A Breathtaking Walking Loop Along Canada's Coastline Is Full Of Mouth-Watering Seafood

With its stunning North Atlantic coastal scenery, Prince Edward Island (PEI) has always been a superb (but underrated) Canadian destination for outdoor adventures like kayaking, biking, and hiking. What many visitors don't know, though, is that you can traverse the entire island on a 435-mile-long walking trail. The route, known as the Island Walk, is a great introduction to island living since it winds through a variety of communities and landscapes. These include small farming settlements and larger towns along with wide, windswept beaches and serene Acadian forests.

The route passes by some amazing eateries, allowing foodies to munch their way around Canada's smallest province, feasting on foods like world-famous Malpeque oysters, crispy fried scallops, and lobster rolls with mayo, celery, and chive–lemon sauce. In addition to delicious seafood, Prince Edward Island is known for its potatoes, which ripen to perfection in the island's iron-rich soil. Don't be surprised if the baked, mashed, boiled, or fried spuds that accompany your meal are as finger-lickin' good as your main course. Finally, if you like beer, be sure to wash those salty seafood and potato dishes down with an ice-cold local brew of your choice. Whether you choose an ale, a lager, a stout, or a pilsner, the craft beer scene is thriving on the island. 

Around half of the Island Walk follows the wide, lush path known as the Confederation Trail, while the other half is along secondary roads along the scenic coast, occasionally jutting inland. Because of its relative smoothness and flatness, the Island Walk is appropriate for everyone, even families with young children and novice hikers. You don't need any expensive, high-tech gear for this adventure except for a supportive pair of hiking shoes and a good raincoat. You might also consider waterproofing your backpack before your trip, though. Be prepared for inclement weather –– rain is common on PEI throughout the year. It may be inconvenient but it's also what keeps the forests green and the local food supplies flowing. 

It takes a little over a month to complete the whole loop around PEI, which may not be feasible or even desirable for some travelers. You can also do just one section (or a few) in an area of the island you'd prefer to visit. For example, you might decide to walk the section of the trail that's closest to Prince Edward Island National Park on the central northern coast. This is where the famous Green Gables house, which served as inspiration for the beloved novel "Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is located. According to the official map, the trail has 32 different sections of varying lengths, which take from six to 12 hours to complete. One section of the Island Walk passes near PEI's only airport in Charlottetown, a common entry point for both domestic and international visitors. This means that hikers could theoretically head straight for the trail as soon as they land, though they may need to arrange for transport to a trailhead.

If you choose not to do the Charlottetown section of the trail near the airport, you can take a bus to a different entry point. However, note that bus service is not available to and from all the trail sections. The other option is to arrange a drop-off or pick-up service with a cab company or rideshare provider such as YellowCab PEI, Kari, or Red Sand Tour. In addition, lodging partners featured on the Island Walk trail website can provide you with a place to shower and rest for the night. Some may also be able to coordinate transportation. If the idea of choosing PEI trail sections and then arranging shuttles, lodging, and food is already giving you a headache, we can't say we blame you. In this case, you can let a trip planner like Go For a Walk Island Walking Coordination Service or Outer Limit Sports take care of these details so you can focus on more important things, like walking, eating, and discovering all there is to see and do on Prince Edward Island.

The best months to do the Island Walk are mid-May to late October. The peak season is in the summer — particularly July and August — but the island is also at its most crowded during this time. Autumn visitors may need to put on extra layers but will be treated to brilliant fall colors and more solitude on the trail. Long treks on Prince Edward Island are not recommended in the winter when snow and ice can make it slippery and dangerous. For an alternative destination during the colder months, Quebec City is an ideal place for a winter vacation in Canada.