Bubbling Springs Trail

Bubbling Springs Trail is a short loop in Prince Edward Island National Park near Stanhope/Dalvay by the Sea, on a route built around natural freshwater springs that bubble up along the path. (Trail length is about 1.42 km.)

Expect a relatively easy hike with gentle terrain and an out-and-back feel broken up by the loop shape; plan for roughly 0.5–1.5 hours depending on pace and how long you linger at the spring areas.

The route runs through regenerating Acadian forest, with areas replanted/recovering from older farm clearings. You’ll see new growth mixed with forest species rather than a maintained “park-like” stand.

Along the way, the trail passes landscape features tied to settlement-era life in the region, including freshwater ponds and remnants such as old homestead foundations and an 1850s cemetery.

For logistics, come prepared for a national-park hike in PEI: there’s no long approach built into the route itself beyond getting to the PEI National Park trailhead area; once you’re on the trail, the loop gives you your return.

Bring water and steady shoes for a short-distance hike where the main “wow” is the spring feature rather than elevation—elevation gain is listed around 68 m on this trail grouping and may feel minimal on the ground. (Distance for this specific loop is also listed in the ~4.5 km class of “Farm Lands and Bubbling Springs.”)

More information: Farmlands/Bubbling Springs Trail | David, Janet, and our Van, Farm Lands and Bubbling Springs - Cavendish Beach, Bubbling Springs Trail in Prince Edward Island | Walking Map