Island Trails has developed a new 700-kilometre walking trail which loops around the perimeter of Prince Edward Island.
Called the Island Walk, it is modelled after the famous long-distance walking trail, the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Island Trails recently launched a website and social media pages that include more information on how Islanders and visitors can complete and enjoy the Island Walk.
“P.E.I. has stunning (open water) vistas and quiet country roads that have a beauty that's comparable to anything we have seen in France, Spain and elsewhere,” said Bryson Guptill, member of the Island Trails and Island Walk committee.
“This new walking route will give Islanders and visitors the opportunity to experience our Island in a way that’s really up close and personal.”
In October 2019, some of the Island Trails members completed the 700-kilometre journey in 32 days, which saw the members walk 20-25 kilometres per day. The walk intertwines through
P.E.I.’s two major cities, Charlottetown and Summerside, and many small inland and coastal communities across the Island.
"This new walking route will give Islanders and visitors the opportunity to experience our Island in a way that’s really up close and personal.”
- Bryson Guptill
The Island Walk, which is best to be completed from May to October, was designed not to be technically challenging and is easy to moderate in comparison to other long-distance walking trails around the world. The group has developed seven itineraries to allow walkers to complete the trail in shorter sections.
The Island Walk route will take walkers along the Northumberland Strait, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, much of the Confederation Trail, red dirt roads, beaches and through quiet secondary roads throughout the province.
A signage plan for the Island Walk is currently under development. This means walkers will need to use the digital map to navigate the trail for the foreseeable future.
For more information and to start planning for an Island Walk experience today, visit theislandwalk.ca and follow the Island Walk on social media at @IslandWalk.
