Nova Scotia Trails Brochure - Nova Scotia Provincial Parks

For more information visit:
www.novascotiaparks.ca/misc/hiking.asp
http://novascotia.ca/nse/protectedareas/docs/
KeepItWild_recreation.pdf
Tips for a Safe Hike
WHAT TO BRING
Must Haves: Map, Compass, GPS, Food, Water, Sun
Protection, Insect Repellent, First Aid Kit and a Signaling Device (Whistle). A good rule of thumb is to
carry items that would enable you to stay out overnight,
in case of trouble.
Nice to Haves: Camera, Binoculars, Field guides
•
Research trails before you head out.
•
Hike with another person.
•
Tell someone where you’re going, the trails you’re
hiking, and when you expect to return.
•
Wear closed toe shoes or hiking boots and have rain gear in your daypack.
•
Monitor local weather forecasts.
•
Carry a walking stick.
•
Keep dogs on leash.
•
The majority of these trails operate on pack-in, pack-out system.
•
Cell phone coverage may be limited or unavailable.
•
If hiking at a camping park, ask staff about trail
conditions and anything you need to be aware of.
•
These are natural environment areas. Trails may
be wet, or even washed out, after heavy rainfalls.
Recent storms or high winds may have blown
branches or trees onto the trail.
•
Know your limitations and when to turn back
whether due to fatigue, weather or other
circumstances.
Favourite
Walks & Hikes
in Provincial Parks
and Protected Areas
“In every walk
with nature
one receives
far more than
he seeks.”
JOHN MUIR
KI
D
FR
I
DE END
SC
L
RI Y*
PT
IO
N
SU
RF
AC
E
TY
PE
DI
FF
IC
UL
TY
TI
M
E
LE
NG
TH
TYPE
L: Linear O: Loop
DIFFICULTY
E: Easy–1 to 2 km, relatively flat, 1 to 3% slope
M: Moderate–2 to 6 km, 3 to 5% slope
C: Challenging–6+ km, slopes greater than 6%
* KID FRIENDLY (7 years & up)
C
12+ hrs
Soil, Grass, Uneven
No
L/O
E
5–7 hrs
Soil, Gravel, Roadway
Yes Accessible by boat only. Harbour views, old forts & other
cultural heritage features. Birdwatching.
HALIFAX METRO
Bluff Wilderness Area, Timberlea
Bluff Trail
30+ km
O
Hardwood forest, fens, granite barrens. (Stacked loops: Pot Lake 6 km, Indian Hill 10.2 km, Bluff 9.3 km, Hay Marsh 9 km) canoe access.
McNabs & Lawlor Islands Provincial Park, Halifax
Series of 8 Trails
Total of
22 km
SOUTH SHORE
Thomas Raddall Provincial Park, Port Joli
Coastal Hardwood Ridge Trail
1.3 km
L
M
1.5 hr
Soil, Cobble, Sand
Yes Travel through mixed forest, along beach. Views of Port Joli Bay.
Historic Port Joli Road
1 km
L
E
25 min
Roadway
Yes Biking favorite by lake and marsh.
Herring Rock Trail
0.5 km
O
E
15 min
Soil
Yes Remnants of fisheries station along the shoreline.
Moody Barrens Trail
2 km
L
M
1.5 hr
Soil
Yes Adjacent to barrens and a bog.
Port Joli Trail
1.1 km
L
E
1 hr
Cobble, Sand
Yes Coastline, Kedjimkujik Seaside Adjunct.
Sandy Bay Trail
0.7 km
O
E
25 min
Sand
Yes Softwood forest, coastline, remnants of early settlement and fisheries.
E
25 mins
Soil, forest duff
Yes Casual stroll through hardwood forest pathway.
YARMOUTH & ACADIAN SHORES
Ellenwood Provincial Park, Yarmouth
Ellenwood
1 km
O
BAY OF FUNDY & ANNAPOLIS VALLEY
Blomidon Provincial Park, Canning
Borden Brook Trail
3.5 km
L
M
1 hr
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes Mixed wood forest, waterfall, bridge & steps.
Interpretive Trail
1.2 km
O
E
20 mins
Soil
Yes Information about forests of NS.
Jodrey Trail
5.6 km
L
M
2 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Look-off Trail
900 m
O
E
15 mins
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes View of Five Islands, 24 km across the Minas Basin.
Woodland Trail
2.5 km
L
E
30 mins
Soil
Yes Climb to 170m through mixed forest.
L
C
3–4 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes Steep cliffs, spectacular views of Minas Basin/Bay of
Fundy. Wildlife viewing.
Tidal views. Only known location of fairy shrimp east of Manitoba.
Cape Split Provincial Park, Scots Bay
Cape Split Trail
5 km
Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, Advocate Harbour
Christie Viewpoint Trail
3 km
O
M
1 hr.
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes Mixed forest, old farm land, slopes of Cape Chignecto
Escarpment.
Coastal Trail
51 km
L
C
3 days
Wilderness conditions
No
Eatonville Day-Use Trails
5.5 km
L
E
2.5 hrs
Groomed walking trails
Yes Great views of Three Sisters sea stacks and Chignecto Bay
Eatonville Trail
28 km
L
C
10 hrs
Wilderness conditions
No
Follows perimeter of park. Dramatic cliffs, steep ravines and spectacular views of Bay of Fundy.
Steep ascent from McGahey Brook to abandoned Eatonville village.
FR
I
DE END
SC
L
RI Y*
PT
IO
N
KI
D
Fundy Ridge Trail
5 km
L
M
3 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Descends at McGahey Brook, steps to beach.
McGahey Brook Canyon Trail
9 km
O
M
5 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Follow the upper edge of McGahey Brook canyon.
Mill Brook Canyon Trail
12 km
L
C
8 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Views of Advocate Bay.
Refugee Cove Trail
24 km
L
C
12 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Stunning views of Bay of Fundy from 200 m elevations.
O
C
8–10 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Forest trail follows river gorge to waterfall. Experienced hikers only.
LE
NG
TH
SU
RF
AC
E
TY
PE
DI
FF
IC
UL
TY
TI
M
E
TYPE
L: Linear O: Loop
DIFFICULTY
E: Easy–1 to 2 km, relatively flat, 1 to 3% slope
M: Moderate–2 to 6 km, 3 to 5% slope
C: Challenging–6+ km, slopes greater than 6%
* KID FRIENDLY (7 years & up)
Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, Advocate Harbour (continued)
Economy River Wilderness Area, Economy
Kenomee Trail
18 km
Five Islands Provincial Park, Economy
Economy Trail
5 km
O
M
2.5 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes Follows old logging road through forest to elevation of 213 m.
Estuary Trail
4 km
O
E
1.5 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes Follows tidal estuary; viewing platforms.
Red Head Trail
1 km
L
M
1 hr
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes Wooded trail; 4 viewing areas to see islands and Minas Basin.
O
C
3.5 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
O
E
15 min/
loop
Crusher dust
Yes Seven loops with views of harbour; settlement and garden ruins.
NORTHUMBERLAND SHORE
Gully Lake Wilderness Area, Earltown
Gully Lake Trail
10 km
Old logging camp, 4 waterfalls, lakes, brooks. Home of the late Gully Lake Hermit.
CAPE BRETON ISLAND
Petersfield Provincial Park, Sydney
Petersfield Walking Trails
5 km
North River Wilderness Area, North River
Falls Trail
5 km
L
M
6 hrs
Coarse stone, rock
No
Begins at “The Benches”, to North River Falls. Bear right at
falls to plateau look-off with panoramic view of river valley,
falls and highland plateau.
Little Falls Loop Trail
1 km
O
E
1–2 hrs
Firm soil
No
MacDonald Brook meets the river at Little Falls, then spills
over rock ledges to form falls and cataracts.
Settlement Trail
4 km
L
M
2–3 hrs
Soil; roots, loose rock
No
Trail joins old cart road used by Scottish settlers (in the 1800’s), ends at scenic point on the river known as “The Benches”.
Usige Ban Falls Provincial Park, Baddeck Forks
Falls Trail
1.5 km
L
C
1–1.5 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Hike to a 15 m waterfall in a granite gorge.
River Trail
3 km
O
M
1–1.5 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Follows North Branch Baddeck River.
O
E
2 hrs
Sand, soil, cobble, moss,
roots
Yes Dunes, tidal flats, vulnerable plants, lighthouse,
birdwatching.
West Mabou Beach Provincial Park, Mabou
Series of 9 Trails
5 km
Whycocomagh Provincial Park, Whycocomagh
Highlander Trail
900 m
L
E
25 mins
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes Short steep trail.
Salt Mountain Trail
1.3 km
O
C
1.5 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes Mountain-top views of Bras d’Or Lake. Eagle habitat
Scout Trail
2 km
L
C
2.5 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes Trail built by Boy Scouts. Bras d’Or Lake; eagle habitat.
FR
I
DE END
SC
L
RI Y*
PT
IO
N
KI
D
SU
RF
AC
E
TY
PE
DI
FF
IC
UL
TY
TI
M
E
LE
NG
TH
TYPE
L: Linear O: Loop
DIFFICULTY
E: Easy–1 to 2 km, relatively flat, 1 to 3% slope
M: Moderate–2 to 6 km, 3 to 5% slope
C: Challenging–6+ km, slopes greater than 6%
* KID FRIENDLY (7 years & up)
EASTERN SHORE
Cole Harbour Lawrencetown Coastal Heritage Provincial Park System, Dartmouth
Salt Marsh Trail
6 km
L
Cole Harbour Heritage Trails
12 km
O
E
1–3 hrs
E/M 4 hrs
Crusher dust, gravel
Yes Evidence of early settlement, endangered bird species. Connects to Trans Canada Trail.
Crusher dust, wood chips;
roots/rocks
Yes Seven loops ranging from 0.3 km to 2.5 km. Evidence of
early settlement, connects to Saltmarsh Trail. One trail
bicycles-only.
Taylor Head Provincial Park, Sheet Harbour
Beach Walk Trail
1 km
L
E
1 hr
Gravel, mowed grass, sand
Yes Birdwatching area.
Bull Beach/Bob Bluff Trail
9.5 km
L
E
5 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Entrance Road
5 km
L
E
2 hrs
Gravel
Yes Views of Spry Bay.
Headland Trail
8 km
O
C
3 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Spry Bay Trail
4 km
O
M
1.5 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
Yes Backcountry hike. Rugged coastline.
2–10 hrs
Soil, forest duff
Yes Three loops: Salmon River – 7 km, West Lake – 5 km, and Porters Lake – 1.5 km. Sprigs Brook (linear) Trail 4.5 km.
Spectacular scenery; rugged setting. Birdwatching.
7–8 hrs
Soil; roots/rocks
No
Bog, coastline, beach. Look-off at Bob Bluff.
Backcountry hike to ocean view at Taylor Head Point.
Waverley Salmon River Wilderness Area, Porters Lake
Crowbar Lake Trail
18 km
O/L
M
White Lake Wilderness Area, Musquodoboit Harbour
CAPE SPLIT
16.7 km O/L
C
Leads across 2 look-offs, down to Meadow Brook, cross the White Lake portage. Well worn portage along
Meadow Brook.
Information Circular PKS – 84 (2015)
Wilderness Ridge Trail North
This document is not meant to be a comprehensive list of trail opportunities, nor does it contain all the information you’ll need.