Hemlock Ravine Park Trails

Trailhead:
40 Kent Ave. GPS N 44° 41.313' W 063° 39.808'

Alternative Entrances:
Julie's Walk
Lodge Drive
St. Laurent Place
Ravine Park Crescent

Parking/Bus Route:
Parking lot at Kent Ave or street parking on Julies Walk
Bus Routes: Visit the Halifax Transit Website for up-to-date routes and schedules.

Terrain and Surface:
Within the park are 4 km of looped trails, one of which is available for off-leash dog walking. Most of the trails have a crusher dust surface.

Rating:
This trail rated  Easy Moderate.

Description:
This 200 acre parkland was part of the estate of John Wentworth, the second Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, and used by Prince Edward and his companion Julie in the late 1700’s. This is a great park for family wildlife viewing, picnicing at one of the provided tables, and geocaching. A trail map in front of the pond explains this trail system, and trail name signs are found at the interestions. Follow the trail map and take the trail down to Hemlock Ravine itself to see trees which are over 300 years old and 80 feet tall.

In the late 1780's, Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant Governor John Wentworth resided here.  He lent his country house to Prince Edward in 1794, who landscaped the grounds and built several decorative garden buildings. After the Prince and his mistress left in 1800, the Wentworths again took up residence. After Wentworth’s death, the house and garden fell into disrepair. The oval pond, which Prince Edward built, was given the shape of a heart in 1869 when one of Prince Edward’s grandsons visited. The Rotunda located on the Bedford Highway adjacent to Kent Ave overlooking the Bedford basin was also a part of this garden, and along with the heart-shaped pond, they are the most visible remains of the Prince’s garden.

Halifax shares ownership of the park with the Province and maintains it. Besides the Hemlocks, there are Yellow Birch, Red Spruce, Beech, Striped, and Mountain Maple trees found in the park. There are also mushrooms in the fall and Lady Slippers in the spring. There are blueberries, Indian pipe, Lambkill, lichens, and ferns along the way. 

Trail Map

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Google Map

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Click here to view photos of this trail

Click here to view extra photos taken by our members on Facebook