Winter Guided Hike & Walk Series

Hike NS and 19 partners are offering the Winter Guided Hike & Walk Series from January to March across NS. There are 47 walks led by local folks and participants qualify to win trail prizes. They are free or low-cost events and some require pre-registration. Hike NS thanks its 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.

Learn more here.

Webinars & Trainings

Hike NS has lots of learning opportunities:

• Jan. 11: NS Walks Walk Leader training
• Jan. 18: Dementia Friendly Walks How-to Webinar
• Jan. 25: Intro to Snowshoeing Webinar
• Feb. 4: Field Leader-Winter Module, Halifax
• Feb. 15: Intro to Hiking Webinar
• Feb. 16: NS Walks Walk Leader training

See more below with the Trail Builders Network.

Come Walk With Us Update

By Sonya Richmond and Sean Morton

Day 556 on the Trans Canada Trail. Despite it being late November, the day was sunny and warm - perfect weather for hiking. However, unlike most days on the Trans Canada Trail, we only had 5 km left to hike, and today we weren't walking alone. We were thrilled to be joined by a group of highly enthusiastic members of the Victoria Natural History Society, who had generously decided to 'Come Walk With Us' for the final kilometers of the Trans Canada Trail to Point Zero, Victoria, BC.

Read the full posting here.

Trail Builders Network: Webinars & Funding

Trail Troubleshooting Webinars

Taking place on February 1 and 3, the Trail Troubleshooting webinars will focus on how to solve common and not-so-common trail maintenance problems and issues with advice from Ryan Lindh of TrailFlow Outdoor Adventures.

Learn more and register here.

Fundraising for Trails Webinars

Taking place on March 7 and 8, the Fundraising for Trails online discussions will share some key trends in fundraising, strategies to consider and some neat, practical ideas to get your trail fundraising on track with advice from Janet Barlow of Hike NS.

Learn more and register here.

Equipment Loan Program Grants

Organizations, First Nations and municipalities are invited to apply through Recreation NS for an Equipment Loan Grant to help support the launch of, or maintain their own Equipment Loan Programs and program needs. The deadline is February 3.

Learn more here.

Fiona Trail Damage Funding

The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage is offering a new Emergency Repair Small Grant fund up to $5,000 for community trail groups with storm damage on private land. For trails on public land, there is funding through the Disaster Financial Assistance Fund. Complete an assessment form to help steer you to the right funding source.

Complete the form here as soon as possible.

New Perk for Members:

ShapeShifter Tool Co.

If you're a paid Hike NS member, you get some pretty sweet perks, such as discounts on Hike NS events and courses and discounts at various businesses. The newest addition is the ShapeShifter Tool Co., a Canadian company supplying tools that have been cultivated and crafted by real trail builders on some of the world's most famous trails. Hike NS members receive a 10% discount on purchases with proof of a Hike Nova Scotia Membership.

Where to Find Snowshoes

Wondering where to find snowshoes? Check out our Where to Borrow, Rent or Buy Snowshoes directory online. It includes 90 listings, including 60 venues where you can borrow them for free.

For municipalities, organizations and businesses that are in or should be in the directory, if there is missing or out-dated information, please let us know by emailing us. Thanks!