Discover Wallace: Beaches, Trails and History

Get to know Wallace through several distinct themes: the coast at Fox Harbour, trails of very different lengths, and the memory of local figures and craftsmanship. The community’s story brings together beaches, history and connections to other communities.

Beach and Coast at Fox Harbour

Fox Harbour Beach sits on the shore of Fox Harbour; it is sandy, and the water there is warm. Fox Harbour is 4 km north of Highway 6. This makes the coast a clear point of reference for anyone considering Wallace for its beach scenery. The beach is one of the themes that shape the community, alongside its trails and historic sites.

Trails of Different Lengths

The 120 km Short Line Trail is a multi-use trail connecting Wallace with Pictou, Scotsburn, River John, Tatamagouche, Pugwash and Oxford. In Wallace, there is an access point at Wallace Ballfield: the field is on Highway 307, 700 m south of Highway 6. The ballfield identifies the local access point, while the trail’s length describes a route connecting several communities.

The Quarry Branch Trail offers a different length. It is 3.4 km long and connects the coastal community of Wallace. Compared with the 120 km Short Line Trail, it is considerably shorter. The Short Line Trail is explicitly classified as a multi-use trail; for the Quarry Branch Trail, its name, length and connection to Wallace are the key points of reference. You can distinguish between the two trails based on their stated lengths and descriptions, without treating them as identical types of offering.

Memorials and Local History

A memorial stone erected in 2012 in Newcomb-Boyle Park commemorates Willard S. Boyle. The physicist, who was from Wallace, lived from 1924 to 2011 and received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics. The memorial stone links local history to a specific person and his scientific award.

The Wallace Area Museum is 2 km west of Wallace. It is the restored home of local shipbuilder James Davison, built around 1839. The museum holds more than 3,000 artifacts, and its exhibits change annually. The memorial stone and museum offer different perspectives: one commemorates a person from Wallace, while the other connects a historic house with an extensive collection and annually changing exhibits.

More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Cumberland County

Cumberland County encompasses coastlines along the Northumberland Shore and the Bay of Fundy. The wider destination offers additional cultural, landscape and nature-related themes that differ from Wallace’s own highlights.

In Pugwash, Thinkers Lodge is a National Historic Site of Canada. Guided tours offer insights into the history and significance of the historic site. At Cape d’Or Coastal Park, the highlights include panoramic views across the Minas Channel and Minas Basin. The park also has walking trails, the Cape d’Or Lighthouse and the former lighthouse keeper’s home.

The Fundy Geological Museum in Parrsboro displays 200-million-year-old dinosaur skeletons, as well as local gemstones and minerals. An interactive Pangaea time machine complements the exhibits. The museum’s trail is maintained year-round. In Malagash, Jost Vineyards offers seasonal vineyard tours and trails through the vineyards. These examples show the range of history and geology, landscapes and winemaking in Cumberland County, without attributing the respective offerings to Wallace.

Discover more destinations: Parrsboro, Springhill, Amherst, Folly Lake, Wentworth.

See the wider travel overview: Cumberland County.