03 Oct The Best Fall Hiking in Central PEI

The fall is one of the best seasons to hike in Prince Edward Island. The vibrant colours, the crunch of the fall leaves, and the smell of apple trees along the trails create the most stunning autumn atmosphere. Central PEI has many beautiful trails to choose from on both the Green Gables (North Shore) and the Red Sands (South Shore). Here are our top 10 hiking trails in this part of the Island– all are either easy or of moderate difficulty. 

Red Sands Shore 

Strathgartney Provincial Park 

Trail Length: 7 km 

Strathgartney trails are scenic any time of the year, but the colours in the fall make it an especially beautiful hike in October.

Bonshaw Provincial Park 

Trail Length: 25km of trail systems – trail loops vary in length

The Bonshaw Trails are popular among Islanders in the fall. The trail system has many loops varying in length and a picnic and park area with washroom facilities.

Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site – Trail

Trail Length: 6 km of trail systems – trail loops vary in length

Explore the area of the 18th-century Acadian settlement and 19th-century British farmland on this network of trails.

Breadalbane Nature Trail 

Trail Length: 6.5 km 

The Breadalband Nature Trail has two loops with ravines, streams, two footbridges, and spruce and hardwood trees.

Brookvale WoodLot Loop

Trail Length: 3.9 km

This trail is great for walkers and bikers. Brookvale has many trail loops and is especially popular for those who enjoy mountain biking on PEI.

Green Gables Shore 

Homestead Trail – MacNeill Loop   – PEI National Park 

Trail Length: 6 km 

Water view, rolling farmland, and forest– this trail encompasses PEI’s rural landscape.

Gulf Shore Parkway West 

Trail Length: 9 km – one way

With its coastline views of beaches and red cliffs,  this trail is a stunner in any season.

The Cavendish Grove Trail 

Trail Length: 2.9km loop 

This is a great scenic hike for beginners that takes you right to the Cavendish Beach and Dunesland Trail.

Winter River Trail 

Trail Length: 6 km 

Only a short drive from Charlottetown with multiple trail loops, the Winter River Trail is a great way to get out of the city and go for a hike.

Devil’s Punch Bowl

Trail Length: 1.6 km 

This trail is a lovely walk through woodlands with a mix of maturing hardwood, Acadian trees, and shrubs.

The Confederation Trail is also a beautiful trail that runs through Central PEI. It covers the whole Island and is a total of 449 km in length! Kensington or Hunter River are great locations to start a hike or bike in Central PEI along the Confederation Trail.  

For more information on hiking trails in PEI visit: islandtrails.ca.