Cathy’s Trans Canada Trail: Urban Nature
Finding Peace on Halifax’s Trans Canada Trail
Written by Cathy Donaldson
Covering nearly 5,500 square kilometres and home to more than 480,000 residents, the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is one of Canada’s biggest municipalities by area. But despite functioning as Atlantic Canada’s largest metropolitan hub, HRM offers a surprising wealth of places to connect with nature — from downtown boardwalks to windswept coastal paths — many of which are official sections of the Trans Canada Trail.
From commute to comfort
David Rodenhiser of Dartmouth has walked or cycled most of those Trail sections, beginning about 15 years ago when he worked in Halifax.
“I’d take the ferry across the harbour in the morning, carrying a backpack with my sneakers and gear,” said Rodenhiser. “A couple of days a week, I’d get the ferry back to Alderney Landing at day’s end, then run from the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail to the Woodside Ferry Terminal, continuing up through Woodside and home. That run was a great way to get exercise while burning off stress.”
In the years since, the Trail has taken on a deeper meaning for him.
Dartmouth resident David Rodenhiser pauses at the Trans Canada Trail Pavilion along the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail near Alderney Landing. Photo credit: Cathy Donaldson
“It’s been very therapeutic for me,” said Rodenhiser. “I went through a difficult job loss in 2020 and then we went straight into COVID. Soon after, my parents passed away in quick succession, and I had a bit of depression. My friend, Gordon, always seemed to know when I needed to get out for a hike — we’d go out on the Trail for 10 or 15 kilometres. It was so good for the mind and body. It definitely centred me and helped me reconnect with nature instead of doomscrolling and binge-watching.”
After chatting at a local coffee shop, Rodenhiser and I headed to the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail so I could take his photo. The Trans Canada Trail pavilion at Alderney Landing Ferry Terminal — featuring a map of Canada highlighting the Trail’s coast-to-coast-to-coast reach — made the perfect backdrop.
One of Rodenhiser’s favourite sections, the Salt Marsh Trail, was my next stop.
Entering Narnia on the Salt Marsh Trail
Driving east through Cole Harbour toward Cow Bay, the scenery shifted — houses spaced farther apart, forests becoming thicker, lakes appearing between trees.
At the Salt Marsh Trail parking lot, I met Jennifer Beckwith and her partner, Peter MacWilliam, along with his dog, Brindi. We bundled up against a sharp February wind and got on the Trail, where tall firs offered shelter.
“I’m so grateful to be able to experience nature and beautiful spaces like this,” said Beckwith as we strolled, sunlight filtering through branches and casting long shadows. “It’s great to get some exercise here, away from the city sounds. I always feel better about life in general on the Trail.”
The Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail offers sweeping waterfront views and a close-up perspective of the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, itself a designated segment of the Trans Canada Trail. Photo credit: Cathy Donaldson
Like many HRM sections, the Salt Marsh Trail follows an old railway corridor. Soon the path opened dramatically onto a causeway, water spreading out on both sides. Even though strong wind gusts swept across the marsh and stung our faces, the scene was stunning.
“Sometimes it feels like I’m going through the coats in the wardrobe and entering Narnia when I come here,” said Beckwith. “It’s such a contrast to the busyness of the city.”
Industrial edges, unexpected calm
Another outing took me to the Macdonald Bridge — itself part of the Trans Canada Trail — bound for the Chain of Lakes Greenway in Halifax’s west end. The paved stretch connects directly to the BLT (Beechville–Lakeside–Timberlea) Trails and is plowed in winter, making it a year-round route.
Near the Chain Lake Drive entrance, I struck up a conversation with Randall Hipson, Andrew MacNeil and Roger Barakett, alumni of the Halifax Running Club, who were taking a break during a workout.
“We run a lot on the Chain of Lakes because it’s cleared and relatively flat,” said Hipson, who noted that the crew ran four or five times a week on the local trail, which threads behind industrial areas in west-end Halifax toward Bayers Lake, linking suburban Halifax to the Trans Canada Trail network.
“We’re so lucky to have this Trail — no traffic and lots of coffee shops around,” said Barakett with a laugh.
For Brenden Blotnicky of Cole Harbour, an avid trail runner and Manager of Network Development and Support for the Trans Canada Trail, variety in landscape is a big part of the Trail’s appeal.
From left to right, Andrew MacNeil, Randall Hipson and Roger Barakett head out for a run on the Chain of Lakes Greenway in Halifax’s west end. Photo credit: Cathy Donaldson
“I like to bounce around from section to section of the Trans Canada Trail each weekend,” said Blotnicky. “I find the diversity and uniqueness of each section helps me to stay engaged and not get bored of running ‘the same old route around the neighbourhood.’”
Blotnicky’s connection to the Trail began in childhood.
“The Trans Canada Trail has been part of my life from an early age, going weekly to the Shubie Canal Greenway with my family,” he said. “It’s great to immerse yourself in nature and share that experience with loved ones.”
Blotnicky also runs weekly with the Cole Harbour Runners, whose route incorporates sections of the Trans Canada Trail about once a month.
“Running helps me maintain good physical and mental health,” he said. “Being in nature gives my state of mind an extra boost. I love the chance to see wildlife and experience the natural beauty of the Trail — especially the sunrises.”
Dog walkers enjoy a winter stroll along the Shubie Canal Greenway in Dartmouth, where wooded paths offer a quiet escape within the city. Photo credit: Cathy Donaldson
Across HRM, whether on coastal causeways, wooded rail beds or urban connectors, the Trans Canada Trail offers something increasingly rare in modern city life: accessible calm within reach of home.
Interested in exploring the Trans Canada Trail within the Halifax Regional Municipality? View the interactive Trail map here: https://tctrail.ca/explore-the-map/. Here’s a list of Trail sections within HRM:
Western HRM / South Shore
• St. Margaret’s Bay Rails to Trails (Rum Runner’s Trail) – 33 km
• BLT Trails (Beechville–Lakeside–Timberlea)(Rum Runner’s Trail) – 13 km
• Chain of Lakes Trail (Rum Runner’s Trail) – 7.24 km
HRM North
• Sackville Lakes Provincial ParkTrails – 6.8 km
• Lake William AT Trail – 6.3 km
Dartmouth / Eastern Passage / Eastern Shore
• ShubieCanal Greenway – 9.25 km
• Shearwater Flyer Trail (Halifax Regional Municipality – Dartmouth Trail) – 8 km
• Salt Marsh Trail – 6.7 km
• Atlantic View Trail – 10.4 km
• Blueberry Run Trail – 12.8 km
• Gaetz Brook Greenway – 7.4 km
• Musquodoboit Trailway – 15 km
The Salt Marsh Trail in Cole Harbour follows a former railway corridor before opening onto a dramatic causeway, with water stretching out on both sides. Photo credit: Cathy Donaldson
Cathy Donaldson is a travel writer based in Moncton, New Brunswick. Read more about her adventures at:
• Website: www.cathydonaldson.ca
• Blog (“Midlife Report”): https://www.cathydonaldson.ca/midlife-report
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.k.donaldson
• Instagram: @cathykdonaldson
• LinkedIn: @cathydonaldson
• Threads:@cathykdonaldson
About Trans Canada Trail
Stretching nearly 30,000 kilometres across every province and territory, the Trans Canada Trail is cared for locally by trail and community groups. As a charity, Trans Canada Trail advocates for and stewards this nationwide system. We support community-led trail projects through the Trail Catalyst Fund and we share reliable trail knowledge through the Centre for Trail Excellence.
A runner makes her way along the Halifax Harbourfront Trail, one of several urban segments of the Trans Canada Trail within HRM. Main photo credit: Cathy Donaldson
