Fall Guided Hike & Walk Series

Hike Nova Scotia and 16 host organizations offer the 2023 Fall Guided Hike & Walk Series across NS. There are 38 events led by local folks and participants qualify to win trail prizes. They are free or low-cost events and some require pre-registration. We thank our partners on the ground for organizing the events as well as Goose Lane Editions and the NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage for their support.

Find details here.

New Pictou County Coast Badge

Hike Nova Scotia, the Town of Pictou and the Municipality of Pictou County are launching the new Pictou County Coast badge as part of Hike NS’s Hiker Challenge. The badge costs $5 for Hike NS paid members and $7.50 for non-members. It challenges you to hike a total of 25 km along certain coastal trails and beach walks within a year. Learn more here.

Save the Date: Hiking Summit May 31-June 2, 2024, Antigonish

After the 2023 Hiking Summit was cancelled due to the threat of wildfires back in June, it has been rescheduled to May 31, June 1 and June 2, 2024 in Antigonish (Fri. to Sun.). It is hosted by Hike NS, Keppoch Mountain, the Town of Antigonish and the County of Antigonish. More details will be released in early 2024. Registration will not open until late winter of 2024.

Fall Courses & Webinars

Learn more and register here: 

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• Sept. 12: Invasive Species in NS Webinar
• Sept. 19: NS Walks Walk Leader Training, Coxheath
• Sept. 20: NS Walks Walk Leader Training, online
• Sept. 23-24: Field Leader - Hiking course, Truro
• Sept. 23-24: Navigation Maps & Compass course, Pictou County
• Sept. 27: Intro to Hiking webinar
• Oct. 14-15: Navigation Maps & Compass course, Sydney
• Oct. 17: NS Walks Walk Leader Training, online
• Oct. 28: Trail Maintenance workshop, Musquodoboit Harbour
• Nov. 15: NS Walks Walk Leader Training, online
• Nov. 29: Hike Strength Training & Injury Prevention webinar
• Ongoing: Leave No Trace awareness workshops for groups

Trail Builders Network News

Trail Maintenance Workshop: Oct. 28 Musquodoboit Harbour

Another of Hike NS's trail maintenance workshops will take place on Saturday, October 28 in Musquodoboit Harbour. It is meant to support hiking trail managers including community trail groups, First Nations, municipalities and others. Learn more and register here.

Trail Builders Business Directory

Hike NS in the process of adding businesses to our new Trail Builders Directory. It’s your resource to find contractors, suppliers and other businesses that trail builders need. We hope it will save you time when you’re looking for supplies or services. Please feel free to make suggestions for businesses to include.

New Tree Planting Initiative

Clean Foundation is working with the provincial government to develop tree planting initiatives across the province through its Nova Scotia’s Thriving Forests program. Its goal is to plant 21 million trees!  Learn about funding available for planting projects that will tackle climate change, mitigate biodiversity loss and secure healthy forest ecosystems.

TruEarth Partnership

Hike NS is happy to announce we’ve signed onto the TruEarth Fundraising initiative. If you use Hike NS’s link to the TruEarth site and purchase cleaning products, we’ll get 20% of sales. TruEarth offers a plastic jug-free detergent that's sensitive on your skin and the environment. It also produces other earth-friendly products. Hiking can get dirty, so get your stuff clean with TruEArth! Use this link to get clean and give back to Hike NS!

Leave No Trace Adventure On Contest

Subaru Canada has partnered with Leave No Trace Canada to help conserve our natural environment. They have committed to planting 10,000 trees and promoting the Leave No Trace Pledge. The initiative kicks off with the Adventure On photo contest. Share your photo of Leave No Trace Canada’s Seven Principles for a chance to win some amazing prize packs ranging in value from $600 to $6,900. The contest deadline is September 15. So get going and start snapping those photos!

Draft NS Built Environment Accessibility Rules Available for Comment

The Government of Nova Scotia is making a Built Environment Accessibility Standard and is asking for your feedback. It aims to address barriers to accessibility in the places people live, work, learn, and play. This includes buildings and outdoor spaces such as trails, parks, and beaches. The deadline to provide feedback is October 30, 2023. Learn more and provide comment here.

Decolonization in the Outdoors: A virtual panel discussion

Join the Outward Bound Canada Training Academy on September 13, at 1 pm (AST) for a virtual panel discussion featuring individual perspectives on decolonization through the teachings of Indigenous groups from across the country. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the experiences of some Indigenous Peoples, their teachings, and different practical ways we can all contribute to decolonization. Register here.