There’s nothing nicer than escaping the city for a bit of down time with your pet. Plus, with the beautiful scenic hikes near Charlottetown, you needn’t head too far out of the city to get a hit of natural goodness.
Charlottetown is a vibrant city, being the capital of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island on the south eastern coast of Canada. So for the times when you need a break from the hustle and bustle, take a look at these amazing hikes to enjoy with your dog near Charlottetown.
1. Confederation Trail
Located 20 minutes north east of Charlottetown
The Confederation Trail is a great option for those who enjoy serious hiking with their dog. It’s a long old trail that can be picked up wherever it suits you. It can take any amount of time from a few hours to a few weeks, and as such many people like to take it on in chunks throughout the year.
Starting and finishing at each tip of Prince Edward Island, this trail follows a stoney path that weaves between rich forests, rolling hills and beautiful ocean views. It’s great for all skill levels, as it’s flat and features lots of convenience points along the trail where you can grab some food and water or go to the toilet. It extends into the heart of Charlottetown and follows the island long railway that was closed in 1989, so if full of history as well as stunning scenic views.
2. Farmlands and Bubbling Springs Trail
Located on the northern coast of Prince Edward Island
This 5km trail is a great hike to take on with your dog by your side. You’ll pass mixed forests, the Stanhope Cemetery and a beautiful lake along the way where the water appears to bubble out of the ground.
Whilst it’s a perfect route to enjoy with your dog, it’s worth noting that it’s a popular wildlife and bird area so it attracts lots of tourists who are there to watch birds. As we all know, hyper dogs and bird watchers aren’t the best combination, so if you have a little pup or an especially active dog then this might be a route to steer clear of. If you want to enjoy this hike without your dog, checkout our amazing doggy daycare sitters in Charlottetown.
3. Greenwich Dunes Trail
Located on the north side of Prince Edward Island
Another beautiful scenic trail on the north side of the island, the Greenwich Dunes Trail takes you through the thick forest and old farmland. It’s 4.8km in length, so will give your dog a great workout without taking too much time out of your day.
One of the main reasons that this hike is so loved is it’s floating boardwalk that leads to an idyllic sandy beach – it doesn’t get much more relaxing than that! The dunes offer some incredible views all year round, and are constantly changing.
4. Cavendish Dunelands
Located north west of Charlottetown
If you’re looking for a lovely long hike to take your dog on, then this could be the one for you. The Cavendish Dunelands are full of sand dunes, freshwater ponds and stunning views of the surrounding water. The beaches on this 5km trail are simply stunning, and feature boardwalks all the way along.
The elevation is minimal, so you don’t need to fret if you’re not an avid hiker. We’d recommend giving this trial a good 2-3 hours of your time to enjoy it fully with your dog, as there are lots of sweet viewpoints and resting points where you can take some deep breaths and connect with nature.
5. Haunted Wood/Balsam Hollow Trail
Located in Green Gables Heritage Place on the north side of Prince Edward Island
These trails are probably the most popular on Prince Edward Island due to their connection with the iconic Anne of Green Gables story. It’s not a particularly long hike at 2km, but it offers some great views and a lot of rich history that makes it a perfect day out.
The trail is usually started at Lover’s Lane which then follows the brook to the forest. At the end of the trail you will see the cemetery where Lucy Maud Montgomery is buried and you can learn a little bit more about her life. Sadly, this route isn’t fit for dogs, so you might have to leave your pet with a local dog sitter.
Hopefully these Charlottetown hikes have filled you with excitement for taking your dog out on a long walk. If you’re looking for something a bit different and want to travel to hike, then why not explore our top pick of hikes in the Edmonton area? You can always get a dog sitter in the Charlottetown area to keep your dog company while you enjoy a relaxing weekend away!