July 10, 2020

Outdoor Explorer Itinerary

Nova Scotia is a haven for outdoor explorers. Rugged shorelines shaped by ocean waves, lush green forests teeming with wildlife, stretches of pristine sandy beaches, majestic mountains and rolling hills – natural beauty abounds throughout the province. In Nova Scotia, there are endless opportunities for outdoor adventures both on land and on sea.

Discover the wild side of Nova Scotia with the Outdoor Explorer Itinerary.

Yarmouth and Acadian Shores, Nova Scotia

Start your trip at the Trout Point Lodge, Nova Scotia’s premier wilderness resort. Located just 40 minutes from the Yarmouth ferry terminal, Trout Point Lodge offers a secluded location, lots of activities for nature lovers to choose from, gourmet dining, and an award-winning wine list.

Get familiar with the trails surrounding Trout Point Lodge on a mountain bike. All registered lodge guests have access to equipment such as mountain bikes, kayaks, and canoes, so there’s no shortage of ways to explore the backcountry.

Book a guided fly-fishing tour and reel in the catch of the day. Guests of Trout Point Lodge can rent all the gear necessary for fly fishing. If you’ve never fished before, casting lessons are available, so you’ll be angling like a pro in no time.

After all your outdoor adventure, it’s time to relax. Unwind in the wood-fired riverside hot tub or let your tensions melt away in the riverside cedar barrel sauna before heading to the lodge to savour a gourmet dinner. You’ve earned it!

Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to explore one of Nova Scotia’s most beloved hiking trails. Located in Scott’s Bay, Cape Split is a 16 km return linear trail that takes about four hours to complete. Once you reach the summit of Cape Split, you’ll be rewarded with incredible coastal views. Try to plan your trip around high tide so you can witness some of the highest tides in the world in the Bay of Fundy.

Spend the afternoon discovering some of the Annapolis Valley’s picture-perfect scenery during a geocaching adventure. Use your GPS-enabled device to seek out caches along coastal trails – don’t forget your camera!

South Shore, Nova Scotia

A trip to Nova Scotia’s Kejimkujik National Park (or “Keji”, as it’s referred to by locals) offers up a surprising variety of landscapes. The inland areas are rich with old-growth trees and warm-water lakes. Kejimkujik Seaside, meanwhile, features white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, where visitors can spot flocks of plovers and basking seals. One of the best ways to explore Keji is by canoeing or kayaking. Visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, lifejackets, and other equipment at the park and choose from guided tours or self-guided routes.

To really get off the beaten path, set out on a backcountry adventure! Choose a short trip or an overnight excursion on land or on water. Keji offers backcountry trips for all experience levels and varying durations, but no matter which option you choose, you’ll be treated to a variety of scenery, wildlife, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

For a truly immersive wilderness experience, spend the night in the park. Choose from a basic tenting campground, a challenging backcountry camping expedition, or an oTENTik, yurt, or rustic cabin. Check out Keji’s camping options and pick the experience you prefer.

Can’t get enough of our natural surroundings? Journey aboard Northumberland Ferries Limited to Prince Edward Island to explore the smooth warm sand, red sandstone cliffs, and white-capped waves that make the island famous. Or hop on the Fundy Rose to New Brunswick to witness the power of The Bay of Fundy at the Reversing Falls in Saint John or at the iconic Hopewell Rocks.

Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia

Next top is Tangier, located on the province’s Eastern Shore, where you’ll embark on a sea kayak excursion with Coastal Adventures. With 35 years of providing coastal paddling excursions, Coastal Adventures offers instruction for beginning kayakers as well as day trips and extended tours throughout the region for more experienced paddlers. Discover Nova Scotia’s mystical coastal islands, secluded beaches, and dramatic shoreline!

About an hour’s drive from Tangier, you’ll find Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia’s best surfing beach – the perfect place to learn to surf! Check out the East Coast Surf School, where you can learn the basics of surfing or improve your wave-shredding skills.