Tip to Tip Tour

The Four-Thirty

This 430 km (267 mi) route traverses the Island on gravel and clay roads, red clay heritage lanes, interspersed with sections on the award-winning Confederation Trail and paved country roads.

The highlight of this tour is passing through PEI national park on seaside gravel trails, a floating boardwalk, and a paved path enjoying stunning views of sand dunes, red sandstone cliffs, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Optional visits to two beaches: Cavendish Beach renowned for its soft sand alongside red cliffs and wind-sculpted dunes; and Basin Head Beach, home of the white "singing sands".

Tour Duration
5 Days / 6 Nights

Accommodations
2- to 4-star hotels

Difficulty
Level 3

Distance
Daily Average = 86 km | 53 mi
Total = 430 km | 267 mi

Elevation
Daily Average = 534 m | 1,752 ft
Total = 2,670 m | 8,760 ft

Terrain
70% gravel, clay, trail
30% pavement

Starting from
$2,500 CAD per person
Book a Tour

Details & Itinerary

Day 1:  Charlottetown
Day 2:  North Cape - Mill River
Day 3:  Mill River - Summerside
Day 4:  Summerside - Charlottetown
Day 5:  Charlottetown - Brudenell
Day 6:  Brudenell - East Point
Charlottetown

Day 1

Settle into your hotel while we prep your bike for your 5 day, 430 km (267 mi) gravel adventure

Hotel

Charlottetown Inn & Conference Centre   ★★★

Centrally located downtown for easy access to restaurants and the Charlottetown waterfront.

  • Two Queen beds

  • Complimentary continental breakfast from 6-10am

  • Free WiFi

  • Indoor heated pool 

Things to Do

Schedule
Charlottetown
Day 1

10:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Pickup & Bike Prep

Once you reach Downtown Charlottetown, call us for pickup and we will transport you and your bike to Ted's Bicycle Studio to unpack and prep your bike (if required). If you are renting a gravel bike from us, we will set it up for you (ie. install your pedals, adjust saddle height). We will store your bike at the shop overnight and then drop you off Downtown.

4:00 PM

Check-in to Charlottetown Inn & Conference Centre

Spend your free time exploring Charlottetown's beautiful waterfront.

Fuel up for your big ride at one of the many excellent restaurants nearby. Check out the list of partnering restaurants offering discounts to guests.
North Cape - Mill River

Day 2

Ride Details

Distance:   71 km  |  44 mi
Elevation:  261 m  |  856 ft
Terrain:      85% gravel

Difficulty:  🔥🔥🔥🔥

The route starts at North Cape, the northwesternmost point of PEI. There, your ride begins among the wind turbines and meanders around the cape on top of the rusty red cliffs. On the way to Mill River, you'll see fishing villages, sand dunes, lighthouses, farms, woodlands, and you'll ride sections of the Confederation Trail starting with Kilometer Zero in Tignish.

Points of Interest:

  • North Cape- home of the North Cape Wind Farm

  • Tignish run- ride along sand dunes to the busy fishing community

  • Tignish - start of the award-winning Confederation Trail  

  • Alberton - Stone Station Park features one of only two granite "boulder rail stations" in PEI

  • Elmsdale - farming community

Hotel

Mill River Resort   ★★★★

Tranquil setting by the Mill River on a 350-acre property

  • Two Queen beds

  • Onsite restaurant & bar

  • Indoor pool, water slide, hot tub, and sauna

  • Nature trails

  • Free WiFi

Schedule
East Point to Mill River
Day 2

6:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Breakfast

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the Charlottetown Inn & Conference Centre

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Pick-Up

Our shuttle vehicle will pick you up at the Charlottetown Inn. Your bike will already be loaded and ready to go.

9:00 AM - 11:15

Transport

Our shuttle vehicle will will transport you, your bike, and luggage from Charlottetown to North Cape. We'll stop at a bakery half-way for coffee and pastries.

11:30 AM

Lunch

Enjoy lunch while you take in the views at North Cape.

12:15 PM

Ride Segment 1

Ride 44 km from North Cape to the Stone Station Park in Alberton. The route passes through fishing communities and farmland. It is relatively flat and consists of red gravel and clay roads, sections of the Confederation Trail and minimal pavement.

2:00 PM

Nutrition Break

Our support vehicle will meet you at the 44 km mark at the Northport beach. Snacks and water will be provided.

2:30 PM

Ride Segment 2

Ride 27 km from Northport to Mill River. The route passes through farming communities and consists of red gravel roads the Confederation Trail, and some pavement.

3:45 PM

Hotel

Your hotel for the night is the Mill River Resort. Check-in starts at 3pm. Get cleaned up before enjoying a delicious supper at the Callaghan's Restaurant and Bar, located onsite. Finish up your day with a stroll on the nature trails, or a swim in the indoor pool.

Don't worry about your bike. It will be washed ahead of tomorrow's ride.
Mill River - Summerside

Day 3

Ride Details

Distance:   82 km  |  51 mi
Elevation:  280 m  |  919 ft
Terrain:      80% gravel

Difficulty:  🔥🔥🔥🔥

Enjoy a warm-up on the Confederation Trail and a short detour to see the world's largest potato sculpture before hiting some backwoods gravel that takes you toward Tyne Valley. From there, you'll head down to Miscouche, home of the PEI Acadian Museum. Then its a short jaunt to the ocean views of Linkletter Provincial Park. Cool down as you enter Summerside riding along the waterfront.

Points of Interest:

  • O'Leary - home of the Canadian Potato Museum and the world's largest potato sculpture

  • Miscouche - home of the PEI Acadian Museum

  • Linkletter Provincial Park - ocean views, red gravel roads

  • Summerside - Canada's smallest city; home to a beautiful waterfront; don't miss Spinnaker's Landing, a market on the water featuring shops, decks, and boardwalks  

Hotel

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Summerside   ★★

Located downtown for easy access to restaurants and the waterfront

  • Two Queen beds

  • Complimentary breakfast

  • Onsite guest laundry

  • Free WiFi

Schedule
Mill River to Summerside
Day 3

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the Mill River Resort onsite restaurant

9:00 AM

Ride Segment 1

Ride 47 km from Mill River to Northam. The route passes through farming and fishing communities. It is relatively flat and consists of red gravel and clay roads, sections of the Confederation Trail and minimal pavement.

11:00 AM

Lunch

Enjoy a tasty lunch in Northam.

11:30 PM

Ride Segment 2

Ride 35 km from Saint Hubert to Summerside. The route passes through the Evangeline Region, home to the largest Acadian community in PEI. You'll see fishing communities, farmland, oceanviews, and lighthouses. It is relatively flat and consists of red gravel roads, sections of the Confederation Trrail and some pavement.

2:00 PM

Arrive in Summerside

Enjoy the waterfront views as you ride into Summerside. Head down to Spinnaker's Landing to enjoy some local ice cream before check-in.

3:00 PM

Hotel

Your hotel for the night is the Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Summerside. Check-in starts at 3pm. Get cleaned up before enjoying a delicious supper on the Summerside waterfront.

Don't worry about your bike. It will be washed ahead of tomorrow's ride.
Summerside - Charlottetown

Day 4

Ride Details

Distance:   104 km  |  65 mi
Elevation:  937 m  |  3.074 ft
Terrain:      65% gravel

Difficulty:  🔥🔥🔥🔥

The queen stage starts with a warm up on the Confederation Trail to Kensington. Then you'll wind your way north to hit one of PEI's scenic Heritage Roads before entering PEI National Park. There you'll ride on two trails and a paved path enjoying stunning views of sand dunes, red sandstone cliffs, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. You'll even get to cross a floating boardwalk over a freshwater pond.

Points of Interest:

  • Millman Road - one of the first scenic Heritage Roads to be designated; features a large hill at the northern end that provides a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.

  • New London - this route passes by the birthplace of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables

  • PEI National Park in Cavendish - features the famous Cavendish Beach, renowned for its miles of unspoiled beachfront, sandstone cliffs, and barrier islands, Cavendish Beach

  • Homestead, Simpson Loop Trail - packed gravel trail in PEI National Park featuring farmland and forest along the shores of New London bay 

  • Cavendish Dunelands Trail - packed gravel trail in PEI National Park featuring stunning views of sand dunes and a floating boardwalk over a freshwater pond

  • Gulf Shore Way East - paved, multi-use trail passing through the National Park skirting the top of red sandstone cliffs with magnificent views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence

  • North Rustico - a charming fishing village featuring a fishing warf, a ride along the dunes, and a boardwalk along the harbour

  • Victoria Park - enjoy riding beside the water in Charlottetown's largest waterfront park 

Hotel

Charlottetown Inn & Conference Centre   ★★★

Centrally located downtown for easy access to restaurants and the Charlottetown waterfront.

  • Two Queen beds

  • Complimentary continental breakfast from 6-10am

  • Free WiFi

  • Indoor heated pool 

Schedule
Summerside to charlottetown
Day 4

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Breakfast

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the Summerside Days Inn

9:00 AM

Ride Segment 1

Ride 46 km from Summerside to Cavendish Beach. The route starts off on the Confederation Trail before heading North to a hilly red clay Heritage Road. Finally, you'll head over to the seaside gravel trails that enter PEI National Park.

11:00 AM

Lunch

Enjoy lunch in Cavendish Beach. Take an extended break here to enjoy the most famous beach in PEI renowned for its soft red sand, red cliffs, and windswept dunes. You can swim in the ocean, take a beach walk, or simply enjoy the views. There are changing rooms and showers available.

1:30 AM

Ride Segment 2

Ride 35 km from Cavendish Beach to Colville Road. Ride through PEI National Park on the Duneland Trail, a floating boardwalk, and a paved multi-use path. Then hop on a mix of gravel and clay roads, some pavement and the confederation trail.

3:00 PM

Nutrition Break

Enjoy lunch near the Confederation Trail.

3:30 PM

Ride Segment 3

Ride 23 km from to Charlottetown on the Confederation Trail, separated paved multi-use paths, and pavement.

4:30 PM

Hotel

Your hotel for the night is the Charlottetown Inn & Conference Centre. Check-in starts at 4pm. If you arrive early, grab some ice cream on your way through Victoria Park or grab an early supper at one of the many restaurants with bike-friendly patios.

Don't worry about your bike. It will be washed ahead of tomorrow's ride.
Photo By Shannon Burt
Charlottetown - Brudenell

Day 5

Ride Details

Distance:   84 km  |  52 mi
Elevation:  602 m  |  1,975 ft
Terrain:      85% gravel

Difficulty:  🔥🔥🔥🔥

Ride out of town on the crushed gravel trails of Fullerton's Park before tackling the rolling red gravel and clay roads of the Dromore area. Enjoy a break by the freshwater "Spirit Spring" on Dromore Road before turning east toward Brudenell. 

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

  • Dromore Woodland Trails - a nature preserve with hiking trails that form part of the International Appalachian Trail.

  • 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.  

Hotel

Rodd Brudenell River Resort   ★★★★

Tranquil setting within Brudenell River Provincial Park 

  • Two Queen beds

  • Three onsite dining options available 

  • Indoor & outdoor pool, sauna, hot tub

  • Free WiFi 

Schedule
charlottetown to Brudenell
Day 5

6:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Breakfast

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the Charlottetown Inn & Conference Centre

9:00 AM

Ride Segment 1

Ride 47 km from Charlottetown to Dromore. The route heads out of town on flat crushed gravel trails before tackling the rolling red gravel and clay roads of the Dromore region.

11:30 AM

Lunch Break

Enjoy a tasty lunch in Dromore.

12:00 PM

Ride Segment 2

Ride 37 km from Dromore to Brudenell on red gravel and clay roads, and some pavement. You'll hit a Heritage road on this segment.

3:00 PM

Hotel

Your hotel for the night is the Rodd Brudenell River Resort. Check-in starts at 3pm. If you arrive early, its a short spin down to Georgetown, a charming fishing community full of historic heritage buildings. Then get cleaned up before enjoying a delicious supper at one of the three onsite restaurants.

Don't worry about your bike. It will be washed ahead of tomorrow's ride.
Brudenell - East Point

Day 6

Ride Details

Distance:   88 km  |  55 mi
Elevation:  590 m  |  1,936 ft
Terrain:      50% gravel

Difficulty:  🔥🔥🔥🔥

Ride toward East Point on mellow gravel roads, narrow canopied clay roads, and quiet country pavement. Enjoy views of sand dunes, lighthouses and fishing villages. Stop at the Elmira Station, which marks the end of the Confederation Trail, 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:

  • Souris - a seaside town hosting an interprovincial ferry terminal for service to Quebec's Magdalen Islands.

  • 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

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

Hotel

Charlottetown Inn & Conference Centre   ★★★

Centrally located downtown for easy access to restaurants and the Charlottetown waterfront.

  • Two Queen beds

  • Complimentary continental breakfast from 6-10am

  • Free WiFi

  • Indoor heated pool 

Schedule
Brudenell - East Point
Day 6

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at one of the onsite restaurants at the Brudenell River Resort

9:00 AM

Ride Segment 1

Ride 52 km from Brudenell to Souris. The route is a combination of rail trail, gravel, and pavement.

11:30 AM

Lunch

Enjoy lunch at the seaside Breakwater Park in Souris.

12:00 PM

Ride Segment 2

Ride 36 km from Souris to East Point on red gravel and clay roads, rail trail, and some pavement. You'll hit a Heritage Roads on this segment and ride to the end of the Confederation Trail in Elmira.

1:30 PM

Nutrition Break

Enjoy a tasty snack at East Point

2:00 PM

Transport to Basin Head

Hop in the van for a quick drive to nearby Basin Head Provincial Park where you can eat a second lunch, 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.

4:00 PM

Transport to Charlottetown

Our shuttle van will transport you back to Charlottetown where your hotel for the night is the Charlottetown Inn & Conference Centre. 

Don't worry about your bike. It will be washed, boxed up if you are flying, and delivered back to the hotel.
Book a Tour

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

902-367-5191

info@tailwindcyclingtours.ca