Crowbar Lake Trail

Location: This hike starts at Otter lake, near lake Echo (Halifax Regional Municipality).

Duration: There are several possibilities for this hike. The quickest hike is out to the lake and back along the same route, which takes about 1 hour. However there are several possible route and loops. The longest route possible could take up to around 7 hours and is about 19kms. The loop which we did (the smallest loop) took us 2 and a half hours, and was about 7kms.

Trail Markings: There are red marks all along the path. When you arrive at some lookouts (clearings at the top of rocks) the next marking may be difficult to spot. Sometimes there are cairns that mark the path. Also at many path intersections there is a map of the hiking trails and a red marker indicating where you are.

Difficulty: Moderate hike. Lots of ups and downs. Trail winds its way through the woods and there are a couple of places you have to climb up or down some rocks.

Noteworthy: Interesting hike in woods, beautiful views over the river and lakes.

Not so positive point: The road leading to the hike had was riddled with holes, some were over 20 cms deep and they were everywhere making it impossible to avoid them.

Description: Another sunny day, another great day for a hike. After getting a bit mixed up in Dartmouth because of our normal bridge being shut, and then missing Sunrise Dr. (yes we were looking for River Dr. and somehow got lost in Snow white and the 7 dwarf land), then fighting the crater size holes in the road we finally arrived to Otter lake to start the hike. The beginning is a bit difficult, we found a path leading into the woods just before the lake. We followed that which lead us to what used to be camp Victoria. Now it is a big field with an abandoned building at the top of the hill and a small lookout sort of dock overlooking the lake. If you cut straight across the field from the direction you came from you will enter the woods, and there if you follow the well marked trail, you will either be lucky enough to start the hike from the very beginning (which we were not), or join up to the right path after about 5 minutes (which was our case). Just make sure that if you are not on a path with a red marker right away, that you want to cross a little river and then keep the water on your left! Soon you will reach the first place where you have a choice of the path you want to take. (indicated in the photo. Notice the little red spot.)

We chose to go left and follow the salmon river until we ended up at Crowbar lake and then decide from there where we were going to go. The hike follows the water but the path is in the woods most of the way. At one point it climbs and opens up onto a little look out. Here you can see Crowbar lake in the distance and the forest stretching for what seems like forever. Here the path was not marked very well with the red markers, but following the Cairns we had no problem to continue on our way.

Arriving to the lake took us around 20 minutes and we decided that we had not walked enough yet (plus we like doing loops) so we decided to continue on the loop which heads to the look-off point, then to West lake, along the lake and back to the starting point at Otter lake. After a little deliberation, we started to climb up to the look-off. This is the one 'big' climb! Though it is not that long or difficult of a climb it does not snake the hill so is a bit more tyring. But the view at the top is worth it!

Following the path you will arrive at the next intersection near West lake.(about half an hour from Crowbar lake). Here you can continue left towards Granite lake and then beyond (Porter's lake), we on the other hand decided to go right and head along the path back toward Otter lake (the shortest loop). The path winds its way through the woods, and it seems that the vegetation changes from one side of the look out point to the other. We went from pine trees to leafy trees. As you follow this path be careful because there is a sign with the trail maps indicated on it, but no marker to say where you are. At this point to continue on the loop back to Otter lake make sure to go RIGHT. After this point the hike continues its ups and downs until you get back to where you started. The loop took us about 2 hours and a half to complete.

All in all this hike is not too difficult. The path is a narrow path through the woods climbs up and down (sometimes over rocks and branches) and is always different. The path is a well known and used path by fishermen and hunters during the fall, so it is not recommended to do this hike during hunting season.

So bring your bathing suit along and even a picnick! And enjoy the paths you decide to follow.

Driving Directions: Take Highway 107 (from Dartmouth), turn off at exit 18. Turn left onto Mineville Road, after about 1 km turn right onto Highway 7.

3 km later turn left onto Circle Dr. After about 200 meters you will arrive at a intersection (three way fork in the road). Turn left onto Sunrise drive. After about 100 meters this road turns into River Drive. Follow this (sometimes very bumpy) road until you arrive at the end; Otter lake. Here you can park your car, however there are no facilities (nor are there any on the hike)

Gaff Point Trail

Location: This hike is located near Lunenburg and Bridgewater on the South shore of Nova Scotia. From the 103 Highway you can take either exit 12 Bridgewater, or exit 11 towards Lunenburg.

From exit 12 go left onto Highway 3 towards Lunenburg, for about 12 km. Turn right onto route 332 at Upper LaHave going towards Middle LaHave and Rose Bay. At Rose Bay (approx 17 km) turn night towards Kingsbury. A few km down the road, as you come into an area with a few more houses there will be a road on the right hand side towards Hirtles Beach (the sign is a non official yellow sign next to the bushes at the beginning of the road). Turn right and follow the road until Hirtles Beach, where there are bathroom facilities (outhouses), and parking.

If you are coming from exit 11 or Lunenburg follow route 324 towards Lunenburg. Approx. 10 km later go right onto route 332 towards Rose Bay. Follow route 332 for about 15 Km until Rose bay and then turn left towards Kingsburg. A few Km down the road, as you come into an area with a few more houses there will be a road on the right hand side towards Hirtles Beach (the sign is a non official yellow sign next to the bushes at the beginning of the road). Turn right and follow the road until Hirtles Beach, where there are bathroom facilities (outhouses), and parking.

Duration: 1 1/2 Hours

Distance: 6.5 km

Trail marking: Yellow, clear and easy to follow.

Difficulty: Easy, level hike.

Noteworthy: The changing landscapes and the views. Although you will have to go and come back along the same part of the trail, the trail does contain a loop portion.

Not so positive point: Some areas on the trail can be a bit wet so make sure to wear proper footwear.

Description: I have been to Lunenburg many times before and this time I wanted to see something different. My husband and I asked our Bed and Breakfast host what hikes he would recommend in the area, and the first one that came out was Gaff Point. He described Gaff Point to as very interesting, diverse and in his opinion nicer than the Kejimkujik sea side adjunct (though this is debatable). So we thought why not. And we were not disappointed!

Not only did we enjoy the drive from Lunenburg follows nice country roads with coastal views for most of the way, but the hike was easy, with beautiful landscapes and diverse. After almost missing the turn off to the beach we were at the parking lot, and heading for our hike.

The trail does not start at the beach, but at the end of the beach, which is a little confusing, if it is your first time in the area. We headed onto the beach not knowing if it was the right way, but thinking that even if this was the wrong way, at least the beach was nice. We did find a nice sign at the end of the beach (yes, past the pebbles, or cobblestone portion) placed there by Nature Conservancy Canada and the Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy, which maintain and care for the path and the area. The sign shows a map of the trail and is worth a little look before heading out.

The trail starts in the woods and follows a distinct path which is further marked by yellow trail markers on threes and rocks, and are always in view. After around 15 minutes of hiking you come out to an open portion of the hike, be careful here to follow the yellow markers as people have made their own trails off to the sides. The yellow markers will lead you back into the woods where after around 5 minutes the trail forks. This is the beginning of the loop, so either way will do. If you go left you will get to the shore faster and then have longer in the woods for the way back, or vice versa.

I loved the coastal portion of the hike, with the waves crashing against the rocky edges, and the views over the water. I also liked the fact that the terrains and views change throughout the hike, and that a lot of the path is shaded. If you are in the area, and like to hike this is a nice morning or end of the afternoon hike that you shouldn't miss!

A little intro

Welcome!

Today I find myself in Halifax, Nova Scotia, located in Eastern Canada. After spending 5 year living in Strasbourg, France, I am back 'home'. These past five years have increased my love for travel, discovery and adventure, but have also added to my love of hiking (hense the trails portion of the title). I hope to bring a little insight to some well known as well as some little known hikes, and sites that I will see, or that I have seen, as well as places to stay and eat, or not to as is sometimes the case. So enjoy, and Happy Trails !