The Great Trail: A National Icon 25 Years in the Making

Canada is home to the greatest trail in the world. This epic trail of trails was created by thousands of dreamers, can-doers, volunteers, friends and partners sharing the same audacious goal of connecting our country. Though Canada is as diverse as it is vast, we can all find common ground on the Trail. The Great Trail links 15,000 communities along 24,000 km and is full of possibilities, discovery and adventure.

Whether you are looking for a place to take a leisurely stroll, kayak along the coast or commute to work, people from all walks of life can find an experience that resonates with them. The Trail is a free resource open to all. Regardless of how we choose to experience it, the result is a connection with the outdoors, one another and ourselves.

The Great Trail in Nova Scotia

During the summer of 2017, the Nova Scotia Trails Federation (NS Trails) and our many partners celebrated connection of The Great Trail in Nova Scotia.  Connection of Phase 1 of the Great Trail in Nova Scotia is a project that took 25 years to accomplish.  NS Trails’ ability to fulfill that dream would not have been possible without our community volunteers, government, corporate sponsors and the Trans Canada Trail.

Now the goal is to improve the Trail, increase its usage and plan for the long-term sustainability of the Trail.  The Trans Canada Trail will also look at adding strategic spurs and loops. In fact, in January of 2018, the Trans Canada Trail announced it was open to extending the trail to include the western loop which runs through the South Shore and Valley as part of The Great Trail brand.

Currently, the Trail in Nova Scotia is over 1200 kilometres in length including approximately 500 kilometres of land trail, 400 kilometres of water route and 300 kilometres of road route. Users can enjoy walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and ATV-ing on The Great Trail in Nova Scotia.

To find out more about The Great Trail visit: thegreattrail.ca.