Trans Canada Trail in Nova Scotia Blog


Our #Hike4Birds across Nova Scotia on the Trans Canada Trail (formerly the Great Trail) began on Cape Breton Island, NS. There we explored the Bras d'Or Lake Biosphere Reserve region and visited active fishing harbours and pristine beaches along the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail. On mainland Nova Scotia we spotted white-tailed deer and Horned Owls on the Guysborough Nature Trail, and learned about Acadian and Scottish history in some of the oldest settlements in the New World. The Musquodoboit Trailway and Salt Marsh Trails were a highlight on the way to Halifax, as well as shorebird viewing on the Bay of Fundy.

"The sun was setting in the west
The birds were singing on every tree
All nature seemed inclined to rest
But still there was no rest for me"
                                        Stompin' Tom Connors

This blog documents our #Hike4Birds on the Trans Canada Trail in Nova Scotia. We invite you to Come Walk With Us by exploring our daily entries, where we share photographs and stories of the birds, natural landscapes, histories, challenges, and highlights we experienced while traveling across Canada on foot. Happy Trails!

Hiking Cape Breton Island

Exploring Cape Breton, Sydney to Baddeck to Cape Breton Highlands National Park 

Bird Talks and Bird Walks, Cape Breton Highlands N.P.

Exploring the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park 

Coastline of Bras d'Or, Cheticamp to Whycocomagh Provincial Park

A Return to the Great Trail, Whycocomagh to Trout Brook

Grouse and "Treasures" Boxes, Trout Brook to Southwest Margaree River 

Forest Treks and Beach Boardwalks, Margsree River to Inverness 

Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, Inverness to Mabou

Finding Balance in Nature, Mabou to Port Hood 

Sign, Sign ... Everywhere a Sign, Port Hood to Craigmore

Shorebirds and Causeways, Craigmore to Port Hastings 

Reflecting on the Great Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Birding Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia 


Exploring the Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia

Around Pirate Harbour, Port Hastings to Collins Pond

Roadways and Connectors, Collins Pond to Boylston Provincial Park 

Through the Fairy Forest, Boylston P.P. to Ogden Lake Wilderness Area 

"Sexy Deers" and Blueberry Treats, Ogden Lake Wilderness Area to Cross Roads Country Harbour

Summer Sun, Summer Temperatures, Cross Roads Country Harbour to Newtown

No App, No Map, Newtown to Sunnybrae

Everything from Owls to Hummingbirds, Sunnybrae to New Glasgow 

History was Made Here, Exploring New Glasgow and Stellarton 

Forestry, Fisheries, and Scottish History, New Glasgow to Pictou

Farmlands and Forests, Pictou to Fitzpatrick 


The Walk South to Halifax, NS

West Bound or South Bound?, Fitzpatrick to North Earltown 

Birthdays on the Trans Canada Trail, North Earltown to Meguma Falls

Natural Wonders of Forests, Meguma Falls to Kemptown to Truro

Tidal Bores and Tidal Birds, Exploring Truro 

Backtracking, Kemptown to Truro

Acadian Country, Truro to Wide Open Wilderness Campground 

Along Road "Connectors", Wide Open Wilderness Campground to Wild Nature Campground

Visiting Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park 

Highway Walking the Great Trail, Shubenacadie to Dollar Lake P.P.

The Stunning Musquodoboit Trail, Dollar Lake P.P. to Musquodoboit Harbour 

Exploring Musquodoboit Harbour

Pilgrims on a Canadian Camino, Musquodoboit Harbour to East Chezzetcook 

Hope amid Challenges, East Chezzetcook to Porters Lake P.P.

Magical Mornings and Atlantic Views, Porters Lake P.P. to Cole Harbour

City Bound, Cole Harbour to Halifax

Exploring and Experiencing Halifax Nova Scotia 

Tidal Flats and Shore Birds, Exploring Fisherman's Cove 

Off Trail for Nature Presentation, Halifax to Wolfville


Acadian History and Presenting at Annapolis Royal

Acadian History, Grand PrĂ© National Historic Site and Harvest Moon Trail 

More Bird Walks, More Bird Talks, Wolfville to Annapolis Royal 

Birding and Exploring Annapolis Royal

Reflecting on the Great Trail in Nova Scotia

Words of Wisdom from The Great Trail in Cape Breton and Nova Scotia

Birding Nova Scotia from the Great Trail 

Farewell to Nova Scotia! 


The goal of our #Hike4Birds was to inspire people of all ages, physical abilities, cultural backgrounds, orientations, and identities to reconnect with nature through birds and Citizen Science.  To learn more about our project, how you can get involved, and ways to support our work, please visit the Come Walk With Us website. 

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