Ketchikan Electric Bike and Rain Forest Hike Ecotour
Description
As the original electric bicycle tour in Southeast Alaska, we're excited for you to join us on an easy, enjoyable ride on the "road to nowhere". This road dead ends at the edge of the dense Tongass National Forest, an extensive wilderness where you will then take an enjoyable, guided, educational hike along a well maintained trail beside an active salmon spawning stream. The hiking features a beautiful waterfall along the path as well as stunning beach views with potential to spot intertidal creatures, black bears and marine mammals along the coast. The dense rainforest is the highlight of the loop trail through the Tongass and is always changing throughout the season. After enjoying your guided hike you'll return to your e-bikes to cycle back to our marina for smoked salmon snacks along with vegan options and beverages. All our tours provide round trip transportation from both the Downtown Cruise docks & the New Dock at Ward Cove. Excellent rain gear is provided should you need it.
Tour Options
Itinerary
After a dozen years of running kayak tours in Ketchikan, we're consistently surprised at the number of visitors who never set foot in the Rain Forest. Our E-Bike tour originated from a desire to get more visitors into this amazing rain forest. With almost 200 inches of rain annually, there really is no place as lush and unique as Southeast Alaska. The forest floor is bountiful with all kinds of Flora and Fauna and depending on the time of season its not unusual to see deer or or salmon swimming up stream. Port times for most folks are very limited, so we wanted to maximize your time by combining multiple activities on this tour. Plus we wanted to offer more than just a hiking tour anyway. So we made the trip to the trailhead half the adventure in itself. The ocean views along the hike and from our scenic marina are a big bonus! It's not unheard of to see Porpoises, Seals and Sea Lions or sometimes Humpbacks or Orcas from the beach.
Electric assist bicycles are bicycles. You pedal them and shift gears like any other bike. They are very quiet in operation and are not classified as a motorized vehicle. These bikes have multiple levels of peddle assist allowing you to choose how much exercise you want to get. Peddling is necessary. We can cover more distance using e-bikes than conventional bicycles, you don't have to worry about keeping up, and they are the perfect way to get just the amount of exercise you're after. They are very accommodating with a step-through frame so you don't have to throw a leg over the bike to get on and off. We recharge our e-bikes with hydro power so they are a clean source of fun. Our tour usually max's out at 10 people, so no chance of getting lost in the crowd. Get out of town with us on your visit to Ketchikan this summer!
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We Pick up guests at Downtown Cruise Docks & Ward Cove Cruise Ship Docks. Please Read ALL Meeting Instructions! FOR DOWNTOWN CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS & Other Guests: After disembarking your cruise ship, please proceed to the shelter at Cruise Berth 3. The shelter is on the dock next to the "Visitors Information - Restrooms" building and Sockeye Sam's Store. It's across the street from the tunnel. (NOTE: this is NOT the berth 2 Visitors Center). The walk is approximately 2-5 minutes depending at which pier you are docked. The address is 425 Water Street. Our driver will be present 15 minutes before all departures holding a RED sign that says "KETCHIKAN KAYAK CO." FOR CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS Docking AT THE MILL AT WARD COVE: (Norwegian Cruise Lines + Some Others) After disembarking your cruise ship, please proceed to the brick building "The Mill at Ward Cove." Proceed through the building to the right. Tour vendors will be greeting guests for excursions in the corner near the restrooms and the large overhead door. Look for our driver with a RED sign that reads "KETCHIKAN KAYAK CO." 15 minutes AFTER the departure time. The MIll at Ward Cove is halfway between downtown Ketchikan and our marina, this means DEPARTURES FROM WARD COVE WILL BE GREETED BY OUR DRIVER 15-20 MINUTES AFTER THE SCHEDULED DOWNTOWN DEPARTURE TIME as you will be picked up on the way. Guests returning to Ward Cove will be back about 15 minutes early. For example, if you schedule a tour from 8:00am to noon, your tour will operate from 8:15 to 11:45.am. If you are docking at Ward Cove but would prefer to meet for a downtown departure (e.g. your ship docks at 7:00am and you want to see downtown Ketchikan before meeting us for an 11:00am tour) or if you would prefer to be dropped off downtown after the excursion this may be possible but you will need to contact the Ketchikan Kayak Co. prior to your tour time to arrange the change. Otherwise all guests docking at Ward Cove will be expected to be picked up at Ward Cove. *Remember to turn off airplane mode when you pull into port to aid in communication should there be any delays or should any issues arise the day of your excursion.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour does not cancel for rain
Reviews(623)
Very pleasant hike, easy transportat to get get to there.Austin was an exceptionaly knowledgeable local guide.
This was an absolutely phenomenal experience. Vessna and Anika were amazing guides!!! They literally offered so many unexpected items so that you'd be ready to ride as comfortably as possible from rain jackets and pants to offering to store or carry your personal items. The equipment supplied was comfortable and well-maintained. It was a great 5 mile one way ride in a light mist to the hike point. Vessna was simply fantastic as she provided so much information and opportunity for us to experience the Tongass forest. We stopped frequently as she shared her extensive knowledge. Anika was also very helpful in helping us identify different plant species. We hiked down to the beach. It was just a 10+ experience all the way, even the ride back in the slightly heavier rain. Highly recommend.
Absolutely perfect day away from the cruise crowd downtown. We did the e-bike/guided rainforest hike, Our tour guides Vessna and Ani were wonderful. We learned so much about the Tongass rain forest. Surroundings were stunning. Our every need was met to include setting us up with the right bike and helmet, offering to carry waters and having snacks handy. Highly highly recommend!
It was a wonderful experience! There were no issues with their transportation from and to the dock. Our jovial guides, Vesna and Austin, were attentive and professional, and provided clear, safety-minded guidance. During the forest hike, Austin led the way and made the woods seem that much more alive with his knowledge and obvious passion, while Vesna made sure everyone was doing fine. We strongly recommend you book this tour. Nicole and Jesús
The e-bikes made the hills easy once we got the hang of them. The views were spectacular, the rainforest hike was beautiful, and our guide was very knowledgeable. Ending at an ocean overlook was the perfect finale. Highly recommend!
The e-bike and rainforest hike were fantastic! Our guide Austin was exceptionally engaging and very knowledgeable. Thank you Ketchikan Kayack Co. for a great experience.
Our Ketchikan E bike and Rainforest hike with Ketchikan Kayak Co. was a highlight of our trip! Although it rained, the gear and equipment kept us comfortable and actually contributed to a very authentic experience. Our guides Austin and Erica were exceptional-knowledgeable, personable, and genuinely passionate about their community and the incredible rainforest they call home. We left with a greater appreciation for Ketchikan‘s natural beauty. I would highly recommend this adventure.
Do it! My sons and I absolutely loved doing this tour. We love biking so we thought it would be a great experience! Our guides were great and super helpful. The e-bikes were cruisers and not what we expected (we are mountain bikers so I think we thought more along those lines) but they were super fun! We rode all the way to the end of pavement and got off bikes to hike into Tongass National Forest to the beach. Our guide explained the plants and animals in the area. We played a ‘Snack or poison’ to discuss local plants. Even ate some deer heart leaves and Sitka spruce tips. We found starfish during low tide. We had so much fun, one of my sons talked to the guide and swears he wants to go one summer to work there! Great tour away from the chaos of the port.
Good tour, lovely insightful guides but astonishingly overpriced for what it is.
Great guide (Vessna). Easy ride and hike. Bikes cruiser type. Staff friendly and prices seem reasonable for Alaska ports.
