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Canada’s smallest province

Cycling PEI - How to Spend 5 Days

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is Canada’s smallest province, measuring only 220 km (137 mi) long by 64 km (40 mi) at its widest. It’s a great cycling destination for people who like quiet back roads and little in the way of hills.
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The Lighthouse in Souris

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is Canada’s smallest province, measuring only 220 km (137 mi) long by 64 km (40 mi) at its widest. It’s a great cycling destination for people who like quiet back roads and little in the way of hills.

 

If you are new to multi-day bike trips, this is a good one to start with. Cycling PEI doesn’t get much easier than on the mostly flat roads that cover the province – the smallest and least populated of Canada’s 10 provinces. We cycled PEI over five days – its entire length – but it could be done in one very long day. But then what would that accomplish?

Prince Edward Island map
Prince Edward Island map

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Catching a sunset near Summerside
Catching a sunset near Summerside

Cycling PEI – the kind of roads and trails to expect

You can expect to ride a mix of scenic roads as well as sections of the 273 km long Confederation Trail, an old rail bed that is now a multi-use trail. The roads and trail take you through a patchwork of farmland, past thousands of acres of potatoes fields (PEI’s most famous export) on gently rolling terrain with occasional coastal sections.

A real treat is the 10 km (6 mi) multi-use trail along the Gulf Shore Parkway in Prince Edward Island National Park.

Prince Edward Island by Bike
Confederation Trail makes for easy biking

Where to start your cycling trip in PEI

If you want to cycle the length of the island, then you need to start at either North Cape or East Point, and for that you’ll need to arrange a shuttle.

We had flown into Charlottetown and had no interest in renting a car and so organized a shuttle from Charlottetown to the North Cape via MacQueens, a bike company specializing in tours of PEI.

Note: Another company in PEI that offers rental bikes, shuttle services and help with trip planning is Outer Limit Sports.

Where to stay in Charlottetown: I’d suggest The Great George near the historic Charlottetown waterfront based on personal experience. You can walk everywhere from this hotel.

If you start at North Cape, you can visit the North Cape Wind Interpretative Center and take the prerequisite starting photograph at North Cape Historic Lighthouse before heading out.

The North Cape is a spot where they test wind turbine design…so you can imagine the start. But it is easy cycling, if the wind is at your back for the 35 km (22 mi) to Northport, a lovely spot to spend the night.

Prince Edward Island by Bike
You’ll see fields of sunflowers on a bike ride in PEI

Northport to Summerside by bike

From Northport, it’s 84 km (52 mi) to Summerside. The roads take you through picturesque fishing villages, past rivers where you might see oyster fisherman working. You’ll cycle in sight of Malpeque Bay – world famous for its oysters.

Next up, and only 58 km (36 mi) away, is Cavendish and Prince Edward Island National Park. This is where you’ll find some lovely beaches and the Anne of Green Gables House.

"Monster mailbox along the backroads of PEI"
Monster mailbox along the backroads of PEI

From there, the ride to Brackley Beach, 33 km (21 mi) to the east, is beautiful. This is one of the most famous of the 40 or so beaches in PEI. The swimming is pleasant too. Water temperatures are as warm as any you’ll find north of North Carolina.

If you don’t want to stay at Brackley Beach, I’d recommend the Barachois Inn in Rustico. A full English breakfast comes with a stay.

Biking the length of PEI
You’ll find farms scattered across the province

St. Peter’s Bay

The next destination, St. Peters Bay, can be accessed via highways but do the Confederation Trail through here. It’s flat and in no time you’ll knock off the 68 km (42 mi). 

Should your legs have some extra juice, cycle the very scenic section of road around St. Peters Bay to Greenwich. Lock your bikes and head out for a 4.8 km (3.0 mi) walk on the trail to the Greenwich Dunes. Spectacular boardwalks, parabolic sand dunes and a beautiful beach are the reward.

Stay: The Inn at St. Peters is a premier place to stay, offering ocean views and well-tended grounds. If you want something a little smaller check out the Tír na nÓg Inn – a B&B rated exceptional.

Uncrowded beaches in PEI
Uncrowded beaches in PEI

The final 56 km (35 mi) to the East Point Lighthouse can be dispatched in just a few hours. Here, you can see where the Northumberland Strait meets the Gulf of St. Lawrence. From here you can hop a ferry and five hours later land in the Magdalen Islands, another great spot for cycling….and photography.

That ends the tip to tip part of the bike ride. But if you’ve got time, I’d recommend weaving your way down the coast and back around to Charlottetown. It could be comfortably done in a few days.

The lighthouse in Souris
The lighthouse in Souris

The best part about cycling PEI

PEI is clean, tidy and safe. There’s barely a blade of grass out of place. The citizens are law abiding -coming to a screeching halt at any intersection with the Confederation Trail.

It’s quite unlike anything I encountered when I lived in Vancouver. Friendliness and helpfulness must be in the gene pool. Three offers of truck rides for our bikes occurred in just a few days.

Enjoy the food in PEI – especially after burning off all those calories cycling. Look for scallop burgers , lobster in every form imaginable, haddock and if you get the chance I highly recommend a meal and a stay at the famed Inn at Bay Fortune.

Life is good in PEI. Come see for yourself.

Biking the length of PEI
Looking out at calm waters from a ocean front restaurant in Summerside

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