Rail Trail Walking Challenge!

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1 Included with these routes is the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg s trail brochure. This map gives a rough estimate of the locations of our 6 rail trails, all managed by volunteer associations! For more detailed map information, visit the trails map at or come in to the District of Lunenburg Recreation Office at 210 Aberdeen Road, Bridgewater. If you would like any more information on trails, walking, or recreation in general, we are always happy to talk to you! The Rail Trail Walking Challenge is brought to you by: Municipality of the District of Lunenburg 210 Aberdeen Road Bridgewater, NS B4V 4G8 (902) There are many excellent spots for a walk through nature in the District of Lunenburg. In fact, we have over 120km of rail trails which are perfect for walking! This winter, we are promoting these trails and encouraging you to take the... Rail Trail Walking Challenge!

2 It s easy you can follow the challenge in this book, walking the routes in any order you choose, and at whatever time works for you. There are 12 routes in total. By the end of the winter, you will have explored sections of all of our rail trails, and will have seen them in one of the most beautiful seasons. If you complete all 12 routes, you will have walked 50 kilometres! So snap on some snowshoes, ice grips, or cross country skis and go have some fun! All routes are linear, so you will return to your starting location. All lengths and distances are for the total return trip. Estimated travel times are based on 5 km/hr you may be faster or slower, but it is not a race. This is a great challenge for anyone, especially for beginners and families. Keep track of your progress and let us know! Share pictures, what you saw along the way, and your favourite spots search Rail Trail Walking Challenge on Facebook and meet others who are walking, too! To be entered into the draw for some excellent prizes, please complete the registration form on page 9. RAIL TRAIL WALKING CHALLENGE PRIZE DRAW REGISTRATION FORM You don t have to complete all 12 routes to celebrate the Rail Trail Walking Challenge simply complete this form and mail or to the information below. We have lots of great prizes to give away, including Nordic walking poles, t-shirts, and more! Draw to take place on April 1, 2016 Name: Address: Phone Number: Mail to: Recreation Department, MODL, 210 Aberdeen Road, Bridgewater NS, B4V 4G8 OR information to recreation@modl.ca PAGE 9

3 Bay to Bay Trail Route #1 Start location: Lunenburg Train Station, 18 Dufferin Street Lunenburg. Trail parking is behind the Train Station. Length: 2 km return Estimated time: 25 minutes What you can expect: Part of this trail is the Lunenburg Back Harbour Trail. Stay to the left to keep on Bay to Bay Trail. Expect a lovely trip through hardwood stands and many small songbirds. The stairs will lead you to the Maple Avenue road crossing, where you will return to the Station. Bay to Bay Trail Route #2 Start location: Fauxburg Road trailhead (approx. 0.8km from Main Street in Mahone Bay) Length: 5 km return Estimated time: 1 hour 20 minutes What you can expect: From the Fauxburg Road trailhead, walk east towards Lunenburg. Continue through quiet forest until you reach the marsh - keep your eyes peeled for birds, frogs, and other small wildlife. After enjoying the marsh, turn back to your starting location. PAGE 8 PAGE 1

4 Dynamite Trail Route #1 Start location: Sleepy Hollow Road trailhead (approx. 0.5km from Oakland Road) Length: 3.5 km return Estimated time: 45 minutes What you can expect: This is a very scenic route along Oakland Lake. From the trailhead, head west towards Mahone Bay. The trail hugs the Lake and offers many good views. Follow the trail until the next road crossing (Keddy Bridge Rd), then return to your starting point. Dynamite Trail Route #2 Start location: Oakland Road trailhead, just before #350 Oakland Road Length: 5.4 km return Estimated time: 1 hour 5 minutes What you can expect: This route offers one of the biggest rewards - the big train bridge in Martin's River! From the Oakland Road trailhead, head northeast toward The Narrows ocean inlet, which you can see from the trailhead. After enjoying the view from the train bridge and the many ocean views, return to Oakland Road. South LaHave Shore River Annapolis Trail Route Valley #2 Trail Route #2 Start location: Wentzell Lake trailhead (140 Wentzell Walked: Road, Start Wentzells location: Lake) Goose Chase Road trailhead (approx km Length: from 4.5 Highway km Estimated 10, New time: Germany 55 minutes Building Supplies) Length: What you 3.8 can km expect: Estimated The Wentzell time: 45 Lake minutes section of the La- Have River Trail is one you might have seen from Highway What you can expect: Have you heard of the new municipal 10. This is open a scenic space route property, where River you will Ridge have Common? a hard time This taking your eyes off the Lake. End at the Micmac Rod and route runs right though the property! From the Goose Gun Club - you will see the trail end abruptly. Chase Road trailhead, travel northwest toward New Germany. South Shore You Annapolis will pass over Valley the LaHave Trail Route River and #1 hear the rushing of cascading waterfalls as you walk. Walked: Go as far as the junction with Falkenham Lane - you will see mailboxes Start location: and Conrad a cul-de-sac Road close trailhead to the (approx. trail, on 0.15km your lefthand Highway side. 10) When you see the lane, turn around and return from to Length: start. 3.5 km Estimated time: 45 minutes What you can expect: This route offers one of the most scenic viewpoints of the challenge - from a rail bridge over the LaHave River, you can see glimpses of Little Bluff and Varner Mountain. There is a road crossing over Highway 10, so make sure you look both ways! After you enjoy the view from the bridge, return back to your starting point. PAGE 2 PAGE 7

5 LaHave River Trail Route #2 Adventure Trail Route #1 Start location: Wentzell Lake trailhead (140 Wentzell Road, Wentzells Lake) Length: 4.5 km Estimated time: 55 minutes What you can expect: The Wentzell Lake section of the La- Have River Trail is one you might have seen from Highway 10. This is a scenic route where you will have a hard time taking your eyes off the Lake. End at the Micmac Rod and Gun Club - you will see the trail end abruptly. Start location: gravel parking lot on Naugler Road, just after the overpass Length: 6 km return Estimated time: 1 hour 20 minutes What you can expect: This is a lovely scenic route along Blysteiner Lake. Turn around when you get to the power lines keep your eyes peeled for osprey and their nests! South Shore Annapolis Valley Trail Route #1 Start location: Conrad Road trailhead (approx. 0.15km from Highway 10) Length: 3.5 km Estimated time: 45 minutes What you can expect: This route offers one of the most scenic viewpoints of the challenge - from a rail bridge over the LaHave River, you can see glimpses of Little Bluff and Varner Mountain. There is a road crossing over Highway 10, so make sure you look both ways! After you enjoy the view from the bridge, return back to your starting point. PAGE 6 Adventure Trail Route #2 Start location: Northwest Road trailhead, just beside the Blockhouse Post Office Length: 4.3 km return Estimated time: 55 minutes What you can expect: Travel through the communities of Blockhouse and Maitland via this section of the Adventure Trail. From the trailhead on Northwest Road, just beside the Blockhouse Post Office, head southwest towards Bridgewater. Follow the trail until the Highway 103 overpass, where you will head back to your starting point. PAGE 3

6 LaHave River Trail Route #1 Start location: Arthur Young Trailhead, #523 Highway 10 (beside Best Western Hotel) Length: 6.5 km return Estimated time: 1 hour 20 minutes Bull Run Trail Route #1 Start location: Conquerall Road trailhead (approx. 0.2 km from Highway 103 intersection) Length: 2.2 km return Estimated time: 25 minutes What you can expect: Take a trip along Fancy Lake and maybe stop at the Blarney Stone restaurant. From the Conquerall Road trailhead, head north toward Bridgewater. Walk until the marshy section of Fancy Lake ends, then return to your starting point. A rest stop with a bench and access to Fancy Lake is a nice halfway point. Bull Run Trail Route #2 What you can expect: This route is a combination of the Arthur Young Trail and the Lahave River Trail. This is the longest route in our challenge but be ready for spectacular views down the LaHave River Valley! There is a steep section down to the river, but there are benches for a rest in between. At the trail junction, turn right and head north towards Cookville. Walk as far as the Cookville Provincial Park - when you see benches and a small parking lot, you have arrived. This is a good place for a picnic before you return to start. Start location: Hirtle Road trailhead (approx. 0.7 km from Highway 103 intersection, at A&B Country Convenience Store, exit 16) Length: 3.8 km return Estimated time: 45 minutes What you can expect: Looking for some peace and quiet? You will find it on this beautiful section of the Bull Run Trail. From Hirtle Road, you will be among birds in the marsh until you reach the next road crossing, Corkum Road, where you will return to your starting location. PAGE 4 PAGE 5