Monday, 06 October 2008 05:07 pm

Uses: Hiking

Time: 3 hours

Length: 8 km (return)

Difficulty: 2

Location: From Halifax, go through Armdale Rotary and follow Purcell's Cove Rd (Route 253) for 15-20 minutes.  Turn left onto paved road that leads to Chebucto Head and Duncan's Cove.  Proceed a couple hundred meters and take the right fork to Duncan's Cove.  There is a small parking lot about 300 m down this road where you can leave your car.  Then walk down the long driveway that goes down toward the cove and back up over the hill.  At the end of this driveway, signs will guide you to the beginning of the trail, which follows the coastline for several kilometers.

Description: Five minutes into the walk the Champagne Dam overlooks a small cove.  Another 15 minutes of hiking and the coastal look-offs used in wartime will be observable in the distance. Along the way be sure to examine the magnificent gorges created in the granitic outcrops as a result of faults in the rocks and enhanced by wave action of the ocean.  Everywhere you look there is an incredible view of the ocean, fishing boats, sail boats, and a cruise or container ship is likely to pass on its way in or out of Halifax Harbor.

At the second look-off structure there is an excellent view of a lighthouse located on an island just offshore.  This is a good place to turn around for the return journey, however it is possible to continue around the point and venture into Ketch Harbor.  This is a good place to leave a second vehicle if available to avoid the return trip.  The trail is somewhat less distinguishable along this last stretch but one can follow the shoreline for the most part.

The return trip takes about 4 hours but this time could be cut nearly in half by leaving a car near the bridge in Ketch Harbor.  You may also want lots of extra time to explore the shoreline, do some fishing, and check out the wartime buildings.

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.