There’s plenty of natural splendor to discover in Nova Scotia, and while much of it is only accessible by car, some places in the city offer a healthy dose of nature accessible by public transportation or within walking distance. walk from downtown.

If you’re looking for an outdoor activity to add to your itinerary but don’t want to venture too far from town, the following hiking trails and parks should do the trick. These stunning locations are easily accessible by bus or ferry and provide a great example of the beauty of Nova Scotia.

Point Pleasant Park

Point Pleasant Park is the go-to park for most Halifax residents. The 75-hectare park is easy to access (it’s located at the tip of the Halifax peninsula) and offers numerous wooded hiking trails and benches for quiet contemplation of nature. It should be noted that this park also has a few small beaches for relaxing or a quick swim in the summer.

Shubie Park

This 40-acre park is conveniently nestled right next to Dartmouth Crossing, making it easy to access the trailhead by bus or on foot. It has a ton of hiking trails at different elevations as well as an off-leash dog park. There are also a handful of places to camp in the warmer months (glamping-style rentals and places to pitch a tent).

Dartmouth Harbor Trail

If you’re looking for something within comfortable walking distance of downtown Dartmouth (or don’t mind taking the ferry to Alderney Landing), the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail will definitely be your best bet. The riverside path connects the Alderney Ferry Terminal to the Woodside Ferry Terminal with stunning views of the Halifax skyline along the way and takes around an hour.

Shannon Park

Shannon Park is a much shorter trail than some of the larger parks listed here, but it’s still worth a visit if you want to experience wildlife (you’ll almost always see deer grazing) and beautiful harbor views. There is also a McKay Bridge overlook along the loop, which makes a great photo spot.

Continental North Trail

Back on the Halifax Harbor side you will find the Mainland North Trail. This trail is nestled in the Clayton Park neighborhood and is easily accessible by bus and car (or on foot if you’re near Clayton Park). The trail is approximately 9 kilometers in total and should take approximately 2 hours to complete. Note that this trail is also maintained in winter and allows dogs on a leash.