LaHave & Petitie Rivière Day Trip - Rissers Beach
If you're looking for a fun outing that packs in amazing views, tasty eats and wonderful beaches all into one day, then the LaHave & Petite Rivière area is definitely your jam; it's one of our favourite day trips! Zip along the beautiful coastal route to take it all in before refueling with some delicious food and drinks.
Below the description, we've got a handy printable pdf file of the LaHave and Petite Rivière Day Trip Description and Map.
Gaff Point Trail & Secret Beach - Hirtle's Beach
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Gaff Point Trail, a 6.6-km loop hike near Kingsburg starting from Hirtle's Beach that has something special for everyone - dirt paths, wooden planks, smooth rocks and flat stones provide an adventurous day out with plenty of opportunities for picnics along the way. Feel like you're on top of the world as you traverse this beautiful landscape!
LaHave and Petite Rivière Day Trip
The LaHave and Petite Rivière area is a perfect place for an easy day getaway. From gorgeous beaches to stunning sightseeing spots, the coastal route will leave you in awe - not to mention indulging with some delicious food and libations!
Below the description, you can download the printable pdf file of the LaHave and Petite Riviere Day Trip Description and Map.
Old LaHave Bakery and Cable Ferry
Start your journey at River Ridge Lodge and take the scenic route through Maders Cove to Lunenburg and further to Masons Beach and Riverport. Cross LaHave River on the LaHave cable ferry, one of the last remaining cable ferries in Nova Scotia, and you will find yourself near the famous old LaHave Bakery. The ferry departs East LaHave on the 1/4 hour and 3/4 hour and is free. The short wait and 5-minute journey are worth it for the perfect 360-degree view of the river and the sense of the lifestyle and slower pace.
The LaHave Bakery is located in a Victorian-era sea-trading centre in LaHave, a 17th-century French settlement and is a must-stop. Enjoy some of their traditional bread made from locally grown, freshly milled grains, soup, sandwiches, and coffee to keep you well-fueled for some outdoor adventure. While there, check out the locally made treasures of the LaHave Crafters Co-op at the bottom of the building.
If you feel like learning about the area's history, visit the National Historic Site at Fort Point, only 2 minutes later turning left on Fort Point Rd. This picturesque point at the mouth of the LaHave River was the first capital of New France in 1632, the beginning steps of Acadian history in Canada. The Fort Point Museum depicts life for the new French settlers and the Mi'kmaq.
Rissers Beach Provincial Park
After Fort Point Museum, go back on Hwy 331 for about 8 kilometres; you will see a turn-off for Crescent Beach Rd, Crescent Beach and LaHave Islands. Crescent Beach is about 2 km long and connects the LaHave Islands to the mainland. The beach stretches out from the shore to Georges Island, one of the LaHave Islands, and is one of a few, if not the only, beach in Nova Scotia that you can drive on. This makes the beach accessible for those with mobility issues, or you can park on the beach, pull out your chair, cooler etc. and watch the scenery and waves. Crescent Beach is a popular destination throughout the summer.
We prefer walking the beach so and would park the car at the beginning and walk along the beach. The beach makes for a nice walk in any season. In the summer Crescent Beach is popular for swimming, kite surfing and boogie boarding.
Just a bit further on Hwy 331, you get to Rissers Beach Provincial Park. The parking lot for the beach is located on the north side of the road near the campground. At the end of the parking lot is a path that leads you underneath a tunnel to the beach. Change rooms, washroom and shower facilities make this an ideal beach for an all-day outing.
Rissers Beach Boardwalk
Rissers Beach is a beautiful sheltered 1.5-kilometre-long sandy beach and is our favourite beach for swimming and just spending the day relaxing in the sun. The water is usually a bit warmer here since the water is very shallow. We love this beach during all seasons and like walking to the end of the beach and then taking the boardwalk back along a beautiful inland marsh toward the parking lot.
Osprey's Nest Pub in Petite Rivière
If the beach has made you hungry or thirsty, stop at the Osprey's Nest Public House, only a minute further on Hwy 331. Turn right on John Rieser Dr. In the summer, they have a lovely patio, and there is usually live entertainment every Saturday and some Sundays. There are otherwise not many eateries in the area, and if you are counting on eating in the Petite Rivière area, I would advise making sure the pub is open. Usually, the pub is only open from Thursday through Sunday.
Petite Rivière General Store
Another worthy stop is the Petite Rivière General Store, a step back in time. The general store has been a local hub since the mid-1920's they offer excellent ice cream, coffee, baked goods, groceries, and gas and have a liquor store outlet. We love enjoying the ice cream in the beautiful park across from the general store.
Near the centre of Petite Revière, there are also some art and craft places, including Maritime Painted Saltbox and Mariner Craft. Maritime Painted Saltbox is a destination gallery in the Lunenburg County region. They offer art and art furniture by artists Tom Alway and Peter Blais.
Mariner Craft is a former 1892 general store where they offer sagged bubble glass, leather goods and wire jewelry, as well as pottery, pewter and woodwork.
Make sure you ask us for the Petite Rivière LaHave & Area Guide Map before you head out to find all the hidden gems.
Petite Rivière Winery
Petite Rivière Winery, just 4 kilometres up the road from the Petite Rivière General Store, is another stop not to be missed. Petite Rivière Winery is a French-style winery with gardens and views of the vineyards. Enjoy a wine tasting or experience a daily "Ultimate Tour & Wine Tasting," for which reservations are required. River Ridge Lodge guests receive a special discount for the wine tours & tasting or winery products; make sure you ask Frauke for a voucher. She will also gladly make a reservation for a wine tour and tasting.
Petite Rivière Winery also hosts concerts, art shows and special events, so make sure to check with them or us to find out more.
To get there from the Petite Rivière General Store, take Petite Rivière Rd and then Italy Cross Rd along Petite Rivière Road.
LaHave and Petite Rivière Day Trip Map and the way back to River Ridge Lodge
The shortest and more scenic way back to Mahone Bay and River Ridge Lodge is to continue on Italy Cross Road and turn right on Crousetown Rd to Conquerall Mills and then Bridgewater. We usually turn right here onto Hwy 3, follow Hwy 3 through Bridgewater, and then turn right onto Hwy 325, the second bridge crossing the LaHave River. Hwy 324 takes you into Mahone Bay, and from there, a left turn on Hwy 3 takes you back to River Ridge Lodge after about 6 kilometres.
The fastest way back to River Ridge Lodge is to get onto Hwy 103 either in Italy Cross or Bridgewater, scoot back on the highway to Exit 10 and then turn left towards Martins River. You will see the River Ridge Lodge sign on your right after about 4 kilometres.
Gaff Point Trail & Secret Beach Day Trip
Gaff Point Trail starts at Hirtle's Beach and is a beautiful 7-kilometre loop trail. The trail is located near Riverport, Nova Scotia features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running. You can print out a map, the trail description, and things to do on the way or back below. The first kilometre is along the beach, and if the tide is in, you will like wearing sturdy shoes since you would have to walk over small rocks.
Below the description, you can download a pdf file with the Gaff Point Trail description and map, including images.
Start at Hirtle's Beach near Kingsburg
This lovely day trip includes one of our favourite hikes. The Gaff Point Trail is one of our favourite hikes, a beautiful 6.6-kilometre loop hike that starts from Hirtle's Beach near Kingsburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. The trail offers stunning scenery with many coastal views and various terrain, from well-worn dirt paths, smooth rounded rocks, wooden planks, flat top stones, and more along the way. There are lots of lovely spots for a picnic lunch.
On the way to Hirtle's Beach, you come by Rose Bay Store & Bistro, a worthwhile stop for European delicacies, in-house baked goodies, locally sourced bread, produce, meats and eggs or even wine and beer.
Right after Rose Bay Store & Bistro, turn left onto Kingsburg Road towards Kingsburg and then right on Hirtle Beach Rd after 4.3 km to the Hirtle's Beach parking lot at the end of the road. Hirtle's Beach is gorgeous, especially when the tide is low. It's also a great spot to watch the high waves during a storm, our favourite spot for storm watching.
There are outhouses in the parking lot.
Rose Bay Store & Bistro to Fuel Up
We usually try to hike the trail on weekdays and/or when the weather is not sunny; this is a fun hike with some gorgeous views and varied landscapes, even in less-than-perfect weather. The trail tends to be quite busy on nice weekend days. It's our experience that most people walk the trail clockwise; if you do that, you tend to run into fewer people.
You already came by the Rose Bay Store & Bistro; if you feel like something casual and hungry, this is quite a great option. If you want to try something else, going back to Lunenburg, you will see a big blue house on the right side, the Bayport Pub. There is also a restaurant open in July and August at The Ovens, The Ol' Miner Diner. Quite a fun place with nightly live music in the summer. We recommend making a reservation since it tends to be a popular place. Another option would be to go back to Lunenburg or Mahone Bay. In Lunenburg, our favourites are the Saltshaker Deli and The Knot Pub. However, there are quite a few good options.
Gaff Point Trail Secret Beach
There is also a beautiful hidden sandy beach that you would have to repel down to at the beginning or end of the trail. We usually have our big Newfie with us, so we haven't been down to the Secret Beach yet. However, our friends said it was their favourite part of the hike. If you don't feel like repelling down to Secret Beach, you can always lounge around at Hirtle's Beach before leaving or drive a short distance to Kingsburg, which has another lovely beach and a nice beach walk.
Map of Route to Gaff Point Trail and back to River Ridge Lodge.
As a separate day trip, or if you still have the energy to add on the same day as Gaff Point Trail, you can visit Ovens Natural Park on the way back to Lunenburg.
The Ovens Natural Park is a 190-acre pristine coastal forest reserve in Feltzen South. This area was part of the Gold Rush over a century ago. Here you can enjoy hiking spectacular trails along the cliffs to view the famous sea caves or "Ovens," for which Ovens Natural Park was named. The most exciting time to visit Ovens Natural Park is during high tide, so ask us about the tide schedule if you plan to visit. Pack a picnic lunch or enjoy a meal in their restaurant with a magnificent oceanfront setting. They offer daily live music at 7:30 pm in July and August with a fantastic East Coast atmosphere. Ask us to make a reservation for you since they tend to sell out. Keep in mind there is an entrance fee to access the trails; however, you can enjoy the restaurant without paying an entrance fee.
We highly recommend wearing sturdy shoes for the Gaff Point Trail since it's not an easy hike but so well worth doing. The most challenging part of the trail is the first and last kilometre of walking over beach rocks. This part is not for weak ankles or flip-flops.
However, you might be lucky to start and/or end the trail at low tide and be able to walk on the beautiful sandy Beach.