Hikers Herald: January 2024

Take part in a winter hike, fuel up with a new recipe, take a training, find snowshoes and more!

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Winter Guided Hike & Walk Series


Hike NS and 25 partners are offering the Winter Guided Hike & Walk Series from January to March across NS. There are 55 events 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 organizing partners on the ground as well as Goose Lane Editions, Mountain Equipment Company and the NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage for their support. The series is linked to the Take the Roof Off Winter initiative. Learn more here.

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Upcoming Training


Field Leader – Winter Leadership Modules

Modules take place on January 27 in Truro and on February 24 in Halifax. Learn more here.


NS Walks Walk Leader Training

Online training takes place on January 16 and February 21. Learn more here.


Intro to Hiking Webinar

Takes place on January 31. Learn more here.

Fuel Your Hikes


Here is a hearty, steamy comfort food to combat the cold from our sponsor the Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia. Warm up your lunch with this Minestrone Soup Made Easy to fuel an afternoon of hiking or snowshoeing this winter.


Find the recipe here (sponsored post).

Where to Find Snowshoes


Wondering where to find snowshoes? Check out our Where to Borrow, Rent or Buy Snowshoes directory online. It includes over 99 listings, including 68 venues where you can borrow them for free. 

Trail Builders Network News


Community ACCESS-Ability Grants

For groups looking to improve accessibility, the deadline for the Community ACCESS-Ability Grants is February 14. 



Recreation Facility Development Grant

The Recreation Facility Development Fund is accepting applications until February 14. 



Free Foundations of Sustainable Trails e-Course Series

From American Trails, this Sustainable Trails five-part course includes lessons on hydrology, structures, tools, tread and alignment. ​​

Seeking 2025 Hiking Summit Co-Host


Hike NS is now seeking applications to co-host the 2025 Hiking Summit, with a deadline of February 29, 2024. A celebration of hiking culture, the Summit is usually held each Spring and moves to a different part of the province every year to support the local hiking movement and highlight local trails and attractions. With up to 250 people expected, such an event is also an economic boost to a community. Contact us to learn how to apply.

Save Sandy Lake


The fight to Save the Sandy Lake - Sackville River Regional Park area from development continues. Get lawn signs to help spread the word, follow and repost on social media and help with the letter-writing campaign. Learn more here.

Invasive Species in Nova Scotia Webinar Jan. 17


If you missed Hike NS’s fall Invasive Species webinar, there is another coming up through the NS Environmental Network on January 17 at 7 pm online. Learn more here.

Support a Federal Nature and Biodiversity Act


West Coast Environmental Law, Ecojustice and Greenpeace Canada request your support in their efforts to demand stronger federal, provincial and territorial biodiversity strategies and action. Learn more here.

AdventureSmart E-Learning Courses


AdventureSmart is a national prevention program focused on reaching those who participate in outdoor recreational activities. Its online courses include Hug A Tree for kids, Survive Outside and Snow Safety. Learn more here.

Quick Hiking/Trail News Hits

These are some news hits about hiking and trails.


How a winter bird count became an important tool in tracking climate impacts 


New Island Lake Wilderness Area Among 14,000 More Hectares Now Protected


In Halifax, a call to promote old-growth forests as a guard against future wildfires


From soul to soreness, the Island Walk will make you question everything


Road to popular falls in Cape Breton Highlands National Park to become a hiking trail


AllTrails Named Apple's 2023 iPhone App of the Year

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