8 Unique Hiking Trails in Nova Scotia Canada

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Nova Scotia is known as “Canada’s Ocean Playground”, but it is also a hiker’s dream! There are so many hiking trails in Nova Scotia with different types of landscapes, that the 8 below just scratch the surface.

The 8 hikes below offer interesting, and unique scenery and vary in degrees of length and difficulty. These can only be found in mainland Nova Scotia – Sorry Cape Breton! A separate post about Cape Breton hikes is coming soon, but in the meantime check out this link for Cape Breton hikes.

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1. Castle Rock

Address: Aspotogan Trail, Hubbards, NS B0J 1T0

• Length: 8.2 km loop
• Difficulty: Easy. Groomed trails, except they become a bit more uneven once you reach Castle Rock.
• Dog Info: Suitable for dogs.

Castle Rock is on a groomed, crushed gravel pathway. It is a wooded trail that passes by a river and a lake. Once you reach the top of Castle Rock, there are panoramic views over the forest and bay.

Once you reach the end of the lake, turn right and follow the marked trails. There are 3 marked trails after the lake (ranging from easy, moderate to difficult) that will guide you to the top of Castle Rock. Read more about this epic hike here.

2. Hirtles Beach and Gaff Point

Address: Hirtle Beach Rd, Kingsburg, NS B0J 2X0

• Length: 7 km loop
• Difficulty: Moderate, uneven terrain.
• Dog Info: Friendly for dogs, must be on leash once you reach the trails due to drop-off cliffs.

Gaff Point is great hike to do on a warm summer day. It is also a perfect hike if you are visiting Lunenburg for a couple of days!

At the end of Hirtle’s Beach, there is a well-marked trail to hike around the Gaff Point loop. It starts off through wooded forest, and then reaches a lookout point overlooking the ocean. The trail from there is a loop that goes along rocky terrain next to the ocean, and through the forest.

Also, if you can find it – there is the Secret Beach on Gaff Point! Once you reach the cliff lookoff, there is a small footpath off of the main trail.

3. Keji Seaside Adjunct

Address: 1188 St Catherines River Rd, Port Joli, NS B0T 1S0

• Length: 8.7 km loop
• Difficulty: Easy (well-groomed pathways)
• Dog Info: friendly for dogs.

The Keji Seaside Adjunct is a hike that briefly goes through a forest, and then a stretch of open terrain. It then loops around and goes along the ocean. At the end of this loop, there is also a beach to go swimming at. Fun fact, the beach at the end of this trail is the picture on Nova Scotia’s heath card.

On this trail, they sometimes close it due to bear activity. Read about Keji’s safety tips for black bears.

4. Balancing Rock

Address: Balancing Rock Trail, Digby, NS B0V 1A0

• Length: 2.5 km out-and-back
• Difficulty: Easy (well-groomed trail, a lot of stairs)
• Dog Info: friendly for dogs

This is a short hike, but it has a lot of stairs (235 to be exact!). This is mostly in the forest, but once you reach the end of the trail, you can look out at the balancing rock and the ocean.

5. Duncan’s Cove

Address: Duncans Cove, NS B3V 1K4

• Length: 7.4 km out-and-back
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (uneven terrain)
• Dog Info: Suitable for dogs, must be on leash due to drop off cliffs

Duncan’s Cove is a gorgeous hike overlooking the ocean the entire time. Also great to do on a warm summer day! You can’t go swimming here, since there are lots of cliffs.

6. Cape Spilt

Address: Scots Bay, NS B0P 1H0

• Length: 12.9 km out-and-back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dog Info: Suitable for dogs, but must be on leash due to drop off cliffs

Cape Split is a trail that goes though the forest the majority of the time, but at the very end of the hike you are greeted to incredible views of the ocean. It is a very high cliff, and very dangerous so do not go to the edge of the cliffs! Sometimes beaches can be visible, but be aware of the tide times since they come in quickly.

7. Burntcoat Head

Address: 627 Burntcoat Head Road, Noel, NS B0N 2C0

• Length: Approx. 1.5 km out-and-back
• Difficulty: Easy, however there are no trails since you walk along the ocean floor, and the ground is muddy and slippery
• Dog Info: Suitable for dogs

Burntcoat Head is more-so a park, but when the tide is low you can walk along the ocean floor. It is best to be seen when the tide is low, so check the tide times before you go. When the tide is up, there is no where to walk!

8. Victoria Park

Address: 29 Park Rd, Truro, NS B2N 4E5

• Length: varies
• Difficulty: easy, well groomed trails
• Dog Info: Suitable for dogs

Victoria Park has an extensive trail system within a forest. There are lots of well-marked trails to explore with various lengths. Victoria park has two waterfalls, multiple look-offs and Jacob’s Ladder! There is also a park before you go on the trails, where you can have a picnic before or after your hike.

How to Discover New Hiking Trails in Nova Scotia

If you are looking for more trails in Nova Scotia, a really useful app is AllTrails – it shows the location of the trail, reviews, pictures, difficulty and if it is dog-friendly. It isn’t exclusive to Nova Scotia either, so try it out and see if there are any trails in your local area too!

Tips for the hiking trails in Nova Scotia

• In the Bay of Fundy area, check the tide times before going on the beach. It’s best to see the tides when they are going down and will be at their lowest. The tides come up quickly and can be dangerous.
• Wear hiking shoes
• Bring water!
• Wear sunscreen
• Keep dogs on leash, especially on trails with sudden drop offs that you are not familiar with!
• In summer season, ticks come out and can be on the trails. Wear bug spray to prevent ticks (and mosquitoes) from biting you. Check your dogs for ticks after hiking as well.

Have you been to any of these hiking trails in Nova Scotia, or have your own favourite hike that would like to share?

I am always on the hunt for new hikes with beautiful views or interesting landmarks! Let me know in the comments below!

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