Home /
Things to Do /
Itineraries /
Cycling Itineraries /
Cabot Route Description
Route Description
Distance: 75 kilometres ( 47 miles )
It would take a Wordsworth poem, not a bicycling guide, to describe the delights of this route. Suffice to say that when you cycle through the Island countryside in all its shades of green and gold, rimmed with red bluffs and pink sands, surrounded by blue sea and sky, you will understand why people say that PEI is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
This part of the Island has the charms of the Cavendish area - pink sand beaches, rugged bluffs overlooking the ocean, tidy farms and quaint villages, even authentic "Anne" museums - but with less traffic than Cavendish at peak season. As well, the route passes Woodleigh Replicas, a "tourist attraction" that is genuinely attractive.
The ride begins at Cabot Beach Provincial Park, with camping near a good beach - but reserve in advance during peak season, because the park is popular.
If you're not a camper, the Cabot Beach Motel and Cottages (is just outside the park entrance, and in the nearby village of Malpeque there are the Malpeque Country Garden Cottages (with a few motel units) and Ocean Sound Cottage. Farther along the route are the Stationhouse B & B in Kensington, the Beach House Inn after French River, and Seabreeze B & B near the end of the ride. All are mentioned in the directions below, and details are available online at the www.gentleisland.com. Also see the online guide for cottages in the area and additional accommodation near the route.
You can stop for a meal in Kensington, where there is a handful of restaurants near the Train Station; at the canteen in Woodleigh Replicas; or at the Kitchen Witch Restaurant, a couple of kilometers farther. At the end of the ride you could reward youself at the Malpeque Oyster Barn - as we did - with cold beer and all the delicious cultured mussels you can eat. Of course there are any number of good picnic spots. Perhaps the best among them are the beach near French River (kilometer 42.3) and the bluff at Cape Tryon (kilometer 44.7). However, the only place on the route for a reasonable selection of groceries is Kensington, so plan to buy picnic supplies there. (If you are staying at Cabot Beach Provincial Park, you should also buy any groceries that you need in Kensington or elsewhere before settling into your campsite.)
The terrain on the first third of the ride is generally easy, level to gently rolling, with a climb after Indian River but no really steep hills. Between Kensington and French River, there are longer hills, moderately challenging, but they reward you with some of the most stunning views of the day. After French River, there are a few steeper hills on the first few kilometers along Route 20. With an early start, experienced cyclists can complete this loop in a single day with plenty of time for stops along the way. If you find the length of the ride daunting, take two days. Starting from Cabot Beach Provincial Park or Malpeque, the best place to spend the night - though it is relatively expensive - is the lovely old Beach House Inn, slightly more than half way through the ride. Be sure to call for reservations if you plan to stay there.
