Aulds Cove: Coast, Trails and History

Aulds Cove brings together coastal trails, Archie Pond and the history of ferries and roads around the Strait of Canso for trip planning. If you’re planning a hotel stay, you can first decide whether scenery, outdoor activity or transportation history should take priority. The differences between the road routes and the coastal trail can help you plan your time in the area.

Roads and Coastal Trails

For road directions, it’s worth distinguishing between Trunk 4 and Route 344. Trunk 4 runs east from Highway 104 Exit 38 near Havre Boucher to Highway 104 at Aulds Cove; the section described is 8.8 kilometres long. This describes a route between Havre Boucher and Aulds Cove, not the route of Route 344.

From Exit 40 on the Trans-Canada Highway 104 at Aulds Cove, scenic Route 344 runs alongside the Strait of Canso to Route 16. Road conditions and detours can change, so check current conditions and possible detours before you drive.

In Aulds Cove, the Trans Canada Trail follows Highway 344 along the coast. This section offers coastal walks, views and easy walking. So this is not the road route to Route 16, but the trail and its walking opportunities. Surface conditions and access can vary; check local conditions before your visit.

Archie Pond and the Coastal Landscape

The Archie Pond in Aulds Cove is approximately 1 km long and 470 m wide. It has a single outlet at Aulds Cove; the sandbar at Aulds Cove Beach separates Archie Pond from the Strait of Canso. The pond, beach sandbar and strait are distinct features of the same coastal landscape.

Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources identifies Archie Pond as a habitat for migratory birds. This designation adds a natural history dimension to the coastal landscape and is one of the themes that shape Aulds Cove, alongside trails and transportation history.

Ferries and Transportation History

Aulds Cove was originally known as “Porcupine Cove”; the former name is associated with nearby Cape Porcupine. Starting in 1822, Alexander Auld operated a ferry service from Aulds Cove across the Strait of Canso to McMillan’s Point. This identifies both the historic mode of transportation and its destination.

In 1847, Edward Forestall took over the ferry service and the post office in Aulds Cove. He also opened a hotel and a stable for stagecoaches there. The ferry, post office and stable together give a picture of the transportation and mail connections of the time. The hotel is part of this historical development; this information does not describe a current hotel offering.

The Canso Causeway opened in 1955, and toll booths were located on the Aulds Cove side. Compared with the earlier ferry history, the causeway marks a later chapter in the community’s transportation history. Those interested in how transportation routes developed will find several clearly distinct milestones: the ferry beginning in 1822, Forestall’s expansion in 1847 and the causeway in 1955.

More Ways to Plan Your Stay

A boat launch is available in Aulds Cove for boaters. The Aulds Cove Big Stop has served home-style meals for more than 35 years; its menu and operations may change. If you’d like to eat there, check the current offerings.

Discover more destinations: Antigonish, Frankville.

For the broader travel overview: Antigonish County.