PEI Confederation Trail
The Confederation Trail runs tip-to-tip across Prince Edward Island and is best explored on foot or bicycle. Built on the decommissioned railway line, the main trail is 273 kilometres from west to east – Tignish to Elmira. Branch trails run through small towns and communities including the heart of Charlottetown. The gradients along this rolled stone dust trail never exceed two per cent making it suitable for all fitness levels.
In summer and early fall, equestrians now have access to some portions of the trail.
Along the way, you’ll find accommodation, food and service options a short distance from the trail. Some road travel may be required; please check with service providers about distance and any concerns about getting to your destination safely.
If you enjoy treasure hunting, you’ll love the Confederation Trail with over 1,600 geocaches along the route. The trail is also like a walking museum with almost 250 bilingual interpretive panels from one end to the other and along each branch line.
Download: PEI Confederation Trail Guide
Download: PEI Confederation Trail Map
Hiking and Cycling on the Confederation Trail
The Confederation Trail stretches from Tignish to Elmira and is ideal for hiking and cycling three seasons of the year.
When Prince Edward Island’s railway was abandoned in 1989 Islanders were quick to notice a unique opportunity. The idea of a tip-to-tip shared use walking and cycling trail in the summer and a snowmobile trail in the winter was born.
With beautiful rolling hill scenery, quaint villages and broad bay seascapes, the Confederation Trail is Prince Edward Island’s portion of the Trans Canada Trail.
How long is the Confederation Trail?
The 435 kilometres of rolled stone dust trail has gentle gradients which never exceed 2 per cent (up or down). This Island wide exploration corridor is ideal for visitors of all fitness levels.
Where is the trail located?
The main trail starts in Tignish at kilometre 0 and ends in Elmira at kilometre 273. Branch trails extend into the heart of Charlottetown and to the waterside communities of Souris, Georgetown, Montague, Wood Islands, Murray River and Murray Harbour, plus the link to the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton. Without any real wilderness in PEI, frequent villages along the Trail offer cyclist and hiker’s a convenient selection of accommodations, food and services.
The Confederation Trail is a geocaching hotspot with over 1900 geocache sites along the route. Also, PEI’s 110 kilometre portion of the International Appalachian Trail begins in Borden-Carleton, after hiker’s are shuttled across the Confederation Bridge they mainly hike on the Confederation Trail until its exit point at the Wood Islands ferry terminal. Prince Edward Island is rich in picturesque scenery, cultural and musical talent, culinary delights and Canadian heritage. This wonderful piece of Canada has countless adventures to offer and is best explored by bicycle or foot along the Confederation Trail.
Visit: Parks Canada Trans Canada Trail