PEI Trails

The Rackham’s Pond trail begins near the parking area at Rackham’s Pond and follows the west bank of the Wheatley River upstream for about a kilometer. In the first section, the trail is up the bank from the river and is mainly treed. In the next section, the trail curves down next to the water’s edge and is mainly tall grasses. The trail ends where the river forks; there is no loop at this time, so you have to turn around and come back along the same trail. Some features to take note of: tree swallow nesting boxes, wood duck nesting boxes, osprey nesting platform, and in-stream bank restoration structures. Please be respectful of the land and landowners who have allowed us to walk along their private properties.

Whether you like to try some sport fishing or just take a relaxing walk along a nature trail, the Trout River Natural Area is the spot for you. Located on Route 2 in Coleman, this 2.5 km linear trail follows the provincially important Trout River, now a protected natural area. Watch for stinging nettles for the first kilometre, where the trail passes through a former pond. This trail also features the provincially uncommon white baneberry as well as a variety of songbirds. Wooden benches provide rest stops along the way and footbridges over wet areas will keep your feet dry.

Cedar Dunes Provincial Park and Campground is where you’ll find natural Island scenery, walking trails, recreational areas, woodland, and 100 acres of designated camping/RV space. Here, our dunes are populated by Eastern White Cedars – an extremely rare natural occurrence and a defining characteristic of the park. Our fully serviced waterside camping area provides outdoor necessities including firewood, drinking water, and a Laundromat, as well as a brilliant backdrop for your camping excursion. Reservations accepted after April 1.

These trails have a number of names depending on the trail users. Collectively they are called the East Royalty trails – some are primarily for walkers and some are used mostly by mountain bikers in the summer, and fat bikes in the winter. The bikers tend to collectively call them the Riverside trails, although the trail that runs along Wright’s Creek is called the Wright’s Creek trail (also used by bikes). This trail runs 1.5 km from Acadian Drive to St. Peters Road. It is one of Charlottetown’s best kept secrets. Walk it (or bike it) at both low and high tides. You will see abundant wildlife year round. The trail is within or next to an original Acadian forest that has never been cut except for very selective harvesting of mature spruce trees for lumber for use by the land owners for their own buildings.

On the east side of Wright’s Creek, you’ll find another trail (yellow markers). This trail starts at the end of Acadian Drive and immediately crosses the wooden bridge, called by some as the Bird Island Bridge, after a former name of Wright’s Creek. The trail continues along former landfill roads and is partly paved. The trail goes around the previously active part of the landfill, which is now fenced. One can continue through the Parkman Soccer Complex parking lot, through a small park and across on a paved path to Cambridge Drive and the end of Oakland Road.

The Riverside mountain bike (and Fat bike) trails are east of the yellow trail. The trail has several serpentine loops in the summer months – the trail is a little abbreviated for Fat bikes in the winter months.

Fullerton’s Creek Conservation Park is a 140 acre conservation area around the Town of Stratford’s wellfield. The area includes walking trails, a multi-purpose field and viewing platform overlooking Fullerton’s Marsh. The park is designed for use in all seasons.

The viewing platform is a great addition to the park allowing visitors to get a better view of the marsh. Watch for Great Blue Herons, a variety of ducks and birds and maybe even see a muskrat!

This is a 10 km hiking or biking route that follows the Gulf Shore Parkway from Cavendish to North Rustico. To quote from Parks Canada:

“There is no better way to explore the stunning landscapes of PEI’s North Shore than by cycling (or hiking) the Gulf Shore Way. This seaside route is a recent upgrade to PEI National Park that offers a paved, two-way trail that twins the Gulf Shore Parkway, providing cyclists (or hikers) with a smooth surface and a mix of flat stretches and gentle rolling slopes. Wind your way past the iconic red sandstone cliffs of Cavendish, panoramic dunescapes in Brackley, the iconic Covehead lighthouse and six of PEI National Park’s breathtaking supervised beaches. With so much to see and do on route, you’ll love the trip as much as the destination!”

Of special note to walkers, this paved trail along the Gulf of St. Lawrence is also part of the Island Walk – a 700 km journey around the perimeter of PEI using the Confederation Trail, public roads and pathways. For more info on the Island Walk check out our new website: theislandwalk.ca

The Rotary Friendship Park is a beautiful network of tree-lined gravel and clay trails plotted on a 64 acre parcel of land. The park contains a network of nearly 5 km of trails suitable for walking, running or cycling. The trails take you past farmers’ fields, wetlands and old growth tree areas.

This is a great park to reconnect with nature, enjoying the sounds of birds singing and the crunching of leaves under your feet as you hike through the woods. The park does offer those with strollers or wheelchairs the opportunity to explore parts of the park on a compacted gravel trail.

Amenities include picnic areas, benches, washrooms, trails, and parking.

The main parking lot is located at 599 MacEwen Rd (between the Prince County Hospital and Walker Ave) in Summerside. There are other pedestrian/cycling entrances off of Colin Avenue and the Confederation Trail just east of Gillespie Dr.

The park is open 6:00 am – 10:00 pm. Trails are also groomed in the winter months for fat bikes and for hikers. All are welcome!

This popular hiking and biking trail was built by volunteers in the mid-1990 and continues to be maintained by volunteers today. Like many trails in PEI, the St. Catherine’s Trail crosses many private land parcels and exists thanks to collaboration with local land owners. The trail is 6.5 km in length and it is often hiked or biked in both directions, making it one of the longest privately-owned trails on the Island. The trail is somewhat difficult because of switchbacks and the frequent changes in elevation.

The trail traverses a mostly hardwood forest which makes it a favourite destination in the fall. Beach, birch and maple trees are found along the entire length of the trail as are many species of birds as well as fox and snowshoe hares. The eastern portion of the trail (east of the MacEachern Road) is less frequently travelled and can be difficult to locate in the winter when it is snow covered.

This new 6km walking and cycling trail is located behind the ball diamond on the western outskirts of Cardigan. The trail was built over the summer months by master trail builder Albert Flavell with support from Cycling PEI and Transportation Minister Steven Myers. The trail is undulating, smooth and fast, with lots of twists and turns – mountain bikers love it, but it’s also fun to walk in the summer and winter months. If you’re biking or walking in the spring or winter, please respect the need to keep the trail smooth and fast – no walking when the snow is soft or the trail is muddy! The trail is suitable for snowshoes when the snow is deep, and the trail is being groomed by a SnowDog when conditions permit. Thanks to Cycling PEI for taking the initiative to develop and maintain this trail!

There are two excellent vistas of Cardigan village and the Cardigan River – one near the beginning of the trail and one a little later on. Enjoy this new biking and hiking trail on PEI!

Located in and around the property adjacent to Beach Grove home, this easy 3.5km trail extends through a softwood forest up to and beyond the Prince Edward Home and the Trans Canada Highway (Rte 2). There are plans to eventually continue the trail to the Upton farmland across the highway and even to the Confederation Trail several kilometers north of Beach Grove.

The trail itself runs along the perimeter of the Beach Grove property. There are spectacular views of Charlottetown harbour from the trail and numerous benches where you can stop and enjoy the view. The provincial government has a forestry property on the east side of the trail and it’s possible to walk through a forest plantation on your way around the trail.

Beach Grove Trails GPX and KML

Beach Grove AT Trail GPX and KML

Upton Farmlands Trails GPX and KML

The Dunk River trail, which is maintained by the local watershed group, is a delightful 3.5 km (7 km return) stroll along the picturesque Dunk River, just north of Kinkora in central PEI. The trail winds its way through several stands of 100-year old hemlock and yellow birch beside a fast moving river that feels more like it should be in Maine or New Brunswick than in PEI.

The river bank is steep in places, making walking the path a little tricky in the winter months. There were a number of sweepers lying across the river when we walked it – perhaps they’ll be gone after a good spring freshett!