Month-long test-hike of new P.E.I. trail nearly complete

After nearly a month of walking, a group of four Island hikersis nearly finished itstrip around P.E.I. a journey meant to test out a new trail one of the hikers helped map out.

The 700-kilometre trail hugs the Island's coastlines, andBryson Guptill hopes it could attract more tourists to the Island.

Guptillis the past president of the group Island Trails, and he worked for several years to map out the trail, which uses existing and secondary trails.

Guptill started out his test-hike, along with three friends,in Charlottetown around the start of October, and they expectto finish their loop on Thursday.

"I think what we'll remember most is the people that we've run into, the conversationswe've had and just the general interest in walking as an activity. It's healthy, it's good for the soul and we really enjoy it," Guptill said.

"Seeing the Island up close is something that you really get to experience when you're walking."

The walk will finishon Halloween where it all began, in Joe Ghiz Park.

Guptill said he will revise the trail map, based on what he learned during his hike. He plans to post it on the Island Trails Facebook page so that others can enjoy some of the same sights.

He's hoping the province will help with signage to let people know where the trail is.

More P.E.I. news