Directions:

Take Exit 11 to Glenholme from the 104 Highway, turn onto Highway #2 and follow it past Lower Economy. Road signs will mark the entrance to the Five Islands Provincial Park.

Description:

Five Islands is a great little provincial park that is not far from Truro heading south towards Parsboro. This park offers some of the best coastline views in the province with the added value of the maintenance of a provincial park. The park was probably designed by a small child as the roads do not make sense (the road, water taps and outhouses have better views than any campsite. I recommend sites 33-44 with a preferance to 34, 36, 41(its actually on the left side of the road, with a sign in the woods). I like this park but it could have been laid out better. This park also makes a great home base for the other hikes in the area, see below.

The Beach

One of the best reasons to come to this park is the beach walk at low tide. If its sunny and the tide is low early in the morning get up and head out to the point, its best in the morning but it is still really cool the rest of the day. You must walk around the point, it is worth it. Take a camera.

Estuary Trail

Directions:
When get to the gate at the park entrance, the trail head parking lot for the Estuary Trail is on the right.

Description:
Follow the sign and red trail markers to start the trail. You will soon cross a small footbridge and head into the woods. The trail forks heading left or right; stay to your right and head down hill towards the mouth of the East River.

The trail follows the coastline providing great views of the vast tidal flats and the East River flowing out into the Minas Basin. When you cross the next fork in the road continue left to loop back to the parking lot. Once on this trail you will likely be confused by the trail intersections and the XC ski signage. Head toward the water and then when you see a sign for parking head right looping bck to the car. This trail is almost entirely in the woods and not what I expected in such a beautiful area.

There is a road on the other side of the water (not part of the provincial park) provides access to a beach and a view of the Five Islands' Lighthouse

Red Head Trail - CLOSED due to erosion

Directions:
Follow the park entrance road through to the campground where there is a parking lot near the trailhead by the Moose Island look-off.

Description:
First checkout the view of Moose Island, there are other places along the trail to view the island but the first one offer the best photo opportunities. The trail starts by climbing along the cliff tops with trail basically following the edge of the cliffs. There are plenty of side trails that provide better views of the Minas Basin and the islands.

As you get closer to Red Head point the trail heads downhill, one look at the rocks will tell you where the name came from. This trail offers many look-offs over the Minas Basin and well-maintained fences, but the cliffs are very steep so please respect the guidelines and don’t venture to close.

This is a wide trail with footbridges and resting benches along the way. Once at Red Head point the trail continues on to join up with the Economy Mountain trail, or you can just turn around and trace the trail back to the parking lot.

See also Devils Bend, Wards Falls , Thomas Cove , Kenomee Canyon