10 Hiking Trails in Nova Scotia That You Shouldn't Miss

September 14, 2021 Ying Subia

From Yarmouth to Sydney, Nova Scotia is full of scenic landscapes, rich history, and interesting local culture. Sights and fun experiences abound in Nova Scotia, and there is a little bit of something for everyone. Soak up the beauty and serenity to be found in the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, or head to Cape Breton Highlands National Park for the stunning landscape and wildlife. Explore the history of the area at Louisbourg's Fortress Louisbourg, or hike the Skyline Trail in Ingonish.
Restaurants in Nova Scotia

1. Atlantic View Trail

West Lawrencetown Road, Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia Canada http://www.atlanticviewtrail.com/
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 12 reviews

Atlantic View Trail

Reviewed By rivieratravels - Halifax, Canada

We immensely enjoy exploring the various trails that are part of the rails-to-trails system on the Eastern Shore. Another of our favourites is the Atlantic View Trail. On this walk, we picked up the trail near Three Fathom Harbour Road and walked as far as Lawrencetown Beach. The first part of the trail has a spectacular vista from Rocky Run where a bridge spans the turbulent waters as the tide rushes in or out from the Atlantic Ocean towards Porter’s Lake. As you take this trail you will walk through both marsh and rugged forest with views of the Atlantic Ocean along the way. Take a side trail up the embankments and you’ll have even better glimpses of the spectacular coastline. The trail opens up more as you come to the section that is between Porter’s Lake and Lawrencetown Beach. We’ve spied beavers building lodges, eagles flying overhead and a multitude of other birds making their homes alongside the trail. Once you arrive at Lawrencetown Beach you’ll be treated to magnificent views of waves crashing onto the stones of the shoreline. And if you have even more energy, keep going as the trail links up with the Salt Marsh trail at one end and the Blueberry Run Trail closer to Three Fathom Harbour. This is another must-walk trail!

2. Louisbourg Lighthouse Coastal Trail

Havenside Road, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia Canada http://www.facebook.com/pages/Louisbourg-Lighthouse-Coastal-Trail/573458949340263?fref=ts
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 100 reviews

Louisbourg Lighthouse Coastal Trail

Reviewed By SylviaA478 - Colorado Springs, United States

This trail starts by the Louisbourg Lighthouse and goes along the coast with spectacular views of the Ocean. This trail is in the open as opposed to most in Nova Scotia which are in the trees. The wide vistas, beautiful wild flowers and crashing waves on the rugged coastline made this our favorite hike. Wish we had planned for more time spent there.

3. White Point Hiking Trail

off the northern portion of the Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia Canada http://www.trailpeak.com/trail-White-Point-Cape-Breton-near-Ingonish-NS-1885
Excellent
96%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 50 reviews

White Point Hiking Trail

Reviewed By JFLeB325 - Moncton, Canada

We came here today for a quick walk. What a great place for a hike. There are no signs here. Park at the wharf and follow the rocky road. You will not regret it.

4. Gaff Point Trail

Hirtle Beach Road, Riverport, Nova Scotia B0J 2W0 Canada http://lunenburgregion.ca/index.php/entries/thing-to-do/gaff-point/
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 34 reviews

Gaff Point Trail

Reviewed By Justtravelling4 - Halifax, Canada

We thoroughly enjoyed hiking this trail, it really had a little bit of everything. A beautiful beach, stunning water views, and stunning treks through wooded areas. The walk through the fir trees was one of my favourite portions of the trail, the smell was amazing. There are some exposed roots in places and the walk across the beach rocks is a little challenging on the ankles, but overall a pretty easy to moderate trail. I recommend walking the farm land area over the hill instead of the entire beach as it gives you a break from the sea rocks. The owners have it marked and don’t mind as long as the horses are not in the field. Once you get to the loop we went to the right first. It means you finish on the water view side of the trail. The trail in total including walking Hirtle Beach is about 6.6 km. We finished the entire trail in about 90 mins, this included stopping for pics etc. I highly recommend for anyone of any age, definitely a trail I’d return to.

5. Harvest Moon Trailway

Wolfville's Rail Trail, Wolfville, Nova Scotia Canada http://www.novascotiatrails.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=241:harvest-moon-trailway&catid=20&Itemid=370
Excellent
86%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

Harvest Moon Trailway

"The Harvest Moon Trailway is a safe, multi-use active transportation route that passes through picturesque communities offering access to farm markets, wineries, craft beverage producers, restaurants, u-picks, accommodations and other businesses," said Beth Pattillo, chair of the AVTC. "The trailway aims to increase trail activity, promote active living, and grow economic opportunities.

Reviewed By BillD1397

Visited wolvville last weekend , a bustling little town with the return of the college students, took our bike along the trail for and hours plus ride, great scenery easy riding to Evangeline beach

6. LaHave River Trail

Bridgewater, Nova Scotia Canada
Excellent
88%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

LaHave River Trail

Reviewed By irenetH159ZZ

This is a easy level walk up the lahave river. It has nice shady areas so great to walk on a hit day. the grade to the trail is very slight. it has pretty views of the river.

7. Kauzmann Trail

6014 Road, Bay St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia Canada
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Kauzmann Trail

Reviewed By Spuddler - Charlottetown, Canada

Beautiful hike in Cape Breton. Narrow ridge hike 1000 feet above the Atlantic. Easy hike but not so easy to find the road in. It is the first right on an unimproved road after Sugarloaf on the right. It is number 6410 road but sign is no longer there. Bad ruts when we were there from a lot of rain and a 4 wheel drive was needed as some of the ruts a car would not have enough clearance. It is around 5.6 km from Bay St. Lawrence Road to the trailhead which is marked by a bouy. Hike is 3.7 km return.

8. Cabot Trail

Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia Canada 9022953310 http://www.CabotTrail.com
Excellent
76%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,759 reviews

Cabot Trail

One of the most magnificent loop drives in North America treats visitors to the spectacular scenery of the Cape Breton Highlands.

Reviewed By Lets_Cruise_13 - Ottawa, Canada

On Tuesday August 20th, 2019, leaving Baddeck my wife and I drove the Cabot Trail which is a scenic highway completed in 1932 in northern Victoria County and Inverness County on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. The Cabot Trail is 298 km or 185 miles in length and completes a loop around the northern tip of the island, passing along and through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park (the Park). That morning, at the Park’s East Gate we stopped to purchase two $7.80 adult day passes to drive through the Park. At the booth, the Park employee provided us with information on what to look for and other fishing villages to visit. The western and eastern sections of the Park follow the rugged coastline, with views of the ocean. The southwestern section passes through the Margaree River valley before passing along Bras d'Or Lake. Driving the Trail, we stopped at the many lookout spots in and outside the Park, such as Lakies Head, Neil’s Harbour, Rusty Anchor Restaurant in Pleasant Bay, Chéticamp and in Inverness to take photos of mountainous plateau, ocean views and fishing villages during our scenic drive through stunning landscape. What a marvelous day it was for travelling! For nature lovers, hikers or just anyone wishing to visit Cape Breton Island and the surrounding areas, the Cabot Trail and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a must to see as it provides beautiful scenes. We would recommend it to family and friends.

9. Ceilidh Trail

Nova Scotia Canada http://ceilidhtrail.ca/marcellas/
Excellent
69%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Ceilidh Trail

Following the shore of western Cape Breton, this 67-mile-long trail offers magnificent views of dramatic coastline, bays, inlets and rolling farmlands.

10. Rum Runners Trail

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Canada
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Rum Runners Trail

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