The best walks and hikes around Halifax County

Lake William is a beautiful, long, narrow lake surrounded by mixed forest, quiet coves, and pockets of wetland along its shoreline. The lake is popular for paddling, swimming, and fishing, with its calm water drawing locals throughout the warmer months. Trails and active-transportation routes run near parts of its edge, offering glimpses of the water and linking the lake to the wider outdoor network in the Shubie Park corridor.

Marshall Brook sits at the end of the trail, and is a shallow, rocky stream that threads through a mix of wetland and open woodland before feeding toward the Lake William corridor. The water moves gently around boulders and fallen branches, with birch, spruce, and low shrubs opening up the banks and letting in plenty of light. It’s a peaceful spot for a break to enjoy the moving water as it slips into the wetlands that border the lake.

This trailhead offers a short detour that climbs to an open, rocky rise with clear views of the lake stretching out on both sides. The viewpoint feels airy and a little exposed, with bare stone underfoot and the surrounding forest dropping away toward the water. It’s a quick side trip, but the scenery makes it a memorable pause along the trail.

The Lake William Trail Bridge is a relatively new suspension crossing that carries this active multiuse trail over the wetland corridor near the edge of Lake William. Designed for walkers and cyclists, it’s a safe link between local trail segments in an area that was previously difficult to navigate. The bridge also supports long-term plans to connect Waverley’s routes to Dartmouth and Shubie Park, strengthening the growing greenway network in the area.

The Hemlock Ravine Park trail system is a network of short loops and connecting paths that wind through the forest and down toward the central ravine. Trails range from wide crusher-dust sections on the main loops to narrower, more natural paths closer to the brook. Wayfinding is straightforward, and the routes can be combined into longer loops depending on where you enter the park. It’s a good option for an easy outing, with mild elevation changes and shaded woodland throughout.

Hemlock Ravine Park is a wooded green space in Halifax with forest paths, small slopes, and a quiet ravine area. The park includes mixed hardwood and hemlock stands, open sections near the heart-shaped pond, and several short connectors linking neighbourhood trailheads. It’s suitable for casual walking and running, with packed-earth and crusher-dust surfaces throughout. The terrain is mostly easy, with a few short descents near the ravine.

A small forest river near Fall River that flows through mixed woodland before dropping over Johnson Falls. Along the approach to the falls, the river runs through a shallow, rocky corridor with sections that widen into quieter pools. It’s visible from short side paths near the end of the Johnson Falls Trail, especially where the terrain begins to narrow into the ravine. The river adds a scenic element to the hike, offering brief viewpoints before reaching the waterfall itself.

A short forest trail near Fall River that follows a mix of old road and narrower footpath to reach Johnson River Falls. The route is mostly level with some uneven sections of dirt, roots, and mud, especially after rain. It leads gradually through mixed woodland before narrowing as you enter the small ravine. The trail works well as a quick out-and-back, with clear forest surroundings and easy navigation from the end of Perrin Drive.