If you are planning a vacation on Prince Edward Island without a car, it is possible to discover beaches, small towns, food stops and local culture beyond Charlottetown. Here's an itinerary for an unforgettable day that allows you to explore what locals refer to as "up east" to St. Peter's or further to Souris using both public transit and bicycle rentals (with e-bike options). Please note that rural transit operates Monday to Friday only and does not operate on statutory holidays. Learn more about TransitPEI.ca

Communities: St. Peters I Souris I Montague I Georgetown

Charlottetown to St. Peters

Stop 1: Take transit from Charlottetown at 7:45 am or 11:45 am

Plan for an early or mid-day departure using Transit PEI from downtown Charlottetown. Meet your bus in front of the box office entrance of the Confederation Centre of the Arts on Queen Street. Enjoy a scenic ride to St. Peter's using the EASTERN PEI, Charlottetown to Souris route.

Stop 2: Arrive in St. Peter's

The bus will drop you off at St. Peter's Landing. Walk a short distance to Confederation Trail Bike Rentals, which opens at 9:00 am. Be sure to make a reservation in advance for your bike rental. Here, you will be outfitted with a fitted bike helmet, souvenir trail map and a bike lock. 

Stop 3: Choose your cycling adventure

From St. Peter's, here are several routes to consider:

Ride to PEI National Park, Greenwich (20.4 km)

This return route starts with a short ride along Route #16. At Route #313, turn left for a scenic ride on a separate active transportation path. This winding ride overlooks St. Peters Bay for most of the journey to the PEI National Park, Greenwich. After a trail walk and/or a swim, return to St. Peters using the same route. Approximate cycling time: 1 hour 

Ride to St. Peters Harbour Lighthouse (36.6 km)

This route picks up the Confederation Trail heading west, just past Morell. At Settlement Road, you will leave the trail. Go to Route #2, turn right and left at St. Peter's Harbour Road (650 m). Continue straight ahead, past the ‘No Exit’ sign until you see a dirt track called Lot 40 on the left. After visiting St Peter's Lake beach, return to this point and turn right onto the Lot 40 track. This trail and the beach are open to the public. Return via the same route. Approximate cycling time: 2 hours

Ride to Shipwreck Point (45 km)

This scenic looped route is a combination of cycling on road and along the Confederation Trail. Your destination is Naufrage fishing village. Here, you can check out the lighthouse, enjoy lunch at the Naufrage Snack Shack, swim in the gulf, hunt for sea glass and take a selfie from one PEI's few remaining wooden bridges. Approximate cycling time: 2 hours

Stop 4: Leave for Charlottetown at 12:52 pm or 4:16 pm

Return to St. Peter's Landing for your return to Charlottetown. Approximate travel time: 1 hour

Charlottetown to Souris

Stop 1: Take transit from Charlottetown at 7:45 am

Plan for an early or mid-day departure using Transit PEI from downtown Charlottetown. Meet your bus in front of the box office entrance of the Confederation Centre of the Arts on Queen Street. Enjoy a scenic ride to Souris using the EASTERN PEI, Charlottetown to Souris route. Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Stop 2: Arrive in Souris

The bus will drop you off at the Eastern Kings Sportsplex at 9:16 am. Be sure to make a reservation in advance for an e-bike rental with ebikeseastpei.com. Here, you will be met by a Town of Souris employee, who will outfit you with a bike helmet and a bike lock.

Stop 3: Choose your cycling adventure

From Souris, there are a couple of routes along the Confederation Trail to consider:

Ride to Souris Lighthouse to Souris Beach Gateway Park (5 km)

From the rink, cross Route #2 and follow MacPhee Avenue to Breakwater Street. Turn left to go up to the Souris Historic Lighthouse & Gift Shop. Return by cycling further along Breakwater St to the entrance of the Confederation Trail to the right. Cycle for 1.4 km, then turn left onto Chapel Ave. Turn right onto Main Street (Route #2). At the crosswalk, the park is across the street. Return by the same route. Approximate cycling time: 20 minutes.

Ride to Elmira (48 km)

This return route follows the Confederation Trail to Elmira, once the end of the line for Prince Edward Island's railway. This section of the trail is moderately challenging with scenic views and a popular choice for birders. Approximate cycling time: 3 hours 25 minutes. 

Stop 4: Leave for Charlottetown at 2:17 pm

Return to the Eastern Sportsplex for your return to Charlottetown. Approximate travel time: 1 hour 53 minutes.

Charlottetown to Montague

Stop 1: Take transit from Charlottetown at 6:15 am or 7:45 am

Plan for an early departure using Transit PEI from downtown Charlottetown. Meet your bus in front of the box office entrance of the Confederation Centre of the Arts on Queen Street. Enjoy a scenic ride to Montague using the EASTERN PEI, Charlottetown to Montague route. Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.

Stop 2: Arrive in Montague 

In Montague, the bus will drop you near Bogside Brewing, which is only a three-minute walk to pick up your bike at the old train station on Station Street. Be sure to make a reservation in advance for an e-bike rental with ebikeseastpei.com. You will be outfitted with a bike helmet and a bike lock.

Stop 3: Choose your cycling adventure

From Montague, there are a couple of routes along the Confederation Trail to consider:

Ride to Georgetown (34.6 km)

From the waterfront area, follow a scenic route along the Confederation Trail all the way to Georgetown. As you cycle along, you will cross a Canadian Heritage River in Brudenell.

As a side trip or destination, you may wish to visit Roma at Three Rivers National Historic Site by turning right on the Roma Point Road and following it to the end for 2.5 km.

Stop 4: Leave for Charlottetown at 4:09 pm

Return to Bogside Brewing for your return to Charlottetown.  Approximate travel time: 1 hour 6 minutes.