Municipality of the County of Colchester

Cobequid Trail Network

The Cobequid Trail is a 14 km walking and cycling trail network through central Colchester County. The Cobequid Trail takes you along a former railway, through Acadian dykelands, through forests and along brooks, and beside the tidal Salmon River.

In the Mi'Kmaq language, Cobequid means "place of rushing waters". This tidal bore phenomenon is unique to the Bay of Fundy, with Cobequid Bay and the Salmon River helping to create this spectacular display. 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.

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

Sections of the Cobequid Trail

• D.A.R. Section
• Marshlands Section
• Old Barns Section (not shown on map below) 
• Eagle Crest Walk
• Farnham Brook Trail
• Bible Hill Recreation Park Section (not shown on map below)

Note: The D.A.R., Marshlands and Old Barns rail trail sections are continuous, with a combined length of 11 km (one-way).  

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 (see below).

The 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.

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.

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. 

Farnham Brook Trail

This section of the Cobequid Trail follows Farnham Brook through forests and crosses the brook several times. You can continue for about another 2 km via sidewalks and short trail sections, across Pictou Road and College Road, to connect to the Eagle Crest Walk section of the Cobequid Trail along the Salmon River.

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 new trail goes up the hill and through a wooded section of the park. Presently, the new trail deadends, but eventually it will continue along the ridge above the Salmon River and through the Nova Scotia Agricultural College campus.