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Hiking Trails Under 5 km in Nova Scotia

There are 42 hikes in Nova Scotia in our database that fit. They average 2.0 km and 47 m (154 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 4.5 km.

That is 78 percent of the 54 routes we map in Nova Scotia. They are shorter than the local average, 2.0 km against 14.0 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 47 m (154 ft) against 309 m (1,014 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Short routes for a spare couple of hours, an evening walk, or a day when the weather only gives you a window. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Easy

Mica Hill Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
3.3 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
185 m
Typical duration
58 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Easy

Smelt Brook Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
28 m
Typical duration
46 min
  • River
Easy

Middle head

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
53 m
Typical duration
35 min
Easy

Port Joli Head Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
4.5 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
99 m
Typical duration
1 hr 5 min
Easy

Salt Mountain Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
28 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Mountain
Easy

Hidden Falls Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
10 m
Typical duration
7 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
Easy

Brook Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
33 m
Typical duration
22 min
  • River
Easy

Comeau Lake Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
70 m
Typical duration
46 min
  • Lake
  • River
Easy

Wards Falls

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
3.1 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
69 m
Typical duration
45 min
  • Waterfall
Easy

Field Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
22 m
Typical duration
15 min
Easy

Scout Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
40 m
Typical duration
26 min
Easy

The Highlander

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
90 m
Typical duration
19 min
Easy

Ash Lake Loop

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
4.2 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
92 m
Typical duration
1 hr
  • Lake
Easy

Charlies Lake Loop

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
62 m
Typical duration
41 min
  • Lake
Easy

Fox Lake Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
56 m
Typical duration
37 min
  • Lake
Easy

Great Oaks Loop

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
2.3 km
/ 1.4 mi
Elevation gain
51 m
Typical duration
33 min
  • Lake
Easy

Hobsons Lake Loop

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
4.4 km
/ 2.7 mi
Elevation gain
96 m
Typical duration
1 hr 3 min
  • Lake
Easy

Maynard Lake

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
12 m
Typical duration
8 min
  • Lake
Easy

Oat Hill Lake

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
18 m
Typical duration
12 min
  • Lake
Easy

Porters Lake Loop

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
39 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Lake
Easy

Spider Lake Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
15 m
Typical duration
10 min
  • Lake
Easy

Hemlock Cathedral Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
53 m
Typical duration
35 min
  • River
Easy

River Run Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
29 m
Typical duration
19 min
  • River
Easy

Barren's Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
23 min
Easy

Druhan Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
10 m
Typical duration
7 min
Easy

Founders Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
20 m
Typical duration
13 min
Easy

Halifax Link

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
38 m
Typical duration
25 min
Easy

Hothouse Hill Loop

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
17 m
Typical duration
11 min
Easy

Juniper Head Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
70 m
Typical duration
46 min
Easy

Maskwa Trails

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
38 m
Typical duration
25 min
Easy

Morash Trail

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
32 m
Typical duration
21 min
Easy

North Loop

Nova Scotia · Canada

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
46 m
Typical duration
30 min

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Mica Hill TrailNova Scotia3.3 km185 m58 minEasyApril to October
Smelt Brook TrailNova Scotia3.5 km28 m46 minEasyApril to October
Middle headNova Scotia2.4 km53 m35 minEasyApril to October
Port Joli Head TrailNova Scotia4.5 km99 m1 hr 5 minEasyApril to October
Costal Hardwood Ridge TrailNova Scotia1.2 km27 m18 minEasyApril to October
Salt Mountain TrailNova Scotia1.3 km28 m18 minEasyApril to October
Hidden Falls TrailNova Scotia0.5 km10 m7 minEasyApril to October
East Branch Moose River FallsNova Scotia0.6 km12 m8 minEasyApril to October
Brook TrailNova Scotia1.5 km33 m22 minEasyApril to October
Comeau Lake TrailNova Scotia3.2 km70 m46 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Mica Hill Trail, Smelt Brook Trail, Port Joli Head Trail. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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