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Confederation Trail
The Confederation Trail Prince Edward Island's tip-to-tip trail, was developed on abandoned railway lines and takes you into wetlands and hardwood groves, through quaint villages and along sparkling rivers.
In August, 2000, Prince Edward Island became the first province in Canada to complete its section of the Trans Canada Trail. Since then Island communities have been working to complete various sections across the province.
The Confederation Trail Cycling Guide will help you plan your cycling vacation on the Confederation Trail. Included in the guide are accommodations which participate in the "Cyclists Welcome Program", which take the needs of cyclists into consideration and make their properties welcoming and easy for cyclists. Browse through the different parts of the guide below, or order one by mail.
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We have also planned out five exciting Prince Edward Island cycling itineraries for you to enjoy!
The trail is nearly flat due to its origins as a railway line, and the finely crushed gravel surface makes it very easy to negotiate both on foot and by bicycle. As it passes through villages and towns, trekkers have a chance to stop, shop, have a snack and dine out. Watch for bright plum-coloured gates which mark the various entry points. In winter the trail is turned over to snowmobilers, making an excellent tip-to-tip network that even connects to several motels for door-to-door adventure.
The trail offers unlimited opportunities for nature lovers, artists, historians, photographers, berry pickers, birders and anyone looking for a nice quiet place to spread a blanket for an afternoon picnic. There are about 20 common ferns on PEI as listed in our Fern Checklist, The trail crosses most types of fern habitat so you have a chance of seeing them all.
The first long section of trail completed runs between Tignish and Kensington. This 125-km stretch takes you from a beautifully restored stone railway station in Kensington to the Jubilee Theatre in Summerside and onward to, Wellington and the heart of PEI's Acadian community. From there the off-road route travels through farmlands and forests, and allows you to experience the warmth and history of communities such as Tyne Valley, O'Leary and Tignish.
Although activity on the Confederation Trail is limited to walkers and hikers, wheelchairs, cyclists and runners in the summertime, and snowmobiles in the winter, there are now two parallel equestrian trails in the western end of the Island. The Summerside to Travellers Rest section is 4.2 km, while the O'Leary to Coleman run is 5.1 km.
Read all about Zack’s Tip-To-Tip Tour Experience. Zachary, at the age of nine, and his 78 year-old grandmother Phyllis, cycled the 273km trail and created memories to last a lifetime!
