The Cobequid Trail is an 18-kilometre network of walking and cycling trails in central Colchester County, at the head of Cobequid Bay and the Bay of Fundy. Explore woodland paths and shaded brooks. Follow the rail trail through farmland and Acadian dikelands beside the tidal Salmon River and watch the tidal bore arrive twice daily. Discover We’kwampekitk, the Mi’kmaq name for the Truro area, which means “where the bay runs far up”. Great for bicycling, long distance running, leisurely walks and wildlife viewing, this trail has numerous trailheads, rest areas with benches and picnic tables, and scenic viewpoints.
Trail use: Walking, cycling and snowshoeing are permitted. Dogs on leash are permitted; please clean up after your dog. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Trail surface: Most of the trail has hardpacked, crushed gravel. A few, short sections are paved.
Trailheads: Multiple trailheads with parking and trail panels with maps and local history and cultural information:
• Old Barns trailhead, 919 Shore Road, Old Barns
• Cobequid Bay Lookoff trailhead, 3471 Highway 236, Lower Truro
• Lower Truro trailhead, 4057 Highway 236, Lower Truro
• Fundy Discovery Site trailhead, 103 Tidal Bore Road, Lower Truro
• Will-Kare trailhead, 105 Lower Truro Road, Lower Truro
• Truro trailhead, 202 Willow Street, Truro
• Eagle Crest trailhead, 39 Warren Drive, Bible Hill
• Farnham Brook trailhead, 36 Village Court, Bible Hill
• Bible Hill Recreation Park trailhead, 38 Guest Drive, Bible Hill
Bicycle repair station locations:
• Old Barns trailhead, 919 Shore Road, Old Barns
• Fundy Discovery Site, 103 Tidal Bore Road, Lower Truro
Public washrooms:
• Old Barns (600 m east of Old Barns trailhead)
• Fundy Discovery Site
• Bible Hill Recreation Park (May to October)
Highlights of the Truro, Lower Truro and Old Barns sections
11-km of continuous rail trail between Truro and Old Barns is part of the Blue Route provincial cycling network and Trans Canada Trail. Travel along the former Dominion Atlantic Railway, built in 1898 and operated until 1982. The trail is mostly flat, with very few slight inclines. Enjoy views of the Salmon River, Cobequid Bay, marshlands, saltmarshes and dikes. Time your visit to see the tidal bore! (Tidal bore times are available at fundydiscovery.ca).
At the east end, the trail begins at King Street in Truro, crosses McClure’s Brook, and passes by a golf course and an industrial area. Continuing west, the trail passes through marshlands, Acadian dikes and farmland in Lower Truro. From the Lower Truro Trailhead, a paved spur trail (parallel to Highway 236) heads east toward Fundy Discovery Site, part of the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark. From Lower Truro, the trail continues west to the Cobequid Bay Lookoff beside the tidal Salmon River as it flows into Cobequid Bay. Continue west to Old Barns along a very scenic part of the trail; enjoy beautiful views of this tidal landscape at several rest areas. Watch for bald eagles, osprey (our provincial bird), and migratory shorebirds in season.
Highlights of the Bible Hill and Valley sections
7 km of the Cobequid Trail in Bible Hill and Valley pass through woodlands, farmland, and Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus. Enjoy mature forests, shaded brooks, and views from a ridge overlooking the Salmon River.
The Dal AC trail section (about 2 km) meanders through the attractive Agricultural Campus and the university farm. From Bible Hill Recreation Park you can follow the trail west to Dal AC or east following the Recreation Park Connector Trail (about 1 km) through a forested ridge above the Salmon River to Osprey Ct. Follow Osprey Ct to the sidewalk on College Road to Maple Blvd and Scenic Avenue (total distance 1.6 km) to reach the Eagle Crest trail. The Eagle Crest trail (1 km) is a lovely walk through maple stands and hemlock ravines along the Salmon River. On the north side of Pictou Rd, the Farnham Brook trail (3 km) passes through meadows and mature forest and crosses the meandering brook several times; listen and watch for wildlife and songbirds as you stroll.
Trail sections are connected by approximately 2.7 km of sidewalk/road for several route and length options. The trail grade varies; most of the trail has gentle slopes, but there are some steep inclines along Farnham Brook and Bible Hill Recreation Park connector trail.
