Wednesday, 20 August 2008 10:30 am

CAPE SPLIT

Uses:  Hiking, Biking

Time: 3.5 hrs

Length:  13 km (return)

Difficulty: 3  (not really difficult terrain but long hike)

Location:  Evangeline Trail - Take exit 11 off Hwy 101 to Highway 1.  Turn right at end of this road and then almost immediately turn left onto a secondary road leading to Blomidon Look-off, Port Williams, etc.  Follow the signs to Canning.  At Canning, follow hwy #358 to Scots Bay and go to the very end of the road.  Signs here indicate the beginning of the trail to Cape Split.

Description:  The trail is well marked.  It can be wet at the beginning and there is a modest incline for the first km or so.  Then the trail levels out for a pleasant walk through a mainly hardwood forest trail.  The trail is well marked and easy to follow.  Don't be fooled by the Halfway Inn - it is only about a third the distance to the end.  It is about 1.5-2hrs (12.9 km) from trail beginning to the incredible vista at the trail end where sea stacks and evidence of geological upheaval are evident.  The view at the end of the trail is magnificent as you look out across the Bay of Fundy.  Plenty of sea birds frequent the jaunt of land separated from the peninsula.  A large field at the end of the trail provides a great place for a picnic and it’s not hard to find a sheltered campsite in the vicinity as well.

If you follow the trail in the field back towards Scots Bay, you will come to a spot where you can lower yourself down to the beach by a rope.  This area (known as Amethyst Cove) is famous for its variety of unique minerals.  One must always be wary of the powerful tides in the Bay of Fundy when exploring the shoreline along the coastal cliffs.

The trip back through the woods path is a little easier since there is more downhill than up.  The trail is suitable for mountain biking but it is recommended to have shocks since there are plenty of roots and rough sections to transverse.

Notes:  bring camera, rock hammer, binoculars for bird watching and pack a picnic lunch for the end of the trail.

Rating: 5

Disclaimer: Sea Scotia Vacation Rentals in no way endorses the use of this trail.  Please do so at you own risk.  Be aware that in some places you may be crossing private property and you are required to obtain permission from the registered owner before doing so.  To determine the registered owner of the land contact the Nova Scotia Registry of Deeds office.