There’s no better way to get up close and personal with Cavendish Beach than by getting out of your car and into your walking shoes.
Here in the heart of PEI’s North Shore, the great outdoors beckons with friendly walking trails that meander through majestic forests, sandy beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, and paths along red cliff seashores that’ll make you swoon.
No, really, it’s truly that picture perfect.
So, are you ready to slow down and discover Cavendish Beach by foot?
Great, because we’ve got enough easy walking trails to fill ‘yer boots, plus plenty of other outdoor activities that’ll feed your soul (and maybe get your heart pumping too!). Strap on your sneakers or lace up your favourite hiking boots and get ready to hit the trails of Cavendish Beach.
Lover’s Lane
Calling all romantics and Anne fans, this one’s for you! Located at Green Gables Heritage Place, Lover’s Lane is actually part of the Balsam Hollow Trail, an easy 0.8 km trail that wanders through the woodlands and follows a bubbling brook. And while it isn’t a long trail, you’ll find even a short walk through the still of the forest can stir the soul.
Green Gables Haunted Trail
Feeling brave? Of course you are. The Green Gables Haunted Trail is another legacy of L.M. Montgomery’s imagination and is also located on the grounds of Green Gables Heritage Place. This 1.9km wooded trail inspired the Haunted Wood in Anne of Green Gables and, fittingly, passes near Montgomery’s resting place, the Cavendish Cemetery.
Homestead Trail
The Homestead Trail offers up all of PEI’s most iconic scenery divided into two 6.3 km or 9.6km looped trails. Pastoral farmland, red cliffs, forests, sand dunes, ocean views and more are yours to soak up as you explore this trail. It also features several bridges and a picnic table along the way – perfect for a quick break or leisurely trail lunch. Park your car and start the trail at 357 Graham’s Lane, in the Cavendish PEI National Park. Or, if you’re staying at the Cavendish Campground, simply find your way to the trailhead on foot.
Cavendish Beach and Dunelands
Bring your camera along and prepare to have your breath taken away by stunning scenery at every turn as you explore the Cavendish Beach and Dunelands Trail. Located within the PEI National Park, this easy 7.1km trail features lots of boardwalks, ocean and pond views, and wildlife along its path. Pack your beach gear in the car and take a dip in the ocean after you’ve worked up a bit of a ‘glisten’ from your walk, you’ll feel equal parts refreshed and ready for a snooze in the sand!
Cavendish Grove
Yet another treasure located within the PEI National Park, Cavendish Grove is named after a large stand of sugar maple trees located in the park and offers something for everyone – walkers, hikers, cyclists, and snoozers. The park, which is located on the former grounds of the beloved family amusement park, Rainbow Valley, features 12 kms of multi-use trails offering views of the ocean, ponds, and salt marshes. You’ll also find carpets of green grass perfect for a midafternoon’s nap or a romantic post-walk picnic.
The Island Walk
For those in search of a truly epic adventure, The Island Walk beckons. Circumnavigating Canada’s smallest province, the walk is over 700 kms in total, broken into 32 sections that include road walks and trails that offer stunning ocean views, pastoral scenery and wildlife sightings. Not ready to spend your entire vacation navigating PEI by foot? You can still get a taste of this incredible walk by exploring one or more sections. Here in Cavendish Beach, Section 16 – 17 is a 24km stretch that will take you from Bayview to Cymbria. The route features a paved hiking trail, followed by a beach walk into North Rustico and a road walk to Cymbria.
Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.