Cavendish Dunelands

Cavendish Dunelands is an easy 2.4 km one-way, point-to-point trail through the dunes and freshwater ponds of Prince Edward Island's north shore. The full mapped corridor runs from the western Homestead and campground side, through the Cavendish Beach access at 590 Grahams Lane, to Gulf Shore Way West on the Oceanview side. Allow about one to one and a half hours one way, with time to stop at the pond. Most visitors use the beach access for the central, best-known stretch; if you walk the whole line, you'll need a plan for getting back. There is no sustained climb or high viewpoint to earn; the appeal is the change of scene from open dune grass to pond, boardwalk and coastal trail. It is a good choice when you want a proper walk without a hill day, and an easy one to shorten at the beach access.

Macneill's Pond was once a bay open to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Sand dunes eventually closed it from the sea, and rain and streams replaced the salt water with fresh water. That makes it a barachois pond, one of the coastal ponds formed behind a sand barrier. Look for waterfowl around the reeds; the pond is also habitat for beaver and muskrat. Along the dunes, marram grass and sea rocket help hold the sand in place. For the best photo, stand on the dune-side path and include the boardwalk's curve, pond and grass together.

The main parking and visitor access is at Cavendish Beach, 590 Grahams Lane. Restrooms are available there, and the route's eastern side has a playground and picnic shelter. The trail is suitable for most bikes, but walk your bike across the floating boardwalk. Dogs are allowed on the trail on a leash no longer than 3 m; pets are prohibited on park beaches from April 1 through October 15, so keep any beach detour separate from the trail. Stay on the designated gravel path and boardwalk to protect the dunes. The route is mostly level, but the open sections can feel sunny and windy, while the pond and dune views are exposed rather than sheltered.