Fall is in the air, bringing crisp air and pops of yellow and red to the trees. If you love vibrant landscapes and colourful leaves, then be sure to check out our favourite places to experience fall colours in Halifax.
Tip: Experiences can be heightened when paired with a pumpkin-spiced-anything and indie-folk playlists.
1. Shubie Park
Shubie Park is a 16-hectare urban park located at the head of Lake Micmac in Dartmouth. The maple, oak and birch trees shine brilliantly yellow and red, contrasting beautifully with the deep greens of the hemlock, red spruce and white pine trees.
This is a dog-friendly park and there are routes that are easily accessible. Make a day of it and bring the whole family!
2. Sir Sanford Fleming Park
Across the Northwest Arm from the Halifax peninsula, Fleming Park is an autumn delight. The former summer retreat of Sir Sandford Fleming, this park offers a variety of trail systems, water frontage and spectacular views!
Walk towards the Frog Pond in the southwest corner of the park to see brilliant sugar and red maples reflected in the water, while bright red blueberry bushes soften the edges of granite boulders.
Tip: For trail routes and park information, visit the Halifax Trails website.
3. Chain of Lakes Trail
The Chain of Lakes Trail is a 7.3km trail that ends in Timberlea. The trail continues from there as the B.L.T. Trail, and beyond along the full Rum Runners Trail. Any section of this trail is a perfect route for a bike trip.
During the fall, visitors to this trail are treated to yellows from sugar maple, larch, birch, ferns and goldenrod, and bright reds from the maples, serviceberry, oak, blueberry, chokecherry.
4. Musquodoboit Trailway
Located on Highway 7 at the Musquodoboit Railway Museum is the trailhead of a 15km, 6-8 hour trek. Secondary routes, including Admiral Lake Loop, South Granite Ridge Trail, North Granite Ridge Trail and Gibraltar Rock Loop, branch from the main rail-to-trail.
At this time of year, the blazing yellow of sugar maples, larches, and ferns; and the bright reds of the red maple and red oak steal the show.
5. The Purcells Cove Backlands
Just off of the Halifax peninsula are some 1,400 hectares of rocky, exposed, yet beautiful landscapes. In the Backlands, there are kilometres of hiking trails that pass by lakes, large boulders, wetlands and some pretty unique woodland plant communities.
In the fall, this place comes alive with bright reds; particularly scarlet blueberry bushes and Canadian serviceberry, as well as the red berries of wintergreen and the bright orange of Canada Holly.
For more information on plant life, trail routes, and history, see the Backlands Coalition website.
