Hike Uniacke Estate Trails in Mount Uniake, Nova Scotia
/Uniacke Estate Museum Park is a great option for winter hiking
There are many trails to choose from at Uniacke Estate Museum Park
758 NS Trunk 1, Mount Uniacke, N.S.
30 minutes from the Armdale Roundabout
Scenery: 3.5/5
Terrain difficulty: 3.5/5
Overall experience: 3.5/5
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The Hike on Micou’s Island is perfect for families.. #micousisland #halifaxtrails #hikens #familyhiking
Red Spruce Loop at Uniacke Estate Museum Park is an adventurous hike
Uniacke Estate Museum Park is a lovely place to hike. I’d been there for a walk a couple of times before kids, but this was our first visit as a family.
With a few different loops and trails available at various lengths and difficulties, it’s a place to put on the repeat list to cover all the ground with a different experience each time.
The entrance to the park was closed, with a sign directing us further along the road to the exit to access the parking lot. What a popular place - on the Sunday afternoon we were there, the parking lot was full, with lots of activity. Hikers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers were all coming and going. As tends to be with the great outdoors, once we got going, we didn’t encounter many people at all.
With a few different loops and trails available, Uniacke Estate is a place where you can return for different hiking experiences. #discovernovascotia #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #nstrails
The estate was the country home of Attorney General Richard John Uniacke, built between 1813 and 1815. The grounds are now a preserved museum and park. While the museum is closed for the season, the trails remain open year-round.
We followed the main path to the right, past the buildings. From the parking lot, it’s not far to access the trails. Dogs do have to stay on-leash at all times. There are vault toilets open over the winter. There’s lots of signage to guide you along the way, including pink triangles all along our hike to ensure we were always headed in the right direction.
There’s lots of signage on the trails at Uniacke Estate Museum Park to guide you in the right direction. #uniackeestate #mountuniacke #novascotia #trails #hiking #hikens
There are five loops and trails deemed easy to moderate and three considered wilderness trails. We chose to hike the two-kilometre Red Spruce Loop, filed under the wilderness category. We hiked the loop counter-clockwise to be able to walk along Uniacke Lake with a view of the water on our return.
The Red Spruce Loop is a two kilometre wilderness trail great for winter hiking. #discovernovascotia #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #nstrails
Rugged winter terrain on this trail makes for a moderate-level hike
The trail started easy, but it’s certainly a hike in the woods that becomes a little challenging, especially with winter terrain. You’ll want to be steady on your feet with all the ups, downs, streams, and rocks to navigate, but it’s certainly feasible for a family hike (with my girls being five- and seven-years-old and fairly adventurous). I’d call the terrain rugged and a moderate level for sure, and certainly not wheelchair accessible or stroller-friendly. Cross-country skis are not for this section either. Parts of the trail seemed untouched, considering how many people were at the park. There is no winter maintenance.
The Red Spruce Loop is challenging, and fun, especially with the winter terrain. #discovernovascotia #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #nstrails
Be prepared for winter weather at Uniacke Estate Museum Park
We spent an hour-and-a-half in the park, including an extended snack break (polishing off an entire batch of freshly-baked oatcakes) on the lakeside bench we came across.
Snacking on the go on the Red Spruce Loop trail at Uniacke Estate Museum Park. #familyhike #snackonthego #hikesnacks
If you’re going to head out to Uniacke Estate Museum Park for a walk or a hike, be sure to go prepared for the weather. There was significantly more snow than in the city on the weekend we were there. That said, it’s a great spot to find some winter outside Halifax.
It’s a peaceful spot to hike with beautiful scenery, especially with snow. I really recommend this winter hike. We’ll definitely head back for more exploring.
Read my column Hike Nova Scotia: Uniacke Estate Trails, Red Spruce Loop
We enjoyed a hike around Uniacke Estate Museum Park recently. Although the museum is closed for the season, the grounds are open for hiking. #discovernovascotia #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #nstrails
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