Portland Lighthouse Bicycle Tour: Two Lighthouses, One Morning

Two working lighthouses, a granite breakwater you can walk, and a fort that saw every American war

A 2-hour guided bicycle tour from South Portland follows the Greenbelt Pathway to Portland Breakwater Light (built 1875) and Spring Point Ledge Light (built 1897), with a live English-speaking guide, helmet and bike included. The tour departs at 9 am or 3 pm and returns to the bike shop after visiting both lighthouses and the historic Fort Preble site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bicycle tour to two lighthouses

• Start biking along South Portland Greenbelt Pathway
• Visit Portland Breakwater Light (Bug Light)
• Bicycle to Spring Point Light
• Walk on granite breakwater to lighthouse
• See historic Fort Preble nearby
• Return to bike shop

The experience

The ride starts at the bike shop and heads out along the South Portland Greenbelt Pathway, a scenic coastal route that keeps you off busy roads. You'll reach Portland Breakwater Light first, the one locals call Bug Light, a small lighthouse built in 1875 that still guides ships into Portland Harbor. The stop gives you time to look around before you turn back toward the second lighthouse.

From there, you continue to Spring Point Ledge Light, built in 1897 and set at the end of a long granite breakwater. You're allowed to walk out on the breakwater to reach the lighthouse itself, which sits near Fort Preble, a stone fort built in 1812 that saw action in every American war through World War Two. The fort and the lighthouse occupy the same small point of land, so you get both in one stop.

A live guide leads the whole route and handles the pacing. You get a helmet and a bike. The 2-hour window includes the riding, the stops and the walk out to the second lighthouse. Departures run at 9 am or 3 pm, so you can fit it into a morning or an afternoon without eating up a full day.

What’s included

• Helmet and bicycle for the full 2-hour tour.
• live English-speaking guide leading the route and pacing.
• access to both lighthouses and the granite breakwater at Spring Point Ledge Light.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 15:00Last departure this season: 13 Nov

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10 · max 6 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 yesterday

Good to know

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

Operated by Lighthouse Bikes

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a guided route along the Greenbelt Pathway to two lighthouses and prefer a set itinerary over planning your own. The 9 am or 3 pm start fits a half-day schedule.

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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's the difference between Portland Breakwater Light and Spring Point Ledge Light?

Portland Breakwater Light, built in 1875 and nicknamed Bug Light, is a small lighthouse still in use to guide ships into Portland Harbor. Spring Point Ledge Light, built in 1897, sits at the end of a granite breakwater near Fort Preble and is accessible by walking out on the breakwater itself.

Can I actually walk out to Spring Point Ledge Light, or do I just see it from a distance?

You can walk out on the granite breakwater to reach Spring Point Ledge Light. The breakwater is open to visitors, so you get close to the lighthouse and the historic fort next to it.

How much of the tour is actual biking versus stops?

The 2-hour tour includes the bike ride along the Greenbelt Pathway, stops at both lighthouses, and the walk out on the breakwater. The guide sets the pace so you have time to look around at each stop without rushing.

What happens if I'm not comfortable biking on roads?

Most of the route follows the South Portland Greenbelt Pathway, a dedicated bike trail. You do ride on a few quiet roads to connect to the lighthouses, but the tour is designed to keep you off busy streets.