BE AMAZED BY STORYTELLERS IN THIS LAND OF SEA AND SONG.

Pedal past brightly painted houses, towering wooden churches and 400-year old seaside villages on your adventure along the Nova Scotia’s Acadian Shore.

This trip along the Acadian Shore brings you around the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia, riding along the coastal Route 1, from the town of Yarmouth up to the sheltered Belliveaus Cove. This quiet road takes you along an almost continuous stretch of fishing villages and settlements, known as the longest Main Street in Canada. Points and capes offer fantastic vantage points to watch ships make their way in and out of harbour.

Yarmouth is Nova Scotia’s arrival point for the ferry from Portland, Maine – an ideal starting point for exploring Nova Scotia’s southwest region, home to Canada’s largest lobster fishery. The historic town features unique and luxurious homes, built by wealthy sea captains between 1850 and 1900.As you make your way north, be sure to take a short 8 km detour to the apple-core shaped lighthouse at Cape Forchu . Located at the westernmost point of the province, the lighthouse guides ships into the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, where the world’s highest tides create a rich whale feeding ground and an endlessly beautiful shore. The views, picnic grounds and hiking trails of the cape have given it the distinction as one of Canada’s greatest public spaces.

The unique Acadian villages on either side of Route 1 boast magnificent churches that serve as beacons to fishermen returning from the sea. Along the way, you can dine on local seafood and try some Acadian cuisine, especially “rappie pie”, a chicken and potato dish, sometimes served with molasses. Be sure to visit Saint Mary’s Church in Church Point, one of the largest and tallest wooden buildings in North America with its spire rising 56 metres from floor to steeple.

The final stop at Belliveaus Cove is highlighted by Parc Joseph-et-Marie Dugas Park, which includes a five kilometre interpretive trail, a fruit & veggie stand, a lighthouse, and the opportunity to dig for clams at low tide.

Throughout this region, discover lively music and folklore nightly with Rendez-vous de la Baie – Music by the Sea at various restaurants, pubs and cafés.

USING THIS MAP

Routes profiled in this brochure are primarily on secondary highways and rural roads and are not designated bicycle routes. The majority of recommended routes do not have paved shoulders. Rider discretion is advised.

Efforts have been made to profile routes with light vehicle traffic; however, traffic volumes are open to fluctuation. Higher traffic should be expected from June to September during peak tourism season.

Make sure you take time to plan ahead and are properly equipped for your ride, including a helmet (required by law). Preparation will help you make the most of your Nova Scotia cycling experience!

All cyclists using this map ride at their own risk.