Antigonish County: Coast, Hiking Trails and History

Antigonish County lies along the Northumberland Shore and the Sunrise Trail. Along the county’s North Shore, coastal cliffs drop into the sea; the area also has beaches, hiking trails and places with regional heritage. When planning a hotel stay, it’s worth first deciding what interests you most about the trip: coastal scenery, outdoor activities, wildlife watching or history. This will help you plan outings around the subjects that interest you most.

Coast, Beaches and Wildlife Watching

Eastern Antigonish County has pebble and sand beaches, quiet harbours and tidal estuaries. These estuaries are home to many waterbirds and shorebirds, as well as other wildlife. The coast offers opportunities for swimming, beachcombing and birdwatching; conditions for these activities vary seasonally. At viewpoints along the Antigonish North Shore, you’ll find safe pull-offs and interpretive panels about the region’s history and culture.

Pomquet Beach combines boardwalks with a gently sloping beach. The boardwalks pass through the surrounding woods. Check which seasonal services are available before your trip. Bayfield Beach Provincial Park is a good place for a picnic.

Trails Between Woods, Shoreline and Hills

The Antigonish Landing Trail passes through the Antigonish Harbour Wildlife Management Area. The Fairmont Ridge Hiking Trail has six different loop trails across hilly terrain. At Mahoneys Beach Trail, the path follows the shore, offering opportunities to observe local wildlife along the way.

Arisaig is known for its fascinating geology and fossils. A 1.5 km hiking trail there passes through the woods and provides access to the shore. Depending on conditions, snowshoeing is also an option in Arisaig. Beaver Mountain has a 6 km trail system with groomed trails and more challenging unpaved sections across hilly terrain. It offers views of Antigonish County and Cape Breton Island. The trail lengths refer to different scales: a single 1.5 km trail in Arisaig and a 6 km trail system on Beaver Mountain.

You can also combine hiking with coastal exploration at Cape George: the Cape George Lighthouse has interpretive panels, and the Cape George Hiking Trails are accessible from sites at Cape George.

Heritage and Regional History

The Cape George Heritage School Museum displays artefacts and provides information about regional heritage and culture. The Ballantyne’s Cove Bluefin Tuna Interpretive Centre shares information about tuna and the history of tuna fishing. The two sites focus on different subjects: one on the broader cultural heritage, the other on the history of a particular fishery.

St Anne’s Church in Summerside was built in 1867 as a mission church for the Mi’kmaq. Our Lady of Grace Monastery and Outdoor Shrine was founded in 1825 by Father Vincent de Paule Merle and several French Trappists, who named it Petit Clairvaux. The two dates place these sites in different historical contexts.

Events and Outings by the Water

The Arisaig Lobster Dinner is held annually on Mother’s Day at the Arisaig Parish Community Centre in Arisaig. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the current event date in advance.

The Linwood Heritage Nature Trail and Picnic Area offers opportunities for walking and picnicking, as well as access to Linwood Harbour for small boats. If you plan to use the boat access, check the conditions locally.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Antigonish, Frankville, Aulds Cove, Colchester County, Digby County, Cape Breton County, Yarmouth County, Halifax County.

For the broader travel overview: Nova Scotia.