Cape Split Hike is a Must-Do Day Hike in Nova Scotia
Looking for a day hike in Nova Scotia, Canada? We have just the one for you! Keep reading to learn more about the Cape Split hike and why it’s a must-do.
Over the summer, we went on a two-week trip with some friends to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. During our 17 months traveling across North America, that’s still one of my favorite memories.
From the food and scenery to the time spent with friends, it’s a trip I’ll never forget. We tell everyone who asks (and maybe some who don’t), that these two Canadian provinces are a must-visit.
Are You Interested in Visiting Canada?
A Little About Nova Scotia
When our friends brought up the idea of traveling to PEI and Nova Scotia, I honestly didn’t know much about these places. Banff in Alberta was always at the top of my list and the place in Canada (besides Toronto) that I had heard the most about.
But let me tell you when we drove into Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, I instantly knew these were two places I’d be back to sooner than later.
Here’s a snippet that sums up Nova Scotia beautifully:
Located in eastern Canada and almost completely surrounded by ocean, the province of Nova Scotia is a place where you can feel your pace fall in sync with the rhythm of the sea, as the clean salt air breathes life into an afternoon. Immerse yourself in culture that ranges from traditional to avant-garde, from bagpipes to world-class golf. Source: NovaScotia
That part about feeling in sync with the rhythm of the sea…that is spot on. We spent many a night sitting on the rocks beside the ocean at our campground, as well as at Peggy’s Cove.
King Neptune is the closest and most beautiful campground to Peggy’s Cove.
Things to Do in Nova Scotia
There is plenty to do to stay busy in Nova Scotia. That said, we found ourselves just wanting to enjoy the beauty of the campground as much as possible.
When we weren’t relaxing with a glass of wine and watching the waves crash upon the rocks, we were out and about seeing the sights.
Here is a short list of the activities we enjoyed:
- Went into Halifax for their summer festival
- Ate at Shaw’s Landing for dinner
- Visited Peggy’s Cove
Cape Split Hike
From our campground to the Cape Split Trailhead was just under 2 hours.
At first, we were a little unsure of making this long of a drive for an 8-mile hike. That’s four hours of driving, about four hours of hiking, which would make for a full day’s activity.
But let me tell you, it was worth it for this view.
As mentioned, the hike is about 8 miles in total. It’s relatively flat, with just a few spots with an incline.
Most of the information we read about Cape Split stated the hike would take about five hours. We tend to trek a little faster than the average hiker I guess. Because even with quite a bit of time soaking in the view at the top of the trail, we completed the entire hike in 3 1/2 hours.
The trail was fairly busy when we were there in August, but nothing too bad.
Here’s a description of the trail:
Cape Split Provincial Park Reserve is a 447-hectare natural environment park located in Scots Bay, Kings County. The park is considered a provincially significant coastal landmark overlooking the Bay of Fundy and is a popular hiking spot. In addition to hiking, the park offers picnicking and opportunities to view wildlife and the impressive action of the Bay of Fundy tide. Source: NovaScotia
We recommend bringing lots of water, a hearty snack or lunch to enjoy at the top. Take your time, snap tons of pictures and videos and soak in this truly remarkable landscape.
Here’s a video to give you a better look at the views on the Cape Split Hike in Nova Scotia.
Have you been to this part of Canada? I can’t wait to go back. Until then, we would sure love to hear about your experiences. Please share your tips in the comments section below!
Julie specializes in helping you whip up delicious meals in your tiny RV kitchen, as well as RV organization tips and helping fellow RVers make their RV feel like home. Her favorite RVing spot is in Banff National Park in Canada where yes, the water really is that blue and the people really are that nice.
