Moose River Gorge

There is no easy way into Moose River Gorge... to get close to the river requires a 4x4 vehicle with good clearance to navigate the old logging roads. Getting into the gorge itself requires hard backcountry hiking, and vertical climbing. This is one of the roughest areas in Nova Scotia, requiring almost vertical climbs of several hundred feet... definitely NOT for the unfit or inexperienced hiker.

Follow Hwy 102 from Halifax to Truro, exiting left (exit #15) onto Hwy 104 towards New Brunswick. Exit right onto Glenholme Loop, then turn right onto old highway. Follow a short distance and exit left on Hwy 2 towards Parrsboro. Follow road to the community of Moose River, exiting right onto dirt road just past Moose River bridge (at sharp right bend in road).

Follow main dirt road up mountainside until the road levels, then turn right at fork in road (this should be the third right off main dirt road, and may be marked with flagging tape). After turning right at fork, follow road short distance and take first right on old logging access road. Follow this old road as it loops down into gully and up the right side of a large hill. Look for this hill... it stands out with it's trees, surrounded by a barren clear-cut landscape. Keep right on old logging road, past hill, and park at end of track. Look for old skidder track at far left of clearing and follow down hill, through woods to cliff edge. Look for flagging tape and follow straight down to river. From here you can either follow river upstream to several waterfalls, or cross river and follow downstream to the Great Falls which spills over 80 feet into a canyon surrounded by vertical rock faces. This is some of the most dangerous hiking and climbing that I've yet experienced in Nova Scotia... please use EXTREME CAUTION when navigating river and cliff edges.

Category: Backcountry Hike
Region: Minas Basin