Duncan’s Cove Nature Reserve

I’ve heard lots of good things about this hiking trail, and creeped lots of photos on the internet over this past summer but never quite made it there. That all ended this past weekend, with a freakishly warm Saturday and google maps. It’s actually really easy to get here and lots of parking on the side of the road. It’s half trails and half walk along the rocky ocean coast. I use to hate that cold rocky Atlantic cost line, seemed depressing and poor. I say that because I grew up poor as dirt and on the shores of the cold rocky Atlantic. It just is what it is. Now that I’ve grown up and have lived/​worked downtown for a long while, the first thing I want to do on the weekends it get the heck outta Dodge and get out into nature. Now I love that rocky coast. Gimme all that natural Nova Scotia beauty, and there is an over abundance of that here at Duncan’s Cove. There are lots of trails to hike, kind of a choose your own adventure. You can bring your dog, I saw a few different size pups running around. I left mine at home due to lots of slippery rocks, huge waves and cliffs I wanted to get close to. Pack a snack, grab your water bottle and head out to this Nature Reserve sometime, you won’t be disappointed!

an absolutely fun and amazing hike. it was awesome to go through all the various terrain types, but with still being by the water. the views are fantastic and the hike is fun. bring your dog’s because they will love all the climbing and exploring.

I was asked to go to Duncan’s Cove by a friend who had never been and her friend who had been several times. I was told we would be going on a hike, but there are certainly different interpretations of that word, so I was still a little unsure of what to expect. I think I was anticipating a step up from Shubie Park. Well it certainly was. For those of you reading this, this is what I like to call the «princess perspective». I am not what you would call «outdoorsy» but certainly have an appreciation for nature and enjoy getting outside. That being said, this was a little out of my wheelhouse. Just a short drive from the city, Duncan’s Cove is one of the most beautiful spots I have been in a long time. Reminded me a lot of Peggy’s Cove. Keeping in mind my girly perspective, the hike itself was a little more on the hike side than the walking side. There were several spots where you have to avoid some muckiness, do some rock jumping and a few spots where I found myself thinking, «don’t look down». I was very happy to be there with someone who had been before because she knew the trail well, but if you are a first timer I would say it is pretty self explanatory, especially if you are an experienced outdoorsman/​woman unlike myself :) When we arrived at the turnaround spot, a small old barracks from which I can assume was used as a lookout for approaching enemy ships, I was happy for the rest. The way back seemed easier that the way up, although just as well were approaching the final minutes of the hike, I did stumble on a rock resulting in a yucky bruise the following day. Be sure to watch where you’re going! Overall, Duncan’s Cove passes the princess test. It was beautiful, not too hard to navigate and a great workout. I would recommend wearing proper footwear, sneakers will do if you don’t have hiking shoes, but you might not want to wear your sparkly white ones, as they won’t be sparkly white at the end!

We rolled out of bed in time to hit the road by eight-​ish this morning in hopes of spending a quiet morning in the wilderness of Duncan’s Cove, a coastal hike out past the Herring Cove region. It’s only a short drive, it’s not even remotely busy, and it’s off-​the-​grid enough to feel the relaxation benefits!
I’ll get to all the reasons why it’s easily one of my new favourite places around the city in a minute, but I do have to point out that it lost some serious points with me before we even got there. Duncan’s Cove isn’t easy to find without someone who knows where they’re headed, there are few (if any) directional signs pointing you in the right direction and even when you’re on the right track, there are ‘Private Property’ signs making you doubt yourself the entire time.
Without noticing the path naturally paved with smooth, white rocks for easy passage, we ended up plowing through a trail reminiscent of the raptor fields in Jurassic Park 2 (Anyone? Just me?) with foliage up to our shoulders, rough and dangerous terrain, and plenty of opportunities for injury including ankle-​high stone walls, foot-​deep sinkholes, and roots ready for the tripping.
Nonetheless, we still managed to make it down but much happier with the more user-​friendly route on the way back. Even with the safer trail, there are some dangerous spots so pay attention, watch your kids, and give it some serious thought if arriving with a mobility challenge.
Once you reach the rocky shore, you can hike for hours without really reaching anything. All the while, you get an unobstructed view of the Atlantic complete with fishing and sailboats, coastguard patrols, schools of herring visible at water level, families of seals on the hunt, incredible diving birds that nab fish right out of the water, and yes — we even saw a school of pilot whales diving off the coast. This was some National Geographic stuff, guys!
Dog-​friendly for medium to large-​size breeds but know that they’re going to get messy in the process. Leave the short-​legged guys at home, the ground will be a little too dangerous for them. And for any dog brought out, please remember to keep them on-​leash to avoid harming any of the wildlife including geese that all too often fall victim to inattentive dog owners.

Duncan’s Cove Nature Reserve is a breath-​taking piece of Nova Scotia coast line. You can park your car along the road and walk down the hill towards the ocean, marveling at the vast expanse of water and rock face surrounding you.
It’s only about a 25 minute drive from Halifax and is a delightful way to spend a few hours, hiking and sitting as you meander along the coast line. There aren’t really designated trails, so it isn’t a great place to head if you aren’t a sure footed individual. If you do go for a hike, wear good shoes and don’t get too close to the water as the waves can be unpredictable.
Be gentle with the area, making sure not to litter or destroy any of the fragile plants as you walk your way down to the rocks. I recommend taking a trip to Duncan’s Cove Nature Reserve, but urge you to be respectful of the area and be careful on the rocks and near the ocean!