Polletts Cove Trail

Polletts Cove is the reward for one of the most challenging day hikes in Nova Scotia: an undulating 16-kilometre round trip from the end of the road at Pleasant Bay over five major headlands into a sweeping abandoned settlement valley. The cove itself is broad, grassy, and ringed by mountains, often grazed by wild horses. Many hikers carry a tent and stay overnight. Streams must be forded and there are no facilities. Start early and check the tide.

What you'll see

• A wide grassy valley ringed by sea cliffs and mountains, with a long sand-and-cobble beach at its mouth.
• Free-roaming horses descended from settler stock — a Polletts Cove signature.
• The Pollett's Cove–Aspy Fault Wilderness Area, one of the most remote stretches in Nova Scotia.
• Dramatic sea-cliff views from the headland traverses, with whales and seals offshore.
• The foundations of an abandoned 19th-century farming community.

On the trail

• 16 km return — 8 km out, 8 km back — with five major headland climbs each direction.
• Cumulative elevation gain over a thousand metres total.
• Several stream crossings without bridges; some are knee-deep or higher in spring.
• The trail is unmaintained — expect blowdown, mud, and faint sections.
• No cell service.
• Many hikers carry a tent and stay overnight at the cove.

What to bring

• Sturdy waterproof boots — non-negotiable.
• Trekking poles for the descents.
• Plenty of water and a filter for refilling at the streams.
• Layers, full rain gear, and a headlamp.
• A topographic map; do not rely on cell maps.
• A bear-aware food strategy if camping; black bears are present.
• A tide chart if you plan to camp on the beach.

Park & access

• Trailhead is at the end of Gampo Abbey Road past Pleasant Bay.
• Free; no facilities, no gate.
• Allow at least eight hours for the round trip; ten is realistic with stops.
• Start at first light to avoid finishing in the dark.

Combine it with

• A whale-watching tour from Pleasant Bay (on a different day).
• The Whale Interpretive Centre in Pleasant Bay before the hike.
• A recovery meal at the Rusty Anchor or another Pleasant Bay spot afterward.