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Hike NS Enews: September 2016
Read about the Fall Guided Hike Series, upcoming courses, Hike NS's new partnership with The Trail Shop and more!
Fall 2016 Guided Hikes

Hike Nova Scotia and 14 host organizations across the province have partnered up to offer the 2016 Fall Guided Hike Series in September, October and November. There are 21 hikes led by local folks and participants qualify to win "trail prizes." Most hikes are free unless otherwise indicated in the schedule. Hike NS thanks its partners for organizing the hikes on the ground, Goose Lane Editions for its prize donations and the NS Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage for its support. Check out the list of events.  
 
Hike NS & The Trail Shop Partnership

Hike Nova Scotia and The Trail Shop are happy to announce a new two-year partnership. The Trail Shop is now Hike NS's "Official Outdoor Retailer." You'll be seeing us together at events, such as the Hiking Summit, and partnering on various initiatives. Early in 2017, we'll host a guided hike as well as a special Hike NS member VIP event at The Trail Shop.

While located in Halifax, The Trail Shop has online shopping, making it accessible to hikers clear across the province. Check them out at trailshop.com . Don't forget to use your Hike NS member benefits discount. Hike NS members receive a 10% discount with proof of membership (your hard-copy or electronic Hike NS membership card) on hiking and snowshoeing equipment, clothing and accessories (does not include watercraft, skiing or other non-hiking equipment).

Also, did you know that The Trail Shop has trail maintenance equipment for loan to trail organizations? We encourage hiking trail groups take advantage this opportunity for free access to this equipment. Contact The Trail Shop for more information at [email protected] .
Outdoor Courses

This fall and winter, Hike NS and the Outdoor Council of Canada will deliver more courses to help you and others get outside. 

Click here for the links to register for each course . The registration for some courses is not yet open. Registration will open about two months before each course - please check back.
  • Oct. 15-16: Field Leader-Hiking, Wolfville, $100/$90
  • Oct. 22-23: Field Leader-Overnight, Economy, $125/$115
  • Nov. 5-6: Field Leader-Hiking, Halifax, $100/$90    
  • Nov. 26-27: Navigation Maps & Compass, Halifax, $100/$90
  • Date TBA: Navigation Maps & Compass, Sydney, $100/$90             
  • Date TBA, Field Leader-Winter, Location TBA, $50/$40
Upcoming Events
  • Hike the Highlands Festival, Cape Breton: Sept. 9-18
  • Hike NS Fall Guided Hike Series, province-wide: Sept.10-Nov. 5
  • Todd Boland, author of Wildflowers of NS. book-signing tour: Sept. 18-21
  • The Trail Shop Tuesday Talk: The Outdoor Network, Halifax: Sept. 20
  • Webinar: Engaging the Next Generation of Trail Stewards; Increasing Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity: Sept. 22
  • Take A Child Outside Week: Sept. 24-30
  • 2016 Fall Becoming an Outdoor Woman, Aylesford Lake: Sept. 23-25
  • Falmouth TrALE Run, Windsor: Oct. 1
  • The Trail Shop Tuesday Talk: Packing for your Camino, Halifax: Oct. 4
  • The Trail Shop Tuesday Talk: Duke of Edinburgh, Halifax: Oct. 11 
Hiking/Trail News Hits

These are some news hits from Twitter :
  • Parks Canada announces $66 million in upgrades next year around Cape Breton view
  • Burning and travel bans lifted across Nova Scotia view
  • Clear cutting beside Keji - DNR proposes 100 hectares of clearcuts on national park boundary view
  • Project hopes to save Nova Scotia trail from being loved to death view
  • West Hants lands $35,000 contract to expand trail system view
  • Woodland spraying on hold, for now view
  • Conservation group urges HRM to create Williams Lake urban park view
  • Hiking festival begins Friday in Cape Breton view
  • Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes development plans rejected by Halifax view
  • Volunteers upset over upkeep of popular trail in Wallace Bay view
Featured Trail: Five Islands Provincial Park
Published on August 2, 2016
By Brad Donaldson

There are three different hiking trails in the park: Estuary Trail (3.3 km), Economy Mountain (3.4 km), and Red Head Trail (1.8 km). Carole at the front desk let us know about a smaller trail (about a kilometre long, round trip), although you won't find it on the map, that takes you to a point overlooking The Old Wife and Moose Island. Read the full posting here.

Brad Donaldson is an avid hiker who enjoys exploring Nova Scotia's trails and who contributes to Hike NS's blog and Instagram account.
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