• Difficulty: Moderate (Rough terrain, overgrown sections, dangerous drops).
• Facilities: None.
• Signage: Signage at trailheads, unmarked trails.
• Features: 29-hectare urban wilderness park.  2km, 1hr return trip. Great views of the Bedford Basin & interesting geological features.
• Biodiversity: Old-Growth Forest | Osprey | White Pine | More…

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Admiral Cove Park: A Hidden Wilderness Gem in Bedford, NS.

     One of Halifax’s least-known parks is a wilderness gem hidden in plain sight.  With expansive views of the Bedford Basin atop cliffs, dotted with huge “monolithic” boulders, this park has some of the best look-offs in Halifax.  These towering cliffs are known nesting areas for Ospreys and Bald Eagles. You’ll often see them soaring over the Basin searching for fish.

     As with many of Halifax’s best nature destinations, parking & access are sparse, with room for a couple of cars on the side of the Shore Drive trailhead and a few cars at the Snowy Owl Drive trailhead. Both of these trailheads are in quiet neighbourhoods, so respect for the locals and keep noise to a minimum. Arrive early on weekends, and consider carpooling to keep the residential street clear for locals.

     The only signage is at the trailheads, and the trails are not marked other than with periodic orange flagging.  The main loop is a short 2km hike, but it involves lots of rugged terrain, ascending and descending hills, occasional deadfall, and spots where extreme caution is required due to big drop-offs.

“Eagle’s Nest” Lookoff & Bedford Basin Views

     The loop has 2 main look-off spots.  The “Eagle’s Nest” near the entrance on Snowy Owl Drive is an amazing view perched atop a rocky cliff.  A large boulder with decades worth of graffiti marks the look-off where you see the Bedford Basin Yacht Club directly across.

     Continuing on you will reach another equally astounding look-off marked with another even larger boulder.  This look-off has an expansive view of the entire basin with Halifax/Dartmouth and the harbour bridges in the distance. These cliffs have rock climbing anchors used by rock-climbing enthusiasts and for search and rescue training.  This section of the trail requires extreme caution as it narrows and follows along the steep cliff.

These huge boulders are remnants of the last ice age, 12,000 to 18,000 years ago, when the Laurentide Ice Sheet covered this area with a sheet of ice over 1km thick.  As the ice melted and retreated, it raked up huge boulders and deposited them along the way, leaving us with these seemingly out-of-place giants, which can be found throughout the province.

    The trail then winds back around through high brush and thick forest.  Throughout the trails, you may encounter downed trees and other obstacles.  There are other paths and deer trails throughout the park, so it’s entirely possible to get off track.  There are trails that lead down to the shoreline that I will explore and add more info as I do them.  From my first visit, I was immediately taken by the diverse array of landscapes packed into this urban wilderness park and look forward to exploring more.

     Because this is a sensitive & unmaintained wilderness pocket in an urban area, please stick to the established paths. ‘Social trails’ can make navigation even more confusing, and does unneccessary damage. Follow basic Leave No Trace Principles & keep in mind that open fires are a hard NO.

Trip Tips

     Come with basic preparedness and a healthy dose of caution if you are an inexperienced hiker.  Sturdy hiking footwear is a must with the rugged, rocky terrain that can be very muddy and slick after wet weather. Keep dogs on a tight leash and children close by as the steep drop-offs come up on you quickly as you emerge from brushy terrain.

     Also note that the park has been found to have Lyme Disease-carrying deer ticks in the past, so use appropriate measures.  I recommend having a tick remover handy on all of your hikes, regardless of where in Nova Scotia and always do a post-hike inspection, as catching them early is key.

The golden hour is especially scenic here, as the setting sun illuminates the Bedford Basin in a warm glow. Just make sure you’re within a comfortable distance of the trailhead so you’re not caught having to try to navigate these trails in the dark (the “Eagle’s Nest” lookoff is a short distance from the Snowy Owl Dr. trailhead).

     Reward yourself with a post-hike ice cream at the legendary Chicken Burger, or a milkshake at the True North Diner, both with retro-drive-in vibes and classic diner fare. Take your order to go, and stroll the nearby Bedford-Sackville Greenway multi-use trail for some peaceful views of the Sackville River.

Admiral Cove Park Photos

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