2) Sturdy bike tires are recommended. 3) With limited BC Ferries access and fewer than 500 permanent island residents, motor traffic is sparse, making the island ideal for riding a bike.

Saturna Island ACTIVITIES Map

SATURNA’S BEST

East Point “There & Back” • Last biked by RP: January 2026 • There & Back • MODERATE • MAP: Ride with GPS • Starting Coordinates (Lyall Harbour Ferry Terminal): 48.797708, -123.201090 • East Point Road becomes Tumbo Channel Road ending at the East Point Whale Trail/East Point Regional Park • 15.4 km one way (approx. 9.6 mi) • 1.5 hrs each way • Provisions/Services: Food supplies (Lighthouse Pub at the ferry terminal and Saturna General Store; bathrooms/pit toilets at Lyall Harbour, Winter Cove, Russell Reef, and East Point; bike racks at Lyall Harbour, Winter Cove, and East Point, wonderful nature walks along the Xwiwxwyus (kwik-wi-us)/Winter Cove Trail (short 1 km detour from East Point Road along Winter Cove and Church Bay Roads), at Russell Reef (intertidal life), and East Point Whale Trail/East Point Regional Park (Southern Resident orca art sign at East Point, etc) • Fresh water: Lyall Harbour and Saturna General Store • Birders: Winter Cove—143 species since 1973 (eBird); East Point—164 species since 1989 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: The reward for this long ride, some of it hugging the Strait of Georgia shoreline, is East Point, and a nice view of Tumbo Island and Tumbo Channel; from Sunset Boulevard it’s a steep uphill ride for 1.2 km before turning flat the rest of the way to Winter Cove and is comfortable going to East Point • Best time of year to ride: Anytime; early in the day affords the greatest amount of sunshine.

Mount Warburton Pike “Up & Down” • Last biked by RP: Several years ago • There & Back • STRENUOUS • Starting Coordinates (Lyall Harbour Ferry Terminal): 48.797708, -123.201090 • Turn right/south off Narvaez Bay Road onto Harris Road, follow Harris Road to its junction with Staples Road, turn left/east, and start grinding • 3.9 km one way (approx. 2.4 mi) • 1 hr each way • Provisions/Services: Food supplies (Lighthouse Pub at the ferry terminal and Saturna General Store); bathrooms at Lyall Harbour; Mount Warburton Pike (bike rack, educational signage, picnic table, no pit toilets) • Fresh water: Lyall Harbour and Saturna General Store • Birders: 88 species since 1973 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Brown Ridge Trail starting at the Mount Warburton Pike summit and sightings of feral goats (read Have you seen Saturna Island’s Billy Goat Gang?); this steep, winding gravel road is in good shape for bikes equipped with knobby mountain bike tires; add 2-3 more kilometres each way, coasting downhill to the Sage Hayward Vineyards’ tasting room and Feral Goat Bistro (check open hours) and or Thomson Park (but what coasts down, must pedal back up) • Best time of year: Anytime the sky is clear.