The Great Outdoors

Enjoy walking, jogging and bird watching at the Antigonish Landing Trail, just below the St. Martha’s Regional Hospital. The trail along the waters edge and wetlands, is beautiful in any season with fruit trees, grasses and wild flowers that vary with the season.  In the winter snow shoe along the trail.  Keep an eye out for the eagle’s nest.  It’s a great place to take your dog for a walk or lose yourself in nature after a full-days work.

There are trails for all levels of experience and ability in the area including:

• The Keppoch: Just 15 minutes from Antigonish, the Keppoch has 300 acres of wilderness to enjoy year round. With over 20 kms of multi-use trails, this all year round facility is used for hiking, nature walks, mountain biking, snow shoeing and cross country skiing.  A children’s activity area, a comfortable lodge and in the summer a bike shuttle are just a few of the amenities.  Several “fun days” and events are held throughout the year.

• Several other trails to check out include: Arisaig Provincial Park, Fairmount Ridge, Cape George, Beaver Mountain, and the Acadian Trail behind the Chez DesLauriers in Pomquet.

Beaches: Within 30 minutes of Antigonish you will find several different beaches to enjoy swimming, beach combing, sandy walks, relaxing in the salt air or dipping your toes in the ocean.  Kayaking is popular but you do need your own as there are no rentals. In August and September the warm waters of the Northumberland shore often are warmer than the air temperature and make for a beautiful watery wonderland.

• Route 337, past the hospital takes you to Mahoneys Beach, Jim Town, Crystal Cliffs, Cribbons, Ballantynes Cove and on to the Cape George Lighthouse (no beach but a gorgeous view). Continue along the north shore to the beaches at Livingstone Cove, Malignant Cove and Arisaig.

• East of Antigonish is the Pomquet Provincial Beach Park with boardwalks and lifeguards during the summer season, as well as the Bayfield Beach.

Rowing: In addition to the ocean, Nova Scotia has thousands of lakes and rivers.  On Route 7 from Antigonish is Lochaber Lake. The StFX Rowing Club is situated there along with a community club house.  The lake is 13KM long and the unpaved west side is great for a bike ride or hike.

Fishing: If fishing is your thing, try river and lake fishing for trout and salmon.  If you are after a thrilling experience book a charter to fish for tuna from Ballantyne’s Cove.  Visit the Tuna Interpretive Centre there to learn about the techniques and the history of the biggest catches in the area.

Biking is popular with cycle clubs, the Keppoch area with trails at all levels of difficulty or a leisurely ride along Antigonish Landing.  Check out the Bike shop on St. Andrew’s Street for details.