Micou’s Island in Glen Haven, Nova Scotia is a magical place to visit

This hidden gem-of-a-trail is accessible only by foot

Sunset Drive, Glen Haven N.S.

30 minutes from the Armdale Roundabout
Scenery: 5/5
Terrain difficulty: 2/5
Overall experience: 4/5

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The Hike on Micou’s Island is perfect for families.. #micousisland #halifaxtrails #hikens #familyhiking

Discover a magical forest on this simple hike around Micou’s Island

Micou’s Island is a bit of a hidden gem, literally—you can only access the island by foot via a sandbar at low tide, so be sure to check the tides times before you visit (anything over 1.0 metres and your feet may get wet, which could be a fun summer adventure but in the frosty winter air, not so much).

I absolutely loved this simple hike - Micou’s Island feels like a magical place.

Micou’s Island, only accessible by foot at low tide, is a magical place to hike. #micousisland #discovernovascotia #halifax #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #nstrails #halifaxtrails #halifaxhikes — Micou’s Island, only accessible by foot at low tide, is a magical place to hike. #micousisland **#discovernovascotia #halifax #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #nstrails #halifaxtrails #halifaxhikes**

Just past Tantallon, after a quick drive up Highway 103, at the end of Indian Point Road, you’ll find Micou’s Island, a popular beach in the summer with a great hiking trail year-round.

Micou’s Island, also known as Big Indian Island, is named after the Micou family, Americans who purchased the island as a summer vacation spot in the 1930s.

In 2007, a fundraising campaign allowed for the purchase of the island, which is now jointly cared for by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and the St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association.

Micou’s Island in Indian Point is jointly cared for by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and the St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association.#discovernovascotia #halifax #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #… — Micou’s Island in Indian Point is jointly cared for by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and the St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association.#discovernovascotia #halifax #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #nstrails #halifaxtrails #halifaxhikes

Our adventure to Micou’s Island had us walking across the beach on a cold but brilliantly sunny day, collecting sea glass along the way. A short trail through the woods, past a 150-year-old restored farmhouse cottage (used by the Stewardship Association, whose members take care of the island), and around a bend brought us to the back beach with stunning, scenic views of St. Margaret’s Bay.

The back beach at Micou's Island is a great place to spend some time. Have a snack, play, and enjoy the scenery. #discovernovascotia #halifax #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #nstrails #halifaxtrails #halifaxhikes&nbs… — The back beach at Micou's Island is a great place to spend some time. Have a snack, play, and enjoy the scenery. #discovernovascotia #halifax #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #nstrails #halifaxtrails #halifaxhikes

Bring a snack to relax on the back beach before your hike

There are a fire pit and a bench, the perfect lookout to relax, reflect, and eat snacks of course. After enjoying some freshly-baked doughnuts by the sea (we picked those up on the way), and a play on the beach, we headed back onto the walking trail into the coolest forest I’ve seen in a while.

The scenery of Micou’s Island is beautiful. Plan to spend time exploring and playing on the beaches. #getoutside #hiking #nature #familytime #familyhiking

Then came my favourite part of this trail—winding through a narrow maze of trees, a little passageway reminiscent of The Secret Garden.

We spilled out onto another rocky beach and section of wetland, where it was fun to climb over the rocks. Then it was back through the woods on another short trail and we arrived on the opposite end of the beach where we started.

This 1.6-kilometre easy walking trail is suitable for the whole family and will take you in a loop around the island.

Micou's Island is an easy hike for families. #discovernovascotia #halifax #familytime #familyhiking #familyfun #getoutside #nature #hikens #nstrails #halifaxtrails #halifaxhikes

We spent about an hour-and-a-half enjoying ourselves and exploring the island. You could walk this trail much faster, but I suggest you plan to take your time. The beautiful scenery along the trail through forest, beach, and wetland makes you feel like you are walking through a painting.

My only regret is that I haven’t been here sooner. My score of four out of five is because we can’t access this beautiful spot whenever we want, we have to flow with the tides—but maybe that’s what makes this adventure all the more whimsical.

Check times and tides for access to Micou’s Island here