The Outdoor Enthusiast's Causeway: Salt Marsh Trail (Cole Harbour, NS)

Salt Marsh Trail is a super duper easy trail with a unique atmosphere. It is a 6.5km rail trail (i.e. railway converted into a trail) that runs along a causeway through the salt marshes. Map here. This trail is excellent for hiking/walking, running, and cycling. 

There are beautiful views of the marshes, which make for stunning photographs. Expect to see ducks and other waterfowl. Be cautious of flooding and washed-out sections of the trail. 

There is not actually a whole lot to see for wee kids, which can make the kilometers feel longer. You will see a lot of parents who will run the trail while their kids (ages 6ish to 12ish) ride their bikes alongside. We enjoyed the trail, but our 4-year-old got a bit bored in long sections where there were no side trails down to the water. My recommendation would be to bike or run this trail unless you are just getting into walking. 

Ready Aye Ready Bridge

What to expect:
*Stroller-friendly. Bike trailer friendly. 
*Lots of wind! It is colder the further you go on the trail.
*Note: There is a long gap between the outhouse and the next chance to pee. For small kids, this may be tricky as there is not even the privacy of the trees to pee in the woods. I would recommend ensuring small kids use the washroom beforehand.
*Bring binoculars if walking/hiking. 

A Hike for All Skill Levels: Skyline Trail (Cape Breton Highlands National Park, French Mountain, NS)

The Skyline trail is part of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It is the most popular and famous hike in the whole park. It is 7.5 km return (or 9.2 km return if you do the whole loop) and is wide, crushed gravel paths all the way to the boardwalks at the headland lookoff. 

This hike is for everyone!  There are many families on the paths! They are so wide and level that are excellent for accommodating strollers. Even wheelchair users could probably take advantage of most of the hike (though, I suggest checking with park staff to be sure!). 

We were surprised at how "frontcountry" this hike felt, but once we reached the headland, the views were stunning! There are many other trails in the national park that are backcountry, so it is great that this is one for people of all skill levels and nearly all ability levels to enjoy! 

The trail is so easy that it does not feel like 7.5km/9.2km. And of course, our 3-year-old loved it and was so proud to be as high as the clouds! 

Things to keep in mind:
-You will need a park daily entry pass to access the trail. 
-The roads leading to the trail are very steep and sharp.
-The trail is quiet long for toddlers to walk the entire distance, so I recommend taking a kid carrier or stroller to give little legs breaks periodically. 
-Be weary of very high winds on the headland. 
-Be cautious of wildlife.

An Elaborate Walk on the Beach: Munroes Island, Caribou, NS

Munroes Island is an 11 km hike in Caribou, Nova Scotia. It is beautiful, though it is essentially just a really long walk on the beach with some very rocky areas. It is, for the most part, quite easy; though the terrain is not one that would allow for a jogging stroller (at least not for very long)! A kid carrier would be best for this hike. Or for toddlers, a mixture of waking and piggybacks would work well. And rainboots so they can splash and walk out to sandbars. This hike is best at low tide to give you more width to your path, not to mention sandbars in which to play!! 

This hike is known for its many shorebirds and heron. In the salt marsh you will likely spot some sandpipers and ducks! On our hike, we saw what seemed to be a breeding ground for crabs! There were baby crabs the size of spiders crawling everywhere we looked. It was very neat! We also found beautiful sand dollars. 

If you are fascinated by boats, you may also like watching the PEI ferry coming into Caribou. Fishing boats are also frequently spotted from Munroes. This is a hit with wee ones!