Like many Haligonians, for a long time the words “Long Lake Provincial Park” meant very little to me. Lots of us are used to hearing about it in passing. For example, it was named “best place to swim in Halifax” by The Coast magazine a few years ago. For me, it remained “just a lake somewhere on the other side of the North West Arm Drive” until very recently. It wasn’t until this past summer that I first crossed the street and entered the trail networks that criss-cross the park. I quickly discovered something that many people don’t know and many others have known for years. Long Lake Provincial Park is an amazing place.
The first thing that strikes you is the vastness of the park. From the new trail head, located directly across the street from Long Lake Village, the trail meanders into the forest in two directions. The forest is so thick that thirty paces down the trail, hikers and cyclists are completely transported from the urban fabric of Halifax to a place that feels about 100 kilometers away from any city. Even at the edge of the park, the dense tree cover absorbs all noise from the North West Arm Drive and visitors are left with only the calm of the forest (and the occasional chatter of squirrels and birds).
Those who choose to follow the trail south will quickly arrive at a brand new canoe and kayak launch. The launch is conveniently located at the southeastern extremity of the park, and is one of the few locations accessible by vehicle (Figure 2). Following the trail northwest will take joggers downhill through the woods. On this route, one can catch glimpses of Long Lake through the trees on the left. Even on this early stage of the trail, visitors are not separated from the lake. Dozens of small footpaths lead down from the main trail to the water’s edge. Waiting at the end of each footpath is a private outcrop, perfect for a picnic or a mid-run swim. For those who manage to not get immediately drawn in by the lake, the trail soon splits. During my first visit I veered left, the direction I knew would take me down towards Long Lake. This is why I was confused when the first body of water I came across was on my right. While Long Lake is undeniably the main attraction, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Withrod Lake. Withrod Lake is a much smaller lake that the main trail loops around. After popping down a footpath to the edge of the little lake, the drive to keep exploring set in.
A short way up the trail, a new bench and bike rack placed in the same bend in the trail hinted at something more. Upon investigation, I came across another small footpath leading to Long Lake (Figure 3). On the other side of this footpath, the crown jewel of the Provincial Park revealed itself. Walking down to the lakeshore and seeing the lake is a strange feeling. Immediately I thought “I’ve seen a place like this before”. The shore of the lake and surrounding trees are more consistent with lakes in the southern area of the province. Large pines are anchored in sandy embankments and the forest floor is a warm pine needle brown. This shore is very reminiscent of Kejimkujik, Nova Scotia’s most popular national park. To be so close to the city and feel so close to a national park is an odd sensation. Once again, the vastness of the park hits you when you stand at the edge of the lake. On the opposite bank of the lake, the park extends south for several kilometres. For eager hikers and adventurers, the trails on the south side of the lake offer an even wilder, more rugged experience. The 5 kilometres of sand-packed trail named “The Lakeview Trail” was jointly developed by Atlantic Developments and Polycorp, and has made the park accessible to all. That said, the wild side of the park is not gone; the footpaths on the far side of the lake ensure that the park still has something to offer even the most adventurous visitors.
The shore of the lake makes it very inviting for swimming. For those who want to go a step further, getting out on the water is just as good as getting in it. Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are all great ways to keep exploring. During my first foray out onto the lake I couldn’t help but paddle over to the southern embankment, which is an equally stunning place to bring a lunch and spend a spring, summer or fall afternoon.
In summary, perhaps the most shocking thing about Long Lake Provincial Park is its proximity to the city. At 5,000 acres, the park is enormous, and all of that is located less than 10 minutes from downtown. It’s truly in the heart of the HRM. The convenient graphic below actually gives a great sense of where the park is located in relation to peninsular Halifax (figure 4). For those who have not yet discovered it, the park comes highly recommended. For those lucky enough to have it in their backyard, endless outdoor fun awaits.