What Backroads Does
Backroads is a tour operator that runs guided group trips focused on active travel — hiking, biking, kayaking, and similar activities — in destinations across the United States, Europe, Central America, South America, Asia, and Africa. Unlike bus-based sightseeing tours, Backroads trips center on outdoor movement through a region rather than stops at landmarks. You travel with a small group (typically 8 to 16 people), stay in hotels or lodges for multiple nights, and spend most days doing the activity the trip is built around.
The company handles logistics: transportation between accommodations, meals, activity guides, and equipment rental. You book a specific trip for a set price, pay upfront or on a payment plan, and show up on the start date. Backroads has been operating since 1979 and is owned by VF Corporation, a publicly traded company.
Key Takeaways
- Backroads trips are multi-day guided tours centered on one main activity like hiking or biking, with groups of 8 to 16 people staying in hotels and eating together.
- Trip prices vary widely by destination and length — a domestic bike tour costs less than a two-week international hiking expedition — and typically include lodging, meals, guides, and activity equipment.
- You book directly through Backroads' website or by phone, choose your trip date and destination, and pay a deposit to hold your spot.
- Backroads trips require a baseline fitness level that varies by trip; the website lists difficulty ratings and describes what each day's activity involves so you can assess whether it matches your abilities.
- If you need to cancel, Backroads' refund policy depends on how far in advance you cancel; the closer to the trip start date, the less you recover.
How to Book a Backroads Trip
Start at backroads.com and browse trips by activity type (hiking, biking, kayaking, etc.), region, or trip length. Each trip listing shows the destination, dates offered, daily itinerary, difficulty level, group size, and total cost. Read the itinerary carefully — it describes what you'll do each day, how many hours you'll spend on the activity, and what the terrain or water conditions are like.
Once you've chosen a trip, you can book online or call Backroads' reservations team. You'll select your departure date (most trips run on multiple dates throughout the year), provide your name and contact information, and choose your accommodation type if options exist. A deposit is required to hold your spot; the remaining balance is due closer to the trip start date. Backroads accepts credit cards and bank transfers.
After you book, you'll receive a confirmation email with your trip details, a packing list, and information about what to bring. For international trips, Backroads provides guidance on visas and travel documents but does not arrange them for you.
What's Included and What Costs Extra
Trip prices include lodging, most meals (usually breakfast and dinner daily, plus lunch on activity days), activity guides, and equipment rental for the main activity. For a biking trip, that means your bike and helmet. For a kayaking trip, that means the kayak and paddle. For a hiking trip, typically nothing beyond guidance, since you use your own shoes and gear.
What's not included: airfare to the trip's starting point, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, tips for guides and staff, personal gear (hiking boots, bike shorts, etc.), and activities or meals outside the scheduled itinerary. Some trips offer optional add-ons — a massage, a special dinner, a guided side excursion — that cost extra and are booked separately.
International trips do not include airfare. Domestic trips sometimes include ground transportation from a central airport or meeting point, but check your trip details to confirm. If you're flying in, you're responsible for booking and paying for your flight.
Fitness Requirements and Trip Difficulty
Backroads rates trips on a scale that typically ranges from straightforward to strenuous. An straightforward trip might involve 2 to 4 hours of activity per day on flat or gently rolling terrain. A strenuous trip might involve 6 to 8 hours of hiking at altitude or biking 50+ miles per day with significant elevation gain. The trip listing includes the difficulty rating, daily mileage or duration, and terrain description so you can decide whether it matches your fitness level.
Backroads does not require a medical clearance or fitness test, but the company does recommend that you honestly assess your abilities against the trip description. If you're unsure, you can call Backroads and speak with a trip specialist who can describe what a typical day feels like and help you decide. Showing up unprepared for the physical demands can result in a difficult experience and may limit your ability to participate fully.
Most trips accommodate a range of fitness levels within their difficulty category — guides often offer shorter route options or a slower pace — but this varies by trip. Ask when you book whether modifications are available if you're at the lower end of the fitness spectrum for that trip.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Backroads' refund policy is structured around how far in advance you cancel. If you cancel more than 60 days before your trip start date, you receive a full refund minus a small administrative fee (typically $100 to $200). If you cancel 30 to 60 days before, you lose a percentage of the trip cost — often 25 to 50 percent, depending on the specific trip. If you cancel fewer than 30 days before, you typically forfeit the entire trip cost.
These terms can vary by trip and season, so check the cancellation policy on your specific trip's page before you book. Backroads recommends purchasing travel insurance that covers trip cancellation if you're concerned about having to cancel for reasons beyond your control (illness, family emergency, etc.). The company does not offer its own cancellation insurance but can point you toward third-party providers.
If Backroads cancels a trip due to insufficient enrollment or external circumstances (weather, natural disaster, etc.), you receive a full refund or the option to transfer to a different trip date or destination.
What to Expect During Your Trip
You'll arrive at the meeting point on the first day, usually in the morning. The guides will brief you on the itinerary, introduce the group, and go over safety protocols. Most days follow a similar rhythm: breakfast at your hotel, a few hours of the main activity, lunch (often packed or at a local restaurant), more activity time, return to the hotel, dinner, and free time in the evening.
Guides are trained in the activity and the region. They lead the group, manage pace, handle logistics, and often share local knowledge about the area. Group sizes are small enough that guides can offer individual attention, but large enough that you'll meet other travelers. Many people form friendships during Backroads trips and stay in touch afterward.
Accommodations are typically mid-range hotels, inns, or lodges — not luxury resorts, but not budget hostels either. Rooms are usually private (not shared), and bathrooms are en-suite. Meals are communal; you eat with your group and the guides. Dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies) can usually be accommodated if you mention them when you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my own bike or hiking boots, or does Backroads provide them?
For biking trips, Backroads provides the bike and helmet. For hiking trips, you bring your own boots and gear. For kayaking, Backroads provides the kayak, paddle, and life jacket. Check your specific trip details to confirm what's provided and what you need to bring. If you don't own the gear, you can rent it locally near the trip's starting point, or ask Backroads for rental recommendations.
What if I get injured or sick during the trip?
Guides are trained in first aid and can handle minor injuries. For serious illness or injury, guides will arrange medical care at a local clinic or hospital. You are responsible for the cost of medical treatment. Travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended, especially for international trips. Backroads does not provide medical insurance.
Can I join a trip alone, or do I need to travel with a friend?
You can join alone. Many Backroads trips include solo travelers, and the group structure means you'll meet other people when ready. If you prefer a private room rather than sharing, you can request one when you book, though this may cost extra depending on the trip.
How far in advance do I need to book?
Popular trips and peak-season dates can fill weeks or months in advance, so booking early increases your chances of getting your preferred date. Less popular trips or off-season dates may have availability closer to the start date. You can check availability on the website or call to ask about last-minute openings.
Does Backroads offer trips for families with children?
Yes, Backroads offers family trips designed for children ages 8 and up, though some trips accept younger children. Family trips are shorter and less strenuous than adult trips, and the itinerary includes activities suited to kids. Check the trip listing to see the minimum age and whether it's designated as family-friendly.