Prince Edward Island by Bike with Great Canadian Trails
Known for its sandy beaches, friendly locals, exceptional lobster and the scenic landscapes of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, Prince Edward Island is a cyclist’s dream. Bike along gorgeous shorelines, sections of the Confederation Trail and much more.
Overview | Instructions
Duration: 7 days
Activities: 5 days self-guided cycling
Accommodation: 6 nights of accommodation in B&Bs/inns
Meals: 5 breakfasts
What’s included
- 6 nights of accommodation at double occupancy
- 5 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer (1 piece per person, not exceeding 20 kilograms)
- Transfers as indicated in itinerary
- Performance hybrid bike rental, including helmet, bike bag and rack, bike lock and basic repair kit
- Navigation app including detailed routes and points of interest
- $50 donation to Trans Canada Trail
What’s not included
- Travel to/from Charlottetown
- Airfare, visas, applicable taxes, travel insurance (required)
- Airport transfers – available at an extra cost
- Guide (this is a self-guided tour)
- Optional e-bike upgrade
- Personal expenses
- Meals and transfers not indicated in the itinerary
- Entrance fees
- All applicable taxes
Day 1: Arrive Charlottetown
Welcome to Prince Edward Island! Make your way to your central Charlottetown accommodation. Spend the rest of the day exploring Charlottetown at your leisure.
Day 2: Charlottetown to Wellington Loop to Summerside (Option A: approx. 55 km; Option B: approx. 50 km)
Head out to the bike shop to collect your gear and be fitted on your bike. From there, take a shuttle to the town of Wellington, where your journey begins with a ride on a relaxing coastal loop. Continue on the Confederation Trail to Summerside, your home for the night. If you like, opt for option B, where you’ll cycle along more direct backcountry roads en route to your accommodation.
Day 3: Summerside to North Rustico to Brackley Beach (approx. 63 km)
In the morning, head east through potato-farming country to the village of Kensington. Continue along the Confederation Trail to Emerald Junction, then to Cavendish, the heart of Prince Edward Island’s Green Gables attractions. Continue to North Rustico, then transfer to Brackley Beach after supper.
Day 4: Brackley Beach to St. Peter’s Bay (approx. 60 km)
If you like, explore the dunes, red-sand beaches and trails inside Prince Edward National Park. Follow the eastern section of the Gulf Shore Way to Dalvay by the Sea. From the end of Gulf Shore Way, you will meet up with the Confederation Trail at Tracadie. Follow the Hillsborough River to St. Peter’s Bay via the village of Morell. Spend the night in St. Peter’s Bay.
Day 5: St. Peter’s Bay: Cycle to the Greenwich Dunes (approx. 18 km)
Today, cycle approximately 9 km to the Greenwich Dunes, where you can proceed on foot to explore. If you like, head out on a relatively flat hike of 4.5 km or visit Greenwich Beach! Return to St. Peter’s Bay for the night.
Day 6: St. Peter’s Bay to Souris (Option A: approx. 38.5 km; Option B: approx. 76.3 km)
Today, cycle alongside apple trees, blackberry bushes, fields and wetland to Harmony Junction, then choose between heading south to Souris (Option A) or east to Elmira via a substantially longer route (Option B). Head to Souris for the night. Note that there are no amenities between St. Peter’s Bay and Souris or St. Peter’s Bay and Elmira, so plan to pick up lunch before leaving St. Peter’s Bay.
Day 7: Souris to Charlottetown (transfer)
Today, your cycling adventure comes to an end. Transfer from your accommodation in Souris to Charlottetown, where you’ll return your bike and head back to your hotel or the airport. Until next time!
Great Canadian Trails: A note on self-guided adventures
Self-guided walking requires individuals to use problem-solving skills, to be adaptable and to have a keen eye. It’s recommended that individuals are comfortable reading a map and referring to route notes, while having a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!)
Sometimes route finding, losing your way, and asking the locals for help are all part of the adventure. If you’ve never been on a self-guided trip, you’ll get the hang of it after the first couple of days, as the vast majority of first-time travellers with Great Canadian Trails attest.
Written route-finding materials issued by Great Canadian Trails are updated regularly. Great Canadian Trails provides a seven-day service hotline to help solve problems and answer questions.
