Cycle Canada Bicycle Tours

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Dempster Highway

Ride in Canada's Northern Lands

Cycle Canada riders have been travelling the Dempster Highway since 2010. In 2018 the road was extended to Tuktoyaktuk and a Cycle Canada riders rode this extension from Inuvik for the first time.

The Dempster Highway is part of the Cycle Canada Series, expeditions designed to explore the diversity of the country and its people. With this event, Cycle Canada riders will travel through two Canadian Territories, plus having the opportunity to dip a tire or toe in one more ocean.

Whitehorse, YK to Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.

The Dempster Highway is a supported tour and accommodation is mainly camping. There will be indoor stays at the start and end of the tour. Cycling will be on paved and unpaved roads and riders need to be prepared for a wide range of road conditions. Services along the route are minimal. Riders pass through remote areas with spectacular scenery. On many nights we will not have hot showers and electricity. There will be some stays in no-service campgrounds and wilderness camps.

For Tips about riding the Dempster Highway please visit: Tour Arctic FAQ

Please contact us early to register.

To learn more about the level of support on Cycle Canada's tours please visit Frequently Asked Questions

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Tour Itinerary

Testimonials

From the Whitehorse, or Dawson City, Yukon to Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.

Whitehorse is a big city in the Yukon but not by southern standards. Arrive early and explore this fun historic town. Or explore the surrounds by bike. On Grey Mountain, which overlooks Whitehorse from the east, you will find an extensive and challenging network of mountain bike trails.

Our ride heads north and as we travel the days become longer and the nights shorter. The section from Whitehorse to Dawson is mainly paved and we are in serviced campgrounds for all but one night. We follow the Klondike Highway to Dawson. It's the old gold rush route and remnants of that era are evident in Dawson today.

The Dempster Highway — On to the Arctic Ocean

We'll have a rest day in Dawson. Leaving Dawson City in the Yukon we follow the Dempster Highway to Inuvik - in the Northwest Territories. The Dempster Highway is an unpaved road that stretches 734 km (456 miles) through Arctic wilderness to reach the delta of the Mackenzie River. Along the highway we travel through the Gwich'in land, and cross the Arctic Circle. The route includes two short ferry rides, crossing the Peel River and the MacKenzie where it is joined by the Arctic Red River.

From Inuvik we go on to Tuktoyaktuk and camp on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Riders return to Inuvik by shuttle before heading on to their next adventure.

Tour Summary Dates and Fees

  • Whitehorse, Yukon to Tuktoyaktuk, NWT
  • Dates: Please see Tour Arctic
  • Fees are per person in Canadian funds
  • Total amount includes Registration Fee ($150.00) and Deposit ($250.00) which are non-refundable (please refer to our cancellation policy)
  • Goods and Services Tax (GST).
  • Accommodation & Meals

    • Nights indoor — 3 nights
    • Nights camping — 14 nights (limited or no services)
    • 13 dinner and 15 breakfasts, make/carry your own lunch from our supplies

    Distances and Rating

  • Total days — 16
  • Riding days — 14
  • Rest days — 2
  • Ferry trips — 2
  • Total distance by bike — 1460 km (905 mi.)
  • Daily average — daily average 104 km (64 mi.)
  • Longest day — 156 km (96 mi.)
  • Daily Average, Dempster Highway — 97 km (60 mi.)
  • There is a rest day in Dawson City, Yukon Territory.

    On the Dempster we may need to adjust daily distances

    We will have a Skype meeting with each prospective rider who has not completed Tour du Canada or other of our expedition rides with Cycle Canada.

    Challenge Level: Four Cogs (highest) x 2.