Biking the Confederation Trail

The perfect way for bikers to see Prince Edward Island is by way of the Confederation Trail. It is an island tip to island tip journey through wetlands, picturesque villages and alongside meandering rivers, unmatched by any other trail on the North American continent.

Prince Edward Island completed its portion of the Trans Canada Trail back in 2000. It was the first province to finish. The trail starts in Tignish and ends up five days later in Elmira on the other side of the Island. In addition there are several other side trips for exploration and for extending your stay, should you desire. The trail covers 274 km. If you add in the side trips, well that's another 98km to cycle. It is broken down into sections and rated easy to moderate with no sections, so far listed as difficult to maneuver.

Many businesses and facility owners participate in a program called the "Cyclists Welcome Program," to enable ease of accommodations for tourists, allowing for a more pleasurable experience. There are several brochures that can be accessed online or ordered through the mail that describes the different sections of the Confederation Trail. These include:

• Day 1 - Tignish to O'Leary (45 km easy to moderate)

• Day 2 - O'Leary to Wellington (45 km easy to moderate)

• Day 3 - Wellington to Hunter River (65 km moderate to hard)

• Day 4 - Hunter River to Morell (65 km moderate to hard) 

• Branch Trail - Royalty Junction to Charlottetown (9 km easy)

• Branch Trail - Mt. Stewart to Georgetown (40 km moderate)

• Branch Trail - Cardigan Junction to Montague (10 km easy)

• Day 5 - Morell to Elmira (54 km moderate)

• Branch Trail - Iona to Murray Harbour (39 km moderate)

There are also scheduled rides and events throughout all seasons and a check with the cycling centers can help you find the right one for you and your family and friends.

Activity on the Confederation Trail is limited to bikers, hikers, walkers, wheelchairs, runners and snowmobiles in the winter time. Right now, it's a "no horses allowed" area. However equestrian trails to parallel the Confederation Trail are in the making on the western end. So be patient, if you're like traveling with your horse.