Gaff Point will always be one of my favourite hikes for 2 reasons. There’s nostalgia, as this was my family’s day trip growing up when we wanted to spend time outside.
But it also has undeniable beauty that encapsulates the maritime vibes that folks often associate with Nova Scotia.
This 7km loop has a beach walk, steep shale cliffs, a wonderful spruce forest, endless coastal views, and even a secret beach!
Finding the Trail
This trail begins at the Hirtles Beach parking lot – just follow Hirtle Beach Road to the very end and it will be on your right.
The Hike
The first part of this hike takes you the length of Hirtle Beach. About half way through, you’ll reach the iconic Hirtle Beach Cliffs. There is a trail that takes you up and over them, but it’s worth noting that this is private property. The public is allowed to use it as long as there are no horses in the field!
Once you reach the Spruce Forest at the far end of the beach, you’ll find some information signs, including an overview of the trail.
The next 500 metres takes you into the forest, until you reach a clearing on the other side. Here you’ll have some beautiful ocean views looming back towards the beach. This is also where you can branch off and find Secret Beach! For adventure’s sake though, I won’t disclose the actual location.
Not long after this, you’ll hit a “Y” split into the trail. This is the actual loop portion of the hike. I recommend going right and doing the loop counter clockwise. This will save the coastline section for last!
