The best waterfall hikes and walks around Halifax County

The Pipeline Loop Trail offers a more rugged and wild alternative to the manicured paths found elsewhere in Long Lake Provincial Park. This 3-kilometer loop, accessible from St. Margaret’s Bay Road, trades smooth gravel for a narrow, winding track filled with tree roots, granite outcrops, and mossy forest floors. While the trail is open year-round you'll likely needs spikes or snowshoes to enjoy a winter hike.

Spanning over 2,000 hectares, Long Lake Provincial Park is defined by its massive namesake lake and a landscape of granite boulders and dense Acadian forest. A network of wide, gravel trails provides easy access for walkers and cyclists, while the more adventurous can explore winding footpaths that lead to secluded rocky shorelines. Whether you are launching a kayak into the clear waters or exploring the historic remains of old stone walls tucked away in the woods, the park serves as a sprawling natural backyard for those looking to swap city pavement for the quiet beauty of the Nova Scotian coast.

This small but impressive waterfall tumbles over the granite rocks as the creek makes its way to Long Lake. You can reach it by a straight out and back hike, or make it a loop for a slightly longer excursion.

Wrights Lake is a forest-rimmed lake in the Hammonds Plains area, bordered by quiet shoreline and woodland typical of the region. Access is through nearby backroads and informal paths, with open views available from small clearings along the water’s edge. The lake is calm and sheltered, making it a peaceful stop for walkers exploring the surrounding woods. It serves as a natural landmark in the area’s trail-and-backroad network.

Pockwock Falls is a small waterfall on Pockwock Brook near Hammonds Plains in Nova Scotia. The falls flow over a short rock ledge surrounded by mixed forest, and are reached by following informal paths that branch off nearby access roads. The approach is straightforward but involves natural terrain, roots, and uneven ground typical of local backwoods trails. It’s a quiet spot to pause along the brook, offering a modest cascade rather than a large drop, and is best visited during periods of higher water flow.

A small forest river near Fall River that flows through mixed woodland before dropping over Johnson Falls. Along the approach to the falls, the river runs through a shallow, rocky corridor with sections that widen into quieter pools. It’s visible from short side paths near the end of the Johnson Falls Trail, especially where the terrain begins to narrow into the ravine. The river adds a scenic element to the hike, offering brief viewpoints before reaching the waterfall itself.

A short forest trail near Fall River that follows a mix of old road and narrower footpath to reach Johnson River Falls. The route is mostly level with some uneven sections of dirt, roots, and mud, especially after rain. It leads gradually through mixed woodland before narrowing as you enter the small ravine. The trail works well as a quick out-and-back, with clear forest surroundings and easy navigation from the end of Perrin Drive.

A modest waterfall tucked into a rocky gorge along the Johnson River near Fall River. The falls are reached by the short forest trail leading from Perrin Drive, with the final approach narrowing as you enter the ravine. The viewing area sits beside exposed rock and flowing water, offering a quiet stop before retracing the trail back out. Suitable as a brief destination for walkers exploring the area.