Nova Scotia Hiking and Walking Trails in Autumn
Autumn is the best time of year to be outdoors in Nova Scotia, with a rich palette of fall colours and cool, crisp days - the perfect combination for hiking one of the province’s spectacular trails.
Trails and Tunes
Cape Breton Island is a must see in the fall. The Cape Breton Highlands National Park has 25 trails and one of the most outstanding views is from the top of Franey where you can enjoy 360 degrees of the entire canyon and Atlantic Ocean. Plan to be there in early October to soak up the culture between hikes at some of the best music and community events held island-wide during the Celtic Colours International Festival.
If the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is on your bucket list, then save some time to walk the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail. Following the rugged coastline through coniferous forest, the trail provides views of the Fortress, and is near the current lighthouse and the remains of the original lighthouse built on this site in 1734.
Easy Strolls to Challenging Treks
There are trails around Nova Scotia for all experience levels, from short leg stretches to longer hikes. The Liverpool Harbour Loop Trail is a flat 3-km trail that meanders along the Mersey River and around the town of Liverpool providing interesting historical information along the way. Just outside the city of Halifax, The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail passes through woodlands and barrens, providing the experienced hiker a challenging wilderness trek.
Hiking with Nova Scotians
If you want to meet local hikers on year-round guided adventures and check out some of their favourite trails, visit the Hike Nova Scotia website. You can also check out the Outdoor Adventure Guided Tours section for local guided hiking companies.