Four Scenic Adventures

Gravel Day Tours

Offered 4 days a week from June to October

Build your own single-day or multi-day gravel adventure by selecting one or more of our fully-supported gravel day tours. Each of our routes takes you on a combination of gravel roads and narrow clay lanes, and quiet paved country roads. Some routes also include sections of PEI's award-winning Confederation Trail. 

Each tour includes shuttle transportation to and from Downtown Charlottetown, lunch and water,  on-course support, and a post-ride bike wash. The East Point Tour also includes a light supper and post-ride stop at Basin Head Provincial Park and its white sandy beach. Basin Head has showers and change rooms available.

Dromore Tour

80 km  |  50 mi
590 m  |  1,936 ft
85% gravel

Starting from
$165 CAD per person

Brookvale Tour

57 km  |  35.5 mi
1,105 m  |  3.625 ft
80% gravel

Starting from
$185 CAD per person

Caledonia Tour

67 km  |  42 mi
698 m  |  2,290 ft
75% gravel

Starting from
$205 CAD per person

East Point Tour

114 km  |  71 mi
699 m  |  2,264 ft
40% gravel

Starting from
$295 CAD per person

Included:

  • Shuttle to and from your hotel in Downtown Charlottetown to the ride location

  • A nutrition station with lunch and snacks provided by our a support vehicle

  • A post-ride bike wash

  • Detailed itinerary

  • Route GPX files


Available for an Additional Fee

  • Gravel bike rentals (includes helmet and emergency repair kit)

  • Garmin GPS cycling computer

  • Bike boxing/unboxing

  • Bike tuneups and/or parts


Not Included:

  • Lodging

  • Breakfast and supper

  • Airfare

  • Travel and personal insurance

  • Staff gratuities
Tour 1 - Wednesdays

Dromore

Starting from
$165 CAD per person

Ride Details

Distance:   80 km  |  50 mi
Elevation:  590 m  |  1,936 ft
Terrain:      85% gravel + clay

Difficulty:  🔥🔥🔥

“The Big Dusty” loop starts at Ted's Bicycle Studio and travels off the beaten path to the Dromore region featuring the scenic, narrow red clay lanes that circle the Dromore Woodland hiking trails. Enjoy a break by the freshwater "Spirit Spring" on Dromore Road. This tour consists of a combination of gravel roads, paved roads, and the Confederation Trail. This loop is the most popular route in the Dusty Red Gravel Grinder event.

Points of Interest:

  • Fullerton's Creek Conservation Park - 140-acre conservation area in the Town of Stratford featuring crushed gravel trails and a viewing platform overlooking Fullerton's Marsh

  • Old Bob Laird Road - narrow clay lane bordering fields and woodland

  • Dromore Woodland Trails - a nature preserve with hiking trails that form part of the International Appalachian Trail. The route circles and bisects the park in a figure 8 pattern.

  • High Bridge Road - a narrow clay lane marking the eastern boundary of Dromore Woodland Trails; passes by cow pastures, blueberry fields and woodland

  • Jack Campbell Road - narrow clay lane with a fast descent and sharp climb; bisects Dromore Woodlands park

  • Vanco Tulip Farms on Dromore - large tulip farm on Dromore Road just past Jack Campbell Road; tulips normally bloom in PEI between early May and mid June.
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Photo By Amy Hall
Tour 2 - Thursdays

Brookvale

Starting from
$185 CAD per person

Ride Details

Distance:   57 km  |  35.5 mi
Elevation:  1,105 m  |  3.625 ft
Terrain:      80% gravel + clay

Difficulty:  🔥🔥🔥

The Brookvale region belies PEI's reputation as a flat land of potato fields. With over 1,100 m of climbing, this is a true gravel bike challenge featuring steep descents and sharp climbs on red clay lanes. Gravel tires 42mm or wider are advantageous. This challenging loop was highlighted in our 2024 Red Hot Hilly Chili Graveler.

Points of Interest:

  • Mark Arendz Provincial Park at Brookvale - mountain bike destination known for its fast, flowy red dirt singletrack

  • Junction Road - Heritage Road featuring 100-year old trees, Lady's Slippers, and a place known as "Spooky Hallow"

  • McKenna, Appin, and Currie Roads - a winding and hilly network of red clay Heritage Road; greenery extends from hedgerow to a full canopy of trees that provides a refreshing shade

  • Bonshaw Hills Provincial Park - ride on a boardwalk next the West River under a highway overpass to reach this beautiful park
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Photo By Shannon Burt
Tour 3 - Fridays

Caledonia

Starting from
$205 CAD per person

Ride Details

Distance:    67 km  |  42 mi
Elevation:   698 m  |  2,290 ft
Terrain:       75% gravel + clay

Difficulty:  🔥🔥🔥

Starting at the Sir Andrew MacPhail Homestead in Orwell, this route warms up on the Confederation Trail before venturing onto two rolling Heritage roads: Klondyke Road, and County Line Road. Preserved to look much as they did 100 years ago, these Heritage Roads are narrow red clay lanes under a delightful hardwood canopy. The route then continues on rolling clay roads for over 10 km before a combination of clay, gravel, and paved sections brings you back to the Confederation Trail for a well deserved cool down.

Points of Interest:

  • Sir Andrew MacPhail Homestead - a well preserved 1856 farmhouse built in the Gothic Revival centre gable style; Andrew Macphail (1864-1938) was a teacher, medical doctor, editor, writer and soldier in WW1. 

  • Klondyke Road- a Heritage Road that cuts a swath through a border of sugar maple, birch, and spruce; once used by rumrunners in 1920s and 1930s to hide their contraband.

  • County Line Road - a Heritage Road located on the boundary of Queen's and Kings counties; horse-drawn carriages transported passengers along this lane in earlier years.  
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Dunes Trail in Greenwich, PEI National Park
Tour 4 - Saturdays

East Point

Starting from
$295 CAD per person

Ride Details

Distance:   114 km  |  71 mi
Elevation:  699 m  |  2,264 ft
Terrain:      40% gravel + clay  |  60% paved

Difficulty:  🔥🔥🔥

Enjoy views of sand dunes, lighthouses, fishing villages and narrow heritage clay lanes on this mixed surface tour of the eastern of of PEI. This tour starts at Greenwich in the PEI National Park, home to rare parabolic sand dunes and a 500 m (0.3 mi) long floating boardwalk. Travel by rail trail, country paved roads, gravel roads, and heritage clay lanes to the Elmira Station and then East Point, the easternmost tip of the Island. Enjoy a lunch break by the ocean in beautiful Souris. Finish off your day with a swim in the ocean at Basin Head Provincial Park, home of the "Singing Sands".

Points of Interest:

  • Greenwich, PEI Nation Park - features massive, crescent shaped parabolic sand dunes, which are a rare phenomenon in North America

  • Naufrage - small fishing community featuring a lighthouse, sand dunes, and a harbour

  • Souris - start of the award-winning Confederation Trail  

  • North Lake - ride along the sand dunes to the North Lake Harbour, home of a busy fishing industry

  • Elmira Station - served as the end of the line for Prince Edward Island's railway for many years; now marks the end of the Confederation Trail

  • East Point - the easternmost point of PEI featuring Canada's Confederation Lighthouse

  • Basin Head Provincial Park - features a pristine white sandy beach nicknamed "singing sands" due to the squeaking sound the sand makes as you walk on it.
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Gravel Day Tours

Itineraries
Tour 1 - Wednesdays

Dromore

80 km  ▪  590 m  ▪  85% gravel

8am

Shuttle Pickup

Our shuttle transports you and your gear from Downtown Charlottetown hotels to Ted's Bicycle Studio in Stratford

9am

Ride Preparation

Get your bicycle, gear, and hydration ready

10am

Tour Begins

Ride out of Stratford on a gravel path toward the clay roads of Dromore

Noon

Lunch Break

Our support vehicle provides lunch, snacks and water

2pm

Finish

You'll finish back at Ted's Bicycle Studio for snacks and a bike wash

3pm

Shuttle Return

Our shuttle service returns you to your Downtown Charlottetown hotel
Tour 2 - Thursdays

Brookvale

57 km  ▪  1,050 m  ▪  80% gravel

8am

Shuttle Pickup

Our shuttle transports you and your gear from Downtown Charlottetown hotels to Brookvale

9am

Ride Preparation

Get your bicycle, gear, and hydration ready

10am

Tour Begins

Ride on a combination of hilly gravel and clay roads interspersed by a few paved sections

Noon

Lunch Break

Our support vehicle provides lunch, snacks and water

2:30pm

Finish

You'll finish back at Brookvale for snacks and a bike wash

3:30 pm

Shuttle Return

Our shuttle service returns you to your Downtown Charlottetown hotel
Tour 3 - Fridays

Caledonia

67 km  ▪  658 m  ▪  75% gravel

8am

Shuttle Pickup

Our shuttle transports you and your gear from Downtown Charlottetown hotels to the Sir Andrew MacPhail Homestead near Orwell

9am

Ride Preparation

Get your bicycle, gear, and hydration ready

10am

Tour Begins

Ride on a combination of gravel and clay roads interspersed by a few paved sections

Noon

Lunch Break

Our support vehicle provides lunch, snacks and water

2pm

Finish

You'll finish back at the Sir Andrew MacPhail Homestead for snacks and a bike wash. Enjoy coffee or tee and a dessert at the Veranda Tearoom.

3pm

Shuttle Return

Our shuttle service returns you to your Downtown Charlottetown hotel
Tour 4 - Saturdays

East Point

114 km  ▪  699 m  ▪  40% gravel

6:30 am

Shuttle Pickup

Our shuttle transports you and your gear from Downtown Charlottetown hotels to Greenwich in PEI National Park

8:30 am

Ride Preparation

Get your bicycle, gear, and hydration ready

9:15 am

Tour Begins

Ride on a combination of gravel roads and historic clay lanes intersperced by a few paved sections

Noon

Lunch Break

Our support vehicle provides lunch, snacks and water right by the ocean at Breakwater Park in Souris

3:00 pm

Finish

You'll finish at Basin Head Provincial Park where you can dip your toes in the soft "singing sands" that squeak as you walk, and swim in the ocean if you wish. Showers and a concession stand are available. Snacks and a bike wash are provided.

5:00 pm

Shuttle Return

Our shuttle service returns you to your Downtown Charlottetown hotel
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Gravel Experience Levels

Interested in one of our gravel tours, but unsure of your experience level? The descriptions below will help you determine your ideal gravel activity level, detailing the time spent in the saddle, the terrain you will face, and the type of gravel you will navigate. Uncover your perfect gravel level below.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Level 1

Distance
30-50 km | 18- 31 mi

Elevation
100-200 m | 300-700 ft

Riding Time
1-3 hours

Terrain
Relatively flat terrain with small gentle climbs or descents. Route consists of 50-85% on the flat, smooth crushed gravel Confederation Trail or paved bike paths. Minimal steeper sections that require a bit of effort to ascend and braking when descending.

Gravel Conditions
Beginer-friendly well maintained bike paths with fine crushed gravel and smooth, separated paved bike paths.

Riding Skills
Confident riding on smooth gravel surfaces with gentle slopes. Clipping into pedals is recommended but not required.

Fitness Level
In the past two months, rides at least 2 times a week for a total of at least 3 hours. Has completed a 50 km road ride and several 35 km rides on a mix of gravel and pavement.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Level 2

Distance
50-65 km | 31- 37 mi

Elevation
200-500 m | 700-1,500 ft

Riding Time
2-4 hours

Terrain
Relatively flat terrain with small gentle climbs or descents. Route consists of 50-85% on the flat, smooth crushed gravel Confederation Trail or paved bike paths. Minimal steeper sections that require a bit of effort to ascend and braking when descending. Short sections of intermediate level gravel or clay roads may present.

Gravel Conditions
Primarily well maintained bike paths with fine crushed gravel and smooth, separated paved bike paths. Dirt roads are smooth with sparse gravel.

Riding Skills
Intermediate road cyclist, gravel cyclist, or mountain biker. Clipping into pedals is recommended but not required. Confident riding on smooth gravel. Able to navigate potholes rare sections of older paved roads.

Fitness Level
In the past two months, has ridden at least 3 times a week for a total of at least 6 hours. Has completed a 75 km road ride and several 50 km rides on a mix of gravel and pavement.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Level 3

Distance
75-100 km | 47- 62 mi

Elevation
500-900 m | 1,500-3,000 ft

Riding Time
3-5 hours

Terrain
Hillly terrain ranging from rolling to steep. Expect frequent climbs and some sharp descents, which requiring practiced handling skills. Route consists of 50-85% gravel or clay roads with 
some flat pavement and sections of the Confederation Trail for recovery.

Gravel Conditions
Expect a mix of clay, which can be slick when wet; gravel, sometimes loose and chunky; ruts and potholes; puddles, which can range from easily avoided to crosses the entire road, and sand.

Riding Skills
Experienced road cyclist, gravel cyclist, or marathon mountain biker. Comfortable clipping in and out of pedals. Has the technical skills to ride on short sections of loose, slick, or sandy surfaces.

Fitness Level
In the past three months, has ridden at least 4 times a week for a total of 10-12 hours. Has completed a 120 km road ride and a few 75 km rides on a mix of gravel and pavement.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Level 4

Distance
100+ km | 62+ mi

Elevation
1000+ m | 3,000+ ft

Riding Time
4+ hours

Terrain
Hillly terrain ranging from rolling to very steep. Expect frequent climbs and some sharp descents. Extra effort will be necessary to ascend the climbs and practiced handling skills are necessary for the descents. Route consists of 50-85% gravel or clay roads with 
minimal flat pavement and sections of the Confederation Trail.

Gravel Conditions
Expect a mix of clay, which can be slick when wet; gravel, sometimes loose and chunky; ruts and potholes; puddles, which can range from easily avoided to crosses the entire road, and sand.

Riding Skills
Experienced road cyclist, gravel cyclist, or marathon mountain biker with the skills of Level 3. Has the technical skills to ride longer sections of loose, slick, or sandy surfaces on steeper terrain.

Fitness Level
In the past four months, has ridden at least 4 times a week for a total of 12+ hours. Has completed a 130 km ride on the road and several 85 km rides on a mix of gravel and pavement.

Included:

  • Shuttle transport from your hotel in Downtown Charlottetown to the start of your tour and then back to your hotel in Downtown Charlottetown

  • A nutrition station with lunch and snacks provided by our support vehicle

  • A post-ride bike wash

  • Detailed itinerary

  • Route GPX files


Available for an Additional Fee:

  • Gravel bike rentals (includes helmet and emergency repair kit)

  • Garmin GPS cycling computer

  • Bike boxing/unboxing

  • Bike tuneups and/or parts

  • Pick-up and drop-off from your Downtown Charlottetown hotel if you are renting a bike or need to get your bike unboxed / boxed


Not Included:

  • Breakfast and supper

  • Airfare

  • Travel and personal insurance

  • Staff gratuities


Bike Recommendations:

  • A gravel bicycle is recommended for all of our Day Tours

Tailwind Cycling Tours
41 Hollis Ave. Unit 41, Stratford PE, C1B 4A1

902-367-5191

info@tailwindcyclingtours.ca