Winter walks – a boost for our bodies and minds

Making time to be active in the outdoors this Winter will help you stay healthy and happy. Walking or snowshoeing is a wonderful and free way to boost your immune system and feed your soul during the pandemic.

“Making sure we balance screen time and doing something good for ourselves like being outdoors is definitely worth it,” says Janet Barlow, Hike NS Executive Director. “Getting out for a walk or a snowshoe is something most folks can do close to home on a local trail.”

Hike NS and 18 host organizations partnered to offer the Winter Guided Walk Series in January, February and March. There are 45 walks scheduled province-wide. Walks are led by local folks and participants qualify to win trail prizes. All of these free or low-cost hike or snowshoe events require pre-registration and will follow public health protocols, including physical distancing. 

The full schedule with registration details and directions is found at www.hikenovascotia.ca. Hikes are listed by date and region and include various lengths and difficulty levels. For some of the guided walks, snowshoes are provided. If there’s no snow, most events will go ahead as walks.

Hike NS thanks its local partners on the ground for organizing the events as well as The Trail Shop, Goose Lane Editions, the Heartland Tour and the NS Department of Communities, Culture Tourism and Heritage for their support. Hike NS encourages and promotes a growing hiking culture throughout the province, striving to be the voice for those who hike, walk and snowshoe.

If you need snowshoes, you can easily find some to borrow, rent or buy using Hike NS’s online directory, with over 90 listings. There are 60 venues where you can borrow them for free. Also, an Intro to Snowshoeing webinar will be held on January 26. Learn more about the webinar and directory at www.hikenovascotia.ca.

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Contact

For more information on these events or Hike Nova Scotia contact:

Janet Barlow, Hike Nova Scotia
(902) 932-6902
Email
www.hikenovascotia.ca 

Winter Hiking Courses & Webinars

Registration is open for Hike Nova Scotia’s slate of winter 2021 courses and webinars.

In-person courses include Field Leader – Winter modules (prerequisite is the Field Leader – Hiking course).

Webinars include Intro to Snowshoeing, Happy Hiker Feet How-to, Intro to Hiking and Come Walk With Us (about an epic journey across Canada).

Dates, locations and costs vary, depending upon the course or webinar. COVID-19 public health guidelines will be followed for in-person courses.

Partners include the NS Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, the Outdoor Council of Canada, The Trail Shop, Arthritis & Injury Care Bracing & Orthotics and Come Walk With Us. Learn more and register at www.hikenovascotia.ca.

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Contact

Hike Nova Scotia
(902) 932-6902
Email 
www.hikenovascotia.ca 

Fall Hiking Courses & Webinars

Hike Nova Scotia’s fall schedule of courses and webinars across the province is now available. They focus on skills for novices all the way up to experienced hikers.

“We’re excited to be able to offer our in-person courses again, while respecting public health pandemic restrictions,” says Janet Barlow, Hike NS Executive Director. “But we’re also offering a suite of online webinars so that most people can learn, no matter where they are.”

In-person courses include: 

• Field Leader – Hiking: Sept. 19-20 or Nov. 14-15
• Navigation Maps & Compass: Sept. 26-27 or Oct. 24-25
• Field Leader – Winter: date to be announced

Webinars include:

• Intro to Hiking: Sept. 23, Oct. 20 or Nov. 18
• Leave No Trace: Oct. 6
• Tick Prevention: Sept. 15
• Wildlife Encounters & Safety: date to be announced

Fast Facts

• Dates, locations and costs vary, depending upon the course or webinar.
• Learn more and register at www.hikenovascotia.ca. 
• COVID-19 public health guidelines will be followed for in-person courses, which include indoor and outdoor sessions. 
• Partners include the NS Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, the Outdoor Council of Canada, Leave No Trace Canada, the District of Chester, AtlanTick Repellent Products and the NS Department of Lands and Forestry Natural Resources Education Centre.
• Hike Nova Scotia encourages and promotes a growing hiking culture throughout our great province. We strive to be the voice for those who hike, walk and snowshoe. With every step we’re building a community of outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

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Contact

Hike Nova Scotia
(902) 932-6902
Email 
www.hikenovascotia.ca 

Hike NS Introduces Hiking Virtually

How do you introduce people to hiking in the middle of a pandemic? In an age where in-person workshops aren’t allowed and group hikes a no-go, Hike Nova Scotia came up with a solution: go virtual with an Intro to Hiking webinar.

Quotes

“Now that Nova Scotians are allowed back into parks and on the trails we figured there would be interest since people were so thirsty to get back outside,” says Janet Barlow, Executive Director of Hike NS and the webinar presenter. “The webinar is our way of engaging people who want to start hiking or hike more but want some basic knowledge to stay safe and have a good experience.”

Event Details

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 7 pm
Cost: $20 (free for Hike NS paid members), non-members receive a free one-year individual membership
Registration Deadline: May 27 (webinar spaces are limited)
Registration Link: Learn more and register at www.hikenovascotia.ca

Fast Facts

• This “taster” session covers how to prepare for a hike and hiking best practices.
• It includes information you need before you leave, what to bring and wear, self-care and hiking etiquette.
• The one-and-a-half hour webinar also includes a half-hour question and answer session. 
• Hike NS thanks the NS Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage for its support. 
• Hike NS encourages and promotes a growing hiking culture throughout the province, striving to be the voice for those who hike, walk and snowshoe.

Photos

Find photos on Facebook  or Instagram or use some of the photos on this page.

Social Media

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Contact

For more information on these events or Hike Nova Scotia contact:

Janet Barlow, Hike Nova Scotia
(902) 932-6902
Email 
www.hikenovascotia.ca 

2019 Slate of Hike NS Courses Released

Hike Nova Scotia’s schedule of 2019 courses and workshops across the province is now available. From June to October and from one end of the province to the other, they range from how to share nature with children to how to be a hike leader to navigation.

Quotes

“As a hiking organization, we want to see people have fun and stay safe and that’s what these courses are all about,” says Janet Barlow, Hike NS Executive Director. “Hiking and interest in outdoor activity is growing and these courses ensure both novice and experienced hikers have the skills they need for a great time on the trail.”

Details

The specific offerings include:

• Re-Connecting with Nature Workshops
• Field Leader – Hiking Courses
• Navigation Maps & Compass Courses

Fast Facts

• Re-Connecting with Nature Workshop: This is a one-day, hands-on workshop held mostly outdoors to improve your ability to lead and share an appreciation and understanding of nature with children and youth.
• Field Leader – Hiking Course: A two-day course with a systematic approach to planning and managing a one-day hiking activity.
• Navigation Maps & Compass Course: A two-day course with a comprehensive introduction to navigation using maps and compass.
• Dates, locations and costs vary, depending upon the course or workshop.
• Learn more and view the schedules and details at www.hikenovascotia.ca/courses-workshops.
• Partners include the Outdoor Council of Canada and the NS Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.
• Hike Nova Scotia encourages and promotes a growing hiking culture throughout our great province. We strive to be the voice for those who hike, walk and snowshoe. With every step we’re building a community of outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

Photos

Find photos on Facebook  or Instagram or use some of the photos on this page.

Social Media

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Contact

For more information on these events or Hike Nova Scotia contact:

Janet Barlow, Hike Nova Scotia
(902) 932-6902
info@hikenovascotia.ca
www.hikenovascotia.ca

Fall Hikes, Events & Courses

Fall is a busy time and this season Hike NS has over 60 hikes, events and courses available. Check them out!

Hike NS Fall Guided Hike Series 2017

Hike Nova Scotia and 28 host organizations across the province have partnered up to offer the 2017 Fall Guided Hike Series from September to November. There are 50 hikes led by local folks and participants qualify to win “trail prizes.” Hikes are free and

Slate of 2017-18 Hike NS Courses & Workshops Released

Hike NS’s schedule of courses and workshops across Nova Scotia is now available for 2017-18. Beginning in June through to February, they range from how to share nature with children to how to be a hike leader to navigation. 

Field Leader – Winter Leadership courses in February 2016

Saturday, February 6, 2016 in Halifax

Sunday, February 28, 2016 in Chester Basin

A pre-requisite for taking this module is Field Leader – Hiking certification. This nationally recognized course will provide participants with Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) training in Field Leader – Winter Leadership and allow the Field Leader to lead in low-risk winter environments as defined by the OCC. The course is $50 for non-Hike NS members and $40 for paid Hike NS members. It is delivered by OCC certified instructors and offered through Hike Nova Scotia in partnership with the NS Chapter of the OCC and supported by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness For more information, go here.

Field Leader – Hiking & Paddling Course Aug. 28-30, Shelburne

A Field Leader – Hiking & Paddling Course will be offered in Shelburne on August 28, 29 and 30 at The Islands Provincial Park. It will provide participants with Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) national certification in Field Leader – Hiking & Paddling. This includes skills to organize and lead others in a one day, educational or activity based experience in a natural environment. The course is two and a half days in length and will provide successful candidates with the necessary skills to be a confident hiking and paddling leader

Field Leader – Hiking Course Feb. 21-22, Dartmouth

A Field Leader – Hiking Course (formerly Leadership Level 1 – Hiking) will be offered in Dartmouth on February 21-22, 2015. It will provide participants with Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) national certification in Field Leader – Hiking. This includes skills to organize and lead others in a one day, educational or activity based experience in a natural environment. The program is suitable for hiking club leaders, trail groups, recreation department staff, teachers, 4H leaders, Scout leaders, Girl Guide leaders, parents or individuals interested in leading hikes. Courses are taught by OCC certified instructors. The course is two full days in length and will provide successful candidates with the necessary skills to be a confident hiking leader. The cost is $90 ($80 for current Hike NS members). The course is offered through the Nova Scotia Chapter of the OCC in partnership with Hike Nova Scotia and supported by the Province of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Outdoor Leadership Development Program. For more information, go here.