1 of 4
John Sylvester
Cyclists on bicycle trail, Gulf Shore Parkway, Prince Edward Island National Park
2 of 4
Chris Reardon Photo
Cavendish Campground
3 of 4
Chris Reardon Photo
Cavendish Campground beach
4 of 4
John Sylvester
By Elizabeth Deblois
“Much of the beauty of the Island is due to the vivid colour contrasts--the rich red of the winding roads, the brilliant emerald of the uplands and meadows, the glowing sapphire of the encircling sea.” **The Alpine Path, L.M. Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables**
These words by world-renowned Canadian author L.M. Montgomery ring as true today as they did 100 years ago. In fact, Prince Edward Island is a place of contrasts: from the colours of its landscapes and the changing views of the seasons to the rugged cliffs alongside the majestic sand dunes and the varied touches of the different cultures whose influence flavour its music, art and cuisine. Located along the North Shore of this tiny jewel of the St. Lawrence is Prince Edward Island National Park, a place where these spectacular contrasts can be seen in their full splendour.
Prince Edward Island National Park looks, at first, like three parks in one. Its three main areas – Cavendish, Brackley-Dalvay and Greenwich – are all located along the north shore of the island but separated by picturesque bays and harbours. Each of the three areas has unique aspects to discover. Cavendish, a small farming community made famous the world over by its association with Anne of Green Gables, has a popular seaside campground, spectacular red sand beach and trails through coastal farmland. Brackley-Dalvay has a scenic, semi-wooded campground, beaches of all sizes, a very accessible lighthouse and trails over ponds and through woodland. Greenwich has a fascinating interpretation centre that highlights the unique cultural and natural history of this area and the largest sand dunes on the Prince Edward Island.
At only 22 square kilometers, Prince Edward Island National Park may be small, but, as you will discover, it is big on impact. In many ways, its size is an advantage as it is easy for travelers to explore many of its treasures in a reasonable amount of time. A glance at a map makes it appear as though travelers will have to allow for a lot of driving time should they wish to see all three areas but, in truth, it takes only about an hour and half to drive from Cavendish, at the West end, to Greenwich, at the East end. If end-to-end exploration is on your agenda, you’ll want to plan for lots of extra time, however, as the route is peppered with beautiful vistas and fantastic photo ops that just beg to be captured by your lens. In particular, don’t miss the spectacular view of the red sandstone cliffs from Orby Head near Cavendish, the chance to take a selfie at picturesque Covehead Lighthouse near Dalvay, and the opportunity to take in the unparalleled panorama that awaits you on the Greenwich Dunes Trail, giving you a million-dollar view of the fascinating parabolic dune system.
For those wishing to really soak in the Island’s beauty, there are countless reasons to park your vehicle for a few hours and explore PEI National Park on foot or as a cyclist. If sightseeing is what you love, the Gulf Shore Parkway offers a smooth, paved surface that will appeal to cyclists of all skill levels. Fully separated from the roadway, it has two separate stretches that cover the length of each of the Cavendish and Brackley-Dalvay areas of the park. Rent a fun Coastal Cruiser in Dalvay for a unique and entertaining cycling experience that will take you past grass-topped, white sand dunes, busy Covehead Harbour and historic Dalvay-By-the-Sea National Historic Site. For those craving a more adventurous form of Island exploration, the brand new multi-use trail at Robinsons Island has been designed with numerous trail features to challenge beginner to intermediate mountain bikers.
Families visiting Prince Edward Island National Park will love the wide variety of fun and interactive learning activities that take place in July and August. There is something to delight every taste, from the hands-on beachcombing activities to the creative, get-your-hands-sandy sandcastle building programs to the spirited campfires hosted by colourful characters who regale visitors with local story and song. Be sure to check the schedule for sandcastle building with a local Island artist hosted throughout the summer at Cavendish and Brackley Beaches. You’ll also want to take in the popular “Lobster Tales” campfire and perhaps a Campground Ceilidh (pronounced “kay-lee”). Filled with toe-tapping East Coast beats and samplings of local culture and heritage, these are an excellent way to get a real taste of PEI life first-hand!
For more information, visit parkscanada.gc.ca/pei