In Prince Edward Island, the “PEI Camino” awaits

By: Carolyn Ray, JourneyWoman

The Island Stroll (or “PEI Camino”) wraps across the exterior of Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, and it’s nestled between the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Passing by means of seashores, forests and pink grime roads, the 700-km Island Stroll begins within the capital metropolis of Charlottetown and winds by means of small, picturesque cities like Cavendish, the house of Lucy Maud Montgomery of Anne of Inexperienced Gables fame, and seaside cities like Summerside, Anglo Tignish and Elmira, from shore to shore. 

Within the two years since its founding, the stroll is simply beginning to acquire recognition, as evidenced by a rising Island Walk Facebook group that I be part of to share experiences and suggestions.

Throughout my 5 days on the Island, I uncover that PEI is particular, with its sluggish, unhurried tempo and caring, interwoven neighborhood. It’s additionally secure, with small mattress and breakfasts dotted throughout the island and hospitals in main centres like Charlottetown.

The island is accessible to the mainland by air, ferry and the  Confederation Bridge. It’s additionally the right place to spice up my confidence and put together for the Camino de Santiago in Spain, which I walked three weeks after visiting PEI.

In PEI, everybody seems out for another person. As I walked by means of small cities and villages, folks stopped to reply questions or wave howdy. There’s at all times time for {a photograph} and a chat in regards to the climate, life on the island, meals, or native happenings. Someday, a lot to my shock, a automotive slowed and a farmer handed me a bag of pink potatoes, recent out of the bottom.

Bryson Guptill felt impressed to create the Island Stroll after finishing Portugal’s 225 km Rota Vicentina in 2019 and the Camino de Santiago in 2016. Every of the 32 sections of the Island Stroll is numbered, with mileage and suggestions for native B&Bs.

“Elements of Portugal are very rural, not not like PEI, and the cities are sometimes 20 km aside,” says Guptill, who’s a member of the Board of Island Trails, the not-for-profit group that has sponsored the Island Walk. “PEI has stunning surroundings that rivals wherever else on the earth. The ocean views are particularly beautiful.”

Guptill estimates that about 50 folks did the stroll in 2021, and in 2022, “pilgrims” planning on doing some or the entire stroll can obtain an Island Stroll passport, just like the credential issued by the Camino de Santiago. Though lodging don’t have an official stamp but, Guptill says they’re engaged on it. June is already trying busy, however he recommends September and October as the very best time to do the stroll.

Carolyn is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of JourneyWoman, which has helped ladies journey safely for nearly 30 years, and a member of the Society of American Journey Writers (SATW) and Journey Media Affiliation of Canada. You’ll be able to comply with her journey on Instagram or Facebook.