Confederation Trail
When Prince Edward Island's railway was abandoned in 1989 Islanders were quick to notice a unique opportunity. The idea of a tip-to-tip shared use walking and cycling trail in the summer and a snowmobile trail in the winter was born. With beautiful rolling hill scenery, quaint villages and broad bay seascapes, the Confederation Trail is Prince Edward Island's portion of the Trans Canada Trail.
The 435 kilometers of rolled stone dust trail has gentle gradients which never exceed 2% (up or down). This Island wide exploration corridor is ideal for visitors of all fitness levels. The Main Trail starts in Tignish at kilometer 0 and ends in Elmira at kilometer 273. Branch trails extend into the heart of Charlottetown and to the waterside communities of Souris, Georgetown, Montague, Wood Islands, Murray River and Murray Harbour, plus the link to the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton. Along the trail, you will find a convenient selection of accommodations, food and services. Not all accommodations are directly on the trail and do require roadway travel. For safety concerns please check with the accommodation providers regarding distance. While exploring the trail, take advantage of the opportunity to discover the many charming villages along the way.
The Confederation Trail is a geocaching hotspot with over 1600 geocache sites along the route. Also, PEI's 110 kilometer portion of the International Appalachian Trail begins in Borden-Carleton, after hiker's are shuttled across the Confederation Bridge they mainly hike on the Confederation Trail until its exit point at the Wood Islands ferry terminal. Prince Edward Island is rich in picturesque scenery, cultural and musical talent, culinary delights and Canadian heritage. This wonderful piece of Canada has countless adventures to offer and is best explored by bicycle or foot along the Confederation Trail.
Confederation Trail Map
For a more detailed map of the Confederation Trail, download our PDF.
Day 1 - Tignish to O'Leary (45 km easy to moderate)
Day 2 - O'Leary to Wellington (45 km easy to moderate) NOTE: The Confederation Trail will be detoured between Portage/Route 2 and Conway/Route 175. An alternative route will be posted.
Day 3 - Wellington to Hunter River (65 km moderate to hard)
Branch Trail - Emerald to Borden-Carleton (18 km easy)
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 - New Harmony Junction to Souris (9 km easy)
Branch Trail - Charlottetown to Murray Harbour (80 km moderate)
How distances are marked along the Trail
The total length of the Confederation Trail is 435 km. The tip-to-tip Trail distances are marked from West to East, with Tignish being 0 km and Elmira 273 km. A number of Branch Trails off the main route lead to the coast and they are numbered from 0 km at the Junctions, increasing to the end of the Branch.
There are six Junctions: Emerald, Royalty, Mt. Stewart, New Harmony, Cardigan and Wood Islands North. The Murray Harbour Branch starts at 0 km at Joseph A. Ghiz Memorial Park in Charlottetown and terminates in Murray Harbour at 80 km.
Confederation Trail Guide to PEI
The Confederation Trail Guide will help you plan your cycling vacation on the Confederation Trail. The guide includes accommodations which are part of the Cyclists Welcome Program. Participants of this program take the needs of cyclists into consideration and make their properties welcoming and easy for cyclists.
Browse the Confederation Trail Guide, download it as a PDF or order one by mail as part of your Vacation Planning Package.
Activity on the Confederation Trail is limited to walkers and hikers, wheelchairs, cyclists and runners in the summertime. During the winter months (December 1 – March 31), the PEI Snowmobile Association has exclusive rights to the Confederation Trail.