cape chignecto provincial park

Yesterday, September 27th, was a beautiful day to experience the trail system at Cape Chignecto Provincial Park. Phil and I had never been there before and really did not know too much about it, other than there was a trail system with one being approximately 50 km in length. Always looking for a challenge we decided that we would try to power hike/run/jog/hobble/crawl around the trail loop as fast as we could. This turned out to be quite a feat for us weekend warriors as there were some terrific climbs and descents sprinkled throughout the trail. We did manage to get through the trail in 10 hours which is quite surprising when you consider the spectacular scenery that kept distracting us from our task at hand. The Minas Basin, The Bay of Fundy, Isle Haute, the "3 sisters" rock formation, the numerous coves and beaches were all marvelous. We also had to stop and look at many of the amazing cliffs that we were running by. Sometimes within a meters distance. And I'm guessing, but several of them had to be between 150-200 meters high. Absolutely amazing. If you are out on this trail you have to soak your legs in the Bay of Fundy. We did this at the halfway point and did it ever rejuvenate my tired and aching legs. I plan to visit this trail again, at a more relaxed pace, just to take in the many vistas that I no doubt missed. I also would like to send out a thank you to the registration center staff member "Tex" for being so helpful. Our battery was dead when we came back to the car park and he was very helpful in getting us back on our way home. Thanks.A great park, trail and day.

Having backpacked the iconic West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, and the lesser-known East Coast Trail on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland, Cape Chignecto’s coastal trail was a huge disappointment. Over our four days on the trail, we were probably getting views of the coast about 10% of the time. The trail itself is good with a decent amount of challenge, but except for the initial beach stretch near Red Rocks, the path runs through forest most of the time, and the campsites are WAY too far inland for my taste. I spent my time wishing we had gone back to Newfoundland instead.

Do not take the Eatonville to Seal Cove hike. It is only in the woods and the scenery never changes. The trail is very muddy with lots of slippery tree roots. We never made it to Seal Cove as the scenery was just too boring. I would try to find another hike that goes along the cliff with ocean views.The area itself is very scenic.

I had hiked the 51 km camping with my husband and adult son in 2012, but felt strongly called to hike it alone. September temperatures were cool, so cabins made a lot of sense but availability ruled out going around the whole trail. This was a blessing as it opened my eyes to a different trip - Visitor Centre to the Arch Gulf cabin on day one, to the Big Bald Cabin for night two, back to Arch Gulch, and out on the fourth morning. This meant climbing and descending both of the deepest valleys, Refugee Cove and Mill Cove, twice. Setting out alone along the beach to the steps at McGahey Brook was exciting for this 61 year old woman. I carry a SPOT satellite transmitter so my husband can follow my progress. The ascents were pleasant but I had to be very careful on the descents, so was slow but I got there. The trail surface on the 40 degree down slopes was pretty good. With constant use of hiking poles and placing every foot, I felt no anxiety even with bad knees. Legs were tired after the climb out of Mill Cove but fresh bear scat alongside the trail brought a burst of energy and loud singing. I unlocked the Arch Gulch cabin door after 3:15 on the trail. Seemed good to me. One thing I had not been able to find out was, can you cook or at least boil water on the wood stoves in the cabins. For Arch Gulch, you can. I could have left stove and fuel behind. The cabin is super clean and stocked with dry firewood and potable water. The view back to the east looks to Advocate Harbour, to Parrsboro, and all the way into tomorrow.Lovely sugar maple woods take you to Refugee Cove, where I met two hikers also from Dartmouth. The tide was low and the sea calm and sparkling, just gorgeous. Up and out of the cove, through open spruce woods, then lush natural coastal meadows with waist-high ferns and grasses, around the Cape itself until the sea is visible again but looking west now. I did not come across any water sources from Refugee to about Little Bald, stock up from the stream and Refugee (purify it). From the Cape to Big Bald the trail tread is rougher and wetter, with some log walkways to help out. Views west (and down) are superb. The trail passes so casually within a metre or two of steep cliffs. It is backcountry and it is amazing. Just across Big Bald Brook and up up up the hill is a new cabin with a view to Isle Haute. The stove is a different shape and not so good to cook on, but still usable. it rained hard that night and I woke to low cloud and mist which persisted until I arrived back at Refugee again around noon. Surprisingly, this was the best part of the hike. The fog forest was mysteriously foggy and the wet mosses, llverworts, lichens and ferns gleamed with an unusual luminosity as shafts of sunlight broke through. Mushrooms including a patch of Chanterelles had popped up overnight. There had been a touch of frost in places, turning the ferns to hues of red, orange, yellow, brown, pink and even a blue tinge. I have never seen anything like it. Down into Refugee Cove again, I spread out my wet gear on the beach stones to dry. Another solo woman hiker, from Ontario, was exploring the cliffs at low tide. We exchanged greetings. I thought I knew the cove well, but the tide was so low she had found new cliff caves and strange formations, and urged me to spend some time exploring too. Up the steep slope and an hour of easy sugar maple woods to Arch Gulch for my last night. I had timed things to reach Mill Cove in the morning an hour before low tide. There is a set of steps, not maintained and carrying stern warnings, leading down to a lovely waterfall and the shore. Cross the brook, scramble over refrigerator-sized seaweed covered slippery boulders, and you can get to a "pinch point" where there is beach to walk around within perhaps half an hour of low tide. Then an hour of beach walked gets you out, saving the wearying climb back out of Mill Cove. It is essential to understand the tides and the effect of onshore wind before attempting this, but it is very doable. Climbing over slippery boulders was the hardest part, I had to take my pack off and shove it ahead to help with balance. Perhaps at extreme low tide there would be more gravel beach exposed to avoid the boulder scramble, which I found difficult but still pleasing.There were moments when I thought, "this is the last time my body will allow me to be here," but home after a hot bath, I'm already planning a return. The cabins are the key for me, at about $50 a night for the whole cabin.

The hike from the entrance along the beach and then 10 km s up the cape was really beautiful but difficult. I said to my friends that I felt I was getting closer to heaven with every trek ascending this trail. Well maintained with good signage. The view of the bay is spectacular in places. I would like to return to do the entire 3 day trip. If you have the time after your hike be sure to visit Advocate Harbour. It has a beautiful driftwood beach with driftwood from all over the world.

It's beautiful! We went on a kayaking overnight with NovaShores, and loved it! One of the major benefits is that it's out of the way and not crowded (unlike some other areas on the Bay of Fundy). We had the whole beach to ourselves and only saw about 5 other people the whole day.

Signage could be better, and we only went to the West Advocate entrance to the park (which was on our route to Eatonville) because we wanted to look at the beach - didn't realise it was the only place to sign in and get information because the Eatonville centre is not open. Once there, however, we found good look-offs and sign boards, great views of the Three Sisters and Eatonville. Saw a small snake - garter snake? and butterflies. Would have preferred some longer walks to be available in that area, though.

We were visiting this park on a rainy day in august.That is why we decided to do a shorter hike, because we wouldn't like to get soaked.We went for the trail along the beach and then up the hill (approx. 5 km loop)The path was very well signed, and in good condition (even during this rain)After the hike we could change out of our wet clothes in the washrooms, which are big enough to move around a little bit.

This summer we decided to do a short backpacking trip in Chignecto Provincial Park. What a beautiful area, it takes my breath away when I'm there. The tides in this area are something to see!We started by camping at Eatonville (also called Elliott field, I believe) where we had site 9 by the river. (Site 10 is in the field, good if you don't like the sound of the river). We needed to use our bug spray. From there, we hiked in to a campsite at Seal Cove. Wow, what a gorgeous beach - not the sandy type, but mainly medium sized pebbles. We found lots of driftwood to sit on. The beach is removed from the campsites so that you're not listening to the roaring surf all night! Not all the sites had picnic tables, although ours did. Note that the sign going into the sites says "sites 1-5" but actually sites 6 and 7 are there as well. They must have been put in after the sign went up. Here, we didn't need our bug spray as the breeze from the ocean kept them away.The hike into Seal Cove is fairly rugged, with the trail occasionally narrowing.The first part is through woods, sometimes along a stream, and later along the coast. Most of the look-offs were spectacular. The trail is well marked with red markers - there were a couple of spots where logs were placed to stop you from taking the wrong path but it's easy to absentmindedly step over those logs, so good to pay attention. The trail itself features a lot of roots, some strategically-placed boards for wet areas, a few bridges (some of which could use some work) and some tiny streams to be crossed. We saw no hikers on the trail itself, but there were 3 sites occupied at Eatonville and 1 other site occupied at Seal Cove.We hiked back to the Eatonville campsite the next day and the trip back seemed easier than the trip in.

As someone who is usually rather verbose, I'm almost at a loss for words to describe Cape Chignecto. In the simplest terms, be prepared to experience stunning beauty and be awed by the power of the magnificent Bay of Fundy. But beyond that, the park offers gruelling and challenging hiking trails that reward you with spectacular views. We did the full 51 km trail over 3 days. There are a number of different options in terms of one-day or two-day trips, but I would recommend completing the full trail if possible. If I were to go back and do it again, I would try to take four days for the entire trail to allow more time to appreciate the coastal views.The trail begins at the Visitors Centre from the "Red Rocks". At the trailhead you can either go left down to the beach and the Red Rocks, or go right for the trail itself. The trail is well-marked throughout with red reflective markers nailed into trees and occasional orange or pink flagging tape. If you go to the beach, depending on the tides, you can cut a good section of trail and walk directly to McGahey's Brook, where a giant stairwell up a cliff allows you to rejoin the main trail. This is a very pleasant detour, as it will save you a serious climb and descent.If you elect to take the main trail instead (or are forced to by the tides), you will first pass through the Christy Field campground. The trail then climbs pretty quickly, and you're treated to your first viewpoint. This section is an excellent preview for what the remainder of the trail is like - never level. After a good climb, you will begin a gradual descent, which will quickly become a very steep, harrowing descent. There is a turn off along the way for the McGahey Brook trail. From Red Rocks you will descent, cross the brook, and then begin a steep climb. Here is where the Eatonville turn off meets the main trail. We continued along the main trail into Mill Brook, the first campsites. These are about 6-7 km from Red Rocks, and the final stretch of the hike is possibly the steepest descent of the entire trail. From Mill Brook, you have possibly the steepest climb of the trail, the start of maybe the most difficult 6 km of the hike. From Mill Brook you will climb, descend, and repeat until Refugee Cove, another steep, harrowing descent. Refugee Cove is gorgeous, featuring camp grounds, beach views, and a pleasant brook. This is probably a good spot to stop after day one, however, being the ambitious lot we are, we continued on. From Refugee Cove it is another ~7 km to Little Bald Rock Brook, the next campsite. This is another difficult leg, with a steep climb out of Refugee Cove, and then rolling hills for the remainder of the leg. However, this features some of the most scenic parts of the trail. You alternately climb and descend from headland to headland, being rewarded after each climb with incredible look offs into the Minas Basin and across the Bay of Fundy. Words will not do these views justice. After Little Bald Rock Brook it's a quick ~2 km to Big Bald Rock Brook, which is probably the biggest brook/river you will cross on the coastal section of the trail. The landscape is still very up and down at this point, although the cliffs will begin shrinking in size, there is still lots of climbing, descending, and worthwhile look-offs.The trail continues going up and down cliffs, but the hardest climbing is behind you at this point. The trail is not easy by any stretch, but compared to the earlier sections the remaining route is a cakewalk. Fortunately the decrease in difficulty does not mean a decrease in scenic views, as brilliant lookouts still abound. The next campsite after Big Bald Rock Brook is Keyhole. Careful observation along the coast will make it obvious what the campsite is named for. Keyhole is ~4 km from Big Bald Rock. From Keyhole it's another 4 km to Seal Cove, the last coastal campsite. Seal Cove is incredibly scenic, with beach access and a pleasant camping area. Seal Cove represents essentially the end of the stunning coastal section. From Seal Cove there is maybe another 2-3 km of coastal hiking, and then you turn inland towards Eatonville. From Seal Cove to Eatonville is about 6 km, but we covered this distance quicker than some of the 4 km legs. The difficulty of this part of the trail is much lower. Despite leaving the stunning Fundy coast behind, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed the final section of the trail. As we did the hike in early spring, the forest floor was green and lush while the trees themselves were yet to bud. Here you're treated to the gentle sounds of streams and brooks, crisp, clean air, and lush forests. There are rolling hills, but nothing too difficult.Eatonville has a large campground with sites right on a large brook. From Eatonville it is an easy 14 km of generally easy hiking through mostly beautiful forest to return to Red Rocks and the Visitor Centre. Eventually you will rejoin the main trail and retrace your original ~4 km (coming from Eatonville this involves a large, steep descent to the McGahey Brook, where you can again bypass the remaining climb and descent along the coast, tides willing). After emerging from the forests inland, it was a nice treat to return to the coast for the final stretch of our hike. We camped at Little Bald Rock Brook our first night, and Eatonville the second night, but for a 3-day trip I would recommend night one at Refugee Cove, and night two at Seal Cove. Day threes distance may seem daunting, but it will still likely be the shortest day. Overall the hike is difficult, yet rewarding. The only way one can truly appreciate the beauty of Cape Chignecto is to haul a backpack with all their belongings up and down the at times treacherous coastal trails for 50+ km.

WE stayed at the driftwood chalets-highly recommended. They were about 1/2 hour walk to the park entrance.The trails were challenging and very scenic,I would not recommend these traile to people how do not hike regularly. The day hikes at the Eatonville entrance are not difficult but are under 3 km loops. I liked to hike about 6-8 hours aday and want to have a good work out, The chignecto and Eatonville trails were just right for me

Hiking in the beautiful Eatonville trails, listening to the wind, nature and the waves...........what better place to forget about your daily troubles and enjoy nature.

I did one of the short trails, which was nice but I bet the longer multi-day hike would be more interesting!

After a pleasant couple of hours hiking the Fundy Ridge Trail (which does not require the 3-4 hours noted in park literature) in the morning, we inquired at the visitor's center about short hikes in the Eatonville day use area. There were no trail maps for Eatonville available at the visitor's center in West Advocate, and we arrived there to find their center closed. There were no signs or trail maps posted that we could find anywhere, and the upshot was that we did not enjoy our time at that part of the park and found the afternoon disappointing.

This is a review of some day hikes. We had an enjoyable time starting from the Eatonville Day Use Area. There is one loop called the Three Sisters, an easy walk to some gorgeous views. There are several picnic tables scattered about, plus clean outhouses. For some reason, there are many ramps on this trail - perhaps, it's meant to be wheelchair accessible. The other loop is slightly longer and also gives great views of Squally Point. From the loop, there is a trail leading down the cliffs to Anderson's Cove, where you can view from below what you viewed from up top. Awesome! This trail is more rugged than the simple loop trails.We also followed a trail labelled "Elliot's Field", as we thought it might lead down to the water. It descended for a while but then turned uphill without going down to the water. We turned around and still don't know where this trail leads. There were no maps of it at the trailhead and the Eatonville Visitor Center was closed. I was unable to find information on the website.Cape Chignecto scenery is spectacular, and the trail loops give beautiful views with an easy walk.