Gaetz Brook Greenway

On a Saturday afternoon in April 2023, we drove 40 km east of Halifax to try the Gaetz Brook Greenway, a 7 km point-to-point trail that stretches from Head of Chezzetcook to Gaetz Brook, near Musquodoboit Harbour. The active transportation trail was opened in 2020 by the SATA Trails Society and is part of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT). It is by far the best section of the TCT in the area — especially in comparison to our experience on the nearby Blueberry Run.

When we visited, some post-Fiona maintenance was in progress but we were able to check on any trail closures on the society’s facebook page.

Great biking conditions

The trail is mostly flat, made of compact gravel and closed to motorized traffic. As a result, we passed a few cyclists as well as pedestrians, including many walking their dogs.

We could hear the road, but it was muffled by the whisper of the breeze in the trees and the murmur of the streams and rivers.

We accessed the trail from the north-eastern parking lot located on Highway 7. The parking lot must have just been created because it didn’t even show up on Google Maps yet. There are also parking lots at the south western end on Debras Way, and along the trail at the Legion and the Gaetz Brook Jr. High.

The trail signage along the trail is great and adequately marks the parking areas, rules, an distances. There is also a map at the north-eastern parking area.

However, don’t try to cut through the woods on smaller trails or driveways. Many signs remind you, in bold red capital letters, that the trail is surrounded by private properties and that no trespassing will be tolerated by the owner.

Amazing artwork

The hidden gem of the Gaetz Brook Greenway is its artwork. Local artist Calvin McKay has decorated the trail with sculptures of owls, eagles and other animals that made us stop and watch in wonder.

Other people have painted tree stumps and rocks and added other decorations that make this stroll in the woods a visual treasure hunt.

Kid-friendly pit stops

We were happily surprised to find toys and games on the south-western end of the trail. People have left plastic toys on a makeshift playground and, further away, a box of board games on a picnic table. We immediately imagined our friends’ kids coming one day to bike a kilometer or two and then stop to play.

Amenities along the way

Are there bathrooms? Yes — two accessible ones for every trail user to enjoy! They are found at 2 km and 6.5 km from the south-western end. They were built in 2023, so still nice and fresh when we used it!

Along the way, we also found benches to admire the view on the lakes and picnic tables that were sheltered from the wind.