The Glooscap Trail along the Bay of Fundy
On our journey through Nova Scotia we have the choice: take the highway from Windsor to Pictou to quickly reach our destination, or choose the leisurely drive along the north coast of Nova Scotia along the Glooscap Trail, always with a view of the Bay of Fundy? The decision is easy for us, because what could be better than coastal landscapes, and especially if they show the highest tidal range in the world.
Traveling on the Glooscap Trail from Windsor to Truro, Nova Scotia
And so we turn shortly after Windsor on country roads, which bring us through rural areas past farms that are surrounded by juicy cattle pastures. Shortly after Belmont we cross one of the side arms of the Bay of Fundy and see what this bay in Atlantic Canada is so famous for: its enormous tidal difference. Depending on the water level, the difference between high tide and low tide in the Bay of Fundy lies between 15 and 21 meters, and so the water of the bay runs in and out twice a day. We can already see on a tributary of the bay that there is currently low tide and the river water, which reaches the bay at high tide via this tributary, is now only available in puddles.
From the bridge over the Cogmagun River at Burlington we can see how half the riverbed is already without water. The shore is lined with saltgrass, which also indicates that sea water flows up the river again and again.
Again and again we pass well maintained and impressive farms on our journey along the coast. Cattle and horse breeding plays a role in this region, and the meadows are mown again at the end of the summer to provide enough hay supplies for the winter.
When we first look at the Bay of Fundy at Kempt Shore, we see that the bay's water is just retreating. The bay is still half full, but the farther we follow it to the east, the more we see of the red seabed.
Again and again, views open onto the bay, where we can watch as the water disappears further towards the horizon. An interesting whim of nature that unfolds on this route along Nova Scotia's north coast.
And the more we see from the bottom of the sea, the more intense you can see the red color of the mudflats. We have a magnificent panorama, as you can see it only in a few places on earth.
As we approach the eastern end of the Bay of Fundy, the Glooscap Trail no longer runs directly along the coast, but across farmland and pastures, where horses and cattle graze, we see new and spectacular rock formations exposed by low tides. What do they look like, when in a few hours the water comes back at high tide?
With a last look at the Bay of Fundy, which now contains almost no water after several hours, we turn inland towards Truro, where we leave the Glooscap Trail. We take our time, because on Shubenacadie River at Maitland we want to see later, how the tidal wave comes back.
The Glooscap Trail in Nova Scotia
The name of this Canadian holiday route goes back to a mythical figure from the legends of the Mi'kmaq and Passamaquoddy Indians, who belonged to the Wabanaki Confederation. Glooscap is a creator in the Indian imagination, and in the myths of the Mi'kmap he has created various landscapes in Nova Scotia, such as the Annapolis Valley. He is described as a giant who slept in Atlantic Canada. Nova Scotia was his bed and Prince Edward Island his pillow.
Our route on the Glooscap Trail ran from Windsor to Truro along the south bank of the Minas Basin, meaning we were only on part of this holiday road. Who wants to drive the entire trail, can also look at the northern part of this route, following the north shore of the Minas Basin.
Travel Arrangements:
Parking at the airport
Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.
Check in:
Arrival by plane, bus or train*. Air Canada, Condor and Icelandair fly from Germany to various airports in eastern Canada.
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Hotels:
hotels along the Bay of Fundy * You can book through our partner booking.com.
Do you also know:
Source: own research on site with the kind support of Tourism Nova Scotia
Text: © Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Photos: Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Who has ever been to the Bay of Fundy? What were your experiences there?
