Do you find winter to be a challenge? The cold, the wind, the shoveling! All of this can make winter an acquired taste but if you get outside and make the most of it, winter can be truly magical. Getting outside as much as possible was a promise I made to myself during the winter of 2016, and boy did it not disappoint. Here’s my guide to places to visit this winter to get a small taste of what PEI has to offer during the colder months of the year!

 

Cape Bear Lighthouse

Along the Eastern Shore of PEI you will find Cape Bear, just 25 km from the Wood Islands ferry. It boasts a beautiful view of the ocean and the PEI coastline, which as the sun rises, glows the most amazing red even when snow covered. A must see sunrise destination. Grab your snow shoes as the road to the lighthouse is closed in the winter!

 

Orby Head

Along the Gulf Shore Parkway, in the PEI National Park, there’s a magical place called Orby Head. As you pull into the parking area it might not look like much more than grass overlooking the water but as you approach the edge, huge rocky cliffs appear out of nowhere. Think Game of Thrones, PEI Version! It’s a vast and beautiful area that is stunning at any time of year. Bring a hat and mitts, it’s bound to be windy!

 

Great George Street

Appreciate all the beauty of winter in downtown Charlottetown. A stroll down historic Great George Street, in the heart of the downtown, can transport you back in time. The colourful buildings of The Great George, the towering steeples of St. Dunstan’s Basilica and the view down to the waterfront are all the more spectacular when covered with a dusting of snow!

 

Greenwich in PEI National Park

Who said Greenwich is only ideal during the warmer months?! Located just minutes from St. Peter’s, Greenwich is a perfect location for a winter visit. With two trails to choose from, with varying distances, you can take a short stroll or a long one. Beautiful vistas are abundant regardless of which you decide. Maybe two visits are in order!

 

Winter River Trail

While this trail is great any time of year, albeit quite buggy in the summer months, the Winter River trail is an excellent adventure location during the winter. There are varying branches to this trail so you can decide how long of a hike you want to take. The snow also gets quite packed down so often you don’t even need snowshoes! Make sure you sign the guestbook if you make it to the cabin!

Most of these are located on the eastern side of the Island near my home of Charlottetown. Do you have recommendations for places to explore ‘up west’ in the winter? Please share them below!

For more things to discover on Prince Edward Island this winter, check out 10 PEI Views You Need to See, Hidden Gems You Can’t Miss, and PEI’s Must See Lighthouses.