Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life along the Sunrise Trail. With wide-open spaces, coastal views, and four distinct seasons, this region offers plenty of ways to get outside — whether you’re looking for a gentle trail walk or a full-on adrenaline boost.
Below is a curated selection of outdoor experiences and recreation spots to help you plan your next adventure.
Featured Outdoor Experiences
Worth Exploring
Amherst Shore
On the shore of the Northumberland Strait, offering an attractive mixed woodland setting for camping with some of the warmest saltwater swimming north of the Carolinas.
Arisaig
Park is known for its fascinating geology and fossils; an interpretive kiosk examines highlights of the four million years of earth history found here. Pleasant 1.5 km walking trail through forest, and to shore access. Geocaching opportunities as well as snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Located 27 km (17 miles) north of Antigonish.
Balmoral Mills
A quiet place adjacent to the Balmoral Grist Mill Museum where you can picnic or take a stroll. Operated by the museum.
Bayfield Beach
Sand and pebble beach offers supervised swimming on weekends. Located 6 km (4 mi.) north of Exit 36 off Highway 104, on St. Georges Bay.
Beaver Mountain
Impressive view of Antigonish County and Cape Breton Island. A 6 km (3.5 mi) trail system provides a mix of paved walkways as well as fairly challenging unpaved hills great in winter for cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing.
Blue Sea Beach
Featuring a dune system with a low bank and wide sandy beach on the Northumberland Strait.
Low tide exposes the long sand flats creating a great environment for family members of all ages to enjoy a beautiful day at the beach.
Caribou-Munroes Island
A mile long sand beach offers some of the warmest saltwater swimming north of the Carolinas and the campground provide excellent opportunities for camping, or just appreciating nature.
Fox Harbour
A sandy beach with warm water on the shore of Fox Harbour. Located at Wallace, 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Route 6.
Greenhill
The elevation provides magnificent views of the farmlands below. Off Highway 104. 9 km (6 mi) east of West River.
Melmerby Beach
One of Nova Scotia’s most popular beaches, this 2 km (1.25 mi) sandy beach is supervised beach (July-August/ STC). Even on the busiest days, there’s lots of room to spread out and enjoy yourself whether that would be strolling the beach, swimming, flying a kite with the kids kayaking away from it all.
Rushtons Beach
Popular beach featuring the warm salt waters of the Northumberland Strait. Broad sandbars at low tide and the salt marsh attract a great variety of birds. Located about 4km (2.5 mi) east of Brule in Marshville.
Find more information on these parks and more at https://parks.novascotia.ca/parks/northumberland/all
Looking for something fun to do on the North Shore? Don’t forget to check out the Event Calendar – there’s always something exciting happening around here!
