The “Olden Holden Bike Tour” is a great way to get some exercise, see the sights, and learn a little bit of Holden Beach History. So, grab your two wheeler, turn on your imagination, and take a winding route back in time.
The Olden Holden Bike Tour consists of three different bike routes, totaling approximately 20 miles, each with its own special beauty and history. Along the routes, you will find numbered signs, which signify special points of interest.
Click here to view a copy of the brochure for the bike tour.
Holden Beach is quickly becoming a “Bike Friendly” town. We have put together a pleasant historical tour for you to enjoy by bike. We are affectionately calling this the “Olden” Holden Bike Tour.
We hope you enjoy the history and wonderful views of Holden Beach, as you pedal to the East End, the West End, and all that lies
between. Bike on!
Explore the beauty and history of Holden Beach as you tour the island by bike. There are three different bike
routes, totaling approximately 20 miles, each with its own special beauty and history. They are marked on
the map in pink, blue and orange.
The pink route, on the east end of the island, is a 3 1/2-mile loop and includes most of the historic points
of interest and bicycle access to the beach.
The blue route, in the middle of the island, is a 5-mile scenic loop with views of the waterway and marshlands. Here you can enjoy glimpses of water birds, deer and the occasional dolphin.
The orange route, on the west end of the island, is a 10-mile loop dotted with parks, butterfly garden, fishing areas, and bicycle access to the beach.
Numbered signs correspond to special points of of interest on the map.
Here are just a few examples:
ELIZABETH, BENDIGO, AND RANGER SHIPWRECKS: Three Civil War Blockade runners sank off the coast. Detailed information is printed on three separate stone tablets along Ocean Boulevard East.
THE OLD HOTEL: was the first building on the beach besides the fishery. Built in 1926 by Mr. John Holden, Jr. for visitors, it had a dining room where his wife did the cooking.
COAST GUARD LOOK-OUT POINT: During WW II, 20-25 men patrolled beach by horseback on the look-out for German Submarines. Several US Merchant Marine ships were observed being torpedoed and set
afire. A German submarine was caught near Wilmington. There was even a story that a German U-Boat came into Shallotte Point and bought gas!
OLD FERRY: In the 1930s it was only large enough to carry one car and was pulled across the waterway by hand on a cable. The operator caught the cable with a notched wooden pole called a “jack stick” and pulled the ferry across. In 1946, the second ferry held two cars and was powered by an old car engine. The steel cable that held it on course had to be lowered for each boat that came. Long lines of cars backed up in the early 1950s’ weekends. The cable had to be raised by hand and was extremely heavy.
The numbered “Olden” Holden Bike Tour leads you to 23 stops of scenic and historical significance. Within this tour, three different routes have been mapped out, including the following:
- The Pink Route (3.5-mile loop): This section is on the east end of the island and includes many of the tour’s historic spots.
- The Blue Route (5-mile loop): This scenic loop runs through the middle of Holden Beach, with views of the waterway and marshlands.
- The Orange Route (10-mile loop): Holden Beach’s west end is on display along this bike tour. You’ll pass scenic parks, fishing spots, and bicycle accesses to the beach.
