Best places to walk in Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada’s smallest province, is a haven for those who love nature, history, and a slow travel experience. Known for its dramatic landscapes, historic sites, and charming small towns, PEI offers some of the most picturesque walking trails in Canada. Whether you're wandering along the red-sand beaches of Cavendish, exploring the scenic trails through Prince Edward Island National Park, or enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of its provincial parks, there's something for every walker. In this blog, we’ll guide you through some of the best places to walk in PEI, from short strolls to long-distance trails, and answer some common questions about walking around the island. Explore the Absolute Best in PEI from Cavendish’s Natural Beauty to the Whimsy of Anne Shirley’s House with this Guided PEI Tour!

Is Prince Edward Island Walkable?

If you're a fan of slow travel and exploring places on foot, PEI is the perfect destination. With its scenic walking trails, peaceful dirt roads, and relatively flat terrain, the island is incredibly walkable. You’ll be greeted by vast rolling landscapes, sandy beaches, and picturesque coastlines that make the island a beloved destination for both locals and travelers.

The island’s small size, combined with its well-maintained pathways, means that most places are easily accessible by foot, making PEI an ideal spot for hiking enthusiasts and casual walkers alike. From the iconic Green Gables homestead to the Confederation Trail, the island offers a diverse range of walking experiences that you can enjoy at your own pace. If you want to explore it all without the hassle of transportation, book the Best of PEI Tour which covers pick-up, drop-off, admission fees, and so much more!

How Long Does It Take to Walk Around Prince Edward Island?

Prince Edward Island might be the smallest province in Canada, but there’s no shortage of walking opportunities. If you're planning on walking around the entire island, expect to cover a distance of approximately 700 kilometers. The famous Island Walk, which loops around PEI, spans 700 km and is typically completed over the course of 32 days. But if you’re not looking to take on a full island trek, you can easily explore sections of the trail, taking your time to enjoy the scenery.

For a more leisurely experience, many visitors opt to walk parts of the Confederation Trail, a well-known route that follows a former railway line across the island. This trail alone offers plenty of options for those who prefer shorter walks, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of PEI without the need to commit to the full 700 km journey.

Prince Edward Island Walk: Exploring the Island's Best Walking Trails

Prince Edward Island is home to some of the most scenic and well-maintained walking trails in Canada. Here are a few standout routes that showcase the island’s natural beauty:

Confederation Trail

This is arguably one of the most beautiful trails of PEI. Spanning across 470 kilometers, it is also a great way to experience the charm of Prince Edward Island on foot or via bicycle. The trail starts from Tignish in the West to Elmira in the east. It stretches across the entire island and provides perfect views of the small towns and picturesque villages. It used to be a railroad but it was closed in 1989. Later in 1994, it was repurposed into a recreational trail by the provincial government.

It’s a fairly easy trail because it’s a rail trail with 28 designated legs to the trail—-all of which are of varying distances. Along your way, you’ll find stunning views of the farmland and hills. The trail is filled with interpretative panels that give historical insights about the area and the Island’s agricultural heritage. Plus the trail is the perfect choice for a longer walk such as a multi-day hike, biking, or series of trail runs. 

Prince Edward Island National Park

PEINP is a highly walkable place with many scenic trails across the area. The park is also home to beautiful sandy beaches and if you love coastal walks, then this is your place. From a range of landscapes to stunning dunes along the coast, this park has it all. The condition of trails here is great and you can find easy to challenging terrain as per your choice. Among these, Cavendish Beach Trail, Balsam Hollow Trail, Farmlands Trail, etc are very easy to hike. While the Greenwich Dunes Trail and Homestead Long Loop are a bit challenging.

The Homestead trail is perfect for someone who loves nature and wants to enjoy a peaceful walk through forests and meadows. On the other hand, if you love coastal walks, the Robinsons Island Trail is perfect for you. It gives stunning views of the sparkling Gulf of St. Lawrence—and if you’re lucky you'll encounter plenty of wildlife. Some other notable areas that are worth visiting are Cavendish Dunelands, home to the iconic Green Gables House. Here you can walk in the footsteps of Anne of Green Gables. 

Cavendish Beach

Cavendish Beach is a part of Prince Edward Island National Park and is one of the most famous sandy beaches on the Island. It gives stunning views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and massive dunes. The sand here is golden, fine-grained, and perfectly warm for walking along the red sand cliffs. The long stretch of beach allows you to find a perfect spot where you can simply relax. The facilities are great here and you will definitely not regret going here. Amenities include changing rooms, cantine showers, parking, hiking trails, etc.

The Island Walk

If you just want to explore the whole island all at once then consider doing the Island Walk that takes you around the entire island. Inspired by the Camino de Santiago, the distance of this route is around 700 km and it allows you to experience the island in its entirety. The route will take you through the Confederation Trail, beaches, red dirt roads, the ocean, and so much more. If you’re into long-distance hiking, this is perfect for you. Also, the walk here is pretty easy and not very challenging. 

The sweeping views of the landscape are out of this world and the terrain of quiet secondary roads is perfect. There will be some of the secondary roads where it’s much busier but it only amounts to around 8% of the entire Walk. Although this walk requires lots of walking and your time, it’s a great way to explore the island and its beauty. Lastly, don’t forget to bring an umbrella and some nice sturdy walking shoes with you. 

Strathgartney Provincial Park

This park is a gem of a place for people who love walking or hiking. It offers 10km self-guided trails packed with lush green trees and gorgeous views. The park is also perfect for bird watching as there are plenty of bird species. The park is in its full glory when fall foliage of different colors of red, orange, and yellow are seen here. You will also find many interpretive signs that explain different types of trees in the forest. 

A gorgeous part of the park is the trail loop that follows the West River. It’s also an area perfect for canoeing and kayaking. The Friz-bee golf course is another amazing thing about this area. You can follow the trail, and it gets way past the park boundaries and gets quite challenging—but all in all, gorgeous and perfect for hiking. When you’re tired from all the walking, grab some lunch and pick a spot in the park to relax and take in the views.

Prince Edward Island Walk Distance: Planning Your Walk

If you’re planning a walking trip around Prince Edward Island, it’s important to know the distances between key points and the terrain you'll encounter. The Island Walk, for instance, offers multiple stages ranging from 20 to 30 kilometers, with some stages extending up to 35 km. 

Many visitors prefer to break it up, staying in small towns like Kensington, Summerside, and Charlottetown, and walking portions of the trail each day. Charlottetown is particularly famous among tourists because of its stunning architecture and rich history. If you're looking to explore this town, I recommend booking the Best of Charlottetown Walking Tour which will take you to the Great George Street, Victoria Row, and more! Explore Charlottetown on Foot with this Guided Small-Group Walking Tour! For shorter walks, there are countless options. The Confederation Trail, for example, is broken up into manageable sections, so you can choose how much of it you’d like to tackle. The same goes for trails within the Prince Edward Island National Park—there are shorter coastal routes, such as the Robinsons Island Trail, as well as longer hikes through the Homestead Trail and beyond.

Conclusion

Whether you're tackling the full 700 km Island Walk or simply enjoying the short, scenic trails around the Prince Edward Island National Park, the island’s walking routes offer something for everyone. From historic sites like the Green Gables homestead to stunning sandy beaches and peaceful provincial parks, PEI provides a walking experience unlike any other. So, lace up your hiking boots, pack a light bag, and prepare to immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of Canada's smallest province.