GENERAL INFORMATION

     Name:            Taylor Head Provincial Park
     County:          Halifax County
     Ownership:       Province of Nova Scotia
     Trail Length:    18.00 km maximum, or shorter, depending on loops.
     Season:          May 15 - October 15


EMERGENCY INFORMATION

     Emergency:       911


DIRECTIONS

In Spry Bay on highway #7 ~60 km east of Musquodoboit Harbour, or ~12 km west of 
Sheet Harbour.  When in Spry Bay, turn south onto Taylor Head Road (you'll see a
large sign) and continue down this unpaved road for ~4.5km to the parking lot. 
The parking lot has four areas, the first of which has wheelchair access to the
beach.  Begin your hike from the forth and final area.


ACTIVITIES

     Walking:             N        Hiking:         Y
     Mountain Biking:     N        XCountry Ski:   N
     ATV:                 N        Horse:          N
     Snowmobile:          N        Coastal:        Y
     Loop:                Y        Wheelchair:     N
     Wheelchair Assisted: N  


DESCRIPTION

Taylor Head Provincial Park is a unique land formation.  The park is located on 
a finger like land mass that juts over 6 km out into the Atlantic Ocean.  For this 
reason trail users should prepare for higher winds and lower temperatures than 
experienced inland.  The Taylor Head area is scattered with coastline cliffs and 
steep slopes. Exercise caution when exploring the area, especially if small children
are joining your party.  

The trails at Taylor Head offer three different hikes. Each begins at the fourth 
parking area of the parking lot.  The shortest of the three, the beach walk (2 km
return), begins from the beach at Psyche Cove and follows the coastline. Along this
route notice a barrier beach pond separated from the sea.  Is the pond one of salt 
water or fresh water? At the end of the beach you can return to the parking lot or 
join the Spry Bay trail.  

The Spry Bay trail and Headlands trail are two loops forming an almost figure-
eight on the tip of Taylor Head.  You can do each loop separately or combine them 
for a longer hike (7 km loop).  The vegetation in this area is limited by the salt 
air, spray, and high winds that are a constant to this area.  For this reason stunted
white spruce, tamarack (also known as hackmatack or larch), juniper, and a variety of
lichens are the main survivors here.  

The Bob Bluff and Bull Beach trails offer the longest hikes here (9.5 km) along with 
some of the nicest views. While admiring the scenery of Taylor Head Bay, the rugged
segmented rock coastline, and the islands across Mushaboom Harbour, be on the look 
out for a seal or two.  

Taylor Head Provincial Park provides pit toilets, picnic tables, change houses, 
and an interpretive kiosk.