Hikes

The Lunenburg region's outdoor life concentrates on one stretch of coast: the Kingsburg shoreline south of town, where Hirtle's Beach - three kilometres of sand and cobble - ends at the cliff-edged headland of Gaff Point, 4.8 stars across more than 1,200 reviews and one of the province's most-hiked coastal trails. The 6.5-kilometre loop blends beach walking with Acadian Forest paths marked in yellow, free and open year-round. On the water, Lunenburg Kayak Rentals & Tours launches from Green Bay into the sheltered islands off Blue Rocks. This guide covers the trails and the paddling, with tides, access and what to bring.

Gaff Point Trail (4.8 across roughly 1,260 reviews) is a 6.5-kilometre loop from Hirtle's Beach mixing three kilometres of beach walking with 3.5 kilometres of rugged coastal forest, marked with yellow markers. Most hikers finish in one to two hours; the rating is moderate, with steep cliffs, rocky shoreline and Acadian Forest stands on the peninsula, and Atlantic views that make it one of Nova Scotia's most beloved coastal hikes. Access is from 318 Hirtle Beach Road in Kingsburg - take the sharp right off the beach into the forested area - about fifteen minutes' drive from Lunenburg. The trail is open year-round, twenty-four hours a day, free, with no reservation system; the parking area and washrooms are maintained only through the summer months. Dogs are permitted but must stay leashed.

Counted from the Hirtle's Beach parking lot as the full beach-plus-headland outing, the same coast runs 7.5 kilometres: the three-kilometre sweep of sand and cobble first, then the climb through coastal forest to the Gaff Point headland, where the trail threads between dramatic cliffs and open ocean panoramas. Budget two to three hours round trip. It is family-friendly but not suitable for strollers, with some elevation change across sand, cobble and rooted forest path. Parking at Hirtle's Beach is free but limited; on nice summer days the lot fills quickly, with overflow along the access road, so the standard advice is to arrive early or come late in the day for a quieter trail. The beach section alone is worth the drive; our Hirtle's Beach guide covers the beach itself.

Beach access on both routes is significantly affected by tide levels, so check the tide chart before you set out - the sand section is easiest at low tide, and the over-the-hills route is the fallback when the tide is high. Wear sturdy footwear for the rugged coastal paths and bring layers; coastal weather shifts fast. There are no food, water or other services at the trailhead, so carry everything you need. Biking, motorized vehicles, fires, camping and hunting are prohibited, tick warnings are posted at the trailhead, and leave-no-trace principles apply. The trail is managed collaboratively by the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, which takes inquiries at 902-543-8181, weekdays 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

On the water, Lunenburg Kayak Rentals & Tours - established in 2023 by Michael Bastarache, a third-generation boat builder and former lobster fisherman - operates from 542 Green Bay Road in Green Bay, May through October. It rents single and tandem sea kayaks, sit-on-top leisure kayaks and canoes by the two-hour, four-hour or full-day eight-hour block, every rental equipped with paddles, PFD lifejackets, area maps, a 10-litre dry bag with a waterproof phone case and the necessary safety gear. Guided tours run by kayak, canoe or motorboat to islands such as Bachmans and Covey. Reservations are required at 902-514-9222, and a minimum group size of two applies - solo rentals are not offered for safety reasons.

In 2025 the operation expanded to two floating cottages moored at Hermans Island, at 101 Hermans Island Road in Lunenburg, pairing accommodation with direct water access - paddlers can launch from where they sleep, into the sheltered waters around Blue Rocks that suit paddlers of all skill levels. The eco-tourism focus is environmental preservation and inclusive ocean experiences with local operators. Practicalities: contact the company directly for current daily hours and pricing, since schedules shift with the season, and the cottages book through the same channel as the rentals (mike@lunenburgkayakrentals.com). Pairing a night on the water with a Gaff Point morning makes a full coastal itinerary; see our Lunenburg dining guide for refuelling stops in Rose Bay and town.

A well-shaped day starts early: the Hirtle's Beach parking lot fills on nice summer days, so a dawn or late-afternoon start buys both a space and a quieter trail. Check tides the night before, pick the low-tide window for the beach section, and budget two to three hours for the full loop. In the afternoon, follow the Lighthouse Route to Green Bay for a paddle among the Blue Rocks islands, or simply claim a stretch of sand - summer is the best time to visit, and early arrival is the standard advice. There are no services at either launch point; the nearest provisions are the village stores on the Highway 332 stretch. Our tours and accommodations guides cover the guided alternatives and where to sleep.