Canada, Prince Edward Island: Sideroads Bike Tour
Six days of easy bicycling from one end of Prince Edward Island to the other.
“PEI was far more beautiful than I anticipated… Everyone was very friendly and welcoming.” – Donna C.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Ride the most attractive parts of PEI on scenic, quiet, paved roads and bike paths.
- Cavendish and Anne of Green Gables.
- PEI National Park red sand beaches.
- Warm water swimming opportunities.
- Red sand beaches along the north shore.
- Gracious hosts at small, family-run inns.
- Deliciously fresh seafood.
- Fireworks Feast at famous Inn at Bay Fortune
- Optional kayaking
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
This is an easy to moderate ride, with some gently rolling hilly stretches on mostly paved roads with a few clay and gravel sections. Electric bikes are available if you prefer to make things easier. PEI’s highest point is only 130m above sea level. There are also some sections on car free paved bike trails, and the unpaved Confederation Trail.
Daily Distance:
- DAY 1: ~59km
- DAY 2: ~61km
- DAY 3: ~45km
- DAY 4: ~55km
- DAY 5: Short: ~72km; Long: ~102km
- DAY 6: ~57km
PEI: Sideroads Bike – Elevation Profile
(Click image to enlarge)
Prince Edward Island: Sideroads Bike Tour
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Charlottetown, PEI, The Great George 09:00, day one. Please contact us to arrange alternate pickup location. Optional transfers from Nova Scotia are $85 per person and depart the day before the tour begins from downtown Halifax at 18:00 or Halifax Airport at 18:30, arriving in Charlottetown at ~22:00.
Finish: Charlottetown, PEI, The Great George 15:00, day six. Optional transfers to Nova Scotia at $85 pp arriving in Halifax at ~19:30.
Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.
Introductions, transfer 20 minutes to Fort Amherst. Ride to Kinkora ~ 59km.
Meet in Charlottetown for a transfer to Fort Amherst to begin cycling. Follow the southern coast to have lunch in postcard-perfect Victoria by the Sea. Leaving the coast, the delightful ipastoral ride takes you to your inn at Kinkora, where luxurious spa and massage treatments can be pre-arranged at Spa 225. BD (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips only. Self-guided trips include breakfasts only).
Chez Shea Inn, Kinkora.
Kinkora to Cavendish ~61km.
Cycle from Kinkora toward your inn on the northern shore. Enjoy a mid-morning break at Hunter River for coffee and baked goods before pedaling across the farmlands overlooking the coast. Early arrivals allow plenty of time to explore nearby historic sites, beaches, or the trails at Robinsons Island. BLD
Kindred Spirits Country Inn, Cavendish.
PEI National Park, Cavendish to Dalvay ~45km.
Spend the day exploring the bike paths, trails and parkways of PEI National Park. Start with a visit to North Rustico, a good place for an optional sea-kayak excursion, then ride past Orby Head on your way to Cavendish, home of Lucy Maud Montgomery and inspiration for her novel Anne of Green Gables. Other optional activities for today include deep sea fishing and golfing; please enquire when booking. BD
Dalvay-by-the-Sea, Dalvay; or Blackbush Beach Resort, Grand Tracadie.
Dalvay to Greenwich Dunes ~55km.
Head towards Saint Peters Bay following quiet back roads and the optional (yet recommended) section of the Confederation Trail alongside Saint Peters Bay. Finish your ride at Greenwich Dunes National Park where you’ll be able to explore the boardwalks and beaches. BLD
MYSA Nordic Spa, Saint Peters Bay.
St. Peter’s to Bay Fortune. Short: ~72km; Long: ~102km
Pedal to the East Point Lighthouse, stopping to enjoy the wee bridge over Naufrage Harbour– formerly the smallest drawbridge in N. America. Pass North Lake and the old Elmira railway station that marks the end of the Confederation Trail, then continue to the Singing Sands at Basin Head, and, if you like, more swimming and playing on miles of deserted beach and dunes. The adventure continues through Souris and on to Bay Fortune where a renowned inn and restaurant await. BLD
Inn at Bay Fortune, Bay Fortune.
Bay Fortune to Cardigan ~57km
A morning transfer (or long extra ride) to St. Peter’s, then a quiet ride along the north shore to the East Point Lighthouse. Don’t miss the little bridge over Naufrage Harbour – formerly the smallest drawbridge in N. America, then pass North Lake and the old Elmira railway station that marks the end of the Confederation Trail. If you’re fast, you may make it to Singing Sands at Basin Head before a final transfer into Charlottetown. BL
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SCHEDULED DATES
2024 Guided:
- Jul 7-12
- Jul 21-26
- Aug 11-16
- Aug 25-30
Self-Guided available any dates, except for those listed above and for any start dates between July 1-8. New dates are also welcomed for guided or private departures.
PRICING
Guided: C 4495 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 6 days, 5 nights, 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners, luggage handling, full time vehicle and guide support, maps, route instructions, hybrid bicycle rental, 15% sales tax
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 3965 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 6 days, 5 nights, 5 breakfasts, inn to inn luggage transfers, ground transportation as outlined in the itinerary, maps, route instructions, on-call emergency support, hybrid bicycle rental, 15% sales tax
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: 1065
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid: Included
Flat bars. Trek FX3 or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
Upgrade to Road: 150
Drop bars. Trek Domane AL5, SL5, or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag (no rack/bag on carbon frames).
Upgrade to E-bike: 300
Flat bars. Trek Verve+ 2 or similar, with rear rack/trunk bag. Lowstep frames available by request.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
BEST TIMES
The best time to enjoy this tour is mid-June to mid-September.
Spring daytimes warm up to 10 to 20 °C (50 to 70 °F) by mid June. Note that seasonal businesses may still be closed, or on off-season hours, until late June.
Summer, mid June to mid September, is normally 20 to 25 °C (70 to 80 °F). Freshwater and saltwater swimming is encouraged.
Autumn, mid September to mid October, daytimes 10 to 20 °C range (50 to 70 °F). Nights can be chilly, but rarely down to freezing.
GET TO THE START
If you fly: Fly to Charlottetown (YYG), and book a room downtown. We will pick you up there at 09:00 day one for a short transfer to where you start riding.
Second option: Fly to Halifax (YHZ) and meet us the day before your tour begins at the airport or your inn for a transfer (four hours) to Charlottetown with the Freewheeling shuttle. Halifax’s downtown core is located about half an hour from its airport. Taxis are readily available; Maritime Bus offers an airport express shuttle; and Halifax Transit provides hourly departures on its MetroX bus service ($4.25 fare).
Either way, you will need lodging in Charlottetown the night before the tour. We can book something for you if you like.
If you drive: Meet in Charlottetown at The Inns on Great George, 09:00 day one. It is 330km from Halifax, 1300km from New York, and 1700km from Toronto. Let us know if you would like suggestions for parking.
FINISH
Cycling finishes early to mid afternoon on day six, after which you will be transferred back to Charlottetown by 15:00. If you’ve booked the Freewheeling shuttle, you will arrive back in Halifax by 20:00. Contact us for hotel recommendations if you plan to fly out the following morning.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
Explore Charlottetown on foot, with a walking tour. Attend the famous play, Anne of Green Gables. Rent a boat to explore Charlottetown Harbour.
If you’re shuttling back to Halifax with us, rent a car (we can drop you at Halifax airport on day 6), and visit Wolfville, from where you can experience the highest tides in the world by car or on a 4-hour hike, visit wineries in the Gaspereau Valley, or just enjoy the rural university town.
If you have several days:
Extend your trip! Join one of our rides in Nova Scotia.
We recommend the following accommodations for before or after your tour:
In Charlottetown:
Small and Boutique accommodations:
• The Inns on Great George
• Cranford House
• Shipwright Inn
• The Hillhurst Inn
Larger Hotels:
• Hotel on Pownal
• Rodd Charlottetown Hotel
• Delta Prince Edward
• Quality Inn – Inn on the Hill
In Halifax:
• The Lord Nelson
• Prince George Hotel
• The Halliburton Inn
MORE READING:
The relaxing atmosphere of PEI is perfect for a bike tour. 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.
Your bicycle 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. Superb dining, fabulous inns, blueberry farms, pastoral landscapes, and some of the nicest, longest beaches you’ll ever see are among the highlights of this trip.
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 Freewheeling Adventures 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: Gracious hosts at small, family-run inns; deliciously fresh and local cuisine from both land and sea; cycling quiet roads throughout the island, including the best sections of the Confederation Trail and PEI National Park, high tide bridge jumping, and swimming at Basin Head.
