The smallest of Canada’s Maritime provinces, PEI is a popular visitor destination in summer, known for its pastoral scenery, red soil farms, and gorgeous beaches. The island is about 225 km east-west and 75 km north south. There’s great variety for running on Prince Edward Island. Our thanks to Jon Frankel for some photos & route updates from a 2023 cycle trip!
On the northern side, the shore-side paths between North Rustico and Cavendish and between Brackley Beach and Dalvay offer wonderful views. The Confederation ‘Rail Trail’ runs the length of the island, with several spurs. You can run along the boardwalk in popular Summerside, or on the waterside piers and gracious streets of the capital city of Charlottetown. The area around Saint Peters Bay has some excellent running options. In PEI National Park, we love the trails through the dunes in Cavendish and Greenwich. For the best beach running, head to the red sand beaches on the southern side of the island. The Scenic Heritage Roads — red clay lanes running by farmsteads and featuring tunnels of trees — are also a pleasure for running.
PEI is accessible by plane, ferry, or the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick. Once on the island, a car is needed to get around. Summers are mild and pleasant. Autumn features gorgeous colors and stretches to the end of October. Winters are cold and stormy, averaging 112 inches of snow.
