Salt Marsh Trail

As far as trails go, this one is pretty great. Very well taken care of, at least the part of the trail I was on. I can’t lie, I didn’t walk the whole thing. I ain’t got time for that. I hear it’s a great bike ride though and a couple biked did pass me. The trail is wide enough (where I was) so that it’s not uncomfortable to have people bike past you. It would be a great trail to have a leisurely bike ride on, looked smooth and not riddled with pot holes. A lot of the trail is super scenic and has you experiencing many coastal views. In a few spots it does cross over the road, so keep those pups safely on a leash.

We are blessed in Cole Harbour; we have these beautiful trails, and they are right on our doorstep. Heading east on Cole Harbour road, turn right onto Bissett road (just after the Irving station) and in about three minutes you have arrived at the first park. Bissett Road park has miles of trails, excellent vistas and scads of blackberries. (You will have to find these yourself.) The park used to be farmland — a working home for the poorest. Hidden away is a pauper’s gravesite that overlooks an incredible view of the salt marsh. There is interpretive signage detailing the history of the park. This park is for hikers only; although you can ride your bike from the parking lot via the connecting trail south to the Salt Marsh Trail.
Further along Bissett is the Salt Marsh trail. It has been converted from a rail line to hiking and biking. This trail crosses the salt marsh; bisecting it down the middle west to east with bridges along the way. The trail carries on to infinity (at least to Musquodoboit) and beyond. The trail is open to bikers and hikers. Bikers, please sound a bell if you are passing a hiker — they may be enthralled with their surroundings and can be easily startled
This is the trail for birders — especially at low tide when the heron move in close to the trail. (I recently saw a bald eagle chase a seagull, while the eagle in turn was being pestered by a crow.) Both trails are suitable for families. The Salt Marsh trail is entirely flat and has easy access for mobility impaired persons.

I love the Salt Marsh Trail. It’s a convenient family friend trail almost in the heart of Halifax, well Cole Harbour to be exact. It’s a great option for a day outdoors, especially if you follow it to Lawrencetown. I wish the trail had been around when I was a kid, it would have been a great place for a bike outing. The trail is dog, hiker, walker, maybe horse, and bike friendly. You can get some fantastic views of the ocean and surrounding countryside.
The only caveat I have is to make sure when you park your car is devoid of valuables and locked. I’ve heard a few times from the HRP and RCMP that the Salt Marsh Trail parking lots are often targeted for break-​ins because of the remote location.
Great for spring, summer, and fall hikes but winter may be a little tricky. The icy conditions, extra ocean cold, and lack of maintenance could be dangerous and generally not fun.

Beautiful trail; there are at least three parking lots along Bissett Rd with the largest at Cole Harbour Heritage Park that all meet the trail. There are a number of hiking trails/​foot paths from the «Cole Harbour» parking through meadows and woods. The Salt Marsh trail itself is very flat and well groomed. Lots of folks out on a sunny day and very clean outhouses along the routes and you can go all the way past Lawrencetown Beach.

Easily missed on the way to Rainbow Haven, the Salt Marsh Trails are identifiable only by a small gravel parking lot around a corner bend. Outdoorsy folk in the know arrive in droves, armed with bikes, dogs, hiking shoes, cameras, and even non-​motorized boats. Why? Because this place is pretty special.
The gravel trail has been built on old railroad tracks that extend out over the water in a straight, flat line with the occasional bridge and bench for much-​needed breaks to take in the view. Water on either side, the ocean in the distance, forests all around… it’s pretty spectacular for still being so close to the city.
The trail from end to end runs about 6.5kms making for a full afternoon if you’re going to do a round trip, less, of course, if you’re using some pedal power.
Some pro tips:
— The only washroom/​garbage can is about a kilometer in.
— Do not let dogs off-​leash. Local wildlife includes porcupine — so be smart.
— Careful pulling out of the parking lot, people drive fast on that curve.