New water trail website launched

Are you planning a paddling trip along the southern coast of Nova Scotia? Could you use information on where to land, buy groceries, stay overnight or get a hot meal?

A new water trail website has been launched that provides takeout information from the county line between Shelburne and Queens to the Town of Lunenburg, about 300 km in a direct line (much more with all the coves and islands.) This section of trail is now online at www.trails.gov.ns.ca (go to “Coastal Water Trails”, then “Queens to Lunenburg.”).

There are 38 takeouts in all and a useful introduction packed with local information for planning your trip. Each takeout site includes a description, directions from land and sea, a GPS reading and a photo or two along with a list of nearby (walking distance) services. The idea is to give paddlers basic takeout information for doing a continuous route.

The research was done by writer and paddling guide, Sheena Masson, author of Paddle Lunenburg-Queens. “As with the other water trails, this research is just a first step”, says Masson.

Community groups can participate by monitoring local access sites, suggesting new ones and promoting local services. A water trail association can be formed like the Maine Island Trail Association www.mita.org) and its members can develop wilderness campsites and address environmental issues.

The provincial website already includes water trail information for Yarmouth and Shelburne counties under “South West Nova Scotia” so paddlers now have a resource for touring all the way from Yarmouth to Lunenburg as well as for shorter trips along the South Shore.

This summer Masson will be doing similar research from Lunenburg to Halifax that will also go online at the same site. It will provide paddlers with information all along the south shore.

Masson will once gain partner with Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia who administer the project and the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection who create the maps, and build and host the Web site.