This 165 mile ride is a good introduction to Central PEI. Highlights include Malpeque Wharf, Rattenbury Rd, Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish, North Rustico Harbour, Rustico Bay, Charlottetown, Fort Amherst, Argyle Point Provincial Park, Victoria Wharf, Route 13, and Route 225.
Malpeque Harbour PEI
The ride begins by riding Water Street east and then Route 1A and Route 2 north to New Annan. Turn left on Route 106 and ride north to Indian River. Turn left on Route 104 and ride a short loop by Oyster Cove. Turn left on Route 20 and ride it, Malpeque Rd, and King St to Malpeque Harbour. Malpeque Bay is famous for oysters. “Malpeque oysters are grown wild in the glacial depths of Malpeque Bay and are harvested by hand-tonging out of small skiffs. At a Paris exhibition in 1900, the Malpeque Oyster was judged as the world’s tastiest oysters with a meaty bite as well as a quick, clean and sweet finish.”
Green Gables in Cavendish, PE
Leave the harbour and ride south, Turn left on Route 20 and ride east past pretty green fields and great water views. Turn left on Cousins Cannery Rd for some nice views of New London Bay. Rejoin Route 20 and ride along the Southwest River and over Paynters Creek. Cross the river to New London and see the colorful boat houses on your left. Continue south on Route 8 for a few miles, turn left on Route 2, and then the next left on Rattenbury Rd. This is a fun road with nice curves and great views as it winds north along the Stanley River. At Stanley Bridge, continue straight on Route 6 and ride east to Cavendish. On the right is Green Gables Heritage Place (9-5 daily. 8.50 CAD, 7.00 CAD age 65 and older.) From the website: “Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Since its publication, it has been translated into at least 36 languages and has sold more than 50 million copies, making it one of the best-selling books worldwide.”
North Rustico Harbour, PE
Continue east and south on Route 6 to North Rustico. Turn left on Harbourview Dr. and follow the waterfront to North Rustico Harbour. This pretty spot has an ice cream shop, a lighthouse cafe, a gift shop, and a cafe.
Double back on Harbourview Dr. Turn left on Route 6 and the left again on Riverside Dr. for some more great harbour views. Return to Route 6 and ride south over the Hunter River and turn left on Grand Pere Point Rd. This road has great views of Rustico Bay. Turn left on Route 6 and follow it and Route 15 south to Charlottetown. Follow the waterfront on Riverside Dr. and Water St. to Confederation Landing. This waterfront park commemorates the 1864 Charlottetown Conference that led to the formation of Canada.
Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst
Turn left on Queen St, right on Dorchester St., and left on Great George St. and ride past St. Dunstan’s Basilica. Turn left on Sydney St. and right on Queen St. and ride past Victoria Row. This outdoor pedestrian mall has a lot of great places to eat. Turn right on Grafton St. and left on Great George St. Leonhard’s Café & Restaurant is a great lunch choice.
Leave town and Ride Route 1 west to the Petro for gas. Ride south on York Point Rd and Route 19. Take Route 19 east to Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst (free.) From the website: “Originally established by the French in 1720, Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst commemorates the first permanent European settlement on Île Saint-Jean (today Prince Edward Island). After falling to British forces in 1758 it became the site of a major deportation of French and Acadian settlers. A Grand Alliance was forged here between the Mi’kmaq and French – one of only two locations in North America where this was celebrated annually with speeches, gifting and feasting. The fort’s grassy ruins are still visible, and interpretive panels explore its rich history. The grounds also offer superb views of the surrounding countryside and Charlottetown Harbour.” There are trails with interpretive signs and a monument with cross that marks the exact place where most of the first 300 colonists from France built their dwellings in 1720. Restrooms are available.
Ride west on Route 19 along the Northumberland Strait to Argyle Shore Provincial Park. This is one of the best spots to see a pretty PEI red sand beach. The red cliffs against the blue water is pretty spectacular.
Victoria Wharf in PEI
Rejoin Route 1 and then turn left on Shore Rd. for a pretty water approach to Victoria. Victoria is a very pretty town. Stop for lunch at Richard’s Fresh Seafood. Nearby is Island Chocolates. Take your chocolates down to Victoria Wharf nearby for some great views.
Leave Victoria and ride Route 13 through some great curves to the Province’s interior. Turn left on route 225 and ride through some pretty farm country. Pick up Route 1A west and ride it and water St. back to Summerside.