Spring Hike - Admiral Lake Loop

As spring arrives in Nova Scotia - rarely quickly - hiking can become somewhat of a challenge. Most of the terrain near Halifax is made up of granite and other protruding rocks with a thin layer of soil, usually found in bogs, barely covering them. With the snow mostly melted, those convenient snowshoes have to be stored away, but the ground is not dry enough yet for easy walking.

Nevertheless, I do not think you should not avoid all trails at this time of year. After all, with the warmer weather will also come black flies and mosquitoes, and although walking will be drier and easier, there will be those other, off-setting problems. Instead, for avid hikers consider selecting one of the more challenging trails, away from the coast with its cold winds and frequent April rains squalls, for your weekend walk.

I recommend the Admiral Lake loop, which features a jaunt to the edge of the Whites Lake Wilderness Protected area. This rugged 10-km loop, which climbs several granite hills, begins and ends in the village of Musquodoboit Harbour on the abandoned rail line. Hikers have the choice of warming up along this gentle path for 1.8 or 2.5 km before turning into the vegetation to their right and beginning their trek.

If the section along the rail-line was too easy, what you face once you leave it is anything but. From either of the two access points to the loop, you enter into a work of jumbled rocks and steeply climbing hillsides. There are so many rocks here, that I often think that one come hop from one to the next for the entire length of the trail, and never need to touch dirt.

But for those who enjoy a grunt over rough terrain, this is just fine!

And you will be rewarded for your effort. The Admiral Lake Loop features numerous, striking look-offs. There are picturesque views of the Musquodoboit River Valley, of Admiral Lake, and of the surrounding granite uplands. Not only that, but other interesting attractions, such as "The Cave" await discovery. (And admit it, doesn't the chance to see "Skull Rock" excite your sense of adventure just a little?)

The Admiral Lake Loop in not suitable for everyone. Even those who consider themselves fairly fit should allow extra time to complete this trail. However, I think that once you complete it, it will become one of your favourite hikes available within the HRM, and a suitable choice for a spring-like April scramble.