Overview

Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Best Western Abbey Inn at 8:00 AM on the first day of the Bryce & Zion Bike Tour. Once everyone has arrived, you will be introduced to the beauty of Utah on a scenic four and a half hour shuttle to the Boulder Mountain Lodge. Following a delicious lunch, your Trek Travel guides will lead you in a short round of introductions and will talk bike safety for riding in Utah and its national parks. They’ll introduce you to your Trek bike for the week and will make sure you have a comfortable fit before you head out to explore the mystical landscape. Natural beauty abounds as you ride the Burr Trail through the red Wingate sandstone walls of Long Canyon to a heart-stopping view across the canyonlands sprawling to the eastern horizon. Tonight you and your new travel companions will meet at Hell’s Backbone Grill for a social hour and dinner. This one-of-a-kind restaurant is the creation of chef-owners Jen Castle and Blake Spalding. Located in one of the most remote towns in the US (population 270 at last check) and supplied by Jen and Blake’s own no-harm organic farm, Hell’s Backbone Grill is a bright spot on the culinary map. These James Beard Award nominees and winners of numerous awards including Best Restaurant in Utah (Salt Lake Magazine, 2017) are sure to serve up one of the most memorable meals of your trip.

Overview

Today you’ll ride among the ridges, mesas, and valleys of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, along one of the most scenic byways in the United States. Views stretch in every direction as you cruise across the Hogsback Ridge and drop down to the green, shady Calf Creek drainage. From here, you’ll ride into Escalante, the gateway to the National Monument. Stop for a quick stretch break before shuttling to today's lunch spot, Powell Point Overlook. Sweeping views of red rock formations extend as far as the eye can see, and you are welcome to enjoy lunch as you take it all in. After lunch, there is plenty of riding on tap or you can decide to shuttle to the hotel for an afternoon nap or a dip in the pool. Either way, you’ll be welcomed by expansive views of the Aquarius Plateau and the red, pink, and white sandstone chimneys of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. This evening you will enjoy dinner on your own in the small community of Bryce Canyon City or your guides will offer a shuttle into the Park for dining at the historic Lodge at Bryce Canyon.

Overview

It’s your day to uncover the treasures of Bryce Canyon National Park. In the morning, you’ll enjoy an out-and-back ride through the park along the rim of Bryce Canyon. Pause to take pictures at the many scenic overlooks with spectacular views of the hoodoos and natural arches. For more mileage, add Paria, Bryce, and Inspiration Points for more incredible scenery. You’ll be spoiled at lunchtime by a gourmet picnic, set up by your Trek Travel guides. Afterward, your guides will help you plan a free afternoon of exploring the town by foot. This is a great chance to souvenir shop, take a dip in the pool, or, of course, there’s always the option to just relax and read that book tucked away in your bag. Whatever you choose, your Trek Travel guides are a great resource to make it happen. After the explorations of the afternoon, you will shuttle for a delicious upscale dinner at the Stone Hearth Grille, a small locally-owned restaurant housed in a former bed and breakfast just outside the town of Tropic.

Overview

This morning, we set out for a memorable hike in Bryce Canyon. We step down, via switchbacks, along narrow walls of colorful limestone with views of towering Douglas-fir trees and the park’s iconic hoodoos. These irregular columns of rock can be found on every continent, but Bryce Canyon has the largest concentration found anywhere on Earth. Our route comes across the park's most famous hoodoo: Thor's hammer. After our hike, we shuttle to Cordwood where we will enjoy lunch before descending into Zion National Park by bike. Have your camera ready to catch your first view of Zion’s stunning sandstone summits and rugged peaks. We shuttle along the road past the Checkerboard Mesa to the Zion Tunnel. After the tunnel, we’re ready to pedal our way down switchbacks and on to our hotel in the town of Springdale. Afterwards, we gather our necessary gear in preparation for our hike through the Narrows tomorrow. Tonight you’ll stay at Flanigan's Inn, a quiet retreat near the gates of Zion. Scout local dining establishments on your own, such as Oscar's or the Spotted Dog Café, or feel free to branch out and find a new spot.

Overview

Hiking offers an intimate way to enjoy Zion through its diverse and expansive trail system, and today is your opportunity to hike the Virgin River Narrows (water level permitting). If you elect to hike the Narrows, Trek Travel will provide a rental package that includes specially designed water shoes and information for your hike. This afternoon, opt to explore more of the park on one of many breathtaking trails that await, such as Watchman Trail, Lower and Upper Emerald Pools, or Sand Bench Trail. Whatever you decide, your guides will be available to provide suggestions and information and provide a packed lunch for you to take on the trail. You’ll spend your final evening together reminiscing over the week’s adventures at the Bit and Spur restaurant, a Springdale mainstay and local's favorite.

Overview

On the last morning of your Bryce & Zion Bike Tour, you’ll cycle past Zion’s most notable monuments—The Watchman, Court of the Patriarchs, and Weeping Rock—arriving at the Temple of Sinawava, where the canyon road gives way to the Virgin River. Enjoy the cool and quiet of the morning deep inside the canyon, while the sun is still high on the cliff walls. Or, take the morning to sleep in and indulge with much-deserved rest before check-out.