Taking the road less travelled

Greer Kelley’s Amherst to Masstown day trip

Voted into the Top 10 for CBC Radio’s
The Current Oh Canada! Travel Bucket List

1. I always start at the Amherst Point Bird Sanctuary and the Chignecto National Wildlife Area, where you can hand feed birds (and squirrels), so pack some nuts and seeds!
2. Then drop down into Nappan to Maccan and along into River Hebert where you can stop in at their Heritage Miniatures Museum, which features historical replicas of a bygone era from the area (including my own family’s creamery).
3. From River Hebert, head to Joggins and the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, a UNESCO heritage site often referred to as the “Galapagos of the Coal Age,” a time hundreds of millions of years ago. You will see fossils. The Cliffs’ slogan is Rock. Solid. History.  Go into the wonderful interpretive centre or simply walk the beach. This is a tidal area so be aware of that. Tide schedules are posted on their website.
4. Leaving Joggins, you will drive along Highway 2, part of the Glooscap Trail, through the once-thriving communities of Shulie, Ragged Reef, Two Rivers, Sand River and Apple River, before heading inland to get to Advocate Harbour.   
5. Past Advocate is Port Greville and the Age of Sail Museum, which is seasonal. Learn about the early days of shipping and sailing in this part of Nova Scotia, including BB Barnhill of Two Rivers and his great log raft of 1889. Launched in Joggins, this massive floating barge of local lumber headed for New York. Cigar shaped and 500 to 600 feet in length, it weighed up to 11,000 tons. The first two attempts in previous years failed, but the third time WAS lucky. This huge undertaking was never replicated.
6. Make your way to Parrsboro and stop in at the Fundy Geological Museum or perhaps take in a performance in at the  Ship’s Company Theatre. Stretch your legs and see what other hidden gems are located in this community.
7. Leaving Parrsboro, you will be treated to some truly stunning vistas of the Bay of Fundy and more specifically  the Minas Basin. Love lighthouses? Along the way check these beauties out: Cape D’Or (Advocate Harbour), Cape Sharp (Parrsboro), look across to Cape Split and its lighthouse or stop and explore Cape Chignecto Provincial Park in Advocate Harbour.
8. There are many beaches to sample along the shores between Joggins and Port Greville. If you travel with your canine companions and they like to swim, there are also many doggo “splash” areas. Again, be mindful of tides.
9. Five Island Provincial Park – Glooscap, learn about the Mi’kmaq giant and the Eastern Woodlands Indigenous Peoples. It is said Glooscap created many of the natural features of the region, apparently often having to overcome his evil twin brother who wanted rivers to be crooked and mountains to be impassable. He became angry and threw stones, creating the five islands you see today. Legend states that, when exploring this region himself, Glooscap used PEI as his pillow when he was resting at night. The campground at Five Islands offers lots of information about Glooscap.

There are lots of interesting shops, food makers, and crafting businesses to check out between Economy and Masstown. There are ever-changing and evolving diners, food trucks and restaurants to discover as well. You never know what you might find.

This is a perfect Sunday drive—though it doesn’t have to be done on a Sunday, of course—offers something for everyone: history, hiking, biking, birding, exploring, eating, antiquing and SO much more! You can do this trip in 4 hours, but I recommend taking a full day, or even spending a few days on a mini holiday.

I have only highlighted a few of the treasures I’ve discovered in my Amherst to Masstown drive. Every time I go, there’s always more. It’s a great “less travelled” part of Nova Scotia and you won’t be disappointed if you go. 

Do you have a “road less travelled” day trip you love in Nova Scotia? Email info@themastheadnews.ca with your nomination. Your entry must include your name, community, and a phone number where you can be reached. Submissions should be 100 words or less and a photo is encouraged.