Hikers, walkers and paddlers in Nova Scotia have a chance to go on free guided tours of the province's wilderness areas, nature reserves and heritage rivers.

Admiral Lake Trail Hike

Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area
May 5, 2012 - 10:00 AM

Join the Chebucto Hiking Club for a moderate 10 km group hike along the Admiral Lake Trail. This hike is suitable for all ages and is rated 4C - a good deal of significant hill climbing and significant part of the hike takes place on somewhat difficult terrain (rocky, rooted paths). Hike will last approximately 3-4 hours. Please bring snacks, lots of water, lunch and hiking boots. We will meet at the trailhead parking lot in Musquodoboit Harbour. Contact Blain at (902) 405-6365, email chebuctohiking@hotmail.com or visit www.chc.chebucto.org.

Waterfalls of Nuttby to Gully Lake Trail System

Gully Lake Wilderness Area
May 26, 2012 - 10:00 AM

Join the Cobequid Eco-Trails Society for either a 5 or 12 km hike featuring 'Waterfalls of Nuttby to Gully Lake Trail System'. Starting at the Kemptown Road Trailhead we will explore sections of Portage Trail, Sandy Cope Trail and Willard Kitchener MacDonald Trail, viewing Donald's Falls. The 12 km group will include Meguma and Willard's Falls passing by Gully Lake. Along with ferns and lichens, spring flowers should be abundant. This is a guided hike suitable for those 12+ years of age. You will be asked to sign a waiver and are required to stay with the group. The leader has the authority and discretion to alter routes as conditions require. Wear hiking boots and dress for a variety of weather conditions (i.e. in layers). Bring water, high energy snacks, and a lunch for those who are hiking the 12 km route). Contact Sheila at (902) 895-2007 or email sgwilson53@hotmail.com, Bettie at (902) 897-4758, or visit our website at www.cobequidecotrails.ca (ensuring to scroll to the right to view all the information) for directions to the trailhead, descriptions of the trails and status of event. This event will take place rain or shine.

Musquodoboit Trailway Walk or Admiral Lake Trail Hike

Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area
June 3, 2012 - 10:00 AM

Join the Dartmouth Volksmarch Club for a 6, 10 or 12 km hike. The 6 or 10 km hike are easy hikes that will take place on well-groomed park trails with very little more difficult terrain and very little hills. The 12 km hike (Admirals Lake Trail) is rated difficult and will take 4-5 hours to complete. A significant part of the walk takes place on somewhat difficult terrain (rocky/rooted paths) with a good deal of significant hills and climbing. Bring water, snack and sturdy walking shoes or boots. Meet at the Railway Station Museum, Musquodoboit Harbour located on Hwy 7. Please note that there is a $1 per person event fee. Contact Loretta (Musquodoboit Trail) at (902) 434-5991 or Phillip (Admiral Lake Trail) at (902) 465-6372 or visit www.dartmouthvolksmarchclub.com.

Crowbar Lake Wilderness Trail Hike

Waverley - Salmon River Long Lake Wilderness Area
June 17, 2012 - 10:00 AM

Join the Dartmouth Volksmarch Club for either a 10 or 15 km hike. The 10 km hike will take place on well-groomed trails with very little more difficult terrain, with moderate hills. The 15 km hike (Crowbar Wilderness Trail) will take 6-8 hours and a significant part of the walk takes place on very difficult terrain (rocky/rooted paths) with a good deal of significant hills and climbing. Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots and dress for weather conditions. Bring water and a lunch or snacks. Meet at the Crowbar Wilderness Trail parking lot, 1800 Myra Rd, Porters Lake. Please note that there is a $1 per person fee. Contact Wayne at (902) 864-3016, or Lionel at (902) 466-4421 or visit www.dartmouthvolksmarchclub.com.

Duncans Cove Hike

Duncans Cove Nature Reserve
July 7, 2012 - 10:00 AM

Join the Chebucto Hiking Club for a moderate 14 km coastal hike. This hike is suitable for all ages and is rated 3C - some significant hill climbing and a significant part of the walk takes place on somewhat difficult terrain (rocky, rooted paths). Wear hiking shoes or boots and bring water and snacks. We will meet at the parking lot, on the right hand side, at the end of Duncans Cove Road, off Highway 349. Contact Don at (902) 445-5141, email chebuctohiking@hotmail.com or visit www.chc.chebucto.org.

Abrahams Lake Nature Reserve Bird Walk

Abraham Lake Nature Reserve
July 7, 2012 - 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Join the Friends of Taylor Head Park Society for a walk in Abrahams Lake Nature Reserve, which is owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and is legally protected under the province's Special Places Protection Act. Experience one of the few old growth forests in the province. We will spend about 3 hours on the 6.5 km trail. You will see a variety of birds such as woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks, mergansers and more. Wear sturdy footwear and bring snacks or lunch, water and binoculars. Meet at 9 AM in Sheet Harbour at the N.S. Tourist Bureau (Old MacPhee House). As you come from Halifax this is the first building on your right as you cross the bridge on the West River. The reserve is located 38 km from Sheet Harbour in the Liscomb Game Sanctuary. Contact Jim at (902) 885-2970 or Warren at (902) 772-2207 or email jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca or visit our website at http://taylorhead.wordpress.com/.

Walking Tour of Birch Cove

Raven Head Candidate Wilderness Area
July 21, 2012 - 10:00 AM

Glaciers carved the sedimentary bedrock to form a landscape called the Chignecto Ridged Plain, and the area's natural heritage includes glacial striations, raised beaches, and Coal Age fossils. Participants may also see tracks left behind by the mainland moose and black bear, sand beaches, interesting plants and spectacular scenery. Suitable for all ages. Children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Bring walking shoes, layered clothing, hat, sunscreen, cool drinks, and snacks. Birch Cove is located within the Raven Head Candidate Wilderness Area on the south shore of Chignecto. Meet at the Fundy Geological Museum, 162 Two Island Road, Parrsboro. We will depart from the museum at 10 AM. Sponsored by the Fundy Geological Museum. Contact Ken Adams at (902) 254-3814, (902) 254-4202, or email adamskd@gov.ns.ca. Rain dates: Wednesday July 25 and Friday August 31.

Walking Tour of Birch Cove

Raven Head Candidate Wilderness Area
July 25, 2012 - 10:00 AM

Glaciers carved the sedimentary bedrock to form a landscape called the Chignecto Ridged Plain, and the area's natural heritage includes glacial striations, raised beaches, and Coal Age fossils. Participants may also see tracks left behind by the mainland moose and black bear, sand beaches, interesting plants and spectacular scenery. Suitable for all ages. Children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Bring walking shoes, layered clothing, hat, sunscreen, cool drinks, and snacks. Birch Cove is located within the Raven Head Candidate Wilderness Area on the south shore of Chignecto. Meet at the Fundy Geological Museum, 162 Two Island Road, Parrsboro. We will depart from the museum at 10 AM. Sponsored by the Fundy Geological Museum. Contact Ken Adams at (902) 254-3814, (902) 254-4202, or email adamskd@gov.ns.ca Rain date: Friday, August 31 at 10 AM.

Admiral Lake Loop in the Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area

September 8, 2012 - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Join MTA and Garnet McLaughlin of Cobequid Trail Consulting Ltd in celebrating the Admiral Lake Loop with a trail build and hike. The trail build component will include the construction of a stone staircase and naturalize the existing trail tread along the trail. The hike component will be lead by a Nova Scotia Environment staff person around the Admiral Lake Loop located within the Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area. Bring your own water, lunch, sturdy footwear, and gloves. Snacks will be provided by MTA volunteers and a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day guaranteed. Directions to Park Road from Highway 7 at the Museum. Just past (east) of the Museum, turn left on Highway 357. A trail sign will be visible. Park Road will be the first right. The parking lot will be on your left. Contact Garnet McLaughlin at mclaughlins@vrodinternet.com or 902-647-2271.

Fall Colors Hike on the Nuttby to Gully Lake Trail System

Gully Lake Wilderness Area
October 13, 2012

Join Cobequid Eco-Trails Society for an 18 km linear hike. Starting on the Juniper Head Trail passing through immature spruce wood, old sugar maple and yellow birch, meeting up with the Gully Lake Trail – passing by Gully Lake and Meguma Falls. At Meguma Falls we will connect with Willard Kitchener MacDonald Trail then on to the intersection at Sandy Cope, following White’s Brook for a short distance, merging with the Portage Trail while enjoying views of the Salmon River, then on to the Earltown Lake Trail finishing at Hyw 311 in Earltown. This is a guided hike. You will be asked to sign a waiver and are required to stay with the group. The leader has the authority and discretion to alter routes as conditions require. The hike will take place rain or shine. For directions to the trailhead, descriptions of the trails, and status of event - visit www.cobequidecotrails.ca.

The Bluffs Wilderness Hiking Trail Hike

Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area
October 28, 2012

Join the Chebucto Hiking Club for a moderate 10 km or 18 km group hike suitable for all ages. The 10 km hike is rated 3C – some significant hill climbing and a significant part of the walk takes place on somewhat difficult terrain (rocky, rooted paths). The 18 km hike is rated 4D – a good deal of significant hill or stair climbing and a significant part of the hike takes place on very difficult terrain. Hike takes approx. 3-5 hours. We will meet at the Bluff trail parking lot next to Bay Self Storage at 2894 St. Margaret’s Bay Road. Please bring snacks, lunch, lots of water, and good hiking boots. Contact Dave or Doreen at (902) 865-5268 or visit www.chc.chebucto.org.

Duncan’s Cove Nature Reserve

November 11, 2012

Join the Dartmouth Volksmarch Club for a 10 hike .A significant part of the walk takes place on somewhat difficult terrain(rocky/rooted paths)with some significant hills. Take Hwy 349 to Duncan’s Cove Road parking area. Contact Shelia Mann at (902) 443-7639 or smann@ns.sympatico.ca for more information.

Blue Mountain/Birch Cove Lake Trail Hike

November 17, 2012

Join the Chebucto Hiking Club for a moderate 10 km hike along the trail to Blue Mountain. This hike is suitable for all ages and is rated 3C – some significant hill climbing and a significant part of the walk taking place on somewhat difficult terrain (rocky, rooted paths). We will meet at the parking area at the end of Lewis Lake Terrace in the Kingswood Subdivision. Bring water, snacks, and hiking shoes or boots. Contact Mary at (902) 876-2867 or visit www.chc.chebucto.org.

Nuttly to Gully Lake Trail System Snowshoe Adventure

Gully Lake Wilderness Area (Kemptown Road Trail Head)
January 26, 2013

Join us for a Snowshoe trek on the Nuttby to Gully Lake Trail System. Meeting at the Trail Head on the Kemptown Road, we will break into groups based on experience and fitness levels. You will be able to choose a 2 -3 km or 5-6 km trek – distances may vary due to weather conditions. You must supply your own snowshoes. In the event of no snow we will hike. This is a guided hike, you will be asked to sign a waiver and are required to stay with the group. The leader has the authority and discretion to alter routes as conditions require and will take place rain or shine. For directions to the trailhead, descriptions of the trails and status of event visit www.cobequidecotrails.ca.

These and other events are also listed on the DNR website Also see the Hike the Highlands Festival and Hike Nova Scotia and the Department of Natural Resources for other hiking events across the province.