Hikers Herald: March 2026

With spring just around the corner, check out some great webinars and clinics, mark May 13 on your calendar, learn about a new member benefit and more!

Intro to Backpacking Cape Chignecto Webinar & Clinic


The Intro to Backpacking Cape Chignecto webinar on Mar. 11 or Halifax clinic on Mar. 26 is geared for those preparing to backpack the Cape Chignecto loop for the first time, presented by Deborah Peddle-Hann of Healthy Hiking and Journey to Wellness and offered in partnership with Mountain Equipment Company and the NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. Register here.

Call for Spring-Summer Events


Hike Nova Scotia invites groups across NS to partner with it on delivering guided hike or walk events in the spring and summer of 2026. Hike NS will help promote events and provide a how-to guide and trail prizes to give away. If your municipality, First Nation, or organization can organize a hike or walk event (or already plans to host one), please register your event by April 12 for events between May 8 and August 2. Learn more here.

Walk Day: May 13


Mark your calendar! Wednesday, May 13 is Nova Scotia Walk Day. We are celebrating walking and how it connects us to our communities and to each other. Lead or join a group walk in your community, school or workplace. More details coming shortly! For five years, NS Walks has supported adults in Nova Scotia to enjoy the benefits of walking. Learn more here.

Walkabout - Hidden Adventures, Cape Breton


This month’s episode highlight is Walkabout - Hidden Adventures.The only way to experience sunrise on a mountaintop is to hike in the dark, so Andrew sets off up Cape Breton's Salt Mountain before the sun rises. He then visits an important Indigenous site near Cape Dauphin. Walkabout is a show featured on Eastlink and hosted by Andrew Younger, now available online for viewing. It’s all about exploring Nova Scotia’s trails (sponsored content).

Upcoming Events


March: Guided Hike & Walk Series

Mar. 10: NS Walks Leader Training

Mar. 11: Intro to Backpacking Cape Chignecto webinar 

Mar. 26: Intro to Backpacking Cape Chignecto in person clinic, Halifax

Mar. 24: NS Walks at Work Training

Apr. 8: Dehydrating Meals for the Trail webinar

Apr. 15: Dehydrating Meals for the Trail in person clinic, Halifax

Apr. 16: NS Walks Walk Leader Training

Register for these events here.

Hiking Club Brainstorm Session: March 24


Please join Hike Nova Scotia for a one-hour online conversation on March 24 at 6:30 pm to discuss a series of hikes for the blind and partially sighted. A hiking club will run from May to February with bus transportation provided as well as hiking buddies if you do not have a guest to bring with you. Hike Nova Scotia wants to hear what types of hikes interest you and where you would like to go. We will gather feedback and work out a plan. Please register by emailing info@hikenovascotia.ca or calling 902-717-4408. Once you are registered you will be emailed a Zoom link.

Job Posting: Summer Communications Intern


Hike NS is hiring a Trail Communications Officer intern, meant to assist trail groups in improving their online presence and communications, promote Leave No Trace principles and promote volunteerism and events. Offered through Clean Foundation's Clean Leadership wage subsidy program for youth, this is a 15-week, full-time paid internship starting in mid-May. The deadline to apply is March 16. Learn more and apply here.

Trail Builders Network News

Take Part in International Trails Day on June 6

Help celebrate International Trails Day on June 6 by organizing an event on your trail. Maybe it’s a guided hike, a trail maintenance event or a clean-up. Get organizing! Learn more here.

Solar Lighting for Trails Webinar Recording Available

If you missed the live event, we have a recording of the Solar Lighting for Trails webinar, offered through Solar Winds Energy, available online, as well as presentation slides. 

Alpine Skiing - Healthy & Fun


Staying physically and mentally active during the winter months is important for overall well-being. As we age, regular physical activity helps combat common age-related challenges such as muscle loss, reduced bone density and cognitive decline. Alpine skiing is an excellent winter activity that strengthens lower-body and core muscles, improves balance and keeps both body and mind engaged. Read the full post here and enter a prize draw by Mar. 22 to win a Ski Atlantic Seniors’ Club membership.

New Member Benefit: Ife Abel-Adegbite Physiotherapy


If you're a paid Hike NS member, you get some pretty sweet perks, such as free access to webinars, discounts on Hike NS events and courses, and discounts at various businesses.

We are happy to announce Ife Abel-Adegbite Physiotherapy as a new member benefit partner. Hike NS members receive a 10% discount with proof of membership on in-home physiotherapy services. Services include individualized assessment and treatment focused on mobility, balance, strength, pain management and fall prevention, delivered in the comfort of your home.

Footnotes Book Club


Exploring doesn’t just happen on the trails! Have you ever been interested in learning about hiking and the outdoors from different perspectives? Join the Footnotes Book Club and explore diverse voices in hiking and the outdoors. The club's current read is Eating Dirt: Deep Forests, Big Timber, and Life with the Tree-Planting Tribe by Charlotte Gill. Learn more here.

Cuts to Hike NS Funding


Hike NS is one of many organizations affected by recent Provincial budget cuts. We have reduced staffing and programming as a result and will charge more for paid events and programs. Please be patient with us as we try to do more with less. Read more about government cuts here. If you care about this issue, let the government know how you feel. 

Quick Hiking/Trail News Hits

These are some news hits about hiking and trails.


Skyline Trail visitors now required to book parking during peak season


'Horrible news for conservation': N.S. approach to land protection raises concerns


Snowy winter in N.S. pushing tiny saw-whet owls into more populated areas


Hundreds of programs to see provincial funding cut as part of $130M grant reduction 


Shakeup at N.S. Natural Resources intended to 'modernize' support for development


Nova Scotia announces funding for 13 anti-racism projects

 

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