North Cape coastal drive - you'll find the restaurant on this one!
Western P.E.I. is rich in folklore, tales of ghosts and forerunners and even phantom Ships. Certain stops on your North Cape Coastal Tour are ripe with legends, particularly North Cape and West Point (Stand on the outer deck of the lighthouse light and just imagine spotting a sailing vessel, burning just off shore................!)
Most fascinating of all the ghostly tales is that of the Phantom Ship of Northumberland Strait. Sighted many times from the shore between North Cape and West Point, and indeed all along Northumberland Strait, this burning sailing ship has caused the launching of several rescue efforts only to disappear from the eyes of those who set to sea to save the poor souls seen moments before jumping from the burning ship into the sea.
Highlights as you tour the North Cape
Western Prince Edward Island offers some of the best riding and scenery you’ll find anywhere and a good run can be designed to fit your time available. If you only have a day to spare you might want to head straight up to North Cape and meander back. It’s a straight run from just west of Summerside to Tignish, just a few minutes from the western tip of the Island. Or you can crank up the throttle and do the entire coastal tour in a day if riding, rather than stopping is your choice. However, we are going to assume that you have been wise enough to allow a couple of days for real vacation time. We’ll start our tour in Summerside, known as the gateway to the North Cape Coastal Drive. Here, the city waterfront is always interesting, several theatre venues present musical entertainment, you'll find great food and an active outdoor community.
A visit to the Acadian Museum in Miscouche (on Rte. 2, on the north side of Summerside) will prepare you for a visit to the Acadian region of Evangeline. Travel west on Rte. 2 until you find Rte. 12 on your right to follow the North Shore and the cherished North Cape Coastal Drive. If you luck into one of their festivals you are in for great music, good times and great eats. Continue on Rte 12 until you reach a junction of 5 roads as you ride towards Tignish. This is where you'll find Backwoods Burger (this is the host restaurant of the PEI Biker, and where to get you T-Shirt and free pin *).
Belly full, and well dressed :), continue on Rte. 12 till you hit the North Cape. Along the way, you reach the town of Alberton, once home to a thriving silver fox industry with a museum to tell you all about it, watch carefully for signs to Northport, one of the Island’s prettiest fishing villages. Shop at the pier, and just plain enjoy the peace, quiet and spirit of place. Check out the interpretive centre to learn about a daring sea rescue and shipwreck.
Walking on a reef is one of those magical experiences that can’t easily be duplicated. The longest natural rock reef in North America can easily be accessed from the North Cape Interpretive Centre. Check for tide times at a visitor information centre - low tide will expose the most of the reef, allowing you to walk out, see seals up close if you're lucky, experience the magic of sea and sky.
To enjoy the Western side of the Island, take Rte. 14 all the way around the coast until you meet up with Rte. 2 (the Trans Canada Highway - TCH) In short time, take a right onto Rte. 11 to ride back to Summerside.
*The "Not just the TIP" pin is free and the 3 tips are Eastern PEI, Western PEI and Ingonish, Nova Scotia.
Most fascinating of all the ghostly tales is that of the Phantom Ship of Northumberland Strait. Sighted many times from the shore between North Cape and West Point, and indeed all along Northumberland Strait, this burning sailing ship has caused the launching of several rescue efforts only to disappear from the eyes of those who set to sea to save the poor souls seen moments before jumping from the burning ship into the sea.
Highlights as you tour the North Cape
Western Prince Edward Island offers some of the best riding and scenery you’ll find anywhere and a good run can be designed to fit your time available. If you only have a day to spare you might want to head straight up to North Cape and meander back. It’s a straight run from just west of Summerside to Tignish, just a few minutes from the western tip of the Island. Or you can crank up the throttle and do the entire coastal tour in a day if riding, rather than stopping is your choice. However, we are going to assume that you have been wise enough to allow a couple of days for real vacation time. We’ll start our tour in Summerside, known as the gateway to the North Cape Coastal Drive. Here, the city waterfront is always interesting, several theatre venues present musical entertainment, you'll find great food and an active outdoor community.
A visit to the Acadian Museum in Miscouche (on Rte. 2, on the north side of Summerside) will prepare you for a visit to the Acadian region of Evangeline. Travel west on Rte. 2 until you find Rte. 12 on your right to follow the North Shore and the cherished North Cape Coastal Drive. If you luck into one of their festivals you are in for great music, good times and great eats. Continue on Rte 12 until you reach a junction of 5 roads as you ride towards Tignish. This is where you'll find Backwoods Burger (this is the host restaurant of the PEI Biker, and where to get you T-Shirt and free pin *).
Belly full, and well dressed :), continue on Rte. 12 till you hit the North Cape. Along the way, you reach the town of Alberton, once home to a thriving silver fox industry with a museum to tell you all about it, watch carefully for signs to Northport, one of the Island’s prettiest fishing villages. Shop at the pier, and just plain enjoy the peace, quiet and spirit of place. Check out the interpretive centre to learn about a daring sea rescue and shipwreck.
Walking on a reef is one of those magical experiences that can’t easily be duplicated. The longest natural rock reef in North America can easily be accessed from the North Cape Interpretive Centre. Check for tide times at a visitor information centre - low tide will expose the most of the reef, allowing you to walk out, see seals up close if you're lucky, experience the magic of sea and sky.
To enjoy the Western side of the Island, take Rte. 14 all the way around the coast until you meet up with Rte. 2 (the Trans Canada Highway - TCH) In short time, take a right onto Rte. 11 to ride back to Summerside.
*The "Not just the TIP" pin is free and the 3 tips are Eastern PEI, Western PEI and Ingonish, Nova Scotia.
