Merry-Go-Round Long Loop (16 nts / 17 days)

Cycle through inland PEI to the southern coast. Enroute, divert a little from the route and make a stop at the Matos Winery & Distillery or just a couple of kilometers in the other direction, the Island Lavender Distillery Farm. Depending on the season, you might indulge in some fresh strawberries from Shore Breeze Farm in Argyle Shore. Your destination is the quaint picture-perfect village of Victoria-by-the-Sea.
Waypoints #32-1
Waypoints #1-2

Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route, mostly on roads, approximately 44.7 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Founded in 1819, the picture-perfect seaside village of Victoria is about halfway between Charlottetown and Summerside. The village has a history in commerce, but today, with a year-round population of under two hundred, there are a number of family-run businesses employing local people, just as there were in the prosperous years up to the 1950’s. The community has attracted a number of creatives and artists.

Visit:
-Keeper’s of the Light at the Victoria Seaport Museum, located in Palmer’s Range Light
-Dine in a sea captain’s house
-Sample handmade chocolates in one of the former general stores
-Attend a play in the community hall (home of the Victoria Playhouse Festival)
-Watch the lobster fishers at the wharf

You'll catch glimpses of the Confederation Bridge as you approach Borden along this scenic coastal byway. There are some shopping & food options in Gateway Village, including Cow's Ice Cream. Your destination is PEI's second-largest urban center, Summerside.
Waypoints #2-3
Waypoints #3-4

Route link A relatively flat A to B mixed terrain cycle route, mostly on roads, approximately 41.6 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Summerside is PEI's second largest urban center, a former shipbuilding and commerce port. It continues to hold the position as the leading center for trade & commerce in western PEI. In the first part of the 1900's the town's silver fox trade was prosperous. The city has some forward-thinking planners, with extensive conversion to wind and solar energy initiatives.

Explore Summerside
Things to See & Do in Summerside
Cultural Summerside
Baywalk Boardwalk
Samuel's Coffeehouse

Cycle west through the Evangeline Region. Barlow's Interpretive Center in Wellington will reveal part of the local history. Richmond's Dairy Bar is a favorite. Ellerslie features the Green Park Shipbuilding Musem and Yeo House. In Portage discover the Wildlife Management Area, dedicated to conservation. Stop off to check out Leard's grist mill in Coleman, the last remaining one on PEI. You'll complete your Island Walk route in O'Leary and then head south to the West Point Lighthouse.

Waypoint #4 to 5 to Wellington
Waypoint #5 to 6 to McNeil Mills

Waypoint #6 to 7 to O'Leary

Option 1: to O'Leary & West Point
Route link A relatively flat A to B mixed terrain cycle route, partly off-road, approximately 85.0 km long.

Option 2: Coleman & West Point
Route link A relatively flat A to B mixed terrain cycle route, partly off-road, approximately 80.8 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Return to O'Leary, then head for the coast. You'll follow the coastal byway north past the Stompin Tom Center in Skinners Pond before cycling to your inn, a former convent in Tignish.
Waypoints #7-8
Waypoints #8-9

Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route on roads, approximately 64.1 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Tignish is "up west" for Islanders. In the town of about 800 residents, you can check out the Cultural Center to learn of the area's Acadian and Irish heritage and traditions. The St. Simon and St. Jude Church is pretty amazing inside. Indulge in some local fare at M.J.'s Bakery & Caboose Cafe.

Cycle north and visit the North Cape Wind Energy Interpretive Center for a window on some of PEI's renewable energy initiatives. There's a nature trail for hiking. Meander down the coast to the town of Alberton and enjoy the view from the harbour.
Waypoints #9-10 to Anglo Tignish
Waypoints #10-11 to Alberton

Route link A relatively flat A to B mixed terrain cycle route on roads, approximately 46.8 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

North Cape Coastal Drive
Cape Kildaire
Christ Church

Seacow Pond legend
Alberton Station

You'll cycle south past oyster country and into the Evangeline Region of PEI.
Waypoints #11-12
Waypoints #12-13
Waypoints #13-14
Waypoint #14 (partial today, to be continued tomorrow)

Route link A relatively flat A to B mixed terrain cycle route, mostly on roads, approximately 62.8 km long.

Route links available for confirmed participants only.

Cascumpec Bay
Cascumpec Bay Oyster Co.
Cascumpec General Store Antiques & Collectibles

Ellerslie-Bideford
Bideford Parsonage Museum
PEI Shellfish Museum
Wellington
Miscouche
Acadian Musem of PEI
St. John the Baptist Historic Church

Today's cycling route takes you through Summerside, Kensington, New London & Stanley Bridge into the Prince Edward Island National Park before reaching North Rustico.

Waypoints #14-15

Waypoints #15-16
Waypoints #16-17 (almost)

Route link Distance: 61.1 km Ascent: 612 m Descent: 614 m Terrain: Mixed

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Poppie's Porch
Village Pottery
Potter's Parlour (ice cream)
P.E.I National Park
MacKenzie's Brook

North Rustico has a number of good restaurants and a great little bakery. Some dining establishments here require advance reservations.

Continue heading east and make a stop at the Dunes Gallery & Cafe in Brackley Beach - the extraordinary grounds alone are worth it - before diverting over to check out Robinson's Island trail system. In Covehead you'll want to grab some fresh seafood at Richard's Fish & Chips. They're right at the wharf. Your destination's Dalvay by the Sea, a national historic site.
Waypoints #17-18

Option 1:

Route link A moderately downhill A to B mixed terrain cycle route on roads, approximately 33.4 km long.

Option 2: with Robinson's Island extension
Route link A moderately downhill A to B mixed terrain cycle route, mostly on roads, approximately 39.7 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Dalvay features fine dining and cocktails on site at the MacMillan Restaurant. It's a good idea to reserve well in advance as they tend to book up early. If you're looking for something a little less formal, there's always Richard's Fresh Seafood, the best local seafood shack, right at the Covehead Wharf. Their secret sauce is pretty great. You can also slurp down fresh oysters next door. Picnic tables abound, and the beach is just across the road.

A good portion of your ride today will be on the Confederation Trail. You'll border the Hillsborough Canadian Heritage River, traditional fishing grounds for the Abegweit First Nation. The Scotchfort Reserve is enroute with Abegweit Tourism initiatives, the Epekwitk Gardens & Preserves & the first of Canada's National Healing Forests.
The section between Morell and St. Peters is exceptionally scenic. The Morell river is popular for kayaking, paddling and fishing for trout and salmon You'll see cultured mussell farming along the way, plus a lookout to the dunes at Greenwich beach in the eastern section of the PEI National Park.
Waypoints #18-19
Waypoints #19-20

Route link A relatively flat A to B mixed terrain cycle route, mostly off-road, approximately 50.5 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

St. Peters is an extraordinarily picturesque rural community in northeastern PEI. Its church, aquaculture operations in the bay, proximity to the Greenwich section of the PEI National Park, scenic sections of the Confederation Trail, shopping, summer theater, dining and dairy bars make it an especially attractive destination for cyclists.

St. Peters Bay Community
Artisans by the Bay
St. Peters Courthouse Theater

Begin with a ride to visit the Greenwich section of the PEI National Park. Return to St. Peters and follow the forested Confederation Trail to New Zealand, where you'll turn north to your coastal accommodations. What to do in the area
Waypoints #20-21

Option 1: Greenwich + Island Walk route
Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route, mostly off-road, approximately 57.2 km long.

Option 2: Greenwich & north shore
Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route off-road, approximately 48.5 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Continue to the end of the Confederation Trail at the Elmira Railway Museum, one of just seven PEI Museum and Heritage sites, marking what was the end of PEI's rail line. Then loop around past the East Point Wind Farm to the East Point Lighthouse. The hexagonal wooden East Point Lighthouse marks the northern & easternmost tip of PEI. It's also where the Gulf of the St Lawrence tides meet the Northumberland Strait.
Stop at the Basin Head Provincial Park, beach and Basin Head Fisheries Museum. The "Singing Sands" nickname comes from the sound the geologically-unique pure white sand makes when you step on it, due to a high silica content. Your route to Souris includes the New Harmony heritage road with its tree-shaded tunnel and colorful rumrunning history.
Waypoints#21-22
Waypoints #22-23
Waypoints #23-24

Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route on roads, approximately 57.9 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Points East Coastal Drive

Situated amidst an absolutely stunning seascape vista, Souris serves as the economic hub of Eastern Kings County. Heavily dependent on both land and sea, preserving the rich farming and fishing traditions of the region, Souris residents maintain a very comfortable rural lifestyle that enhances the community’s charm. The Basin Head Fisheries Museum gives visitors a glimpse into the region's history while the neighbouring white "singing sands" beach is one of the province's finest. A number of retail stores, restaurants and public services are available in town while a ferry service connects the travelers the Quebec Magdalen Islands.

Artisans on Main
Wildlife
Souris Show Hall
Fiddling Fisherman Lookout

Cycle sections of the Points East Coastal Drive combined with Confederation Trail as you make your way to the town of Montague in the 3 Rivers municipality.
Waypoints #24-25
Waypoints #25-26
Waypoints #26-27

Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route, mostly on roads, approximately 55.6 km long.

Boughton River Trail
Cardigan River Trail
Cardigan, fun facts

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Montague's a small town located within the Three Rivers municipality in Kings County. Also known as “Montague the Beautiful”, you'll find a tranquil river, tree-lined streets and and number of stately heritage homes. At the heart of Montague is its wharf and marina. Enjoy the boardwalk which runs along the waterfront and is part of the Confederation Trail. The town also features a couple of excellent local craft breweries.

Attractions
Artisans on Main
Garden of the Gulf Museum
Town of Montague
Montague Marina
River Run Dining Cruises
More Montague Activities

Your route hugs the coast today to the Panmure Island peninsula. A picturesque white sand beach connects via a causeway to an Island and PEI's oldest wooden lighthouse. The beach is supervised in the summer and has dining and washroom facilities. PEI's native Mi'kmaq population traditionally visited the sandbars at this beach for clamming in the summer. The area features a provincial park and small rural community. Poverty Beach is a designated natural area and good for off-the-beaten-path lovers. Murray Harbour is the last small town you'll hit before arriving in your destination, Murray River.
Waypoints #27-28
Waypoints #28-29

Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route on roads, approximately 47.8 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Panmure Lighthouse and its History
Panmure Island Provincial Park

We highly recommend extending a second night in Murray River and looping out to visit some of the local wineries, cideries, museums, bakeries, wharfs, handcraft outlets, lighthouses, provincial parks and more. Your final itinerary will include links to maximize your cycling, cultural and dining experience in this corner of the Island.

Local sculptor Abe Waterman has carved mermaids into the rocks at one of the beaches along this south shore route, but it's mostly just a locally-known secret. His work can also be viewed at the Rossignol winery.

Route link A moderately hilly circular mixed terrain cycle route, partly off-road, approximately 58.4 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Return to the Island Walk route and cycle today from Murray River to Belfast. You'll pass Island Baking & Milling enroute - Steve Knechtel has been making sourdough bread for sale at the Farmers Market for decades. You could stop enroute for a hike at the Gairloch Trail. Check out Fleece & Harmony. Or visit Hedwig at her studio, Koleszar Pottery, or the Broken Rock Fossil Shop, also nearby. Your destination is Point Prim. It's the area where many of the immigrants who traveled aboard the Polly from Skye, Scotland, landed back in 1803. MacQueen family included. Dad used to say we have sheep stealer anscestors, but you can trust us.
Waypoints #29-30

Option 1: Island Walk route

Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route, partly off-road, approximately 46.7 km long.

Option 2: road
Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route, mostly on roads, approximately 68.4 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Morning departure through coastal communities and rolling countryside to the small riverside town of Montague in eastern PEI. Stop enroute at the Orwell Corner Historic Village, one of seven PEI Museum and Heritage sites. Adjacent is the well-preserved MacPhail Homestead and the MacPhail Woods Ecological Forestry Project, an admirable initiative of the Environmental Coalition of PEI.
We recommend delving into local history at the Croft House / Selkirk Heritage Center. The Polly Cemetery (on the Pt. Prim road) will also provide a window on how the area came to be settled by Scottish immigrants 200+ years ago.

Route link A moderately hilly circular mixed terrain cycle route, approximately 50.5 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.

Option 1: Island Walk route
Return to the Confederation Trail at Waypoint #30. Follow the trail west through woodlands. Your destination is the capital, Charlottetown, and you'll take the new active transportation path across the Hillsborough Bridge to complete your Island journey.
Waypoints #30-31
Waypoints #31-32

Option 2: road + coast
The first part of your ride will follow the highway along the south coast, as far as Pownal. From there you'll branch off past Tea Hill Park and Keppoch in the town of Stratford. If you're following any of the Island's lighthouse trail, in Kinlock you'll find the Haszard Point Range Front Lighthouse. The Robert Cotton Park and Trail offer some unique vantage points on Charlottetown before crossing the Hillsborough Bridge.

Option 1: Island Walk route
Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route, mostly on roads, approximately 63.8 km long.

Option 2: road + coast
Route link A moderately hilly A to B mixed terrain cycle route on roads, approximately 52.5 km long.

Routes available for confirmed participants only.