Nine Mile River Trails
- Difficulty: Easy – Difficult (Distance). Elevation profile.
- Facilities: Parking, benches.
- Signage: Excellent.
- Features: Up to 10km (~3-4hrs), with options as short as 1km. Easy to navigate with excellent signage & trail construction. Remote wilderness with unreliable cell phone coverage.
Nine Mile River Hiking Trails
With 10km of trails to tackle, you can do anything from a 1-hour to a 4-hour trip. The longest route is 10km (3-4 hours) and the shortest is the 1.3km Pitcher Plant Trail loop. To do the entire trail system, you should expect a significant hike in length. With a short loop at the beginning, a long spine trail in the middle, side-trails, and a longer loop at the end, you have a few different options to choose from.
The great part about this trail system is the ability to safely and easily go as far as you’re physically capable. With no exceptionally challenging terrain to speak of, most of its challenges lie with distance. A great place for outdoor exercise, whether it’s a hike, run, bike ride, or snowshoe. Click here to view an elevation profile of my hike to Dipper Lake and back via Comeau Lake Trail, Karstaway & Spruce Ridge to get an idea of the topography of the hike.
Backcountry Forest Bathing
When it comes to #long-distance, #backcountry hikes, safety is always a concern. One of the best aspects of this trail is that it’s exceptionally well-marked and mapped. This well-designed trail construction makes it easy to stay on track. Besides being well-marked, the trails are also exceptionally well-maintained, especially considering their length. Despite low-lying, muddy topography, conditions are good for the majority of the trails. There aren’t any significant climbs with only minor dips and inclines throughout, as seen in this elevation profile.
For the first few kilometers you’ll have a nicely compacted crusher dust singletrack trail, with boardwalks and footbridges. The Nine Mile River Trails Association has worked hard to improve the entire system, constantly tackling muddy areas that used to plague the trails the further back you went. While you still may encounter some small muddy sections, you can expect constant improvements (support their work!). The paths can be narrower the further you go, as natural terrain takes the place of the neatly compacted crusher dust base of the frontcountry areas.
For me, the main attraction of these trails is their quiet, enchanted forest atmosphere. Heaven for tree-huggers, this system of trails has many sections with sizeable trees. The biodiversity here is noticeably more prolific than in most places, given Nova Scotia’s ongoing history of industrial forestry, which has ravaged over 95% of them. To someone like me who spent many gruelling days planting monoculture tree-crops in clear-cut hellscapes, places like this are like the Garden of Eden. Treat all of your senses to the peaceful vibes, and be sure to look up!
My Nine Mile River Trail Photos
A Quiet Symphony
Underneath its towering canopy, you’ll encounter areas of pure silence and others with an orchestra of birds, squirrels, frogs, and insects, interrupted only occasionally by air and highway traffic. The latter reminds you that you haven’t left civilization entirely. At times, you’ll be struck by the absolute silence and stillness. Don’t be surprised to be zoned out at some point, only to be startled back to reality by an alarmed grouse darting through the undergrowth. Its deep bass noises can be another source of brief anxiety, as it can sound akin to a large animal bounding towards you.
When in a wilderness like this, it’s good to be aware of your surroundings. If alone, you should make noise to alert nearby wildlife and avoid an accidental run-in (an uncommon occurrence in NS). During hunting season (Oct.-Dec.), be safe with high-visibility blaze orange clothing & gear.
Pitcher Plant Loop (1.3km)
The 1.3km Pitcher Plant Loop trail is a well-maintained, compacted crusher dust base singletrack trail ideal for people of all abilities. Scenic boardwalks wind through the area’s diverse plant life, such as its namesake pitcher plant. A great loop to do on its own, or as a way to add some new scenery on your return trip.
Comeau Lake Trail (3km)
The Comeau Lake Trail is a 3km spine trail which connects every trail in this trail system. It starts after the pitcher plant loop and ends at Comeau Lake. Each of the other trails, save for Spruce Lake & Dipper Lake trails, are directly off of the Comeau Lake Trail.
At just over 2km from the trailhead, along the Comeau Lake Trail, the first notable view is a bench overlooking a large clearing in low-lying wetlands. The bench is a peaceful pit stop for bird watching while surveying the diverse, camera-friendly wetland habitat.
After crossing some well-built boardwalks and bridges, you’ll come to another similar bench just past the 3km mark. Situated above an elevated ravine in an especially magnificent section of forest, I highly recommend taking a seat if only for a minute or two. Hit your pause button, take some deep breaths of serenity and silently appreciate the ambiance.
Next, you’ll reach a trail fork where the Comeau Lake Trail intersects the Hemlock Cathedral Trail. I chose to continue to Comeau Lake but you can use this point to assess your situation. I walked another 650M (~10min) to Comeau Lake, before continuing a counter-clockwise hike of the Hemlock Cathedral Trail loop.
At roughly 4.5km from the start, Comeau Lake is calm, tranquil, and wild. Alive with soaring birds, croaking frogs, and emphatic squirrels, this area gives you an appreciation for your remote surroundings. An ideal spot to take your halfway point break, or to rest up before continuing onto the more challenging Hemlock Cathedral Trail.
River Run Trail (1.5km)
Doing the River Run Trail counterclockwise, you’ll first travel across a couple of well-constructed bridges on your way to the riverside part of the trail. Once by the river, you’ll follow it for just under 1km. The final stretch of the trail is like walking through a forest bather’s heaven, as you head inland back toward Comeau Lake Trail.
Karstaway (1km)
The second side-trail along the Comeau Lake spine trail is Karstaway, a 1km trail that connects directly to Comeau Lake. Marked by purple trail markers, it’s one of the newest trails in the trail system. Volunteers put a lot of work into making this trail an enjoyable one. With mountain bikers in mind, you’ll find banked turns and other fun features. Moderate dips, climbs & sharp turns make for a fun trail that requires a little more effort than the Comeau Lake Trail.
Spruce Ridge (1km)
Connecting Karstaway Trail to Hemlock Cathedral Trail, Spruce Ridge is also one of the newest trails in the Nine Mile River trail system. Named for its topography, a steep, spruce-topped ridge, it’s a different experience than the rest of the trail system. Like Karstaway, it’s a fun, twisty, up-and-down trail with banked turns and other features built with mountain bikers in mind. This trail is part of the route to reach Dipper Lake, at the farthest reach of the trail system.
Dipper Lake Trail (250m)
This short connector trail is narrow and rugged compared to the rest, but at only 250m in length, it’s all it needs to be. The prize at the end of the trail is a serene, peaceful Dipper Lake, which is more of a pond & marshland as viewed from the bench at the end of the trail. Well worth a long sit, it’s a perfect spot to re-energize before heading back.
Hemlock Cathedral Trail (2.5km)
The unmaintained 2.5km Hemlock Cathedral Trail is more remote, narrow, rugged, and challenging than the other trails. The aptly named trail has many sections where you’ll proceed amongst awe-inspiring pillars in this cathedral of nature.
The Nine Mile River Trails Association is in the process of addressing many repairs on the trail. As of Oct. 2019 there were still some boardwalks in various states of disrepair, and hazards that require stepping carefully. Though there are consistent trail markings, it is possible to get off track if you’re not paying attention.
Hike, Bike, Jog or Stroll
Like nature’s treadmill, the 9 Mile River Trails are perfect for gauging your fitness. You don’t have to do the entire length of the trails to have an enjoyable outing. You can travel as far as you like without worrying about getting lost or encountering any especially challenging terrain. A perfect practice hike before taking on more difficult #long-distance hikes.
The trails are also good for trail running and #mountain biking, just keep in mind that with the twists and turns, sight lines can be very short. Don’t send it at full speed, considering a jogger could appear in front of you without warning. Make sure to have a bicycle bell to make others aware when you pass. Hikers, keep your ears open. The “ding” of a bicycle bell is not a honk; it’s a courtesy to let others know of your presence.
These narrow trails are family-friendly, so share the trail & be cautious. Ruggedized strollers should have no problem with the pitcher plant loop, and I’ve seen them on further stretches of the Comeau Lake Trail.
Trip Tips
For the latest news and updates on the trail, visit the Nine Mile River Trails Association’s Facebook page.
The remoteness of the trail system means little to no cellular phone signal, so plan accordingly. Read my blog post Hiking Preparation 101 for tips on how to properly prepare for hikes and make sure you’re equipped with basic outdoor safety gear. As with all hikes, let someone know your planned route, and when you intend to be back.
Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear and anticipate muddy or icy conditions (traction spikes are a must-have for safe winter hiking). Always practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics and do everyone a solid by safely picking up any additional trash you spot. If you’re doing the trails during bug season (Spring-Late Summer) you’ll definitely want to arm yourself with some decent bug defences and take precautions to avoid ticks whenever temperatures are consistently above zero.
Dogs are required to be ON leash as per trail rules and etiquette, but also as a safety measure. Coyotes, porcupines, and other wildlife encounters can lead to injuries or getting lost if your dog goes on a chase (as has happened here before). Don’t be one of the loathsome people who leave poop bags lying around. I’ve listed some dog hiking gear in my shop that can help you avoid that. Pack an empty peanut butter (or other plastic) container in your backpack and car to store used bags.
Turn your hike into a getaway; use this interactive map to find the best accommodations and unique stays just minutes from the Nine Mile River trailhead.
Biodiversity
To learn more about the local flora and fauna along the Nine Mile River Trail, click the links below. To view all local observations recorded on iNaturalist, click here.
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📸 Nine Mile River as seen from the new River Run Trail. #NovaScotia
📍 Nine Mile River Trail map, guide, photos, videos & 360° interactive virtual tour: https://www.halifaxtrails.ca/nine-mile-river-trails/
