Day 1: 36km/22 miles. North Cape to Alberton
Morning meeting in Charlottetown for a transfer to North Cape by 12:30. Following bicycle introductions and familiarization you will cycle to Kildare Cape where the island’s first European visitor Jacques Cartier remarked “the fairest land 'tis possible to see!”. LD (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips only. Self-guided trips include breakfasts only)
Hunter House Inn, Alberton
La Petite France B&B, Alberton
Day 2: 45km/28 miles, plus options. Alberton to West Point Lighthouse
Today begins with breakfast overlooking the breathtaking Cascumpeque Bay and Northport Harbour. On your bike again, cross the island to the Acadian Coast for an idyllic ride overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence. You’ll pass tiny villages and Cape Wolfe on route to the West Point Lighthouse and your comfortable inn for the night. BLD
West Point Lighthouse, West Point
Day 3: 67 or 88km/ 41 or 55mi. West Point Lighthouse to Kinkora
Start with a morning transfer to Mount Pleasant or Abram Village then follow the Acadian Coast to the bottle houses. This is a short coastal ride before returning to the Confederation Trail for the ride into Summerside, where you can visit some local shops and enjoy the waterfront boardwalk before setting out to Kinkora. You can either decide to take in a massage at the Chez Shea Spa or continue riding down the spur line to see the Confederation Bridge and visit Gateway Village. Here you will find all sorts of information about the world’s longest bridge over ice-covered water. Strong riders may have time to visit Victoria-by-the-Sea, one of PEI’s charming fishing villages, featuring the Victoria Playhouse live theatre and Island Chocolates Company. BD
Chez Shea, Kinkora
Day 4: 65 or 90km/40 or 56 miles Kinkora to Dalvay
Follow the Confederation Trail to Kensington then follow the coast past lighthouses and toward the site of Green Gables, home of Lucy Maud Montgomery and inspiration for her novel "Anne of Green Gables". Explore the National Park beaches, where the wide and quiet roads make a wonderful ride along the dunes and a perfect location for a picnic lunch. Continue to your lodge, prepared to return tomorrow to linger over some of this afternoon’s sights. BLD
Dalvay-by-the-Sea, Dalvay
Day 5: Ride up to 75km (45mi), or optional activities: seakayaking, golf, and deep-sea fishing
An easy day to allow you time to enjoy the national park beaches, the easy cycling, and the abundant distractions. Options for those who prefer not to ride the fabulous beach roads will enjoy kayaking, windsurfing, browsing in a gallery of local artists, golf, deep-sea fishing, beach-basking, swimming in the warm Gulf waves, or just lingering over a fantastic lunch at Dalvay-by-the-Sea or the Dunes Gallery. You’ll also have the option to visit Charlottetown tonight to see “Anne of Green Gables”; check rates and schedules at www.confederationcentre.com. B
Same lodging
Day 6: 54km/41 miles Dalvay to St. Peter’s
Turning inland through rolling farmland, you will practice your navigation skills following rural roads toward a picnic lunch overlooking St. Peter’s Bay from old train trestles. This is the much quieter and more varied East Coast of the island, where the roads follow the shore and you can visit the newest part of the National Park at Greenwich for a stroll among the delightful dunes. There may be a live theatre option in St. Peter’s tonight; check out www.courthousetheatre.com. BLD
The Inn at St. Peter's, St. Peter's Bay
“Our meal at the Inn at St. Peters was second to none! Sooooo good.” - Bev B
Day 7: 65km/41 miles St. Peter’s to East Point
Cycle to East Point Lighthouse stopping to enjoy the wee bridge over Naufrage Harbour. Pass North Lake and East Point Lighthouse, then stop to enjoy the Singing Sands at Basin Head, and if you like, enjoy swimming and playing on miles of deserted beach and dunes. We know of a real and rare adventure for warm days here and hope we get a chance to show you! Return from East Point by van or by bike along clay roads through blueberry farms and past the old Elmira railway station that marks the end of the Confederation Trail. Transfer to Charlottetown at day’s end, pleasantly tired from a day full of PEI’s best outdoor experience! BL
The relaxing atmosphere of “The Island”, as the locals fondly refer to it will touch your spirit as soon as you land. You will quickly appreciate why a bicycle is perfect for exploring the beaches and farmlands. Although there are rolling hills, the maximum height of PEI is only 400ft!
The sublime contrast of red soil, blue sea, and exuberant green conspire with country roads and beautiful beaches to create the magical distinction of this summery place. The tour begins and ends in Charlottetown, and if you don’t see “Anne of Green Gables” beforehand or afterwards, you will have the option of attending an evening performance during your adventure. You will visit Green Gables, and enjoy the beaches of PEI National Park before heading through rolling farmland to the less travelled East coast. The East Point lighthouse, superb dining, fabulous inns, blueberry farms, pastoral landscapes, and some of the nicest long, deserted beaches you'll ever see, are the highlights of this trip. The level of comfort and cuisine are superlative.
Come and discover the magic with us.
Trip history
A summer destination for Atlantic Canadians, PEI’s beaches and warm waters make it a favourite family destination for Atlantic Canadians. As such, Most FA staff are familiar with its secrets and charms. Until 1997 it could only be reached by ferry or air, which gave it an exotic, island cachet. There is now an 8-mile bridge connecting it to the mainland – good for farmers, and still of debatable merit to residents and summer visitors.
Highlights
- Warm water sandy beaches
- Great farm fresh and seafood
- Gentle terrain for cycling
- Great colours – green fields, blue sea, red earth, wildflowers
- The flat cycling in PEI National Park
| Start: |
Charlottetown, PEI, 09:00, day one. On guided or self guided tours optional transfers from Nova Scotia depart the day before the tour begins from downtown at 18:00 or the Halifax Airport at 18:30: $75pp. You will arrive in Charlottetown at ~22:00. |
| Finish: |
Charlottetown, PEI, 17:00, day seven. On guided or self guided tours optional transfers to Nova Scotia depart PEI at 17:00 and arrive at Halifax at ~21:00: $75pp. |
| Guided Cost: |
$2595 (per person, includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, luggage handling, van and guide support) |
| Self-guided Cost: |
$2225 (per person, includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, transfers from Charlottetown to North Cape and Elmira to Charlottetown, maps and route notes, luggage transfers) |
| Self-supported Cost: |
$1345 (per person, includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, transfers from Charlottetown to North Cape and Elmira to Charlottetown, maps and route notes) |
| Single Occupancy: |
$725 |
| Bicycle Rental: |
Hybrid: $145; Racing: $195. Full Carbon Racing or Electric-assist: $265Delivery charges apply to self-supported trips |
| 2013 Guided Dates: |
Jun 16-22; Jun 30-Jul 6; Jul 14-20; Jul 28-Aug 3; Aug 11-17; Aug 18-24; Sep 8-14; Add your own dates
(learn more) |
| Self-guided & Self-supported Dates: |
You choose! We confirm within 48 hours
|
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
14% sales tax applies. 7% for non-Canadians.
“Our guide Laughlan was very helpful and gave us great service .” - Maya V
“Our group had a great time. The hospitality of the PEI people was second to none. Customer service was second to none! The weather was perfect. It couldn't have been better!” - Bev B
“All of the inns were wonderful. Anne Marie (at Chez Shea) is so welcoming, warm, and hospitable. The Inn at St. Peter’s was spectacular” – Tom and Barbara B
“Food was super! The picnics prepared by our guide were beyond words! A huge scrumptious basket of fruit and snacks would await at the meeting point with a great selection of beverages. She had all the bases covered! The salads, the selection of dips, breads, crackers, meats, cheeses was unbelievable. Fresh ground coffee….it doesn’t get any better than that! - Valerie and Terry C
“If you like biking trips Freewheeling is tops. I would recommend you anytime and I have. The picnic luncheons on this trip (PEI) were great, so were the dinners. The guides were terrific, very personable” – Sylvia S
“It was fun to eat at local restaurants that we probably not have found on our own.” – Veronica and Len T
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