Tip to Tip Tour

The Trail-Shore Fusion rth Shore Fusion

This 310 km (193 mi) route traverses the Island on a fusion of the award-winning Confederation Trail, smooth paved bike paths with sections of our famous red gravel, and paved country roads.

The Confederation Trail is a walking and cycling trail that offers a comfortable introduction to gravel riding with its smooth crushed-gravel surface. It is also relatively flat with gradients that never exceed 2%. This tour passes through the most scenic part of the Confederation Trail at St. Peters Bay. There it runs parallel to the water offering spectular views of the Bay and the mussel farming within it.

PEI National Park, on the North Shore, has separated paved bike paths that run parallel to the beach so you can enjoy stunning views of sand dunes, red sandstone cliffs, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. You'll also get to ride on seaside gravel trails, and a floating boardwalk in the National Park. 

Tour Duration
5-7 Days / 4-6 Nights

Accommodations
Hotels, Resorts, Inns, BnBs

Difficulty
Level 1-2

Distance
Daily Average = 44-62 km | 27-39 mi
Total = 310 km | 193 mi

Elevation
Daily Average = 212-296 m | 700-972 ft
Total = 1,482m | 4,862 ft

Terrain
70% gravel, clay, trail
30% pavement

Bicycle Type
Gravel, mountain, or hybrid bicycle; or E-bike

  • Option to visit Basin Head Beach, home of the white "singing sands".

The Fusion

Pricing

Per person package pricing starting from:

Basic (Tour & shuttle transfer)
$270
Bronze (Basic + accommodations)
$1,500
Silver (Bronze + luggage transfer)
$1,900

Support Packages

Select the support package that best meets your needs. Combine it with one of our tours to get a tour that is just right for you.

Basic

Fully Self-Supported for:
  • Cyclists doing traditional touring or bikepacking
  • Cyclists who want to book their own accommodations
Includes:

Shuttle
Shuttle transport from your downtown Charlottetown Hotel to the start of your route, and transport back to your hotel from the end of your route.

Starting at $270 CAD per person

Bronze

Fully Self-Supported for:
  • Cyclists doing "credit card" touring or bikepacking
Includes:

Everything in the Basic Package +

Accommodations
We book your accommodations at a mix of hotels, resorts, inns, and BnBs.

Starting at $1,500 CAD per person

Silver

Partially-Supported for:
  • Cyclists who want to travel light with minimal gear on their bike
Includes:
Everything in the Bronze Package +

Luggage Transfer
We transfer your luggage (medium sized bag) between your accommodations.

Starting at $1,900 CAD per person

The Fusion

Sample Itinerary

This itinerary is for the 5 day / 4 night version of the Trail-Shore Fusion
North Cape - Mill River

Day 1

Ride Details

Distance:   57 km  |  35 mi
Elevation: 
245 m  |  804 ft
Terrain:     
70% gravel

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

  • Cascumpec Bridge - passes over Mill River

Mill River - Summerside

Day 2

Ride Details

Distance:   71 km  |  44 mi
Elevation: 
208 m  |  682 ft
Terrain:     
90% gravel

Enjoy a warm-up on the Confederation Trail and a short detour to see the world's largest potato sculpture. Then you'll follow the winding, car-free Confederation Trail through farmland and woodland right into Summerside. Although this is the longest ride of the tour in terms of distance, it also has the lowest elevation gain since the Confederation Trail is very flat.

Points of Interest:

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

  • Ellerslie - community with a rich history of fox farming and shipbuilding

  • Richmond - home of the Richmond Dairy Bar. Ice cream lovers can get a mid-ride fix here.

  • 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  

Summerside - Rustico

Day 3

Ride Details

Distance:   59 km  |  37 mi
Elevation: 
523 m  |  1,716 ft
Terrain:     
65% gravel

Start with a warm up on the Confederation Trail to Kensington. Then you'll wind your way north to a delightful red clay lane. From there, you'll head over to PEI National Park where you'll ride on a gravel trail 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:

  • 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 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

Rustico - St. Peters Bay

Day 4

Ride Details

Distance:   71 km  |  44 mi
Elevation: 
280 m  |  919 ft
Terrain:     
50% gravel

Ride toward Brackley Beach in PEI National Park to experience a second day of riding on a paved path with magnificent views of sand dunes, the ocean, Brackley Bay, lighthouses, and a fishing warf. Some country pavement leads back to the Confederation Trail, where you'll enjoy flat pedalling to Morell. Then you'll ride the most scenic part of the Confederation Trail to St. Peters Bay.

Points of Interest:

  • PEI National Park - the eastern section of the park is home to several beautiful sandy beaches backed by sand dunes. You'll ride right past the iconic Covehead Harbour Lighthouse.

  • Covehead Harbour - the fishing warf is home to Richard's Fresh Seafood, one of the best fish and chips take-outs in PEI.

  • Mount Stewart - the Confederation Trail branches into two segments: one to East Point and the other down to down to Wood Islands and Montague. 

  • St. Peters Bay - This community hosts the most scenic part of the Confederation Trail. You'll ride next to the Bay and see views of mussel farms. It is minutes away from the breathtaking dunes at Greenwich. A side-tour to Greenwich can be added to this day's ride.

St. Peters Bay - East Point

Day 5

Ride Details

Distance:   55 km  |  34 mi
Elevation: 
225 m  |  738 ft
Terrain:     
80% gravel

Ride toward East Point on the Confederation Trail until you reach the Elmira Station, which marks the end of the Confederation Trail. Then follow quiet country pavement  to East Point, the easternmost tip of the Island. Finish off your day with a swim in the ocean at Basin Head Provincial Park, home of the "Singing Sands".

Points of Interest:

  • 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.

The Fusion

Pricing

Pricing based on the 5 day / 4 night tour. Contact us for the 6-7 day / 5-6 night tours.

All packages include:
  • Shuttle transport from your hotel in Downtown Charlottetown to your start point at North Cape

  • Shuttle transport from at the end of your ride from East Point back to Charlottetown

  • Route GPX files

  • Emergency phone support with our staff

  • Emergency pickup available for an extra fee

Are you a solo rider wanting to share the shuttle and other resources with another group, Contact Us for pricing.

*Pricing per person, in Canadian Dollars, not including tax. Pricing could change due to accommodation availability. Book early for the best pricing.

Basic Package

Tour with shuttle transfer

1 Rider
$850
2 Riders
$450
3 Riders
$320
4+ Riders
$270

Bronze Package

Basic Package + 4 nights accommodations

Double Occupancy
$1,500
Single Occupancy
$2,900

Silver Package

Bronze Package + luggage transfer between 4 accommodations

Double Occupancy
$1,900
Single Occupancy
$3,700


Included

  • Basic Package

  • Shuttle transport from your hotel in Downtown Charlottetown to North Cape, and from East Point back to your hotel in Downtown Charlottetown

  • Detailed itinerary

  • Route GPX files

  • Emergency phone support

  • Bronze Package

  • Everything in the Basic Package

  • Four nights accommodations in a mix of hotels, resorts, inns and BnBs

  • Silver Package

  • Everything in the Bronze Package

  • Luggage transfer between hotels


Not Included

  • Airfare

  • Travel and personal insurance

  • Staff gratuities

  • Basic Package

  • No meals are included

  • Bronze and Silver Package

  • Most meals are not included (some accommodations have complimentary breakfast)


Available for an Additional Fee

  • Bicycle rentals

  • Garmin GPS cycling computer

  • Bike boxing/unboxing

  • Bike tuneups and/or parts

  • Emergency pickup


Bike Recommendations

  • A gravel bike, mountain bike, hybrid bicycle, or E-bike with at least 34 mm wide tires

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

902-367-5191

info@tailwindcyclingtours.ca