Has the road walking sections of the Island Walk made you hesitant to start your adventure? Let’s clear those worries up by showing you what road walking on the Island Walk is really like.
The biggest misconception is that walkers are forced to share narrow, hazardous lanes with many passing vehicles. In reality, the road walking on the Island Walk falls into two categories, and both are far more comfortable than people expect.
Quiet, red dirt roads
Parts of the route follow quiet dirt roads with very little traffic. These are the kind of roads where you might pass a farm truck or a neighbour heading into town, not a steady stream of vehicles. They’re peaceful, scenic, and give you plenty of room to walk at your own pace. These are often some walkers’ favourite stretches!
Secondary roads with walking space
Where the route does follow secondary paved roads, you’ll typically find one of three things: a paved shoulder that gives you a dedicated, solid surface to walk on, a wide grassy shoulder if you prefer softer ground or want extra distance from passing cars, or in some sections an active transportation pathway set apart from the road entirely.
We’re not stopping there
The Island Walk is actively advocating for more paved shoulders and active transportation pathways along the route. As the trail grows, so does our commitment to making it safer and more comfortable for every walker who takes it on. This is an ongoing conversation with the province, and one we take seriously because we want people to finish this walk feeling safe about the experience.
Don’t let this be the reason you don’t start
If uncertainty about road conditions has been the thing holding you back, you can put those concerns to rest. The Island Walk was designed with walkers in mind, and the road sections reflect that.
Explore, plan, and register your walk today at theislandwalk.ca