St. Mary's Trail Association

06/10/2026

We have made considerable progress since April!! Thanks to our funders: Trans Canada Trail, Community, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, Off Highway Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, Municipality of District of St. Mary’s, supporters and volunteer contributors! 👏

Update on construction/expansion Phase 1-

Pictou County line to east branch of river in Denver!
Blue line is cleared and levelled
Red line is on hold temporarily for engineering, permits or further planning etc.
Gold line is cleared of vegetation, awaiting funding for leveling.
Two parking areas have been cleared and levelled

(The connecting piece from Aspen to Denver phase requires more time for bridge engineering and assessment of infrastructure, etc. )

06/07/2026

Thank you to our dedicated volunteers, especially those who worked so hard in the past 6 weeks. Hope you take a well deserved break before we start our next phase!! 🚜🌲🪵🚧⚠️👏

Happy International Trails Day! 🌳☀️

Nova Scotia is criss-crossed with thousands of kilometres of beautiful trails that we use and enjoy in our own ways every single day.

These trails simply would not exist if it weren’t for the amazing volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to build, maintain, and advocate for them day in and day out. So no matter how you choose to celebrate the day, be sure to thank a volunteer the next time you see them out there - and maybe ask how you can get involved too! 💪

06/07/2026

Do you like to walk and are looking for a way to give back to your community? Help
support less active adults enjoy the benefits of walking! provides leader-led
walking groups.
We are looking for volunteers interested in leading gentle, fun, and friendly regularly
scheduled walks for adults who are less active. We provide you with free walk leader
training to give you the skills and confidence to lead these walks. Training will be held
on June 16th, 1:00 p.m via zoom. is a program of Hike Nova Scotia
supported by Nova Scotia Government and Make Your Move
For more information or to register for the training go to:
https://www.hikenovascotia.ca/ns-walks/

06/04/2026

The Hike NS Annual General Meeting will take place online on Monday, June 8, at 7 pm. Hear about Hike NS’s accomplishments in 2025-26 and view a special presentation called Digby Trails Then and Now - Hiking Summit Preview. Register here: https://hikenovascotia.ca/news-hike-ns-agm/

06/01/2026

Our neighbors are hosting a walk!

Recognized annually on the first Saturday in June, International Trails Day is a celebration of trails and what they mean to communities around the world. Join in on the fun locally with a Pictou County Hike Club guided hike along the East River Valley Shared Use Trail.

Date: Saturday, June 6
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: East River Valley Shared Use Trail (Meet at the Sunnybrae Community Hall 2411 East River West Side Road)
Distance: 5km (out and back, approximately 1hr)

See you on the trail!

06/01/2026

Here’s something worth thinking about:
A global study (36,000+ people, 75 countries) found that people who feel connected to nature consistently report higher well-being.

Not just “time outside.” Connection.

And that doesn’t usually come from one big hike. It comes from repetition.

The same trail section. The same route. The same place you start to recognize.

That’s what the Trans Canada Trail does best. It puts nature in reach, so connection can actually happen. Not once. But again and again.

📷: Mira Budd

06/01/2026

Trans Canada Trail signage erected on completed sections in preparation for trail opening, once the bridge is installed in Newtown. Small steps!!

05/30/2026

A job well done! Paul Hubley

05/29/2026

Liscomb Backhoe and Trucking has completed clearing the railbed in Denver! Thanks Paul for all your hard work!! Thanks to our great volunteers for your dedication!

05/27/2026

Slow progress in this last section in Denver!! Blow downs are plentiful!!