Municipality of the County of Colchester

The Cobequid Trail is an 18-km walking and cycling trail network through central Colchester County. The trail takes you along a former railway, through Acadian dykelands and farmland, through forests and along brooks, and beside the tidal Salmon River.

The Cobequid Trail is a cooperative effort of the County of Colchester, Town of Truro, and Village of Bible Hill. Development of the trail began in 1998 with significant contribution from local government, community volunteers, the private sector and the Province of Nova Scotia. New trail sections are being planned.

What's in a Name?

The word Cobequid comes from the Mi'kmaq word We'kopekwitk which means "end of bay" or "as far as the water will flow". The Truro area is located at the end of Cobequid Bay.

The funnel-shaped Bay of Fundy has a unique tidal phenomenon, with Cobequid Bay and the Salmon River helping to create a spectacular display of rushing water, called a "tidal bore". With the incoming tide, the ocean water moves up the narrow neck of the Bay, flowing against the river current and creating a "wall" of water that makes the river appear to be flowing backwards.

Trail Notices and Advisories

TRAIL CLOSURE: The Cobequid Trail will be closed June 17 - July 3 at Highway 236 in Lower Truro for new crosswalk construction. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Take precautions to protect yourself and the people around you.

• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• Clean your hands often.
• Keep 2 metres apart from other family/social groups.
• Avoid spaces where there are a lot of people.
• Avoid contact with surfaces.
• Allow others to pass safely.
• Pack in and pack out.

Trail Events

Please visit the Fundy Connect events calendar for upcoming events on the Cobequid Trail and other trails in Colchester County.

Trail Maps and Descriptions

The following maps show the route of the Cobequid Trail through Old Barns and Lower Truro, downtown Truro and Bible Hill. (Map version: October 2012)

• pdf Cobequid Trail Regional Map (7 MB) (6.97 MB)
• pdf Cobequid Trail Map 1: Old Barns (7.04 MB)
• pdf Cobequid Trail Map 2: Truro (1.77 MB)
• pdf Cobequid Trail Map 3: Bible Hill (4.25 MB)

Cobequid Trail Sections

Rail trail sections (these sections are continuous, with a combined length of approximately 11 km one way):

• D.A.R. Section in Truro and Lower Truro
• Marshlands Section in Lower Truro
• Old Barns Section in Old Barns

Other trail sections (combined total 5 km):

• Eagle Crest Walk in Bible Hill
• Farnham Brook Section in Bible Hill and Valley
• Dalhousie Agricultural Campus section in Bible Hill
• Bible Hill Recreation Park Section in Bible Hill

D.A.R. Section

The D.A.R. Section follows the abandoned railway line from downtown Truro to Lower Truro. "D.A.R." stands for the Dominion Atlantic Railway, a railway built in 1898 and operated until 1982. This section of the D.A.R. was known as the Midland Line, an important link between Truro and Windsor. From the east end, the trail begins at King Street near the Nova Scotia Community College, crosses McClure's Brook, and passes by the Truro Golf Course and an industrial area before joining the Marshlands section of the Cobequid Trail.

  pdf Cobequid Trail Map 2: Truro (1.77 MB)

Marshlands Section

This section of trail begins at the trailhead in Lower Truro and continues to the Cobequid Bay Look-off from which the famous tidal bore can be seen. The trail continues west along the Salmon River on the Old Barns section of the Cobequid Trail.

  pdf Cobequid Trail Map 1: Old Barns (7.04 MB)
 
In the 1600's, Acadian immigrants first settled in the Cobequid area. They took advantage of the vast marshlands by building dykes and creating over 1000 acres of rich farmland. After the expulsion of the Acadians in 1755, British settlers continued to farm these lands. The nutrient rich soil continues to produce quality grains, hay and other forage crops.

Old Barns Section

The Old Barns section of the Cobequid Trail follows the tidal Salmon River from the Cobequid Bay Look-off to the head of Cobequid Bay. The view across the river is of the farmland of Fort Belcher. The east end of the Old Barns section is continuous with the Marshlands section of the Cobequid Trail.

  pdf Cobequid Trail Map 1: Old Barns (7.04 MB)

Eagle Crest Walk

This section of the Cobequid Trail in Bible Hill passes through maple stands, hemlock ravines and offers views overlooking the Salmon River. The trail continues for about another 2 km via sidewalks and short trail sections across College Road and Pictou Road to another trail section along Farnham Brook.

  pdf Cobequid Trail Map 3: Bible Hill (4.25 MB)

Farnham Brook Section

This section of the Cobequid Trail follows Farnham Brook through forests and crosses the brook several times.

A new section the Farnham Brook Trail was opened on June 5, 2015, in celebration of International Trails Day. Meandering along Farnham Brook between Bible Hill (Village Court) and Valley (Hillvale Drive), this new 1.7 km section of trail was constructed in fall 2014 by the Municipality of Colchester and Village of Bible Hill with support from landowners.

  pdf Cobequid Trail Map 3: Bible Hill (4.25 MB)

Please note that this map does not show the new section of Farnham Brook Trail.

From Village Court you can connect to the Eagle Crest Walk section of the Cobequid Trail by following sidewalks and short trail sections (about 1 km), across Pictou Road and College Road to Warren Drive. 

Dalhousie Agricultural Campus Section

This section of the Cobequid Trail is located in Bible Hill and opened in October 2011. The trail meanders through the attractive Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus (formerly Nova Scotia Agricultural College) and through the working/research farm of the campus. The trail follows a ridge which offers views of the Salmon River and surrounding area. Several rest areas with benches are located along the trail. This trail connects to the sidewalk along College Road (near the intersection of Main Street) and to the trails at Bible Hill Recreation Park. The Municipality of Colchester, Village of Bible Hill, Nova Scotia Agricultural College and Province of Nova Scotia partnered to develop this wonderful addition to the Cobequid Trail network.

  pdf Cobequid Trail Map 3: Bible Hill (4.25 MB)

Bible Hill Recreation Park Section

In 2009, the walking track at the Bible Hill Recreation Park was widened and resurfaced, and a new section of trail was added. The walking track follows the perimeter of the playground. The trail goes up the hill above the playing fields and through a wooded section where it connects with the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus section of the Cobequid Trail.

  pdf Cobequid Trail Map 3: Bible Hill (4.25 MB)