The best hikes from bus stations around Halifax County

Stonington Park is a green space/parkland on the east edge of the Stonington Park neighbourhood. There is access here to a nature trail and facilities. Keep in mind that this is a residential neighbourhood, and you can't park in front of the park entrance here. There is, however, street parking available in the neighbourhood and access to the path to the north along Gary Martin Drive and Innovation Drive.

This neighbourhood nature trail is a very accessible, paved and packed gravel path that runs through a green area with a creek. It is accessible from an entrance in the Stonington Park neighbourhood along Hollyhock Way, as well as entrances behind Charles P. Allen High School, and along Gary Martin Drive. This is a calm trail for a walk or run if you are in the area.

This shallow lake is heavily developed along most of its shoreline, however there is a nice undeveloped area along the north shore that you can access via the Portland Lakes Greenway.

The Portland Lakes Greenway is a 2.2-kilometer multi-use paved trail that traces a path between Russell Lake and Morris Lake. You're likely to see walkers, runners, cyclists, and skaters while on the path so be sure to keep an eye out for your fellow trail users.

Morris Lake's long arms stretch across the communities of Cole Harbour, Shearwater, and Dartmouth. Once used for industry as the source of cooling water for the now defunct Dartmouth Refinery, you'll now find multiple parks and trails along the shore. Also, the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Shearwater often use the open waters for training helicopter maneuvers.

The Bellefontaine Train Station is a restored former railway stop that now serves as a trailhead for the Blueberry Run section of the Trans Canada Trail. There is a parking area, picnic shelters, and benches for walkers, cyclists, and other trail users. The station stands as both a community landmark and a gateway to the 12.8‑kilometre rail trail that links the inland lakes with coastal views along Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore.

This narrow corridor rises between Gaetz Lake and the Atlantic Ocean, offering a rare double vista. On one side, the lake’s quiet waters are surrounded by reeds and forest, and on the other, waves roll in against red cliffs and the rocky shoreline. The contrast between freshwater calm and ocean drama makes this beautiful stretch especially memorable.

The Blueberry Run section of the Trans Canada Trail is a fantastic 12.8‑kilometre rail trail on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore, stretching between West Chezzetcook and Seaforth. The gravel-surfaced path runs along wetlands and forest, with beautiful coastal views, complete with benches, picnic shelters, and several access points, including trailheads at former railway stations. Popular for walking, cycling, birdwatching, and winter activities, it’s a lovely linear route interrupted only by Highway 107.