It's Waterfall Season: Earn Your Badge

Offered in collaboration with Destination Cape Breton, earn your Cape Breton Waterfalls Badge as part of our Hiker Challenge and Cape Breton Island’s Waterfall Season promotion. Visit at least 6 of a list of pre-selected waterfalls over the course of a year. Each season there is a prize draw for gift cards, generously provided by The Trail Shop.

Join Us at the Hiking Summit

May 31 to June 2, Antigonish



Hike Nova Scotia’s tenth annual Hiking Summit happens May 31 to June 2 in Antigonish. A celebration of hiking culture, it includes workshops, hiking stories, networking and hikes. It is hosted by Hike NS, Keppoch Mountain, the Town of Antigonish and the County of Antigonish. Sponsors include AtlanTick Repellent Products and the Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia. The first 150 people to register will receive a Hike NS-branded neck gaiter. Learn more and register. Don’t delay - it is filling up quickly!

International Trails Day June 1

Last year the Province of Nova Scotia supported Hike NS’s call to officially proclaim the first Saturday in June as International Trails Day! We thank the many volunteers, landowners, trail developers, walking and hiking enthusiasts and groups for their help in developing, maintaining and promoting the many beautiful trails throughout Nova Scotia. Click here for ideas on what you can do to celebrate International Trails Day on June 1. Hike NS will be celebrating the day at the Hiking Summit!

Hike NS AGM June 8, Halifax

Member Fee Increase

The Hike NS Annual General Meeting will take place in Halifax on Saturday, June 8. It will include a morning hike, lunch provided at noon and the AGM at 12:30 pm. Registration is required by June 6. Learn more and register here. The Hike Nova Scotia board will put forward a recommendation to increase membership fees. Learn more here.

Upcoming Training & Events

Intro to Backpacking Cape Chignecto clinic, Halifax: Live in-person on May 23.

Learn more here.

NS Walks Walk Leader Training

Online on May 28. Learn more here.

NS Hiking Summit, Antigonish:

May 31 to June 2. Learn more here.

Hiking with Dogs Webinar:

Online June 10. Learn more here

Field Leader - Hiking course, Halifax:

Live in-person on Jun. 15-16.

Learn more here

Trail Builders Network News

International Trails Day: June 1

As you celebrate International Trails Day (see the info above), be sure to tag or contact Hike NS as you promote any events you organize. We’re happy to help promote your events and we thank you for your tireless efforts to create beautiful hiking trails for all to use! Learn more here.

Free Presentations on Fundraising and Charitable Status

Oyler Consulting is offering to nonprofits and charities in the trails sector a complimentary Zoom presentation for their membership or community on one of several topics including: Fundraising Fundamentals; Financial Reporting for Registered Charities; Obligations of Registered Charities; Revenue Generation For Registered Charities; Registering as a Charity; and Registered Charities Making Grants. Learn more and book your presentation here.

Tick Prevention

Get great tips to help you ward off ticks as you hike! View this video from Atlantick Repellent Products (sponsored post).

View the full video of tips Here!

Winter Hike & Walk Series Success

Hike Nova Scotia and 19 host organizations offered 45 hike, walk or snowshoe events with over 530 participants from January to March across NS. Hike NS thanks its partners on the ground for organizing the events as well as Goose Lane Editions, Mountain Equipment Company and the NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage for their support. The series was linked to the Take the Roof Off Winter initiative. Take a look at this video celebrating the events with lots of great photos. For full highlights of this years Winter Guided Hike & Walk Series, check out this video here!

Embers & Sparks Earn Badges

We congratulate 34 young hikers from the 1st Carter Embers and 5th Carter Sparks, based out of the Mount Uniacke area, who earned the Youth Distance Badge this spring. While groups can earn the badges, individual youth can earn them too. Hike NS thanks the Uplifted Program of the Halifax International Airport Authority for supporting the Hiker Challenge Youth Distance Badge.