It is hard to say exactly what Prince Edward Island is the most famous for. It is probably a toss-up between the potatoes grown in the red soil, made famous by the Stompin’ Tom Connors song “Bud the Spud”, or the legacy of Lucy Maude Montgomery and her Anne of Green Gables novels. Either way, it is not hard to miss the unique red clay earth and the many attractions dedicated to the famous author spread across the province. In addition to these two attractions, there are plenty of other great destinations and spectacular scenery to explore, and one of the best ways to experience this exciting province is by vehicle.
The Confederation Bridge to Summerside
While a ferry runs between Caribou, Nova Scotia and the Wood Islands in PEI, most enter the province via the Confederation Bridge which connects Borden-Carleton on the island with New Brunswick near the community of Bayfield. The bridge itself is a technical marvel. Spanning 13 kilometres (8 miles), this is the longest bridge crossing ice-covered water in the entire world, taking over four years to build and utilizing over 5,000 workers. Once you reach the island, check out the replica of one of the reinforced concrete girders that make up the bridge in the community of Borden-Carleton.
Because the bridge meets the island towards the middle of the southwest coast, a road trip through this province does mean some out and back driving. So, let’s head up the western side of PEI first. Picking up Highway 1, head north to Albany Corner, turning left onto Highway 1A heading towards Summerside. The second largest city in the province, Summerside is known as the City by the Sea. Wander along the Baywalk Boardwalk, which extends 6.5 kilometres (4 miles) along the waterfront, visit the turn of the century belt-driven Bishop Machine Shop or the Air Force Heritage Park, or take the Historic Walking Tour and check out the exceptional 19th Century and early 20th Century architecture.
Leaving Summerside, hop on Highway 2 and continue heading up the west side of the island. At Miscouche, make a stop at the Acadian Museum of Prince Edward Island, where permanent and temporary exhibits discuss the Acadian culture and settlement of PEI.
All Things Potato
Turning left onto Route 142 leads to O’Leary. Here, the Canadian Potato Museum pays homage to the mighty tuber. Celebrating all things potato, look for the giant potato out front and you will know you are in the right place. Continue on Route 142 which meets Route 14. To the south, Cedar Dunes Provincial Park is home to the West Point Lighthouse and offers a beautiful beach which stretches on for kilometres.
Red Cliffs, Ocean Vistas & Tidal Pools
Heading north on Route 14 offers a scenic drive as it weaves along the coast of the Northumberland Strait. Visit the MacWilliams or Reillys Shore beaches, the Howards Cove Lighthouse or the Pine Shore beach at Norway. From Norway, it is a short drive to reach North Cape, where rusty red cliffs contrast with the blue ocean vistas. Visit the North Cape Wind Energy Interpretive Centre, wander out onto the rock reefs and explore tidal pools at low tide, check out the lighthouse or hike the 5.5 kilometre (3.4 mile) return interpretive Black Marsh Nature Trail which leads through forest, red cliffs and a massive bog.
Leaving the more northern point on the west side of the province, it is time to head south again, picking up Highway 2 at Tignish. This small community was established in 1799 when eight Acadian families settled there, joined by two Irish families in 1811. The small town still celebrates its French/Irish roots to this day.
Warm Beaches & Scenic Bays
Retracing your drive along Highway 2 and continuing east, at Kensington, head north on Route 20 to Malpeque. Cabot Beach Provincial Park features some of the warmest waters north of the Carolinas, scenic hiking trails, a lighthouse, camping, and views of Malpeque Bay. The sheltered bay makes a great spot to do some sea kayaking and explore some of the many islands in the bay.
Following Route 20 east leads to Cape Tryon, home to red sandstone cliffs which rise 33 metres (110 feet) above the sea and the 11 metre (35 foot) Cape Tryon Lighthouse. Located close by at Park Corner is the Anne of Green Gables Museum, which is open seven days a week during the summer.
Anne of Green Gables
Heading south, pick up Route 6 at New London, which meanders over to Cavendish where fans of Lucy Maud Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables will find several attractions. The LM Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site features the authors Cavendish home and the Green Gables Heritage Place is home to the Haunted Wood, the schoolhouse, Lover’s Lane and the babbling brook, all made famous in her Anne of Green Gables novels. Just across the road, visit the ruins of her grandparent’s farm where she lived for 37 years while Avonlea Village, home to period homes and shops, sits just a short distance to the south.
Hiking Trails and Historic Homes
Sticking to Route 6, Robinson Island can be accessed from Anglo Rustico, just north off the highway. There are over 5 kilometres (3 miles) of multi-use trails are laid out in a stacked loop. Designed with mountain bikers in mind, there are eleven technical challenges, all located along spurs off the main trail.
Prince Edward Island National Park runs along a good portion of the coast here and the next stop is Stanhope by the Sea and Dalvay by the Sea, which sit to the west of Tracadie Harbour. Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site was once a summer home owned by a wealthy oil tycoon and is an exquisite Queen Anne Revival-style estate adorned with gables, dormers and bay windows. Enjoy the beaches and boardwalks here or cycle along the paved Gulf Shore East Parkway.
Sand Dunes & Birding Sites
Route 6 turns south and meets Highway 2 north of Charlottetown, but our route turns left here and follows Highway 2 northeast. A number of great birding sites, including the St. Peter’s Harbour-Blooming Point Natural Area and the Errol A. MacEwan Nature Reserve, sit tucked between Savage Harbour and St. Peters Bay. At the community of St. Peters Bay, drive north on Route 313 through Greenwich and the eastern end of Prince Edward Island National Park. This area is home to some of the largest sand dunes in the province, the Greenwich Interpretive Centre and three hiking trails, one of which leads along boardwalks over Bowley Pond.
Making your way back to St. Peters Bay, pick up Route 16 which follows the coast along the Gulf of St. Lawrence to East Point, the most eastern point on the island. Passing both the North Lake Harbour and East Point Lighthouses, the road turns southwest and as it makes its way to Souris, passes Basin Head Provincial Park which is home to a nice beach and three great birding locations, all within a short distance of each other. These birding locations include the Red Point Provincial Park, home to red sandstone cliffs and a campground, the Black Pond National Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and the Chepstow Important Birding Area.
Try to Spot a Buffalo
Following Highway 2, then Highway 4, head southwest to Montague where Route 315 makes its way south to Wood Islands. Along the way, several out and back routes head over to the coast, visiting communities that include Georgetown, Gaspereaux and Murray Harbour. Plan to visit Buffaloland Park, just south of Montague, where both buffalo and white-tailed deer are often spotted. Wood Islands offers a nice day-use park which makes a great spot for a picnic lunch before picking up the Trans-Canada Highway and following it past Orwell Bay and Hillsborough Bay into Charlottetown, the provincial capital.
On to the Capital
Like Summerside, Charlottetown features plenty of historic homes, scenic waterfront boardwalks and the Confederation Centre for the Arts. One of the longest running theatre shows in Canada, “Anne of Green Gables – The Musical”, runs twice a day from mid-June until early September. After a day exploring, stop into the PEI Brewing Company for a refreshing libation.
From Charlottetown, It is a short drive west along the Trans-Canada Highway back to Borden-Carleton and the Confederation Bridge back to the mainland. On route, plan to stop at Victoria-by-the-Sea. This charming community was founded in 1819 and the fishing village features waterfront fish shacks, colourful take-out stands, a small lighthouse and some expansive red-sand flats to explore at low tide.
The Confederation Trail
Needless to say, for being Canada’s smallest province, PEI has lots to offer. And, if you like to get out and walk or if you brought a bike, plan to spend some time on the Confederation Trail while on the island. This trail, which is primarily an old rail bed, covers over 435 kilometres (270 miles). This distance is made up of the main trail which stretches 273 kilometres (170 miles) between Tignish and Elmira, along with several out-and-back sections along the way.
Something for Every Adventurer
ATV riders will find a growing network of trails scattered throughout the island, and the Confederation Trail is leased to the PEI Snowmobile Association during the winter months. And finally, if you like to fish, check out some of the ponds or streams on the island, or cast a line from the shore to experience some great ocean fishing.
Itching to get out and explore all Prince Edward Island has to offer? If so, pick up our new 4th Edition of the New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island Mapbook, grab one of our Atlantic Canada GPS maps or log into the BRMB Maps App & Web Map, available for both IOS and Android to start planning your adventure!