A typical day starts with breakfast at your inn, a look at the route booklet, and a ride out on your own. The booklet has turn-by-turn directions, sectional maps and local tips on where to eat, what to see and where to stop. A local driver moves your bags ahead to the next night's stay. On some days the driver also takes you to the trailhead.

Many of the routes follow old railway lines that have been turned into trails. These are mostly flat and well-surfaced, and they pass through small towns spaced close enough for regular stops. Le P'tit Train du Nord runs to Mile Zero in Saint-Jérôme and passes old stations such as Val-David. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail crosses wooden trestle bridges near Kelowna. On PEI, you can link the Confederation Trail with coastal riding along the Gulf Shore Parkway.

The main difference from a guided group tour is control over your day. You decide when to start, how fast to ride and how long to stay at a lighthouse, winery or bakery. The safety net is still there: there's an emergency hotline, every itinerary has been tested by the operator's team, and a local partner handles the transfers.

Great Canadian Trails is a Canadian company with an experienced team. Most of its trips include a donation to the local non-profit that builds and maintains the trail you ride, so part of what you pay goes back into the trail.

Route difficulty is shown on a 7-step scale, from Discovery & Cruising up to Challenging. Rail-trail cycling usually sits near the Introductory level, which means up to five or six hours a day on mostly flat surfaces at a steady pace. The operator says plainly that 'introductory' does not mean easy.

What's included

- Accommodation in hotels, inns, B&Bs, cottages or cabins - Daily luggage transfers between accommodations - Trailhead transfers where the itinerary needs them - 21-speed hybrid bicycle (e-bike available) - Sectional maps - Customised route booklet with local tips - Emergency hotline - Donation to the local trail non-profit (most trips)

What's not included

- Travel to the start and from the finish - Meals not listed in the specific itinerary - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Optional activities along the route