The Winter River Trail is only 5km from Charlottetown. The Trailhead provides a starting point for two independent trails. They are both loop trails. Westward from the sign, a forest road heads down to the Winter River, to a long established trail, built and maintained by the Queens County Wildlife Federation. This is a short trail, (about an hour walk), through a mature pine and hardwood stand.
Back at the trailhead, the Winter River Trail heads off to the north, through the white spruce thicket, emerging shortly onto a woods road. The road soon plunges again into white spruce over gently rolling terrain, except where it approaches the Winter River ravine via spurs, to catch the view. Small feeder streams are bridged and wet spots have boardwalks.
At the river lookouts, some of which have benches, you might spot great blue herons or bitterns among the shore reeds and grasses. As the river opens up toward Winter Bay, you may even see an eagle or two. In the woods you will see many songbirds, squirrels, rabbits, maybe a fox, and evidence of beaver and coyotes.
This is an easy to moderate hike, of 7-8km, and well protected snowshoeing terrain.