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Hemlock Ravine Park Trails

Halifax North West Trails Association

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Record #: NST0039
Last Modified: 07 Jan 2020
Last Full Update: 30 Apr 2019

Location

Located In Mainland Halifax
Where To Find Us
Trailhead:
40 Kent Ave
Halifax, NS
Areas Served Halifax Regional Municipality

Contact

Social Media Facebook
Website www.halifaxnorthwesttrails.ca/
E-Mail hnwta.communications@gmail.com
Volunteer Opportunity New members always welcome! Details on the webpage.

Description & Services

Trail Surface Within the park are 4 km of looped trails, one of which is available for off-leash dog walking (times posted). Most of the trails have a crusher dust surface.
Trail Activities Hiking ; Trail Running ; Walking ; Snowshoeing ; Geocaching ; Bird Watching ; Nature Viewing ; Dog Walking (off leash) ; Dog Walking (on leash)
Trail Attributes Network Trail ; Groomed Trail ; No Winter Maintenance (Use Caution) ; Interpretive Signage ; Reliable Cellphone Reception
Facilities At Start/End/Along Trail Benches ; Picnic Areas ; Trail Map Signage ; Parking Available ; Public Transportation
Information This 200 acre parkland was part of the estate of John Wentworth, the second Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, and used by Prince Edward and his companion Julie in the late 1700’s. This is a great park for family wildlife viewing, picnicing at one of the provided tables, and geocaching. Trailhead maps explain this trail system ( stacked loops) that is rated Easy Moderate. 
 
In the late 1780's, Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant Governor John Wentworth resided here. He lent his country house to Prince Edward in 1794, who landscaped the grounds and built several decorative garden buildings. After the Prince and his mistress left in 1800, the Wentworths again took up residence. After Wentworth’s death, the house and garden fell into disrepair. The oval pond, which Prince Edward built, was given the shape of a heart in 1869 when one of Prince Edward’s grandsons visited. It and the Rotunda located on the Bedford Highway adjacent to Kent Ave overlooking the Bedford basin are the most visible remains of the Prince’s garden. 
 
Halifax Regional Municipality shares ownership of the park with the Province and maintains it. Besides the Hemlocks, there are Yellow Birch, Red Spruce, Beech, Striped, and Mountain Maple trees found in the park. There are also mushrooms in the fall and Lady Slippers in the spring. There are blueberries, Indian pipe, Lambkill, lichens, and ferns along the way. Hemlock Ravine, which gave the park its name, contains some trees which are over 300 years old and 80 feet tall.  
 
Additional access and parking on Julies Walk.

Special Information

Tags NS Trail Guide ; Recreation Categories ; Trails
Categories - General Geocaching ; Hiking Trails ; Snowshoe Trails