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  • Cycling in The County 🚲
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Cycling in The County 🚲

Prince Edward County is well-known to cyclists. Its rural roads, gentle geography and pastoral settings are perfect for recreational cycling.  Popular routes include wine country and amazing waterside vistas.

If you bring your own bike you’re set to hit the road; if not, County Bike Rentals, Ideal Bike, Closson Road Cycles, East Lake Electric Bike Rentals & Sales, Pedego Electric Bikes and Westlake Ebikes can help with all your rental needs.

bicycle cycling

The fleet at Closson Cycles | Photo Credit: Trevor Crowe

If you’re ready to buy, need a quick tune-up or or want to stock up on cycling accessories, Bloomfield Bicycle Company is the place to go. The Bloomfield Bicycle Company’s Guide to Cycling in the County is also comprehensive and includes routes, mileage, elevations and places of interest. Routes are between 40 and 65 kilometers. Here are a couple worth trying:

biking cycling prince edward county

Riding in style | Photo Credit: Trevor Crowe

Cressy Loop

This 60 km loop circles from Picton along Picton Bay towards the Glenora Ferry. At the top of the hill, Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park has a spectacular view across Adolphus Reach to the ferry dock on the other side. The path continues above the narrow waters of the Reach, across the most easterly point of The County at Cressy and turns back west following the shore of Prince Edward Bay through Waupoos and past County Cider, Waupoos Winery and Waupoos Pub. The return into Picton features woods, meadows and farm fields —  classic County countryside.

When you’re out in this direction, stop in at Schoolhouse 77, a restored one-room schoolhouse from circa 1875 where you’ll find cold drinks, snacks and a “corner-store corner” for those emergency needs. There’s a bike rack and Schoolhouse 77 provides free use of their tire pumps and basic repair tools. You’ll also find picnic tables, free water bottle refills and a dog-friendly space!

Cycling in winery

Cycling the winery route means plenty of opportunities for selfies by the vines. | Photo Credit: The Great Waterway

Western Wine Route

The flat terrain of this 40 km route is excellent for novice cyclists. Fuel up in Bloomfield with breakfast at the The Saylor House Cafe or Bloomfield Public House. Cycling counter clockwise, this route will take you past several County wineries, including Keint-He, By Chadsey’s Cairns, Sandbanks Winery, Rosehall Run, Casa Dea, Domaine Darius, Sugarbush and the added bonus of the local distillery, Kinsip. Stop in for a rest and refreshment. (Just remember to keep alternating between wine and water!) The return to Bloomfield features the spectacular vistas of the famous sand dunes, and the peaceful shoreline of West Lake.

tricycle kinsip cycling biking prince edward county

The community tricycle at Kinsip House of Spirits – keep kids active while you have a cocktail on the Breezeway. | Photo Credit: Trevor Crowe

Big Island Route

This 55 km local favourite is said to be a “cyclist’s dream route through rolling countryside.” Big Island itself features 8 km of pristine Bay of Quinte shoreline. In the spring, much of the route is lined with exquisite-smelling lilacs and for the past few years has been part of the route for the Lilac Ride. There are few tourist sights on this route to distract from the pastoral setting. The Green Point Route, traveling further into Sophiasburgh and over to Three Dog Winery, can be added for another 30 km of Bay of Quinte shoreline and rural roads.

bicycle helmets cycling prince edward county

Always wear a helmet when riding in The County! | Photo Credit: Trevor Crowe

Lakeside Route

This hilly 40 km route goes deep into the heart of wine country. In addition to a dozen wineries and vineyards – including Hinterland, Closson Chase, Lacey Estates, Gravel Hill, Broken Stone, Old Third, Hillier Creek, Harwood and Redtail – you can cycle to SHED Chetwyn Farms and get up close and personal with the alpacas, or take in the delightful aromas at PEC Lavender Farm. At the halfway mark at Consecon, Tabersnack offers a poutine bonanza and fresh, simple and tasty food. The serene shore of Lake Consecon completes the route.

Reaching Loch Sloy (aka Camp Picton) involves a long, slow climb – great for anyone looking for a calf workout! | Photo Credit: Karen Palmer

Park Route

If you are visiting Sandbanks Provincial Park, cycling this 65 km route is a perfect way to safely see the park, the surrounding countryside, and the quiet ease of East Lake. In addition to the park, the backroads of this route reach as far as the old Camp Picton wartime air base, and the delightful hamlet of Milford. And of course, a stop at Black River Cheese is mandatory. Lilacs, sugar maples and asparagus are abundant on this route.

point traverse lighthouse

Riders who make it out to The Point are rewarded with a view of the Point Traverse Lighthouse and the potential for a dip in the lake. | Photo Credit: Karen Palmer

Cycle to the Point

Not all routes are circuitous; some just go there and come back. Prince Edward County is famous for its many points and headlands jutting into surrounding waters. Perhaps the most famous is Point Traverse in the South Shore of the County. Notorious for shipwrecks a century ago, it is now a must-see for birders who visit the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. Along the way, Little Bluff Conservation Area features a 20 meter high limestone bluff and panoramic views of Prince Edward Bay, but if water snakes aren’t your thing, you may want to skip this stop!

Cycle Year Round

County cycling isn’t all summer tours and fall trails – the winter-hearty will be happy to know you can rent fatbikes locally from Ideal Bike and hit the mean (snowy) streets and trails even in the colder months.

Winter riding never looked so good! | Photo Courtesy: Ideal Bike Wellington

Whatever your pleasure, The County can accommodate with cycling routes that feature shoreline, hills, woodlands, and farm country.

Infamous Wellington pup, Chloe, out for a team ride to the farmers’ market | Photo Credit: Karen Palmer

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visitthecounty

Official tourism account. #PrinceEdwardCounty a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners.

Prince Edward County 🍂🌾🍇🍻
🐝 Bees & Blooms 🌻⁠ ⁠ Slow down, stop and 🐝 Bees & Blooms 🌻⁠
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Slow down, stop and explore at an off-grid homestead with beekeeper Elis @curiousgoatgeneralstore. Deepen your connection with plants, pollinators, and your food, and make a balm to take home! The Bees and Blooms Adventure is kid-friendly and is perfect for private groups.! It features a snack of locally made bread and cheese, garden iced mint tea, and of course a honey tasting, or you can add on a field picnic for the full bees & "brunch" experience. ⁠
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If that sounds like a perfect outing for you, book your Bees & Blooms experience today or head to VisitPEC.ca/experience-the-county/ (links in bio) to explore other special County experiences designed to help you immerse yourself in our local art, agriculture, nature, and history.⁠
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Video by OneLook Productions.⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #BeesandBlooms #CuriousGoatGeneralStore
🐶 PEC Pups 🐕⁠ ⁠ Visiting PEC with your p 🐶 PEC Pups 🐕⁠
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Visiting PEC with your pup? There are plenty of pet-friendly activities that will ensure your stay is enjoyable for two and four-legged family members alike. ⁠
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🍺 Enjoy some floofy pours with your floofy friend at one of The County's breweries, like @MatronFineBeer, pictured here. You'll actually find a pup-friendly patio at every brewery in the area. ⁠
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🍷 You can also expect patios at almost all of your favourite wineries to welcome pups, and even some indoor tasting rooms, but you'll be in great company at @ThreeDogWinery and @LongDogWines, of course. ⁠
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🐶 If you want to make sure your dog gets out some of their energy before you head out for your day, take them to @TheSniffery for a sniffari! The pup-focused experience allows your dog to have an enriching solo off-leash session in a fully-enclosed area where they can run and sniff out delicious homemade dog treats. ⁠
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🥎 If your dog loves to play fetch and is happy around other dogs, then head to the dog park in Delhi Park in Picton. This large, enclosed area is big enough to be able to separate from the "pack" and even has a smaller enclosed area for small dogs and puppies. ⁠
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🐕 Go for an on-leash walk through a @QuinteConservation area like Macaulay Mountain or Massassauga Point. ⁠
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For even more pup-friendly ideas, be sure to check out our updated Pup-friendly PEC blog post (link in bio). 👆⁠
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📷 by @rockyoutofthering (shared with permission #YesVisitPEC) ⁠
Image description: Rocky, a black and white sheepadoodle, sits on the bench of a white picnic table, the yellow exterior wall of Matron Fine Beer visible behind him. He wears a red and black buffalo check bandana around his neck and there are two pints of beer on the table next to him, presumably for his pawrents. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🎙 Take in a Show 🎭⁠ ⁠ When visiting The 🎙 Take in a Show 🎭⁠
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When visiting The County, we recommend taking the time to book activities in advance wherever possible. One of the easiest things to do book in advance is tickets to a show! Whether you're after music, theatre, or comedy there are plenty of incredible performers ready to entertain you. Here's just some of what you can look forward to this season: ⁠
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🎶 If musicals are your thing, be sure to check out the much-anticipated @shatterboxtheatre production of @springawakeningpec. Spring Awakening is on from May 26 - 29 at Macaulay Heritage Park. ⁠
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🎤 If you're craving a concert, there are plenty to be had @theregenttheatre and @theeddiepec. From well-known acts to cool cover bands, you're bound to find something to fit your taste. ⁠
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😆 If laughter is your preferred medicine, take in the County Comedy Series @gillinghambrewing or follow @comedycountryfestival for news about their 2022 lineup and the return of #ComedyOnTheRiver. ⁠
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🎭 If you want a little bit of everything, be sure to check out @festivalplayers summer line-up, complete with comedy, theatre, dance, music, and performances by indigenous artists, there's a little something for everyone. ⁠
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To learn more about these events, book tickets in advance, and to discover even more happenings in PEC head to VisitPEC.ca/Events.⁠
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📷 Courtesy of Festival Players⁠
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Image description: A performer sits in the centre of a wooden, outdoor stage, blue lights shining down from above. Above the image in the lower right corner is a text overlay which reads "take in a show." ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🐦 Spring Birding Festival 🐦⁠ ⁠ The annua 🐦 Spring Birding Festival 🐦⁠
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The annual Spring Birding Festival @peptbo is back and in person this year. With one weekend already under their belt, there's still much to look forward to including guided walks in Traverse Woods, webinars, banding demonstrations and more. Check out our event listing or visit peptbo.ca for more details. ⁠
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What is Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory?⁠
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PEPtBO is a volunteer-run charity committed to increasing the appreciation, knowledge, and understanding of birds by collecting data through spring and fall banding programs, a daily census, observation surveys, and research projects. It is located within the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, one of the first sites in Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Protected Areas Network to protect habitat for migratory passerine birds (songbirds). It is part of the globally significant Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird Area. ⁠
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📷 by @pauljwildlife⁠
Image description: A yellow warbler grips a small branch, beak open in song. The bird and branch are in focus while the background is blurred to make its bright yellow plumage that much more bright and impressive-looking.⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #PEPtBO #SpringBirdingFestival
🍓 Market Season 👩‍🌾⁠ ⁠ It's that ti 🍓 Market Season 👩‍🌾⁠
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It's that time of year again! Farmers' Market season kicks off this Saturday, May 14 with The @WellingtonFarmersMarket, Farmers' Market at The Eddie.
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Also this weekend, @PictonTownHallFarmersMarket gets started on Sunday with a fantastic selection of local growers and makers. The Picton Town Hall Farmers Market will take place every Sunday from 10am - 2pm through October 15th. It's the perfect first stop before a Sunday Stroll on Picton Main Street. ⁠
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Next weekend, you'll have even more markets to choose from! The new @WellingtonCommunityMarket hosts its first market at the new proprietors at Wellington United Church. This not-for-profit market will feature a wide variety of food and artisan products every Saturday from 9am - 1pm through Thanksgiving Weekend. ⁠
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Image credits & descriptions: ⁠
1 / The red barn at The Eddie surrounded by early spring flowers, the location of The Wellington Farmer's Market on May 14. Image courtesy of The Eddie Hotel & Farm.⁠
2 / The @paper.kitefarm market stall at Picton Town Hall. Image Courtesy of Picton Town Hall Farmers Market⁠
3 / Market in full swing at the Wellington United Church, the location of the new Wellington Community Market. Image by Johnny CY Lam. ⁠
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🌊 Book in Advance ⛱⁠ ⁠ Daily Vehicle Perm 🌊 Book in Advance ⛱⁠
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Daily Vehicle Permits are back at Sandbanks and North Beach @ontarioparks for 2022. If you visited last year you will be familiar with this process, but if you're visiting for the first time or need a refresher, read on. ⁠
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Daily Vehicle Permits must be booked in advance for day-use access to The County's Provincial Parks and can be booked up to 5-days in advance of your visit. Guests will be turned away at the gate if sold out, so we highly encourage you to take advantage of this service to avoid disappointment.⁠
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Fun Fact: Sandbanks was sold out approximately 60 days between mid-June and August. North Beach was sold out 30 days. ⁠
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If you are a season's pass holder you still need to book a Daily Vehicle Permit in advance, but this will be free of charge. For non-season's pass holders regular rates apply daily. They are available for booking at North Beach 5 days in advance of its opening on June 11. Daily Vehicle Permits are already available for booking at Sandbanks. ⁠
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Do: ⁠
✅ Book up to 5 days in advance online at reservations.ontarioparks.com ⁠
✅  Secure a permit for each vehicle that will be visiting the park. ⁠
✅ Reserve whether you plan on visiting the beach or walking the trails. ⁠
✅ Book a Daily Vehicle Permit even if you are a season's pass holder. ⁠
✅ Explore beyond the beach. Head to VisitPEC.ca for inspiration. ⁠
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Don't:⁠
❌ Visit the park without booking a Daily Vehicle Permit in advance, especially on weekends from mid-June through August. ⁠
❌ Choose to come to Sandbanks or North Beach for a spontaneous day trip. ⁠
❌ Get turned away. Book in advance. ⁠
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To reserve your Daily Vehicle permit head to reservations.ontarioparks.com and click Day Use. ⁠
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📷 Photo by Trevor Crowe⁠
Image description: Folks sit under a tree near the beach at Sandbanks at dusk. In the foreground low shrubs line a sandy path that leads toward the tree. Overlaided atop the image is an olive green rectangle and white font which reads "Book in Advance." ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #NorthBeachPP #PlanYourVisit
🚴‍♀️ Spring Sport 🏃‍♀️⁠ ⁠ If 🚴‍♀️ Spring Sport 🏃‍♀️⁠
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If you want to add a little fitness to your PEC visit, be sure to check out these two classic spring sporting events returning to The County for the first time since 2019. ⁠
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🚴‍♀️ 7th Annual Rotary Lilac Ride 🚴‍♂️⁠
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@PictonRotary's Annual “Lilac Ride” event in memory of Jim Barkman in support of local charities takes place on May 29 this year. With three distances to choose from, these courses take riders along some of The County’s most beautiful, lilac-lined cycling routes, including Big Island, Northport and Green Point. All routes will start and finish at the Picton Community Centre Rotary Hall.⁠
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Refreshments are provided at all route checkpoints and a delicious post-ride BBQ finishes the day.⁠
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🏃‍♀️ 10th Terroir Run 🍷⁠
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The Terroir Run is a weekend-long event taking place May 27-29. The  main event is on May 28th, a 10K fun run (costumes encouraged!) through PEC's wine country, followed by an epic lunch @theoldthird. Runners are invited to attend a pre-run 4-course tasting meal @parsonsbrewing and a post-run Sunday brunch @karloestates, followed by a trash-bash walk at Sandbanks. $5 from each meal goes to support local charity @rocpec.⁠
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Image Description: Lilacs in the vineyard in the spring rain. ⁠
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Photo by Terry Culbert.⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #TerroirRunPEC #LilacRide
🌟 Fresh Finds 🌟⁠ ⁠ Wondering what's new 🌟 Fresh Finds 🌟⁠
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Wondering what's new in the County this year? We've rounded up all of the newest eats, arts, shops, stays, markets, and more in our latest blog. Some old favourites are changing things up this year or have returned after a two-year hiatus, so we've listed those here too. ⁠
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Check out the link in our bio to discover the freshest finds in PEC and start planning your 2022 visit. ⁠
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Featuring: ⁠
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@theroyalhotelpicton⁠
@lusobites⁠
@creekside_cafe_pec⁠
@art.wagon_pec⁠
@thesniffery⁠
@thecuttingfactory⁠
@the_community_store⁠
@ahbohdhomestore⁠
@aniceinthecounty⁠
@stellascollectionpec⁠
@mirazule_pec⁠
@wellingtoncommunitymarket⁠
@amandasvineyards⁠
@stillus_craft_spirits ⁠
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and so much more!⁠
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📍 The Royal Hotel⁠
📷 by Samantha Porter⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
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