HIKING AROUND NOVA SCOTIA

Community: Truro

Region: Northern

Notes: A popular 478-meter multi-directional singletrack trail nestled in the upper network of the Railyard Mountain Bike Park. Rated as a moderate blue trail, it accommodates both hikers and cyclists, serving as a key connecting line near the Pipeline Trailhead and main Railyard skills park parking lot.

Community: Parrsboro

Region: Northern

Notes: A world-class geological landmark on the Minas Basin. Famous for its complex rock faulting and dramatic cliffs, it offers a rugged beach walk where visitors can explore unique formations revealed by the Bay of Fundy's massive tides.

Community: Parrsboro

Region: Northern

Notes: An accessible entry point for the Parrsboro trail system. It is a popular spot for birdwatching and gentle walks near the coastline, offering easy access to the unique salt marshes and geological features of the area.

Community: Fraserville

Region: Northern

Notes: A rugged and secluded cove on the Parrsboro Shore, offering stunning rock formations and quintessential Bay of Fundy coastal scenery. It is a prime spot for exploring geological features revealed by the world's highest tides.

Community: Advocate Harbour

Region: Northern

Notes: Located in the wilderness section of Cape Chignecto Provincial Park. The trail features groomed paths and raised boardwalks leading to jaw-dropping views of the Three Sisters sea stacks and rugged coastal canyons.

Community: Truro

Region: Northern

Notes: A major central intersection within Victoria Park's extensive trail system. It serves as a key connecting hub linking the lower park gorge network to the upper Railyard Mountain Bike Park and Reservoir loops, accessible directly via the Young Street trail entrances.

Community: Lornevale

Region: Northern

Notes: A series of hidden backcountry waterfalls ranging from 15 to 30 feet, located along Gamble Brook within the Portapique River Wilderness Area. This rugged route lacks a formal managed path and demands good orientation skills, requiring hikers to navigate old logging cuts, deep grass fields, and river beds.

Community: Parrsboro

Region: Northern

Notes: A spectacular 6km round-trip coastal hike to a massive natural arch and unique salt-wall formations. Access is usually through Glooscap Campground; strictly time your visit for low tide to avoid being trapped by the world's highest tides at the 'pinch points'.

Community: Moose River

Region: Northern

Notes: True to its name, this scenic waterfall is tucked away just off the Glooscap Trail. A short, easy hike from the roadside leads to a peaceful cascade, making it a perfect quick stop for those exploring the Parrsboro shore.

Community: Elmfield

Region: Northern

Notes: A scenic natural waterfall located in the Elmfield area near Scotsburn, featuring a short trail along an old woods road leading to a picturesque cascade and natural swimming hole.

Community: Truro

Region: Northern

Notes: A gentle 780-meter multi-use doubletrack trail running parallel to the south side of the Truro Reservoir. Named after historical park builder Ken Hollingsworth, this flat, highly accessible corridor acts as a primary link connecting the Wood Street Lookoff trails to the Vibert and Reservoir loops, popular for winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Community: Westchester Mountain

Region: Northern

Notes: A rustic wilderness destination located in the high-elevation terrain of Westchester Mountain. The area is accessed via rugged backcountry logging roads and trails, making it a popular spot for remote wilderness hiking, backcountry angling, and winter snowmobiling near the Wentworth Valley.

Community: Londonderry

Region: Northern

Notes: A rugged wilderness hike located in the Cobequid Highlands near the historic mining town of Londonderry. The mountain is crisscrossed by old logging cuts and shared multi-use trails, offering challenging terrain and panoramic backcountry views of Colchester County for experienced hikers and off-road enthusiasts.

Community: Moose River

Region: Northern

Notes: A true wilderness access point for the McCarthy Gulch falls system. This trek features very steep terrain and rugged descents into a deep ravine, rewarding experienced hikers with a spectacular series of remote cascades.

Community: Scotsburn

Region: Northern

Notes: A beautiful, nearly roadside waterfall located just off Macbeth Road near Scotsburn. The short walk leads to a scenic cascade that often provides a popular swimming hole during the summer months.

Community: Debert

Region: Northern

Notes: A 4.4-kilometre loop trail in Debert featuring interpretive panels that share the rich history, archaeological significance, and ancestral stories of the Mi'kmaq people.

Community: Moose River

Region: Northern

Notes: The main access point for the Moose River Falls system. This wilderness hike follows the river to a series of impressive cascades and deep natural swimming holes, offering a perfect backcountry experience near the Parrsboro shore.

Community: Parrsboro

Region: Northern

Notes: A peaceful entry point for the local trail system near the Parrsboro Reservoir. This area offers gentle, forested walking paths with scenic water views, making it a favorite for local dog walkers and those seeking a quiet nature stroll.

Community: Parrsboro

Region: Northern

Notes: A signature Parrsboro hike that isn't actually an island at low tide. This trail offers incredible geological features and a steady climb to a lookout with 360-degree views of the Minas Basin and Cape Blomidon.

Community: New Glasgow

Region: Northern

Notes: A 2.2km paved and gravel trail connecting downtown New Glasgow to the East River Road business corridor. Part of a larger 6km riverfront system, it features a gazebo look-off at Potters Brook and the Charlie Hoegg Kinsmen Covered Bridge. Main trailheads are located at the George Street Bridge Pedway and near the Tim Hortons on East River Road.

Community: Truro

Region: Northern

Notes: A quiet, scenic area located along the upper trail network of Victoria Park near the town reservoir. This location offers a peaceful alternative to the busy lower gorge trails, winding through old-growth Eastern Hemlocks and serving as a prime spot for bird watching and trail running.

Community: Truro

Region: Northern

Notes: An upper secondary access point for the Railyard Mountain Bike Park trail system. Entering from Evergreen Drive allows trail users to bypass the initial steep climbs from the lower gorge, placing them directly into the progressive cross-country singletrack loops and features.

Community: Five Islands

Region: Northern

Notes: A 2.2km (one-way) trail within Five Islands Provincial Park that leads to a dramatic 90-metre cliff-top lookout. The path begins at Campground B and winds through a wooded area before revealing panoramic views of the Minas Basin and the five islands (Moose, Diamond, Long, Egg, and Pinnacle). While the first section is well-maintained, the final approach can be narrow and overgrown. Use extreme caution near cliff edges as the red sandstone is unstable and prone to erosion.

Community: New Glasgow

Region: Northern

Notes: A primary trailhead for the Samson Trail located at the Kinsmen Lookoff (corner of Terrace St and Churchill Dr). This 4km riverside rail trail follows the historic bed of Canada's first iron railroad, named after the Samson locomotive. The path is exceptionally flat and offers scenic views of the East River, connecting directly to downtown New Glasgow and local parks. Public washrooms are available nearby at Rotary Park during summer months.

Community: Wentworth

Region: Northern

Notes: A premier four-season commercial resort in the Appalachian Mountains of the Wentworth Valley. It features over 30 kilometers of lift-accessed downhill mountain bike trails, cross-country singletrack, dedicated hiking routes to valley lookoffs, and a progressive base skills zone with a pump track.

Community: Lornevale

Region: Northern

Notes: A short, family-friendly 1.4-kilometer out-and-back trail following an old canopied logging road and ATV track on crown land. The route features a gentle grade leading down to a scenic 20-foot waterfall and shallow rocky pool, located just off the Cobequid Pass corridor near the Mines Bass River Road overpass.

Community: Truro

Region: Northern

Notes: Located in the upper section of Victoria Park, this premier 40-kilometer trail network offers a wide variety of terrain ranging from easy old-wood roads to technical singletrack, drop zones, and a progressive pump track. It serves as the central staging area for both local riders and regional cycling events.

Community: Apple River

Region: Northern

Notes: Located in the Eatonville day-use area of Cape Chignecto Provincial Park. A relatively easy 5.5km loop (Eatonville Trail) leads to three stunning viewing platforms overlooking the famous Three Sisters sea stacks. These 200-million-year-old basalt formations are a highlight of the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark. Note: The Eatonville Road is a long, unpaved gravel road that can be rough; check park conditions before travel as this section of the park is seasonal.

Community: Kemptown

Region: Northern

Notes: The primary access point for the Gully Lake Wilderness Area trail system, offering over 25km of loops through old-growth forests and hilly terrain in the Cobequid Mountains.

Community: Ardness

Region: Northern

Notes: A hidden gem featuring a beautiful two-tiered drop surrounded by steep mossy cliffs. The trek is largely an unofficial trail requiring some bushwhacking and stream crossings, with a rope on-site to assist in scrambling up the side of the first falls.

Community: Diligent River

Region: Northern

Notes: A 7km (return) trail following the Diligent River through a lush hemlock forest to a 20-foot waterfall and one of Nova Scotia's few slot canyons. The path features approximately 16 footbridges, including a 40-foot bridge and a small suspension bridge near the falls. The terrain is largely flat until the final 200m climb to the gorge. Managed by Cumberland Trails and situated on private woodland owned by C.E. Harrison & Sons, the trail is a highlight of the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark.

Community: West Wentworth

Region: Northern

Notes: An eco-conscious 470-acre private land tract and nature preserve bordering the West Branch of the Wallace River and the Wentworth Valley Wilderness Area. This primitive site provides access to rugged backcountry terrain, old-growth forests, and river corridors frequented by local anglers and wilderness hikers.

Community: Moose River

Region: Northern

Notes: A short but extremely steep 1km (return) wilderness trek leading to a spectacular 70-foot waterfall. The trail follows an old logging road and features a significant descent into a deep gorge using ropes (check condition before use). Located in the Cobequid Hills, the falls are surrounded by a rare old-growth hemlock stand. Proper footwear is essential, and the road access involves several kilometres of unpaved logging roads that may require a high-clearance vehicle.