A hike to Castle Rock in Nova Scotia is perfect for those who love scenic trails, and sweeping panoramic views. It is 8.2km loop, with views of lakes, rivers, and an epic look off point. It is a great activity to do anytime of the year, and one of the top hikes to do in Nova Scotia.
How do I get to Castle Rock Nova Scotia?
The Castle Rock hiking trail is located in East River, Nova Scotia. It is about a 45 minute drive from Halifax, and only 10 minutes from Chester!
To get there, take exit 7 off of the 103 highway.
If you use Google Maps, the parking lot is near Ultramar Energy in East River.
The parking lot for the trail can be found where highway 3 and 329 meet (in the black circle below). Sometimes on really nice days, this parking lot gets full, so you may need to park on the side of the road instead.
You will need to walk (or bike!) 3km along the Chester Connection Trail (an old railway track turned into a trail) to get to the trailhead of the Castle Rock hike.
How long does it take to hike Castle Rock Trail?
The length of the the trail is 8.2km, and takes about 3 hours to complete.
When is the best time to visit Castle Rock?
The trail can be visited any time of the year. In the Autumn, you can see the foliage from above. The Spring and Winter aren’t as busy, but the trail can be more slippery so be careful if you do go.
The BEST time to visit is early morning or evening. On a nice day, the trail gets VERY busy in the afternoon (around 12-2pm). I have personally had the best luck, even on the busiest of day, by going about 3.5 to 4 hours before nightfall.
How difficult is the trail?
For the first 3km (about 40 minutes), the hike to Castle Rock is actually on the Chester Connection Trail (an old railway track turned into a trail). It consists of a flat, gravel pathway which is very easy to navigate.
After 3km, you will reach the Castle Rock Trailhead. The trail will go through a Christmas tree lot at the beginning, and is mostly uphill. The terrain becomes more rough and rocky.
There are 3 levels of difficulty to reach the top: easy, moderate, difficult. Each trail is well-marked.
What to expect on the easy trail option
The easy trail is a wide trail which can be accessed by ATVs until the very bottom of the rock (where the look out point is!).
Once you get to the bottom of the rock, you will need to climb up on it. It is steep no matter which difficulty level trail you take.
What to expect on the difficult trail option
The difficult and medium trails have very uneven terrain, and are more steep.
The trail width gets very narrow, but in my opinion there are more viewpoints along the way.
When you hike the difficult section of the trail, you will also see Castle Rock from below. It is really cool to see it from that perspective and you really gain an appreciation for how tall the rock is.
It can get very slippery in the winter though, so be careful!
Can I bring a stroller on the trail?
For those with strollers, the first 3km it is easy to walk with a stroller. Unfortunately once you reach the trailhead to Castle Rock, the terrain is too rough.
Is Castle Rock dog friendly?
Yes! This is a great trail to bring your dog. There are lots of rivers and a lake that your dog can swim in to keep cool during warmer days.
ATVs frequently access the trail, so dogs must be leashed.
Tips for hiking to Castle Rock
- There are bike racks located at the trailhead of Castle Rock. You can bike the 3km along the Chester Connection trail, and then walk the rest of the way up.
- The trail is only partially shaded, so bring lots of sunscreen (and water!).
- There are no washroom facilities on the trail.
- The top of the rock is a great place to have a picnic, feel free to bring snacks and enjoy the view.
Resources
AllTrails: my favourite app and website for navigating trails. Read more reviews of the trail here!
Have you been to Castle Rock, or planning a hike there? Do you have any tips? Let me know about your experience in the comments below!
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