Day-Hiking on Partridge Island, Nova Scotia
Exploring a Scenic Peninsula in the Bay of Fundy's Minas Basin
Oct 6, 2008
Eastern Canada's Minas Basin is one of the most scenic areas in Nova Scotia. Lined with red sandstone cliffs and washed by the world's highest tides, it's a place where tidal flats stretch out for miles, dotted with scenic islands.
Partridge Island is one of these. Once truly an island, it is now a peninsula connected to the mainland by a sandbar isthmus that was created during the 1869 Saxby Gale. The storm coincided with a perigean spring tide and the resultant 2-metre storm surge swept up the Bay of Fundy, forever changing the shore area at the base of Partridge Island.
For those who have always wanted to explore an island, Partridge Island is a great day-hiking destination, offering a moderately navigable 3 km trail that takes about an hour each way.
Getting to Partridge Island
Partridge Island is a short drive from downtown Parrsboro. Travel along Main Street and continue along Whitehall Road to Ottawa House by the Sea Museum. A road leads down from there to a beach and a parking area close to the Partridge Island trail-head.
The Partridge Island trail climbs rapidly. The path is dotted with interpretive signs while benches allow for rest stops along the way. Climbers can look over the beach below Ottawa House by the Sea and towards the Parrsboro Harbor and headlands such as Two Islands and Five Islands. There's a view of the tide coming in or going out.
As hikers make their way around the island, Cape Blomidon looms across the channel. The trail climbs to 200' above sea level, reaching the back-end of the island and leading to the Partridge Island look-off tower. This viewing platform affords views of distinctive coastal features of the Bay of Fundy: Cape Split and Cape Sharp, and in the distance, Spencer's Island and Cape D'oR.
Wildlife Viewing on Partridge Island
Partridge Island is home to squirrels, rabbits, raccoons and other mammals. The island offers refuge to different bird species including herring gulls, woodpeckers and partridges. Songbirds can be heard and those hiking later in the day may hear owls.
Rockhounding at Partridge Island Beach
The beach below affords rock hounds opportunity to hunt for agate and amethyst. Legend has it that Glooscap, the mythical Mi'kmaq warrior scattered these semi-precious stones there. The Partridge Island shoreline, in fact, holds most of the world's minerals.
- The annual Nova Scotia Gem and Mineral Show is held in the area each August.
When traveling in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, plan on a visit to Partridge Island for stunning vistas of the Bay of Fundy.
Cautionary Note:
- Hikers should stay on the trail as cliff areas are unstable.
- Walking around the base of Partridge Island (outside the isthmus area) is possible only at ebbing tide. Hikers should allow for at least two hours, watch footing, and wear protective headgear.
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