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To the Lighthouse on
Panmure Island
When its 4-storey, gabled window
lighthouse was built in 1853,
Panmure Island, (15 kilometres
east of Montague and just north
of Gaspereaux), was still surrounded
by water. Today, the secluded
land spit, lined with some of
the province’s most beautiful
white sand beaches, is joined
to the mainland by a paved causeway.
The road provides access to
Panmure Island Provincial
Park, with a fully-serviced
campground, boat launching area
and bicycle rentals. Beach-goers
can choose between the “bay
side” and the “ocean
side,” where long stretches
of sand dunes form an idyllic
backdrop to the sea. In summer,
visitors can tour the historic
Panmure Island lighthouse, still
in operation.
Panmure Island Pow Wow:
Each year in mid-August, up
to 5,000 visitors converge on
Panmure Island for the Mi’Kmaq
Pow Wow, hosted by the Prince
Edward Island’s Abegweit
First Nation. Drumming, dance,
crafts and healing ceremonies
are all part of the annual public
event.
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Cycling the Confederation
Trail
It is almost an embarrassment of riches: on
an Island brimming with scenic routes, shoreline
drives and picture-perfect country roads,
there’s an even better way to experience
the pleasures of the Island countryside.
When Prince Edward Island’s railway
finally ground to a halt in 1989, the province’s
transportation loss became the outdoor lover’s
gain. The abandoned rail bed was turned into
a 3-metre wide multi-functional trail network
extending from the western tip of the Island
at Tignish to the eastern tip at Elmira. Known
as the “Confederation Trail,”
the 350 kilometre path was one of the first
sections of the nation-wide Trans Canada Trail
to be completed, and is now open to walkers,
hikers, joggers, cyclists and snowmobilers
(in outlying areas only). It is also wheelchair
accessible.
Branch Line to
the East: The Three Rivers area is
served by a branch line of this magical woodland
corridor. The Mount Stewart-Georgetown-Montague
section of the Confederation Trail is a sheltered,
pine-scented, supremely satisfying way for
cyclists to immerse themselves in the mixed
woodlands, potato farms, wetlands, and historical
sights and villages of the Brudenell-Cardigan-Montague
watershed. There’s no need to worry
about steep grades or rough terrain: like
most of the Island route, the eastern spur
of the Trail is a combination of level land
and gently rolling hills. The rolled stone-dust
surface of the Trail is cycle-friendly; a
sturdy hybrid or mountain bike will take you
where you want to go.
To access the Confederation Trail, look for
the plum-coloured gates that mark the various
entry points. From the main Trail route at
Mount Stewart, northeast of Charlottetown,
the Three Rivers branch line extends 29.9
kilometres west to Cardigan. Another 10 kilometres
to the west leads to the port town of Georgetown.
Choose the south-east spur to pedal 10 kilometres
to the river town of Montague.
Along the way, Brudenell Provincial
Park on the Brudenell River is an
ideal place to take a break. Camping, canoeing,
fishing and many other services and recreational
activities are available at the Island’s
largest provincial park. The Cardigan
Fish Hatchery and Water Science Centre
is another popular stopping-off point; hatchery
tours and nature trails are featured at the
complex.
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Take a Seal Watching Tour on
the Montague River
Cruise along the placid waters
of the Montague River’s
tidal estuary and in to Georgetown
Harbour to see gray and harbour
seals in their natural environment.
Watch seal families play in
the water, or “haul out”
to sun themselves. Cruises often
include tours of the area’s
mussel farms, and a chance to
view sea birds and even the
occasional porpoise. |
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Island Pedalling Pointers
• Compact
and mostly rural, Prince Edward Island is
well-suited to bicycle touring. Distances
between towns and villages are short, services
are plentiful, and with only a few exceptions,
grades are very reasonable. An around-the-Island
cycle tour can be completed in a week.
• Some
major roads offer paved shoulders, but traffic
can be heavy during summer months. The inland
gravel-surfaced Confederation Trail offers
a quieter alternative to busy highways, and
connects to the Island’s major urban
centres of Summerside and Charlottetown.
• Confederation
Trail cyclists should familiarize themselves
with the Code of the Trail, which includes
respecting the life and work of the countryside.
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There are a number of tour and bicycle rental
companies on the Island. Book a group tour,
or take advantage of convenient shuttle and
baggage-delivery services.
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Cyclists travelling between Prince Edward
Island and the mainland can take a free shuttle
across the 13 kilometre Confederation Bridge.
(Crossing the bridge by bicycle is not permitted.)
Transportation is by van equipped with a bicycle
trailer.
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Earn your Confederation Trail “Tip to
Tip” pin and certificate! All those
who complete the full length of the Trail
under their own power qualify for this special
honour. Find out more from Island Trails,
the organization responsible for operation
of the Trail.
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A comprehensive guide to Prince Edward Island
cycling is available; check with Cycling PEI,
Prince Edward Island’s cycling association,
for further information.
Best
of Both Worlds at Brudenell Provincial Park
 Comfortable
campground or luxury resort; campfire cooking
or gourmet dining; riverside ripples or ocean
side waves – Brudenell Provincial Park,
tucked just slightly inland on the Brudenell
River between Poole’s Corner and Roseneath,
offers visitors a wide range of vacation choices.
Campers can pitch their tents or park their
trailers at the Park’s fully-equipped
campground, while less rustically-inclined
tourists can enjoy the amenities of one of
Prince Edward Island’s premiere private
resorts.
While the tranquil Brudenell River is the
star attraction at the Island’s largest
provincial park, the salt waters of Cardigan
Bay and Northumberland Strait are only minutes
away. Swimming at the Park’s riverside
beach, or canoeing on its hospitable waters
can easily give way to sand, surf and sea
kayaking at some of the Island’s most
scenic white sand beaches. The Park is an
ideal base for exploring the historic villages
of Cardigan, Georgetown and Montague, highlights
of the “Hills and Harbours” tourist
region of Prince Edward Island.
Interpretive programs at Brudenell Provincial
Park focus on the natural features of Prince
Edward Island; a wildflower garden and hiking
trails are part of the recreational area.
Golfers take note: the Park’s
privately-operated resort and conference centre
features an 18-hole, par 72 golf course, ranked
among the Top 50 courses in Canada.
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