Tangier Grand Lake Wilderness Area
16,000 hectares; Landscape representation - Eastern Shore Granite Ridge
Tangier Grand Lake Wilderness Area protects 16,000 ha (40,000 acres) of rugged, conifer forest wilderness, richly endowed with lakes, waterways and wildlife. Located in the eastern portion of Halifax Regional Municipality, between Ship Harbour and Mooseland, this near-coastal wilderness is well known for its trout fishing and canoe-tripping opportunities.
The area is typical of Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore Granite Ridge Natural Landscape. Its rugged, lake-rich character tells a tale of glaciation, which ended only 10-12,000 years ago. Movement of thick ice sheets over resistant, 350 million year old granite bedrock left many lake-filled depressions; rough, parallel ridges and knobs; undulating, bouldery terrain; and deposits of glacial debris. Tangier Grand Lake is the most prominent feature of the area and is the largest of Nova Scotia's lakes which does not have direct road access.
The area's expansive spruce, white pine and balsam fir forest is interrupted by barrens, bogs, and the many lakes and waterways. Scattered, glacier-formed hills with deeper and richer soils support hardwoods, such as yellow birch and sugar maple. Hemlock also occurs locally, mixed with spruce and pine - in some cases forming stands 120 or more years of age.
The first nations Mi'kmaq people named this region of Nova Scotia 'Wospegeak,' meaning 'sunshine is reflected from water'. Such description certainly suits the Tangier Grand Lake Wilderness Area. Its abundant lakes and waterways are enjoyed by anglers and canoe adventurers. Ancient, traditional waterway routes can be followed well beyond the area's boundaries.
