What is the best 5 day bike itinerary?

Hi Robert,

Thank you for your question on Ask an Islander. Five day itinerary for cycling the Confederation Trail and roads on PEI,  average distance would be about 50 - 100 km/day.  I presume you have a vehicle to transport your bikes. 

The Eastern end of PEI is where I would target.  Depending on where you are staying it would be nice to stay a couple of days in the St. Peters area.

Day 1 Start in St. Peters, cycle to Morell and return to St. Peters on the Confederation Trail.  Continue to Greenwich National Park on the separate paved path.  Cycle into the Park where the trails are.  Lock your bike at the trail intersection and walk out on the floating dock over the dunes to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  Return to St. Peters.  Approximately 50 km.

Day 2 Start in St. Peters - on the road take Route 16 going North and East.  If you want a long day, follow that up to North Lake and harbour - lots of action going on in that area.  If you do want to stay, there is a nice motel - Siren’s on the Beach.   Continue to the East Point Lighthouse - the tip of the Island.  Return to Route 16 but go onto 16A to Elmira and return to St. Peters on the Confederation Trail.  This would be a long day.  It might be best to either stay in North Lake or Souris.

Day 3 Drive to Georgetown or Montague for accommodations.  Cycle from either Georgetown to Cardigan, then to Montague on the Confederation Trail.  Then cycle the road/Route 17 to Panmure Island - see the Lighthouse.  Return to Georgetown the same way or if you are carrying your gear cycle to Murray River for the night.

Day 4 From Murray River go on the Confederation Trail to Murray Harbour then onto Route 18A to 18 turn east to Guernsey Cove and Cape Bear Lighthouse - then around to Beach Point and back to Murray Harbour.  This is a lovely ride.  If you wanted more kms you could go from Murray River to Wood Islands on the Trail then to on Route 4 to Cape Bear.  It is best to do this route west to east due to the prevailing winds.

Day 5 If you didn’t do the Murray River to Wood Island section this could be day 5.  Start from Murray River go west on the Confederation Trail to Wood Islands - go down to the Ferry terminal and the Wood Island Provincial Park and Lighthouse. Return to Route 4 - stop at the Rossignol Winery then carry on East to Route 4 and back to Murray River. 

If you are carrying your gear, you could park your car in St. Peters and loop back via Mount Stewart, using the routes I mentioned plus more of the Confederation Trail.  Please send your address and we will send you a Confederation Trail Guide and map.  Call me anytime to discuss the plan. 

Cheerio

Ruth DeLong