blomidon – gaspereau

SLOW DOWN TIME, WIND DOWN ROADS, LINGER OVER LUNCH.
Grand Pré
Ride through the sun-drenched Annapolis Valley, tasting
wine, enjoying local fare from fantastic farms, orchards
and breweries, and taking in some of the Wolfville area’s
outstanding historic places and natural wonders.
The options really are endless for cyclists in this exceptional
area. Stay in the charming university town of Wolfville,
a central hub for exploring the surrounding area, or find
accommodations along the way in the lovely smaller towns.
The main route takes you from the fertile orchards and
vineyards of the Gaspereau Valley to the epic sea cliffs of Cape
Blomidon. Foodies will delight in the abundance of celebrated
chefs, farmers and markets – prepare for complete culinary
enjoyment!
The Lookoff
Home to beautiful Acadia University founded in 1838, Wolfville
is Canada’s first Fair Trade Town – be sure to enjoy fair trade
coffees, teas and chocolates. Between Wolfville and the
Landscape of Grand Pré UNESCO World Heritage Site, see
centuries-old dykes and embankments, built by Acadians
which continue to protect precious, fertile land from the
enormous tides. Learn about the Acadian Deportation at Grand
Pré National Historic Site and how their culture persevered
as they resettled along the shores of North America. Be sure
to stop in at Just Us Coffee Roastery and Tangled Garden ,
where herbs and fruit are transformed into jewel-like jellies
and flavourful liqueurs.
In the nearby Gaspereau Valley, ride on quiet paved
roads to visit the wineries along the meandering
Gaspereau River. A short detour to Lumsden
Pond Provincial Park will take you to an excellent
swimming and picnic area.
North of Wolfville, you can ride on paved
backroads while you pedal by quaint
farmsteads, peaceful estuaries, and salt
flats. On your way, you can stop in the
village of Port Williams for food and a pint
of local brew at the Port Pub and Bistro and sample some delectable cheese at the
Fox Hill Cheese House .
While the making your way up to the
spectacular sea cliffs and red-sand beaches of
Cape Blomidon, stop in at Kingsport Harbour for
an ice cream and scenic picnic on the sandy beach. Be
prepared for a climb if you journey up to the Lookoff, and
a steep set of switchbacks at the entrance of Blomidon
Provincial Park.
Wolfville is located on the inner reaches of the Bay
of Fundy’s Minas Basin, where the world’s highest tides
reach over fifty feet and create a natural environment unlike
any other. Each day 100 billion tonnes of seawater flows in
and out of the Bay of Fundy during one tide cycle – more than
the combined flow of the world’s freshwater rivers.
While you are in the area, consider taking a sidetrip to the
famous Cape Split for a wonderful four-hour hike or visiting
the charming inlet of Hall’s Harbour where you can buy and eat
lobster on the wharf, mesmerized by the fifty-foot tides.
EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF
NOVA SCOTIA UP CLOSE, BY BIKE.
The Cycle Nova Scotia brochure series feature maps and tips
to connect you with some of our province’s amazing cycling
experiences, and provide a glimpse of what you’ll encounter
while touring these beautiful and diverse regions.
Preparation
Almost all routes profiled are on-road. Nova Scotia’s coastal
highways offer great cycling, with scenic vistas and generally
low traffic volumes. All cyclists must nonetheless understand
and be prepared for the inherent risks of cycling on roads
with motor vehicles. Our maps attempt to identify where
route segments have typically higher traffic volumes, but
traffic conditions along all routes can vary, and remember,
busy is a relative term! Road conditions also vary, and many
segments do not have paved shoulders. A wide range of
conditions are found on multi-use trails.
BLOMIDON –
GASPEREAU
Tour food and wine.
Before heading out, be prepared with the proper equipment,
including a helmet (required by law for all riders), and be
your own judge when planning a route. With this in mind, you
can make the most of your Nova Scotia cycling experience.
Resources
Whether riding for an afternoon or planning a multi-day tour,
please take advantage of our additional resources to make
the most of your journey:
Novascotia.com or 1.800.565.0000 is your best source for
accommodations, top attractions, dining, and complete
visitor information. Experience much more beyond
route highlights!
Bicycle.ns.ca lists most local bike shop, rental,
and tour operators. We also have links to Nova
Scotia Government resources on the rules of
the road and cycling safety.
CycleNovaScotia.ca features
additional route maps
and information on cycle
touring in Nova Scotia.
Northumberland
Shore
Annapolis
Valley
South
Shore
Acadian
Shore
For more information on the Annapolis Valley, visit
www.novascotia.com and www.cyclenovascotia.ca.
Mapping and design by UPLAND and RareBird
Cape
Breton
Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley
48 km
Bay of Fundy
Blomidon
Provincial Park
To
Cape Split
5.5
7.0
358
3.1
re
au
2
3.
Pe
Rd
3.7
358
The Lookoff
Minas Basin
1.3
1.0
To Halls Harbour
18.2
spel Woods
Rd
dford
N Me 1.2
Rd
3.4
ford Rd
M ed
4.4
Go
Canning
0.5
Kingsport
0.8
1.3
221
4.2
221
Saxo
n
2.1 S t
1.7
North Grand Pré
0.7
t
0.5
S
rd
Can a
1.7
We
8.7
358
359
W
1.1
Ch u rch St
Lo
ng
nd
la
Is
1.6
Rd
ré Rd
Grand P
2.9
2.3
e Rd
ton Dyk
ng
lli
341
Starrs Point
1.6
Grand Pré National
Historic Site
Fox Hill
Cheese House
1.6
Collin
Tangled Garden
0.8
s Rd
R
Starrs P oint
3.6
341
d
The Port Pub
d
Ol
Wolfville
e
ke La n
Dy .7
4
Grand Pré
4.3
101
1
1.7
2.3
Grand Pré Rd
Port Williams
Boot Island
National Wildlife
Area
3.3
1
Kentville
Ga
Wallbrook
4.2
ereau A
sp
ve
1.9
101
1
R
4.9 River
au
d
Ga s p e r e
Rd
Ridge
2.6
New Minas
W hi
te Rock Rd
2.2
Gaspereau
2.5
un
ta
101
R
in
d
No
rt
o
M 5.5
h
Lumsden Pond
Provincial Park
N
BLOMIDON–GASPERPEAU
Restaurant/Café
0 km
1
Spur Route
2
3
Total elevation gain: 856 m
4
300 m
200 m
Picnic Spot
Camping
Accommodations
Parking
Scenic View
Beach
100 m
0m
40
km
48 km
km
Blomidon
Provincial Park
30
32 km
km
Kingsport
20
19 km
8 km
Gaspereau
3 km
Wallbrook
0 km
Grand Pré
km
Port Williams
10
Winery / Vineyard
Route Gem
Primary Route
Spur Route
Unpaved Section
Busy Section
Distance marker units are in km.