Lovers Lane

A shady path through spruce and maple, with ferns at its edges and dappled light overhead, runs behind a white farmhouse with green gables on Prince Edward Island. Lovers Lane is one of the walking trails at Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish, the site that inspired the setting of Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables, a classic of Canadian literature. Montgomery grew up in Cavendish, in the care of her grandparents, and as a child she wandered the woods near their farm. She later described this path in her books as Lovers' Lane, a place of dreaming and talk, and it became a favourite spot of generations of readers.

The path is part of the Green Gables Walking Trails, a network of short forest paths on the property that include Balsam Hollow Trail and the Haunted Wood, a gloomy stretch of forest that Anne's imagination turned into a place of ghosts. Lovers Lane is often the starting point for the Balsam Hollow Trail, so the two can be combined. The walks follow Montgomery’s childhood paths, are short and easy, suitable for most visitors, and they pass through woods of the kind that Montgomery knew, with spruce, birch and red maple, with ferns and wildflowers below.

Green Gables Heritage Place is managed by Parks Canada and sits within Prince Edward Island National Park. The centrepiece is the green-gabled farmhouse, which belonged to Montgomery's cousins and became the model for the home of Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert in the novel. Rooms are furnished to match the descriptions in the book, and costumed staff sometimes appear. A visitor centre offers exhibits on Montgomery's life, the creation of the novel and its extraordinary popularity, particularly in Japan, where Anne is a beloved figure, and a theatre screens a film. Gardens, a barn and other outbuildings add to the scene.

The site is open daily in the warmer months, usually from the start of May to the end of October, with hours that vary by season, and admission is charged, with exceptions announced from time to time, so check the Parks Canada website. Summer is busy, and visiting early or late in the day gives a quieter walk on the trails.

For the best experience, wear comfortable shoes, bring insect repellent for the woods and allow an hour for the trails and longer for the house. The site is just off Route 6 in Cavendish, close to the beaches, Avonlea Village and the island's other attractions. It suits readers, families and anyone who loves a quiet woodland walk with a literary story.