The 17-Day Itinerary
Built for those who love the outdoors, a mix of scenic drives, coastal hikes, charming towns, and enough breathing room to stay chill and soak it all in.
Au revoir Montréal — Bonjour Vieux-Québec
Start the adventure with an easy drive along the St. Lawrence to Québec City. Arrive with afternoon light, explore the Old Town's cobblestone streets, grab poutine, and rest up before the longer drives ahead.
Crossing into New Brunswick
Drive along the south shore of the St. Lawrence with beautiful river views. Stop at Rivière-du-Loup for a leg stretch and lunch. Cross into New Brunswick — the Maritimes officially begin!
Fundy National Park — Tides & Trails
Head to Fundy National Park, one of Canada's most spectacular parks with dramatic Bay of Fundy tides. Hike the coastal trails with sweeping views, spot wildlife, and camp under the stars. May is perfect — trails are fresh and crowds are still low.
Explore Fundy & Hopewell Rocks
Spend the morning on longer trails inside the park, then in the afternoon drive 40 min to Hopewell Rocks — the famous Bay of Fundy flowerpot formations. Time your visit for low tide to walk on the ocean floor between the towering red rock pillars. A once-in-a-lifetime sight.
Cross the Confederation Bridge to the Island
Drive through Moncton and across the 12.9 km Confederation Bridge — one of Canada's engineering marvels — into Prince Edward Island. The island in May is lush, quiet, and fresh before summer crowds arrive.
Charlottetown & PEI National Park
Start with a morning stroll through Charlottetown's charming Victorian downtown — Canada's birthplace. Head north in the afternoon to PEI National Park with its stunning red sand dunes, warm beaches, and coastal trails. Walk the boardwalk dunes at Cavendish.
Anne of Green Gables Country
Visit the iconic Green Gables Heritage Place at Cavendish — worth it even if you're not an Anne fan, for the heritage trails and gorgeous farmland scenery. Spend the afternoon driving the scenic Island loop, stopping at beaches, cliffs, and fishing harbours.
Ferry Crossing to Nova Scotia
Take the scenic Northumberland Ferry from Wood Islands, PEI to Pictou, NS (about 75 min on the water). Drive through Antigonish and begin your approach to Cape Breton across the Canso Causeway — one of the most exciting stretches of the trip.
Skyline Trail — The Best Hike in Canada
Drive the northern Cabot Trail and arrive early at the Skyline Trailhead. This is the crown jewel of Maritime hiking — a boardwalk trail ending on dramatic ocean cliffs 300m above the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Go early to beat capacity limits and catch morning light. Otherworldly views, guaranteed moose sightings in May.
Drive the Full Cabot Trail
Complete the 298 km Cabot Trail loop — one of the world's great scenic drives. Stop at every lookout. Hike the shorter Coastal Trail for cliff-top ocean views. Pass through Chéticamp's Acadian culture, stop for fresh chowder, and end the loop back at Baddeck on the Bras d'Or Lakes.
Peggy's Cove & Into Halifax
Drive south through Nova Scotia. Stop at the iconic Peggy's Cove lighthouse — the most photographed spot in Canada. In May the crowds are manageable and the coastal light is stunning. Arrive in Halifax in the evening for dinner on the harbourfront.
Halifax — A Proper City Day
Halifax deserves a full day. Explore the waterfront boardwalk, visit the Halifax Citadel, browse the Seaport Farmers Market (huge on Saturdays, check the schedule), explore the North End's indie shops and cafés. Great food city — treat yourselves.
Kejimkujik — Nova Scotia's Hidden Gem
Drive to Kejimkujik National Park, a stunning inland wilderness of lakes, rivers, and ancient Mi'kmaw petroglyphs. Paddle a canoe through glassy lakes, hike forested trails through towering White Pines, and watch for river otters. In May the park is quiet and magical — no bugs yet, just lush green everywhere.
Keji Seaside & Slow Afternoons
Drive 1.5h to Kejimkujik Seaside — a gorgeous and little-known coastal wilderness with white sand beaches, sea stacks, and seals basking on rocks. Return to camp for a campfire, stargazing (Keji is a certified dark sky preserve), and a proper sisters' slow evening.
Crossing Back Through the Maritimes
Start the long journey home with an easy drive to Moncton. The trans-Canada through Nova Scotia is gorgeous in May. Stop in Amherst for gas and a stretch, and arrive in Moncton for a final Maritime dinner.
Back Across the St. Lawrence
A longer drive day, but the scenery along the south shore of the St. Lawrence is beautiful. Break it up in Rivière-du-Loup. Spend the night in Québec City for a final night out before the last leg home.
The Easy Drive Home
A relaxed final morning in Québec City — coffee and a croissant on the terrace. Then an easy drive back to Montréal, arriving home with a camera full of memories and enough lobster rolls to last a lifetime.
