GENERAL INFORMATION

     Name:            North River Falls Hiking Trail
     County:          Victoria County
     Ownership:       Province of Nova Scotia
     Trail Length:    9 km to North River Falls; 1 km to “Little Falls”
     Season:          Year-round; may be impassable during winter conditions (deep snow)


EMERGENCY INFORMATION

     Emergency:       No cell phone coverage available along the trail.  In an emergency, check 
                      with private residences along the Oregon Road.


DIRECTIONS

     
From Highway 105 (TCH), take Exit 11 at South Haven. Travel west and north along the Cabot Trail
approximately 18 km to North River Bridge.  After crossing the highway bridge over North River,
turn left (west) on the Oregon Road (gravel).  Follow the gravel road to its end (3.5 km) at North 
River Provincial Park.  Enter the park, bearing left through the gate, and drive to the end of the
access road.  The trail head for North River Falls is located near the kiosk.  The trail to Little
Falls is to the left.  Parking is available at the trail head.


ACTIVITIES

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


DESCRIPTION

Overview
The walking trails within the North River Wilderness Area provide a variety of hiking opportunities. 
The trail system includes three distinct sections including the “Settlement Trail”, “Falls Trail” 
and “Little Falls Loop Trail”.

The Settlement Trail (4 km)
The Settlement Trail offers a pleasant 2 to 3 hour hike.  It winds its way through hardwood stands
of maple, birch and beech, over mountain streams, and past long-abandoned farmland.  Here and there
along the trail you can catch glimpses of the massive rock buttress of Spotted Mountain standing above
MacDonald Brook. Its long ridge runs south to the bedrock barrens and steep cliffs of Bald Mountain 
and forms the southern extension of the boreal plateau within the Wilderness Area.

The Settlement Trail leaves the picnic area and winds up and over a small hill before joining an old 
cart road. This road was the main access route for the Scottish settlers who established farmsteads 
along the east side of the river in the mid 1800’s.  The trail follows the old road for approximately
four kilometres and ends at a scenic point on the river known locally as “the benches”.  

The trail is relatively wide with slight to moderate slopes. The surface is uneven with sections of 
loose rock, exposed tree roots and shallow washouts, and the trail can be wet during the early spring 
and late fall.

The Falls Trail (5 km)
The Falls Trail begins at “the benches” (at the end of the Settlement Trail) and parallels the North 
River for an additional five kilometres until it arrives at the spectacular North River Falls. The trail
winds through older stands of maple, birch, fir and scattered pine that blanket the steep-sided canyon 
walls looming overhead.  The visitor travels with the scent of the forest and the sounds of the river 
flowing nearby. The area is pristine and remote and your first glimpse of the falls comes suddenly as 
you round a turn in the river. The wilderness trail is narrow and uneven with sections of coarse stone, 
steep forested talus slopes and rock outcrops. The terrain is physically demanding and care must be taken,
especially during wet conditions. A round trip from the picnic area to the falls will take approximately 
6 hours. Another trail branches off to your right as you approach the falls. This path is approximately 
one half kilometre and will take you up to the look-off on top of the plateau for a panoramic view of 
the river valley, the falls and the highland plateau. Be careful – this trail is steep and the footing 
can be tricky in wet conditions.

Little Falls Loop Trail (1 km)   
If you have only an hour or two to spare and would like to take a relaxing walk with fine views along 
the river, try the one-kilometre Little Falls Trail. This trail leaves the picnic park and makes its way 
down along the river to the Little Falls, a popular spot for anglers and sightseers. The trail surface is 
firm and moderately uneven with gentle slopes, except where the trail descends abruptly from the picnic 
area to the forested river terrace below. The east side of the loop allows a more gradual incline when 
either descending or ascending between the picnic park and the river. At the Little Falls, MacDonald Brook
joins the North River before spilling over a series of rock ledges forming an impressive array of falls 
and cataracts.  
				
Please note that when using these trails you are in a remote wilderness location, and should plan ahead for
safe travel. Carry a trail map (available at local Department of Natural Resources offices, or by contacting 
NSEL at the address noted above).  Please review NSEL’s Keep it Wild brochure for guidance on wilderness
area standards and safe recreation. For more information on the province’s Protected Areas Program call 
902-424-2117 or visit: http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/protectedareas