Cycling Prince Edward Island
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Canada.
Prince Edward Island offers an abundance of outdoor opportunities for those seeking an active and inspiring escape. With its coastal scenery, charming villages and rolling farmland, what better way to explore than by bicycle. Much of the island's roads average at about a two per cent grade, rising and falling in gentle slopes and making for a mix of easy to moderate conditions for novices and seasoned pros. Whether it's a tip-to-tip tour of the island or a short day-trip down a country road, the island has it all.
CYCLING SEASON
The cycling season extends from May to late autumn. In May and June temperatures range from 5°C to 22°C (41°F to 71°F) while the summer months of July and August are hot but not humid. Temperatures in the summer can range from 20°C to 32°C (68°F to 90°F). September is still quite pleasant and October is alive with the colours of the changing seasons. Temperatures this late in the season begin to cool with averages ranging from 5°C to 12°C (41°F to 54°F) during the day.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
While cycling on the trail system and on roadways, visitors should note that bicycle helmets are mandatory. Children riding tandem, in bicycle carriers or attached trailers, should also wear approved helmets and be properly restrained. If riding on a public roadway, cyclists should always ride with the flow of traffic and observe the same rules of the road as apply to motorists. Become familiar with and practice proper hand signalling for all stops and turns.
GUIDED TOURS
An array of group-tour operators provide intimate and comprehensive excursions on the island's trails and roadways. Freewheeling Adventures offers complete trip coordination packages for day trips and also provides customized excursions. Outside Expeditions features locations in both North Rustico and Brudenell and offers a range of week-long cycling expeditions which include all meals, lodging and van-support.
Unique seven-day escorted cycling and camping tours are provided annually by Atlantic Canada Cycling. The comprehensive tour features interpretive discussions, lodging, luggage service and rider support.
Four self-guided tour packages are provided by Independent Tourist, including a tip-to-tip trip via the north shore, a Confederation Trail journey, a St. Peter's Bay tour and an East Point Lighthouse trip. All of their tours include lodging, breakfast and luggage transfer services.
SELF-GUIDED TOURS
Prince Edward Island was the first province in Canada to complete its commitment to the Trans Canada Trail initiative, in which abandoned railways are re-developed for recreation use. The island's section, the Confederation Trail, boasts 357 km (221 mi) of relatively flat, groomed tracks extending from Tignish to Elmira. With many branch trails into destinations such as Souris, Montague, Brudenell, Charlottetown and Borden-Carleton, a town and city adventure is never far off.
A trip across the province via the Confederation Trail can take anywhere from five to seven days. While many possibilities are available, the following is a suggested itinerary for those planning a cross-province adventure via the Confederation Trail.
Five Days Tip-to-Tip
Day One
After spending a night at the Tignish Heritage Inn and Gardens, cyclists can begin their cycling journey at the Tignish Zero Kilometre Park near the Tignish Cultural Centre. Day One of the cross-province trip extends through to O'Leary and covers approximately 45 km (28 mi). Mill River Provincial Campground and the Rodd Mill River Resort are two accommodation options available.
Day Two
This stretch covers 64 km (40 mi) of easy to moderate trails from O'Leary to Summerside. Highlights and side trips along this section of the route include the Prince Edward Island Potato Museum, Green Park Provincial Park and Linkletter Provincial Park. In addition to numerous sights, attractions and shopping opportunities, a multitude of lodging and dining options are available once arriving in Summerside.
Day Three
The third leg of the journey takes cyclists through rolling countryside and farmland to Hunter River. The 45-km (28 mi) trip passes through the historic town of Kensington, site of the Kensington Railway Station National Historic Site. Greenvale Acres Bed and Breakfast in Hunter River and the Barachois Inn in nearby Rustico offer comfortable lodging and down-home hospitality. Regional dining opportunities are offered at the nearby Dayboat Restaurant and the Olde Glasgow Mill Restaurant.
Day Four
The fourth day of the expedition finds cyclists venturing from Hunter River to Morell. At kilometer 176.7 of the trail, cyclists can take the Royalty Junction which leads directly to the city of Charlottetown. Other side trips along the route include visits to the beaches of Prince Edward Island National Park, historic Dalvay by the Sea and the Hillsborough River Eco Centre in Mount Stewart. Nearby lodgings include the Trailside Inn, Café & Adventures, the Rodd Crowbush Golf & Beach Resort and the Midgell Centre hostel.
Day Five
The last leg of the tip-to-tip journey, from Morell to Elmira, offers moderate cycling terrain and is approximately 54 km (34 mi) in length. The charming village of St. Peters, Greenwich-Prince Edward Island National Park, and a junction to the historic waterfront village of Souris are places of interest. The five-day accomplishment can be celebrated with a traditional seafood feast and a relaxing night's stay at the Harbour Lights Guest House in Elmira.
Day Tripping
A number of lightly-travelled scenic heritage roads, where red clay lanes prevail, offer a unique look into the heart of the island. In the tourist region of Green Gables Shore, the Princetown-Warburton Road in Fredericton provides some challenging terrain and scenic pastoral vistas. In the Points East Coastal Drive region near the town of Souris, Glen Road features the island's disputed largest elm tree and endless green pastures. Visitors can also take a peek into the unique world of forestry management though the island's six designated demonstration woodlots. Each lot features trail systems that offer moderate to challenging terrain and interpretive displays on island forestry and natural history.
RENTALS
The island has numerous rental locations province-wide that make cycling trips a very accessible option. For a fee, most rental shops offer a convenient bicycle pick-up and delivery service, making planning a cycling getaway much easier. Near the gateway of Borden-Carleton, in the town of Cape Traverse, is South Shore Bike Rentals, where bicycle options for the whole family are available. If your destination is the province's capital of Charlottetown, GoWheelin' and Smooth Cycle offer a wide range of options for day- or week-long trips. Located in the tourist region of Points East Coastal Drive, Annandale Bicycle Rental & Repair Service offers comfort touring bikes and repair services. In the community of St. Peter's, located next to the Confederation Trail and only 4 km (2.5 mi) from Greenwich-PEI National Park, is Plover Bike Rentals, which offers half-day, full-day and weekly rental opportunities.
CYCLING SEASON
The cycling season extends from May to late autumn. In May and June temperatures range from 5°C to 22°C (41°F to 71°F) while the summer months of July and August are hot but not humid. Temperatures in the summer can range from 20°C to 32°C (68°F to 90°F). September is still quite pleasant and October is alive with the colours of the changing seasons. Temperatures this late in the season begin to cool with averages ranging from 5°C to 12°C (41°F to 54°F) during the day.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
While cycling on the trail system and on roadways, visitors should note that bicycle helmets are mandatory. Children riding tandem, in bicycle carriers or attached trailers, should also wear approved helmets and be properly restrained. If riding on a public roadway, cyclists should always ride with the flow of traffic and observe the same rules of the road as apply to motorists. Become familiar with and practice proper hand signalling for all stops and turns.
GUIDED TOURS
An array of group-tour operators provide intimate and comprehensive excursions on the island's trails and roadways. Freewheeling Adventures offers complete trip coordination packages for day trips and also provides customized excursions. Outside Expeditions features locations in both North Rustico and Brudenell and offers a range of week-long cycling expeditions which include all meals, lodging and van-support.
Unique seven-day escorted cycling and camping tours are provided annually by Atlantic Canada Cycling. The comprehensive tour features interpretive discussions, lodging, luggage service and rider support.
Four self-guided tour packages are provided by Independent Tourist, including a tip-to-tip trip via the north shore, a Confederation Trail journey, a St. Peter's Bay tour and an East Point Lighthouse trip. All of their tours include lodging, breakfast and luggage transfer services.
SELF-GUIDED TOURS
Prince Edward Island was the first province in Canada to complete its commitment to the Trans Canada Trail initiative, in which abandoned railways are re-developed for recreation use. The island's section, the Confederation Trail, boasts 357 km (221 mi) of relatively flat, groomed tracks extending from Tignish to Elmira. With many branch trails into destinations such as Souris, Montague, Brudenell, Charlottetown and Borden-Carleton, a town and city adventure is never far off.
A trip across the province via the Confederation Trail can take anywhere from five to seven days. While many possibilities are available, the following is a suggested itinerary for those planning a cross-province adventure via the Confederation Trail.
Five Days Tip-to-Tip
Day One
After spending a night at the Tignish Heritage Inn and Gardens, cyclists can begin their cycling journey at the Tignish Zero Kilometre Park near the Tignish Cultural Centre. Day One of the cross-province trip extends through to O'Leary and covers approximately 45 km (28 mi). Mill River Provincial Campground and the Rodd Mill River Resort are two accommodation options available.
Day Two
This stretch covers 64 km (40 mi) of easy to moderate trails from O'Leary to Summerside. Highlights and side trips along this section of the route include the Prince Edward Island Potato Museum, Green Park Provincial Park and Linkletter Provincial Park. In addition to numerous sights, attractions and shopping opportunities, a multitude of lodging and dining options are available once arriving in Summerside.
Day Three
The third leg of the journey takes cyclists through rolling countryside and farmland to Hunter River. The 45-km (28 mi) trip passes through the historic town of Kensington, site of the Kensington Railway Station National Historic Site. Greenvale Acres Bed and Breakfast in Hunter River and the Barachois Inn in nearby Rustico offer comfortable lodging and down-home hospitality. Regional dining opportunities are offered at the nearby Dayboat Restaurant and the Olde Glasgow Mill Restaurant.
Day Four
The fourth day of the expedition finds cyclists venturing from Hunter River to Morell. At kilometer 176.7 of the trail, cyclists can take the Royalty Junction which leads directly to the city of Charlottetown. Other side trips along the route include visits to the beaches of Prince Edward Island National Park, historic Dalvay by the Sea and the Hillsborough River Eco Centre in Mount Stewart. Nearby lodgings include the Trailside Inn, Café & Adventures, the Rodd Crowbush Golf & Beach Resort and the Midgell Centre hostel.
Day Five
The last leg of the tip-to-tip journey, from Morell to Elmira, offers moderate cycling terrain and is approximately 54 km (34 mi) in length. The charming village of St. Peters, Greenwich-Prince Edward Island National Park, and a junction to the historic waterfront village of Souris are places of interest. The five-day accomplishment can be celebrated with a traditional seafood feast and a relaxing night's stay at the Harbour Lights Guest House in Elmira.
Day Tripping
A number of lightly-travelled scenic heritage roads, where red clay lanes prevail, offer a unique look into the heart of the island. In the tourist region of Green Gables Shore, the Princetown-Warburton Road in Fredericton provides some challenging terrain and scenic pastoral vistas. In the Points East Coastal Drive region near the town of Souris, Glen Road features the island's disputed largest elm tree and endless green pastures. Visitors can also take a peek into the unique world of forestry management though the island's six designated demonstration woodlots. Each lot features trail systems that offer moderate to challenging terrain and interpretive displays on island forestry and natural history.
RENTALS
The island has numerous rental locations province-wide that make cycling trips a very accessible option. For a fee, most rental shops offer a convenient bicycle pick-up and delivery service, making planning a cycling getaway much easier. Near the gateway of Borden-Carleton, in the town of Cape Traverse, is South Shore Bike Rentals, where bicycle options for the whole family are available. If your destination is the province's capital of Charlottetown, GoWheelin' and Smooth Cycle offer a wide range of options for day- or week-long trips. Located in the tourist region of Points East Coastal Drive, Annandale Bicycle Rental & Repair Service offers comfort touring bikes and repair services. In the community of St. Peter's, located next to the Confederation Trail and only 4 km (2.5 mi) from Greenwich-PEI National Park, is Plover Bike Rentals, which offers half-day, full-day and weekly rental opportunities.
Travel Packages
Tour Operator
