ANNAPOLIS VALLEY

The Annapolis Valley, "The Valley", runs for about 120 km in an east-west direction. The north wall is called the North Mountain and the south the South Mountain. The North Mtn. cuts out the fog and cool weather from the Bay of Fundy , creating a local climate. Unlike most of Nova Scotia, the Valley has a real spring in April and May and by June summer arrives. Many Nova Scotians find July and August here too hot but it's still cooler than central Canada or most of USA. The cool Fundy shore is only 10 km away. There is a shortage of good swimming areas but a few can be found. There are lots of lakes on the South Mtn.

The Valley is the province's prime agriculture area. Apples are a major crop but there are also strawberries, plums, blueberries, and the world's biggest pumpkins. There are lots of U pick strawberry farms. Apples come in blossom at the end of May. The Apple Blossom Festival draws big crowds.

The Valley is prominent in early cycling history. There were several bike clubs in the 1890s that produced world class racers. The first documented bicycle tour was by Karl Kron on a high wheeler in 1883. (See "Outing" magazine April 1884, pp 11-18, Reprinted in "10000 Miles On A Bicycle", New York 1887). The article is transcribed at: Nova Scotia and the Islands Beyond

In 1894 The Canadian Wheelmen published THE CYCLISTS' ROAD GUIDE OF CANADA, edited by Fred Bryers. The book has a few tours in the Annapolis Valley, see transcript of pages 95-97. Full texts of the book, in several formats, are available at: THE CYCLISTS' ROAD GUIDE OF CANADA.

There are many paved, scenic quiet roads, although many of them don't really go anywhere. Highway 1 is best avoided, there are several roads running parallel to it. To completely explore all the nooks and crannies would take weeks of continuous riding. The passing-through cyclist will just have to miss something. I will describe several Trans-Valley routes with a few side attractions. For most of the province, the official Highway Map is adequate but in the Valley the "Map Book of Nova Scotia" (ISBN 0-88871-074-7)) is needed. Although the valley floor is quite flat, to get to really interesting places some climbing is necessary. One of the routes has some serious climbing along the South Mtn slope.

Annapolis County Outdoor Recreation Map

See Notes on Maps

A/ Digby to Annapolis Royal. 41 km

A ferry from Saint John New Brunswick lands near Digby so this is a good place to begin. There is only one suggested route. Rt 1 is narrow and has quite heavy traffic so we will avoid that most of the way. Rt 1 has the Upper Clements Amusement Park.

NOTE (1999): Now that the new Rt 101 is completed in this area, traffic on Rt 1 Digby to Annapolis has been reduced, so cycling is tolerable.

Distances are from Digby exit on Rt 101. Turn left on Rt 101, a busy highway which does have a paved shoulder.

• 3 km: Left on Rt 1 through Smiths Cove where there are motels, and campgrounds. There are nice views of Annapolis Basin and Digby Gut.
• 8km: Cross over Rt 101 on the road to Bear River. The river here is a fjord-like tidal inlet. This road is the only flat road into the village of Bear River so be warned that there are steep hills ahead. The village, 6km upstream at tidehead, is very picturesque nestled into this narrow valley. Houses are built on stilts on the waters edge.
• 14 km: Turn left across the bridge onto the main street. There are stores and a restaurant with outside dining area. There are picnic tables and tourist bureau down by a wharf on the left.

  Now comes the hard part. The Clementsvale Road goes straight ahead up a very steep hill climbing 100 m in less than 1km. There is a slightly easier and more scenic road which runs diagonally up the hill, giving a nice view of the river and village below as we climb. Turn right on the first street, then take the second left (Middlesex Road). Beware that there are several dead end and steep streets . About 3 km from town we will come to the Greenland road. If we turn right there we will go to Greenland and then on to Victory!( a ghost town )

• 17 km: Turn left , then it's about 1 km back to main Clementsvale Rd where we turn right. The next 7 km is a really pretty , gently rolling ride past bucolic fields. At the village of Clementsvale we can turn left for a fun ride down a little valley to Clementsport on Rt 1. Just before Clementsport there is a little beach on a small pond that makes for a good swim stop.
• 26 km: Bear left on road to Princedale and Annapolis Royal. Right is the Virginia Rd which leads to South Milford on Rt 8. Take this road if you are going to Kejimkujik National Park or Liverpool. About 10 km on this road is Sandy Bottom Lake Youth Hostel (Raven Haven campground) where there is a nice beach. Note: the best way from Annapolis Royal to S.B.L.Y.H. is via Princedale rather than Rt 8. The Princedale road has a few small hills and crosses Rt 101. About 10 km down this road we cross a canal which runs from Grand Lake to the Lequille power plant. The canal makes a nice swim stop , you can also bike for a ways on the canal path. Then there is a very fast descent of about 150m in 2 km. to Lequille. A road to left goes to the power plant which is built on the site of the first water mill in North America (1607)
• 39 km: Turn left on Rt 8 just outside Annapolis Royal. This is the oldest town in Nova Scotia. the phrase "Better homes and gardens" describes the town. There are many historical sites around here, including Fort Anne in the town. The original French fort (1605) is at Port Royal about 10 km away. The corner of Rt 201 is before yo get to downtown Annapolis Royal This segment is about 41 km.

B/ Annapolis Royal To Middleton

B(1) North Route

This starts as Rt 1.
• About 1 km from downtown we cross the the Annapolis Basin where there is a tidal power station . Port Royal is about 10 km to the left. Rt 1 is quite flat and has a narrow paved shoulder on this section. Now that Rt 101 is complete the traffic is tolerable. The river makes some big U bends in the meadows on our right.
• 24 km: Turn left in Bridgetown on Hampton Rd. Bridgetown is a nice town. The Hampton Rd also goes to Valleyview Provincial Park on top of a very steep hill ( see Guide to North Mtn ). Traffic on Rt 1 increases. From Bridgetown to Lawrencetown it is moderate, but east of Middleton it becomes very heavy.
• 27 km: Turn right on Clarence Rd . This is a very rural paved road which becomes Rt 221 and thus continues all the way to the east end of the Valley. Here the road is gently rolling but the North Mtn rises steeply on the left. On the slight rises we get nice views of the valley.
• 40 km: Turn left , 1 km on Mt Hanly road then right again. About 4km later pass under Rt 101 on the outskirts of Middleton . Parallel Rt 101 for a km until junction of Rt 362 (Margaretsville Rd). Turn right if you want to go into the town.
• 47 km: Left on Rt 362( north end of Middleton) , this road turns right after 2 km then goes another 2 km to Spa Springs where Rt 362 turns left to Margaretsville. (see Guide to North Mtn). Also near Victoria Vale is the Daydreams and Destintations Tea Room (see Guide to North Mtn).
• 51 km: Keep straight at junction of Rt 221. This was the site of a famous mineral spring resort in the late 1800s. Recently several companies have tried running a water bottling operation to compete with Perrier etc. The bottling plant on the left may be operation again. There are a few steep but short rollers along here for 5km to Melvern Square.
• 56 km: Right on Vault Rd. Rt 221 goes straight here but it's worth an extra km to ride around the Square. After half km turn left on Bridge St. which is a nice tree lined street with fine old houses. This was a prosperous village( because of the Spa ??) It is strange that it isn't marked on the official highway map. Turn left at next corner ( Stronach Mtn Rd). Maybe the general store here will be open again .(1999- it looks like the store has closed permanently)
• 57 km: Pleasant St (alias Brooklyn St) goes to right and Rt 221 goes straight, so now there are 2 choices of routes from here. Those will be described in the East Valley section C(i) and C(ii).

B(2) South Route

• From Annapolis Royal take route 8 south.
• 2 km: Left on Rt 201. There are no more corners unless you make sidetrips. There are a few short hills through Mochelle and Round Hill where we get nice views of the broad Annapolis River. In Tupperville there are several farm stores selling local berries, apples and sometimes home-pressed cider. The old Tupperville school is now a museum and picnic area. They also make icecream and there is an icecream festival in July. Among the many old pictures in the museum is a picture of the Tupperville Bicycle Club, circa 1900, all dressed up in their Sunday best. It looks like a big club for such a small village.
• 23 km: Downtown Bridgetown is about 1 km to left. There is a motel at this corner. The road is quite flat until near Lawrencetown. We pass the Eden Golf course.
• 31 km: Paradise is just to the left. We are cycling in Paradise!
• 35 km: Lawrencetown is just to the left. The Annapolis County Agriculture Exhibition is held here in August. Now Rt 201 climbs a bit up the slope of the South Mtn.
• 46 km: Junction with Rt 10 at Nictaux. Middleton is about 2km to the left. Rt 10 leads across the province to Bridgewater ( not to be confused with Bridgetown) Parts of that road are quite nice so will be described later. Rt 201 continues straight but there are now 2 choices which will described as C(3) and C(4).

Section C Middleton to Wolfville

Map of route for this section Annapolis Valley east Download the GPX file for map
View GPS Visualizer map

C(1) North route i Route 221 - moderately hilly

• 2 km Right on Rt 221. The road climbs up a spur of the North Mtn. to about 100 m. This will be the biggest climb on this route. There is a nice view of the Valley. After crossing the Kings County Line a road leads off to Kingston. There are rolling hills .
• 12 km Weltons Corner Jog left, then right crossing the Auburn-Morden road. Another 4 km and you cross the Aylesford-Victoria Hbr. road. The road passes past many apple orchards. Blossoms are in bloom at end of May. apples are ripe in Sept. or Oct. From the small hills there are more beautiful views. Next cross roads are Long Point Rd and Berwick-Harbourville road. The road now flattens out.
• 32 km: Kinsman Corner ( Woodville). Although Rt 221 goes straight here the Bligh Rd to left makes a nice loop through orchards returning at Lakeville. This adds about 2km . You can also turn off left on Thorpe Rd and pass by vineyards along the base of the North Mtn. The infamous Chipman Brook road ( very steep and rough) leads off Thorpe Rd.
• 38km: Back on Rt 221 and about 1 km to Silver Lake, the only swimming spot in the area. There is a small beach and picnic area but no facilities .

  UPDATE (spring 2017) The Lakeville convenience store has gone out of business, there are now no food stores on Rt 221 until Centreville. Also, the only other convenience in the area is in Somerset on Brooklyn Street.

• 39 km: Right at lake on Lakewoods Road . This is the direct route to Wolfville or Kentville. At this point there are many options of routes. The Map Book ( pg 13) is very useful here. Rt 221 continues to Centreville, Sheffield Mills, Canning and Kingsport, all very nice. This would be the way to go if you were on your way to Blomidon Provincial Park but right now we are going to Wolfville( to jump there, see: Kingsport extension
• 46 km Turn right on Rt 359 , then turn left on Reid Rd. Kentville is about 3 km south on Rt 359.
• 48 km Turn right on Rt 341, then left on Church St. This road follows a small ridge looking down on the Canard River dikes and now we get our first view of Blomidon. Church St. continues all the way to Starr's Point but here we'll take a short route to Wolfville. Feel free to explore these nice roads. The only roads that will have much traffic are Rt 359 Kentville-Centreville and Rt 358 P.Williams-Canning.
• 51 km: Right on Tiny Parish. It climbs a small hill where you will get a view of Wolfville.
• 52 km: Left on Belcher St and it's downhill to Port Williams past some more U pick strawberry farms. Just across Rt 358 at the corner is the LUNCH BOX CAFEE.
• 56 km: Right on Rt 358 and cross Corwallis River which at low tide will be empty but will almost up to the road when high. The bridge and highway are narrow and the traffic can be heavy.

  UPDATE. In 2010 we got bicycle lanes on both sides of this road! Beware of the "rumble strip" dividing the main lane from the bicycle lane.

• 58 km: Left at Greenwich on Rt 1 to Wolfville. Traffic can be very heavy for next 3 km. There is a west-bound "bicycle lane" from Wolfville to Greenwich. Maybe, we'll soon have a bike lane on the other side of the road too!

  To right Rt 1 goes to New Minas (4km). Although the road does have a paved shoulder, N.M. is probably the worst place to bike in the Valley. Mallsville or Fast Food City are fitting names. I suppose it may offer relief to the urbanite who is bored from cycling through quiet rural areas. Just before Wolfville there is a big Farm Produce store and icecream stand.

• 61 Km: Wolfville has everything the cyclist or anyone else could want. There's a bike shop , a Natural Food Store & bakery with great bagels, cheap restaurants, expensive restaurants, and a superb natural setting with a stunning view of Blomidon across the Bay. WARNING! You may want to spend the rest of your life here.

• 2 km Marshall Road to right leads to Kingston. There is a nice Farm Produce store near where this road joins Rt 1 . There is also a bike shop in town and Greenwood Mall is a few km beyond.
• 7 km Jog left and right . This is a flat boggy area but you soon get deep into orchards . Every few km there will a cross road leading to Rt 221 and Rt 1. There are several U pick strawberry places around and often there will be berries etc. for sale in front of farm houses. Strawberries: late June- mid July, raspberries: July, blueberries: Aug-Oct, apples: Sept-Oct.
  NOTE May 2012 The pavement on Brooklyn Street from the Clairmont Rd to the Auburn-Morden Road has been ripped up, a section of about 3 km.
• 22 km Junction of Rt 360 at Somerset. Right to Berwick . There is a store at this corner. 2 km along there is a slight jog to left , sign should point to Grafton. Shaw Rd to right is a pretty alternate way to Berwick or Waterville.
• 27 km Grafton , junction of Waterville Rd. (former corner store here is closed). In several places along here the road goes through a tree tunnel, where great maple, oaks and elms spread their branches right over the road.
• 35 km Cross road to Lakeville and Silver Lake. Go left if you want to go for a swim. The traffic will now be a little heavier as we approach the suburbs of Kentville. The land becomes very sandy with pine woods as we skirt the Aldershot Army Base and a wetlands bird sanctuary. Then we enter Kentville. About 1km west of the Rt 359 junction there is a picnic area by the Meadowview Community Hall (old schoolhouse) with covered shelter, toilets, and water.
• 45 km Cross Rt 359 at traffic lights on to Belcher St. The Kentville business district is only a few blocks to the right. Belcher Street climbs through a nice residential area. From the top of the hill you can look down on the malls of New Minas. There is a stop light at the road which leads right to N.M. Belcher Street soon descends to Port Williams (52 km) and Wolfville (57 km) as described above.

C(3) South Route Rt 201

• Start at Nictaux , just south of Middleton. About 1 km we cross the Nictaux river where there is a small swimming hole.
• 6 km Rt 201 jogs left, then right crossing Torbrook road. However traffic will get a bit heavier as we approach Greenwood. There is a way to bypass this but some of us may want to visit the Greenwood Mall which has grocery stores, fast food outlets and a bicycle shop nearby.
• 10 km Major Corner . Kingston is 2 km to left. There is a picnic area about half way. Keep straight to Mall. There will be fast food outlets on both sides.
• 11 km Turn right at traffic lights. Greenwood Air Base ( largest in Canada) is straight. Main mall be then be on left. Just past Mall Rt 201 turns left. Go straight on RockNotch road if you want to go to Harmony on the South Mtn Road ( see C(iv) ). There always seems to be construction here and roads in the Mall area may change. We could have avoided all this by taking Meadowvale Rd which only adds 2 km. Back at junction of Torbrook Rd turn right, go about 1km , then left on Meadowvale Road . The first road left ( 3km) will take you right into downtown Greenwood which we are trying to avoid so take the second (6km) or 3rd left (8 km).
• 16 km Rt 201 officially turns left to Auburn. Go straight on Hall Rd. to Millville. Now were are back in quiet countryside.
• 21 Jog in road. This is a slightly complicated corner. One road goes right up the South Mtn. to Nicholsville. Follow signs to Factorydale.
• 24 km Cross Morriston-Lake George Rd. The road to right climbs one of the highest hills in mainland Nova Scotia to a nice beach on LAke George and eventually to Mahone Bay.
• 28 km Windermere on Rt 360 . Here we have to decide whether go up to the South Mtn Rd or into Berwick and on to Brooklyn St. or Rt 221. Hill climbers turn right. Others turn left. We are into major apple orchard country now.
• 31 km Cross Rt 1. This road has fairly heavy traffic and is not very scenic for cycling. Downtown Berwick is about 1 km north. If New York City hadn't stolen the trademark, Berwick would be called the Big Apple. It bears no resemblance to NYC. The tourist bureau is shaped like an apple. It's quite a nice town with motels, B&Bs. There is a campground about 5 km away. Rt 360 north leads to Somerset on Brooklyn St and Welsford on Rt 221. Most scenic route to Plantation Campground and Brooklyn St.: On north side of town go east on road to Waterville. After 2km turn left on Shaw Rd. It goes into a nice grove of trees.

C(4) Torbrook-Harmony-Prospect Rd. South Mountain Traverse

• Starting at Nictaux ( Rt 10 & 201) , add 2 km if starting from downtown Middleton. Go south towards Bridgewater.
• 2 km Left at Nictaux Falls. Cross the Nictaux River. On the left is a power plant. On the right is a dirt lane going to a dam where there is a good swimming hole. There may be also a pipe with spring water on the left side of road. Now it's about a 120 m climb , then down to Torbrook which used to be a major iron mine. Note Bloomington Rd is a big climb and a dead end.
• 8 km Turn left on paved road. Gravel road to right has bigger climb and great view. It comes down at Tremont.
• 10 km Turn right on Messenger Rd. and enter Kings County.
• 14 km Turn right at Tremont. Greenwood is about 3 km north. Now there is a Freally steep hill ( 10%)
• 15 km Turn left . This road levels off then plunges down. The road is oil-sealed sand which gets rough when old. WARNING! This a steep downhill to a road junction. Across the junction is a narrow and often rough bridge.
• 18 km Rockville Notch. Several interesting spots along this small river in a narrow gorge. To the left a gravel road goes down towards Greenwood. Watch closely on the right and you will see a path going into the gorge. It passes the old mill site. It looks like there was a big dam here many years ago. In the river are several small pools carved in the rock and little waterfalls. Although small for serious swimming, they could provide a refreshing dip. Back across the bridge, the road climbs steeply again for half km. Then on the right there is a dirt road to Crystal Falls. The first km is rideable. Then it's best to walk. However I met a couple on MTN bikes, carrying a baby in carrier, who went right to falls. Just before crossing an old bridge take rocky path to left. Keep close to stream and come to falls. There is a big pool below the falls . The water is often very cold. The road continues to climb to about 150m and becomes better pavement. Below we can see the airbase runways and maybe even see a plane flying below us! The road is fairly level along through Harmony and Nicholsville. Orchards spread down the slopes. Just before Morristown there is steep dip , with a dam on the right with swimming possibilities.
• 29 km Aylesford-Lake George Rd. Turn right , climb a rather steep hill.
• 30 km Turn left towards Rockland. Straight ahead to Lake George. That is such an interesting diversion that I will insert it now.

  ---

  C(5) OPTIONAL LAKE GEORGE DIVERSION. SERIOUS CLIMBING!

  It's 10 km to Lake George up one of the highest paved roads in mainland Nova Scotia. It may tie with Mt. Rose on North Mtn. at about 260 m . The corner is about 120 m we're already halfway up and the rest isn't extremely steep. This road also continues all the way to Mahone Bay on the South Shore. The road to the beach is on the left. It is now (May 2012) paved. The Provincal Park beach is quite popular and can be crowded on weekends. There is another public beach/picnic area on Aylesford Lake, about 3 km past Lake George. The road continues past cottage communities on Aylesford Lake to Caseys Corner ( South Alton) where we join the main route again on Rt 12. The total diversion is about 30 km ( 8 km extra).

  RETURN TO MAIN ROUTE at Morristown

  ---

• The Prospect Road continues with great views through orchards.
• 33 km Paved Road goes left down to Berwick. Go straight on good gravel road to Rockland and Prospect. There is about 10 km of gravel (1993) but the gravel section gets shorter every year. There are several paved and gravel roads on left going down into the valley.
• 41 km Keep right to Prospect. Don't go left on paved road to Waterville. At Prospect the pavement resumes and starts climbing more steeply.
• 49 km Right on English Mt Road to Caseys Corner. To the left it's a fast downhill to Coldbrook. Our road has a steep dip then the top is about 230 m with a great view near Caseys Corner. The Lake George Diversion joins here.
• 52 km (Caseys Corner) Cross Rt 12 to Canaan Rd. The convenience store at the corner is now closed (2015). The Canaan Rd. has a few ups and downs .
• 57 km Turn right then left. The sign should point to White Rock. There is a big dip and rise but the real fun hasn't started yet. Then you get a view down the Gaspereau Valley and start down a great hill for over 3 km. The only problem is there is a STOP sign at the bottom, there are flashing warning lights.
• 64 km White Rock corner. There are now 3 roads to Wolfville. The least hilly is to the left (Deep Hollow) which follows a winding gorge cutting through the hill to Greenwich on Rt 1. Then it's about 5 km on a rather busy road to Wolfville. Just past White Rock corner, the Ridge Road goes to left.(1999 the sign has been down for several years, but its the paved road just after the lumber mill, opposite the White Rock church.) This climbs to the top of Wolfville Ridge ( 150 m) There are fabulous views along the ridge. There are 3 roads down into Wolfville: Highland Ave., Gaspereau Ave., and Maple St. Straight from White Rock goes into the beautiful Gaspereau Valley, the "valley within the Valley". It is home of apple orchards, Gaspereau fish (a large herring), "river tubing" and bald eagles. There are some good swimming spots in the the pond and canal above the power station. At Benjamin Bridge there are 2 choices as follows.
• 67km Straight on north and high side of river to Gaspereau village. This is a gradual downhill and has a nice view .
• 67 km Right down very steep hill across canal then turn left on south side or low side. Good swimming at bridge or you can ride up the canal path to White Rock Pond. The low road goes along the Gaspereau River below the power dam. There is a lot of water in the river because it is fed by a series of lakes and power dams on the South Mtn. On a summer day there will probably lots of people floating down the river on tubes. Also at milking time you may see herds of cows on road. In the village, near the convenience store is a big pipe with excellent spring water. A new winery, Gaspereau Vinyards, has opened here. There are a lot of vinyards on the north slope of the Gsapereau Valley now.
• 69 km Turn Right in Gaspereau village. At next corner left goes across the "tubing" bridge , over the ridge into town, about 3 km, Right continues down along the river to Melanson, Wallbrook and Avonport. The easiest crossing of the ridge is at Melanson which leads into town on Maple St. Also, from Wallbrook a road crosses over river and ridge to Grand Pre. The lower Gaspereau Valley is a popular wintering grounds for bald eagles. You may see some lingering in the spring. If you haven't had enough climbing try Gaspereau Mtn. on the Greenfield Rd. It climbs about 200 m in 2 km. There are several bike races up it.
• 72 km Wolfville. Closest campground is at Evangeline Beach near Grand Pre.

NOVA SCOTIA - ANNAPOLIS VALLEY Kingsport Extension

Map of route for this section extra loop to Kingsport Download the GPX file for map
View GPS Visualizer map

C(6)-extra Rest of 221 Lakeville-Kingsport-Wolfville

• 39 km At Lakeville stay straight on Rt 221. You could also go on the Thorpe road at the base of the North Mtn through some vineyards. For that go back 500 m to the last store, turn right go about 2 km then right.
• 45 km Jog left and right crossing Rt 359 in Centreville. There is a store at corner. An option is to go 1 km north on 359 and turn right on Bains Rd which goes along base of North Mtn. to Sheffield Mills and Canning via Atlanta. The first 3km is gravel. This is more hilly than Rt 221.

  If you are planning to visit the The Lookoff, the best route is probably on the Glenmont Rd. from Sheffield Mills. Near Sheffield Mills there are U-pick blueberry farms in Aug- Oct. Sheffield Mills also claims to be the winter eagle capital of North America. There probably won't be any eagles here between April and December.

• 54 km Canning is a very pretty town. There is a nice tea and desert house here as well as some B&Bs. Keep going down the main street for about 1 km.
• 55 Turn left on road to Pereaux and Blomidon.
• 61 At Upper Pereaux ( corner of Jackson Barkhouse) it is 8 km to Blomidon Provincial Park. The last km to the camping area is very steep. Return the same way or via Stewart Mtn. Rd. to Scots Bay Rd. and Lookoff. ( see Guide to North Mtn) To go directly to Kingsport turn right (left if coming back from BPP) on Jackson Barkhouse Rd. It is good gravel for less than 1 km . You may also be able to ride on top of the dike on left of road, this is nice at high tide since you can see that the road is below sea level.
• 62 km Left on pavement to North Medford. This road is gently rolling and there are some nice views of Blomidon.
• 67 Kingsport. Just to the left is the old wharf and beach. This used to be major port where agricultural products were shipped out on big sailing ships. This is one of the few places on the Bay of Fundy where the water is warm enough in August for comfortable swimming. Of course you have to be here at high tide. Several places along the Minas Basin claim to have the world's highest tides.

  About 2 km from Kingsport there is the Cabot Winery where you can taste samples before buying a bootle of local wine.

• 71 km Left on Canning Aboiteau just at outskirts of Canning. An aboiteau is a dike with a gate that lets water flow out but not in.
• 72 km Left on Saxon Rd to Lower Canard. The road goes along the shore and loops around Porter Pt.
• 76 km Left on Wellington Dike. The road dips through orchards down to the dike.
• 79 km Left on Church St. For a shortcut to Port Williams, turn right here, go 1 km then turn left on next paved road.
• 80 km Left to Starr's Pt. Straight is another shortcut.
• 81 km Prescott House is a Provincial Museum with nice gardens. There are also U pick strawberry and apple farms here.
• 85 km Left on Rt 358 in Port Williams and we are back on original tour.
• 90 km Wolfville.

The Wolfville area has many nice cycling possibilities. The Wolfville Ridge Rd., the Gaspereau Valley , a trip to Lumsden Dam or the 3 pools are all only as short distance away. One interesting ride is on the dikes, especially at high tide. The tops of the dikes may be a little rough in places but there is a smoother road along the base.

East of Wolfville Rt 1 becomes more suitable for cycling and even has some scenic views. There are several alternate ways to Windsor where the Valley officially ends. All these routes are hilly.

D(1) Wolfville-Hantsport via Gaspereau Mtn. (very hilly)

• 3 Km Turn right just past the bridge (the "tubing bridge"). There is a second right which goes to Lumsden Dam which will be explained later. The hill now starts and climbs about 200 m in about 2 km. You get a nice view to the right while climbing and quite a sight at the top. The Road levels off then gradually descends towards Greenfield.
• 7 km Davison St comes in from right. Here the Lumsden option joins again. Lumsden Option : From Gaspereau ride along river. You may see some river tubers going downstream. After 2 km of flat road you start up a steep hill which climbs 120 m in 2 km.
• **10km Lumsden Dam to right. The picnic area and beach are just across the dam.
• **13km Left on Davison St and up another steep hill, another 100 m climb. Then it's quite a steep downhill to the main route at 17km ( 10 km longer)
• 10 km Greenfield where pavement ends. Pass Peck Meadow Rd. Turn left on second road, it should be marked Bishopsville. There is a small waterfall on right with a pool below where you could take a quick dip. Now we gradually descend on a shady, winding road beside a babbling brook. The road is usually in good condition except in early spring.
• 17 km Bishopsville where pavement resumes. We are now in a flat valley. The road then climbs a bit going towards Hantsport. It goes through a culvert under Rt 101 at the outskirts of Hantsport. Just before the culvert a gravel road (Old Post Road) to right is a shortcut to Bog Rd. which goes to Windsor.
• 25 km Right on Rand St in Hantsport. If you wanted to loop back to Wolfville, turn left.
• 25.5 km Left on Bog Rd to downtown, right to Windsor. It is fairly steep down into town. Bog Road changes its name to Holmes Hill Rd.
• 26 Junction Rt 1. There is a picnic area and museum near this corner. Hantsport stores are a little farther. To Windsor take Rt 1 or Bog Rd.

D(2) Wolfville to Windsor on Rt 1

• 1 km Right on Maple St. There is a farm produce market around the corner, especially good in apple season. The climb is only 60 m and there is a view of the Gaspereau valley coming down.
• 5 km Left at Melanson and then follow the Gaspereau River. There are small produce stands selling in season: berries, corn, tomatoes, apples and pumpkins. You can almost touch apples or trees while riding past the orchards here.
• 8 km Right goes up West Brooklyn Mtn which probably has the best view of Cape Blomidon. It is a 150 m climb and you loose 50 m getting back to the main route. If you don't want the extra climb keep straight to Avonport.
• 11 km Another choice. Either keep straight on right side of freeway (Rt 101) to West Brooklyn, climb for about 1 km, then cross over freeway to Rt 1.

  Or Left, cross freeway , then right on Rt 1. The former is slightly shorter but steeper. Either way we climb about 120 m, there will be a nice view behind. Then it's a nice 4 km run down to Hantsport. For more climbing you can take the Lockhartville Rd to the left.

• 19 km Left for first exit to downtown Hantsport. Rt 1 continues straight still going downhill. In downtown Hantsport there is the CHAPTER 2 CAFEE, severing light lunches and deserts.
• 20 km Junction of Main St ( left) and Bog Rd (right) Rt 1 has several short but steep hills through Mt Denson to Falmouth. There are 2 railway crossings at bottoms of hills.
• 28 km Bog Rd comes in at outskirts of Falmouth. Dike Rd and Falmouth Back Rd to right are nice side roads which go to Upper Falmouth where you can connect to Rt 14 or you can make a loop back to Windsor.
• 31 km Cross Bridge into Windsor. There is a little park with beach on Falmouth side.

D(3) Wolfville - Windsor via Bluff Rd and Bog Rd

• 11 km Cross the freeway and go straight on Bluff Rd. The first part is flat but beware of 2 tricky railway crossings. Then there are 3 or 4 short hills. Rt 1 only has one long hill so the total climb is about the same. The road goes into the Hantsport main street. The prettiest section of town is on Avon St. to the left, a tree lined street with nice gardens.
• 21 km Cross Rt 1 on to Bog Rd (Holmes Hill Rd) which climbs out of town, crosses over Rt 101 and then descends again. The rest of the road is very flat with very light traffic. The area is boggy and, at first glance, dull , but red-winged blackbirds are in abundance and there may be waterfowl in the marshes. There is an old plaque on a rock marking the spot of a stage coach accident in 1850's that killed some Hantsport resident.
• 29 km Join Rt 1 again in Falmouth
• 32 km Windsor as above In Windsor An interesting museum for cyclists is the Shand House. Clifford Shand was a prominent cyclist in the 1890's

A hilly century suggestion (Forties).

If you are in the Wolfville-Windsor area and want a challenging century this loop is about 160 km with 1500 m of climbing. I'll start from Windsor/Falmouth. Falmouth-Falmouth Dyke Rd, Sangster Bridge to Rt 14 ( Chester Rd). At Vaughn right on New Ross Rd. At New Ross take Forties Rd to Dalhousie Rd, then Right on Aylesford Rd to Lake George. Then right past Aylesford Lake to South Alton. Then Canaan Rd to White Rock, Gaspereau Valley to Avonport. Then Rt 1 and Bog Rd to Hantsport and Windsor. There's lots of hills but mostly quiet roads. There are at least 3 swim stops at Vaughn, Lake George and Gaspereau . Map of route : Forties Century Download the GPX file for map and elevation profile
View GPS Visualizer atlas map

Tourist Info

    Nova Scotia Dept of Tourism and Culture
    Box 130, Halifax NS, B3J 2M7
    1-800-565-0000 Canada
    1-800-492-0643 Maine
    1-800-341-6096 rest of USA