In Guysborough County, routes, museums and festivals explore a wide range of themes, from birdwatching and paddling to coastal history and Acadian culture. When planning your trip, you can compare specific differences, such as a route’s length, a ferry’s seasonal departure times or the dates of annual festivals.
Hiking Trails and Paddling
The Guysborough Waterfront Trail begins at the end of Main Street in Guysborough and is 3.5 km long. Along the way, there are opportunities to enjoy the views and watch birds. Historic features along the trail include Nicolas Denys’ fishing and trading post and the ramparts of a village fort. Another route, the Guysborough Nature Trail, is part of the Great Trail, also known as the Trans Canada Trail.
At 9 km one way between Queensport and Cole Harbour, the Radar Base Trail is a different kind of route. It follows a 150-year-old road that connects coastal communities on Chedabucto Bay with communities on Tor Bay. When choosing a route, different lengths and connections to local places are therefore key considerations. If you prefer to be on the water, you can canoe or kayak on the freshwater Irving Lake in Boylston Provincial Park.
Ferry Connection Between Port Bickerton and Country Harbour
The free cable ferry Theodore O’Hara, also known as the Country Harbour Ferry, connects Port Bickerton with Country Harbour and carries 12 vehicles. In summer, it runs every 15 minutes. During the rest of the year, it departs from the Country Harbour side hourly and from the Port Bickerton side every half hour. If you’re planning when to cross, it helps to check the schedule.
Local History and Cultural Insights
Sherbrooke Village is the largest site of the Nova Scotia Provincial Museum. More than 25 historic buildings and costumed interpreters bring the village to life. The educational camps offered there include one- or multi-day programs on Hands On History, blacksmithing and songwriting. For a different perspective on regional history, visit the Goldenville Interpretive Centre, where images, objects and conversations with interpreters tell the story of the old mining community from 1861 to 1942.
In Canso, the Canso Islands National Historic Site pairs a waterfront visitor centre with an interpretive trail on Grassy Island. The island is a 15-minute boat ride away. The Whitman House Museum illustrates the history of Canso and eastern Guysborough County through artifacts from Canso Harbour. Museum guides also lead visitors to the widow’s walk on the roof, where you can take in a bird’s-eye view of Canso.
Port Bickerton Lighthouse stands at the western end of Barachois Head on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore and marks the entrance to Port Bickerton Harbour. Its importance to the local community dates back to the construction of the first lighthouse in 1901. You can find crafts and visual art at ArtWorks East’s exhibition and sales locations in Guysborough and Canso. The collective represents artists and craftspeople from Guysborough County.
Festivals Throughout the Year
In Canso, the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, also known as Stanfest, is held every year on the last weekend of July on the outskirts of town. In Larry’s River, an annual festival in the second week of August celebrates Acadian culture. These two dates offer a useful guide if you’d like to plan your visit around a festival.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Guysborough, Liscomb, Canso, Fishermans Harbour, Little Dover.
More destinations: Cumberland County, Lunenburg County, Queens County.
Back to the main travel overview: Nova Scotia.
