Nova Scotia’s Top Travel Moments of 2024
We're reflecting on some of the most memorable travel moments captured across Nova Scotia in 2024 as the year draws to a close. From sunny beach da...
Here in Nova Scotia, you don’t have to venture far to experience a kaleidoscope of fall colours. From wooded hiking trails and urban parks to rural communities, our province boasts some of the best leaf watching in North America. Read on to discover all the best spots to experience the changing leaves this year.
Keppoch Mountain
The 40 kilometres of non-motorized, multi-use wilderness trails at Keppoch Mountain provide ample opportunity to view the vivid fall colours. There’s no shortage of activities to take in the leaves too, with options for mountain biking, off-road cycling, hiking, or trail running, along with one fully wheelchair accessible trail. After your Keppoch adventure, visit Antigonish to enjoy a local beverage from Candid Brewing or Coldstream Clear Distillery, and grab a bite at the Townhouse, Gabrieau’s Bistro, or the Brownstone.
Tatamagouche Area
There are plenty of ways to experience the crisp, fall colours in and around the picturesque town of Tatamagouche. Take a stroll through the town and stop into Tatamagouche Brewing Co., Appleton Chocolates, or the Tatamagouche Farmer’s Market. Close by, view the leaves while tasting local wine at Jost Vineyards or make a stop at Sugar Moon Farm for a bite to eat and a hike on the Rogart Mountain Trail. Further inland, check out the phenomenal views through the Wentworth Valley.
Victoria Park
Located in the heart of Downtown Truro, you’ll find Victoria Park and its 3,000 hectares of wooded trails, beautiful scenery, and tons of spots to view the scarlet leaves. During your visit, make sure to also take in the natural gorges, 360-million-year-old geologic formations, waterfalls, and old growth forest. After, enjoy a meal at one of Truro’s many restaurants, like the Nook and Cranny or Bistro 22.
Harvest Moon Trailway
The Harvest Moon Trailway in the Annapolis Valley provides bikers and walkers alike many opportunities to leaf watch. With 15 trailheads to hop on and off, visitors can enjoy restaurants, historic sites, wineries, u-picks, farmers markets and more while travelling the 110 kilometres from the Grand Pré UNESCO World Heritage Site to Annapolis Royal.
Rum Runners Trail
For those looking to leaf watch on the South Shore, the Rum Runners Trail – extending from Halifax to Lunenburg – features charming seaside communities and spectacular fall colours. Whether you’re looking to take a stroll on the trail near Mahone Bay, or do a multi-day adventure from the city, there’s lots to explore.
Castle Rock Trail
For a view of a colourful carpet of trees with an Atlantic Ocean backdrop, journey to the Castle Rock Trail, just off the Rum Runners Trail. This nine kilometre hike features three different levels of difficulty to choose from. Conveniently located near Chester, stop into the Kiwi Café or the Rope Loft Restaurant to end your trip on a full stomach.
Le Petit Bois Trails
This network of coastal and wooded trails features a self-guided tour for visitors curious about the history, birds, and animals of the region. Located on the Université Sainte-Anne Campus, the trail includes interpretive signposts with QR codes that link to facts, photos, and stories about the area. For a delicious dining experience, pair your walk with a bite to eat at La Cuisine Robicheau or Ecole dans L’Anse Resto sur Mer.
Point Pleasant Park & Shubie Park
For those looking for a leaf watching experience in the city, Point Pleasant Park in Halifax and Shubie Park in Dartmouth are excellent options. Located in Halifax’s South End, Point Pleasant Park features 39 kilometres of easy winding trails and wide paths, many of which are wheelchair accessible. At Shubie Park, enjoy the changing leaves within the wooded trails of this 16-acre park, while you follow along a portion of the Shubenacadie Canal. Make sure to bring your four-legged friend to enjoy the off-leash areas!
Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site
Boasting 12 front country trails, there’s no shortage of opportunity to take in the bright fall colours at Keji. Forests filled with peaceful hikes through woods, along waterways, and past 300-year-old Hemlock trees are lined with a canopy of colourful leaves. Book an oTENTik, rustic cabin, yurt, or Oasis accommodation, to fully immerse yourself in the beautiful fall season.
Cape Breton
One of the most well-known locations to view the fall colours is Cape Breton Island. They even have a festival to celebrate the season – the Celtic Colours International Festival!
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Within the Cape Breton Highlands National Park itself there are 26 hikes circling the famous Cabot Trail, with a plethora of spots to take in the amber, auburn, crimson, saffron, and russet colours across the highlands.
Cape Smokey
For a unique experience, view the impressive fall colours on Eastern Canada’s only gondola, as you ride to the top of Cape Smokey. On your journey up the mountain, take in the scenic coastline against the vibrant colours in this panoramic view. At the top, relax and grab a bite from the snack shack before you begin your trek back down the mountain, or enjoy the onsite restaurant at the bottom.
Wentworth
A drive through the Wentworth Valley during the fall months is a colourful experience, from blueberry fields ablaze in shades of red to the orange, red, and yellow foliage intermixed with evergreens on the hillsides. Don’t miss the annual Fall Colours weekends at Ski Wentworth. Ride the chair lift up the mountain and hike back down admiring the fall scenery. After, grab a bite to eat or craft beer from The Barn onsite. Mountain bikers will want to check out the recently opened Wentworth Bike Park. This is the first lift-serviced mountain bike park in Nova Scotia. You and your bike can enjoy a ride up the hill, saving energy for the ride back down.
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