Magical time to take a hike
Free guided snowshoe walks offered in Cape Breton
INGONISH — Lisa Dixon thinks you should take a hike.
As one of the local guides who will be leading people on walks through some of Cape Breton’s most scenic trails, Dixon says winter is an ideal time to explore nature.
“It is absolutely magical. Some days when you go out in the woods, you’re the only one there — there’s no footprints ahead and the snowflakes just land so beautifully on the trees,” she said. “It is very magical.”
Dixon will conduct free tours along Paquet’s Lake on South Mountain in Cape North and Warren’s Lake in Ingonish as part of Hike Nova Scotia’s annual Winter Guided Hike Series, which runs until March at 35 locations across the province. If weather permits, participants are required to bring snowshoes.
Janet Barlow, the executive director of Hike Nova Scotia, said there will also be a special nighttime hike along Bell Bay in Baddeck, followed by a bonfire and hot chocolate. She said there’s something special about hiking through the woods after dark — particularly in the winter.
“Any kind of night hike in the past with our series has been off-the-charts popular. If you’re with a group and especially in winter because nighttime isn’t quite as dark if there’s snow on the ground. The lightness of the snow gives a bit of a glow to the forest and there is just this peaceful quiet.”
Barlow said it seems more people are taking advantage of the province’s trails during the COVID-19 pandemic, with other hikers and trail groups telling her they’ve seen higher numbers.
“Locals are definitely going out to their trails more,” she said. “I personally have seen more people on the trails. Trails are free to use and they’re one of the few outdoor things you can do these days. Going to the gym is restricted and doing other arts and cultural activities — there’s few of those things happening. Why not go out and hike?
“It’s a way to keep the mind, body and soul balanced. If I didn’t get out on the trails regularly, I just don’t feel as good.”
Dixon, who walks daily — including “three good hikes a week” — said she’s seen more people on local trails.
“Definitely because of COVID people are hiking locally, and when I say locally I mean Cape Breton and Nova Scotia,” said Dixon, who helps organize the annual Hike the Highlands Festival.
“The long weekend in October there were 25 cars at the trail head going up Franey Mountain. That’s a lot of people on Franey at one time. Hiking has increased.”
Barlow said the guided hikes are free or low-cost and all require preregistration. She said the series, which is sponsored by the Trail Shop, Goose Lane Editions and the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, will be limited to groups of 10 and all participants are expected to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
People can register online at hikenovascotia.ca. The website also has a list of 65 places where people can borrow, rent or buy snowshoes, including more than 40 places that loan them out for free.