Portland Lighthouses: 3-Hour Bike Tour with 4 Stops

Four lighthouses on one ride, starting from the Greenbelt

You ride 3 hours on a dedicated pathway, stopping at four working lighthouses, with your bike provided and lunch sourced from a local vendor. The final stop is Portland Head Light, the iconic 1791 structure in Cape Elizabeth. You're back by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bicycle tour visiting four lighthouses

• Start tour at 11:00 am
• Cycle to Portland Breakwater Light
• Visit Portland Breakwater Light for 15 minutes
• Cycle to Spring Point Ledge Light
• Visit Spring Point Ledge Light for 15 minutes
• Pass by Willard Beach
• Stop at Willard Beach for 5 minutes
• Cycle to Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park
• Visit Portland Head Light for 20 minutes

The experience

Pedaling out of South Portland on the Greenbelt Pathway, you're moving through quiet green space that opens onto water views without the noise of a main road. The route follows the scenic corridor for three hours, stopping at four lighthouses that mark different chapters of Maine's maritime history. Your bike is included, and the pace is steady. You're covering ground, but not racing.

The first lighthouse comes up quickly: Portland Breakwater Light, built in 1875 and known locally as "Bug Light" because of its squat, distinctive shape. From there, the tour continues to Spring Point Ledge Light, a small structure built in 1897 after several shipwrecks made it clear the harbor needed another marker. You'll pass Willard Beach, a sandy community beach with public restrooms, before the final stop at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth. That one's the anchor: built in 1791 under President George Washington, it's one of the most photographed lighthouses in New England, and the views from Fort Williams Park are the kind you'll still think about weeks later.

The tour leaves at 11:00 am, which gives you a reasonable morning and puts you back with time to spare. You'll want to bring lunch or grab a lobster roll from a local food truck that sets up near the route. The organizers can help point you toward it. The ride itself is moderate: you need decent fitness and a comfortable relationship with a bicycle seat for three hours, but it's not a mountain-bike expedition. The Greenbelt keeps you off busy roads, and the stops break up the pedaling into manageable chunks.

What’s included

Your day includes the bicycle, three hours of guided riding on the South Portland Greenbelt Pathway, stops at four lighthouses (Portland Breakwater Light, Spring Point Ledge Light, Willard Beach, and Portland Head Light), and access to Fort Williams Park at the final stop. Lunch is not included, but local food vendors are available nearby.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00Last departure this season: 15 Nov

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Lighthouse Bikes

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to see multiple lighthouses without driving between them and have moderate cycling fitness. The 3-hour pace means you're moving steadily, which is what lets you fit four stops into one morning.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the tour start?

11:00 am from South Portland.

Is the bike included?

Yes, your bicycle is provided as part of the tour.

How long is the ride?

3 hours total, including stops at the four lighthouses.

What lighthouses do you visit?

Portland Breakwater Light ("Bug Light"), Spring Point Ledge Light, and Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, plus a pass by Willard Beach.

Is lunch included?

No, but a local food truck serving lobster rolls sets up near the route, and the organizers can help you locate it.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

You need at least moderate fitness and comfort on a bike for 3 hours. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health.

Can I use public transportation to get there?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the starting point in South Portland.