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!