Nova Scotia Hiking Trails Descriptions

GENERAL INFORMATION

     Name:            Five Islands Provincial Park Trails

     County:          Colchester County

     Ownership:       Province of Nova Scotia

     Contact:         NS Department of Natural Resources, Parrsboro

                      Keith Black (902) 254 5301

     Trail Length:    11 km

     Season:          May 15 to September 7

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

     Emergency:              911

     Special:         The nearest phone is at Park Administration.

DIRECTIONS

From Truro, head toward Amherst on highway 104.  Take Exit 12 and follow signs

to highway 2 west.  Travel on Highway 2 for ~45km.  Look for the Provincial Park

sign, and turn left here onto Bentley Branch Road. The park entrance is ~3km down

this road.

ACTIVITIES

     Walking:             Y        Hiking:         Y

     Mountain Biking:     N        XCountry Ski:   Y

     ATV:                 N        Horse:          N

     Snowmobile:          N        Coastal:        Y

     Loop:                Y        Wheelchair:     N

     Wheelchair Assisted: N

DESCRIPTION

Five Islands Provincial Park is situated on a small peninsula featuring tidal

flats and 100 metre cliffs.  The park features three unique trails: Economy

Mountain Trail, Estuary Trail and The Red Head Trail (NOTE - The Red Head Trail is 

closed until further notice).

Economy Mountain Trail is a 4.8 km loop following an old logging road through a

variety of hardwood stands of maple, birch, beech and white spruce to the top of

Economy Mountain. The terrain is steep in some spots but offers the odd bench to

sit and relax

Estuary Trail is a 4 km well marked interpretive loop through mixed woods and

offers a walk along the tidal estuary.  The trail offers several viewing

stations and interpretive signage.

THE FOLLOWING TRAIL IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

The Red Head Trail is a 4.3 km route that follows the cliff edge featuring offshore

rock formations, sandstone cliffs, vaults and views of geological features such

as the Old Wife and Red Head.  The trail walks you through a forest of predominantly

White Spruce.

This park is popular with those who are interested in geology as this part of

Nova Scotia is littered with rocks that were formed thousands of years ago

including fossils and amethyst.  Bird watchers and photographers also enjoy the

park.

There is a camping area equipped with washrooms, fresh water, showers, a

playground, picnicking and parking. The park and trails are open year round, but

camping is permitted from May to October. Beware of high cliffs and tides!

Page last updated 2010-02-23