Halifax is called “the City of Trees” for a reason—the city is known for its many parks and green spaces. From the city’s 185 acres of forest, to miles of sandy beaches, hiking trails, and scenic wilderness located on the outskirts of town, Halifax is a great place to experience the great outdoors.

Here’s a list of Halifax’s best parks and trails, perfect for a day of walking, running, hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, camping or just some good ol’ fashioned exploring.

Point Pleasant Park

Point Pleasant Park is a 185 acre forested park that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is located right in the South End of the city.

Spending a day exploring the roads, trails or pathways in this popular municipal park is a great way to escape the city without actually leaving the city. The park is always full of walkers, runners, cyclers, picnickers, dog-walkers, artists, and children of all ages.

Buried Ruins, Abandoned Quarries and more

Ranging from gravel to compacted earth, all the trails lead somewhere different—some offer incredible ocean views, while others take you deep into the forest. Along the way, discover half buried ruins, earthworks, abandoned quarries and artillery batteries, including the eighteenth century Martello Tower.

While certain trails aren’t suitable for young children or those in strollers (some paths contain steep hills and rough roads), some paths are strictly for cyclists, so be sure to grab a brochure from the on-site information booth before heading out to explore.

Point Pleasant Park is also home to Shakespeare by the Sea Theatre Society, and Black Rock Beach.

Shubie Park

Shubie Park, 20 minutes from Halifax, sits between the shores of Lake Micmac and Lake Charles and contains several hiking trails and lots of urban wildlife.

A portion of the Shubenacadie Canal—from where the park got its name—runs through the middle of the park and links Halifax Harbour with Shubenacadie Grand Lake, draining into the Bay of Fundy via the river. A series of now-abandoned locks allowed boats to navigate this divide to follow the traditional native route between coasts.

Connect with the Trans-Canada Trail

The wooded trails of the park follow a remaining section of the canal and connect to the Trans-Canada Trail.

Walk around the park on one of the many winding paths, or hop on kayak to explore the historic canal firsthand. Don’t forget to bring with you peanuts or sunflower seeds to feed to the friendly squirrels, chipmunks, and chickadees, who are sure to venture right up onto your hand for some tasty snacks.

Trail guides are available free of charge, and are indispensable for visitors wishing to navigate the off-leash dog paths, supervised public beach area, and numerous walking trails.

Dollar Lake Provincial Park

A popular camping site during the summer months, scenic Dollar Lake is not only the deepest lake in the Halifax Regional Municipality, but it’s believed to be the southern-most extension of an ancient ocean that covered most of Atlantic Canada millions of years ago.

Situated near the Halifax Airport, the peaceful woodland setting makes Dollar Lake Park the perfect escape for hiking, boating, canoeing, and fishing.

A sandy freshwater beach at the north head of the lake is an ideal place for swimming and is supervised by a lifeguard.

With over 100 camping sites, the family-oriented park also bears a boat launch, a canteen, several washroom and shower facilities, and picnic areas.


Long Lake Provincial Park

This large track of land, only a ten minute drive from downtown Halifax, was once a water supply area for the city.

Now an unmanaged provincial park used mainly by local residents, Long Lake has gained popularity in recent years as a destination for adventurous hiking and mountain biking.

Explore Urban Wilderness

Inside the park is a network of unofficial trails which lead through the forest and skirt along Long Lake. The “urban wilderness” is scattered with streams, freshwater marshes, small lakes, dense forest, and overgrown fields.

The lake is within easy portage distance to an old service road, and definitely worth exploring in a canoe.

McNabs Island Provincial Park 


McNabs Island is one of the largest in the Halifax Harbour and played a crucial role in the harbour’s defence from the 1700’s up until the early 1900’s.

Despite the island’s somewhat morbid history—during the Napoleonic Wars, mutineers were executed on “Hangman’s Beach,” and in the ‘40s, the Canadian Army used the island as a prison for soldiers convicted of serious crimes—today the 950 acre island is a scene of astounding natural beauty.

Find a Turn-of-the-Century Soda Pop Factory

Among the island’s many historic forts and batteries lie the foundations of several houses constructed by early settlers and the ruins of a former Victorian Garden. The remains of a turn-of-the-century soda pop factory, a cemetery, and a lighthouse can also be found.

The island, accessed via the McNabs Island Ferry in Eastern Passage or Murphy’s on the Water in Halifax, is also comprised of multiple unsupervised beaches, numerous hiking and biking trails, and over 206 species of birds—all under the supervision of its very own society, the Friends of McNabs Island.

Salt Marsh Trail

The Salt Marsh Trail stretches for 1.5 kilometres across an extensive marsh area which is managed as a wildlife park. The winding trails are perfect for walking, running, biking, or cross country skiing during the winter.

Experience the Mud Flats in Low Tide

The salt marsh itself is a costal habitat, which changes drastically between tides: low tide reveals mud flats, sand bars, and channels where the water flows back in to cover the whole marsh at high tide.

Bridges along the trail cross over these areas, letting visitors experience the beautiful costal scenery up close. There are even markers along every kilometer of trail, so you can know how far you’ve travelled (and how far you have to go back).

Plants such as cord grass thrive in the salty environment and provide food and shelter for birds, fish, and mollusks like clams, oysters, periwinkles and mussels.

Bring Your Camera for the Great Blue Herons

It’s wise to bring a camera with you, too, as the Great Blue Heron, one of the largest birds in North America, is often spotted along the trail. Found in Nova Scotia from April to October, during the winter they fly south as far as Central America.

If using any type of canoe or kayak, be aware that there can be strong and dangerous currents flowing out of the inlet and under the bridges.

Sir Sandford Fleming Park

The 95 acres of park located in North End Halifax has two major walking trails that take you through wooded areas, saltwater habitats, a frog pond, a playground and a beach.

At the centre of the park is Dingle Tower, a historic Halifax landmark built in the early 1900’s by Fleming, who developed the concept of standard time (you may recognize him from his Canadian Heritage Moment commercial).

The tower is open all summer and offers spectacular views of the Northwest Arm of the harbour.