Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trails

Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trails

Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trails
4.5
What people are saying
tshep42
By tshep42
Favourite Hike
5.0 of 5 bubblesAug 2020
We hiked this trail a lot when we lived in the area but went back today after 6+ years and it’s as good as ever. Very well maintained. There are 4 loops. I’ve only ever done the first two. We did the first loop today, the Pot Lake loop. I’d rate the trail as moderate or medium difficulty. There are lots of up and down so it’s a great workout but not crazy difficult. We saw kids as young as 3-4 years old doing the trail although it seems a little difficult for anyone under 8-9 years old. You can certainly do it if you don’t hike a lot but you’ll need a rest that night. There is a 1.1 km section before it breaks off into the loop. The left is 3.5 km and the right side is 2.5 km. We like to do the longer section first. There is a great area overlooking Cranberry Lake in the middle to stop for a break or snack. The parking lot is off the St. Margaret’s Bay Rd. Take exit 4 off the 103, head toward Timberlea and watch for the sign on your right 5 minutes or so down the road. There is a 10 minute walk on a level, gravel path before you reach the trail head. Good maps of the trails are there at various main points. It is fairly well marked (follow the yellow tags on the trees for the Pot Lake Loop) with only a couple spots you might hesitate which direction to go, but then you spot a trail marker within a minute. Please, this trail is not suitable for flip flops. Bring plenty of water. The trail meanders from open areas on the granite to shaded areas in the forest. Besides the 10 minute walk to the trail head, the first loop took us 3 hours and 5 minutes going at a pretty good pace.

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4.5
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4
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tshep42
Halifax, Canada4,168 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
We hiked this trail a lot when we lived in the area but went back today after 6+ years and it’s as good as ever. Very well maintained.

There are 4 loops. I’ve only ever done the first two. We did the first loop today, the Pot Lake loop.

I’d rate the trail as moderate or medium difficulty. There are lots of up and down so it’s a great workout but not crazy difficult. We saw kids as young as 3-4 years old doing the trail although it seems a little difficult for anyone under 8-9 years old. You can certainly do it if you don’t hike a lot but you’ll need a rest that night.

There is a 1.1 km section before it breaks off into the loop. The left is 3.5 km and the right side is 2.5 km. We like to do the longer section first. There is a great area overlooking Cranberry Lake in the middle to stop for a break or snack.

The parking lot is off the St. Margaret’s Bay Rd. Take exit 4 off the 103, head toward Timberlea and watch for the sign on your right 5 minutes or so down the road.

There is a 10 minute walk on a level, gravel path before you reach the trail head. Good maps of the trails are there at various main points. It is fairly well marked (follow the yellow tags on the trees for the Pot Lake Loop) with only a couple spots you might hesitate which direction to go, but then you spot a trail marker within a minute.

Please, this trail is not suitable for flip flops. Bring plenty of water. The trail meanders from open areas on the granite to shaded areas in the forest.

Besides the 10 minute walk to the trail head, the first loop took us 3 hours and 5 minutes going at a pretty good pace.
Written August 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sunseeking17
Halifax, Canada100 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2014 • Family
If you like the outdoors and don't mind uneven ground this is an excellent trail 10 - 15 minutes from the city. It took 5 of us all over 18, two and a half hours with 2 stops to enjoy view and sunshine - also had picture stops. (8 km) Easily done in 2 hours without stops - recommends 2 -3 hours. There are 3 other loops which are longer. Trail was well marked with yellow tabs. I would not recommend this for someone who can't maneuver uneven ground. There is a lot of granite and tree routes - beautiful scenery. It is marked with a sign for bear and moose country with a warning for coyotes. We saw no wildlife of this nature. I think if you did the overnight route you may encounter wildlife. Be smart, be prepared, bring water and a snack. There is a canoe launch at one point - so if you have one and want to bring it....This is true wilderness so please leave it as you found it - pristine! (there are no facilities)
Written May 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JDTravelhome
Canada718 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2015 • Family
Great trails located just outside of halifax. Lots of possible choices to walk or hike. I recommend a good pair of shoes or boots and pack some water and snacks. The views at some points are awesome so head out and enjoy.
Cell phones may not always work in parts of these huge trail, for safety reasons hike with a friend.
Written April 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ryszard S
Irun, Spain13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2015 • Family
You can reach the place by car, a bicycle or a city transit bus just about an hour from Halifax and you can reach this absolutely fantastic mountain hiking trail. I recommend hiking boots as there are some steeper slopes, you may also meet a snake. It is a place with wonderful panoramas, beautiful lakes and nice places to prepare and have lunch. What is most surprising, the trail is not much advertised and it is so close to the city.
Written December 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jvangurp
Halifax, Canada118 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2017 • Couples
The Bluff Trail seems good enough as a wilderness trail so close to the city, but:

The terrain is very rough and in wet weather would be quite mucky in spots

The many exposed roots and the rough rocky trail is really awful for hiking, as you need to watch your step all the time. It's a rare stretch where you can actually look around or relax whilst walking

Highway 103 is a constant and fairly loud reminder that you're close to the city - the 18 wheelers and other noisy vehicles just never stop and it's impossible to escape the sound at least on the first loop

There's really no place where you stop and soak in a beautiful vista.

Yeah sure there are 2 or 3 sort of pretty look-offs but compared to a seaside hike it's hard to get excited about them.
Written September 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mlively06
27 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2016 • Friends
Great wilderness trail just outside of the city off exit 4 of the 103. We did the pot lake route took us 2 1/2 hours with two small breaks. This is not a groomed trail lots of rocks,roots and hills. Come with water, snack and a camera with a truly breath taking experience. There is animals and some snakes you are in the woods there habitat. I felt the burn for sure after this hike so if you have bad knees or a bad back note it will take more time to navigate. Great experience will be trying longer trails in the near future.
Written June 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CriticalJack
6 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2017 • Friends
If you want to have the lamest hike of your life step right up. Like its nothing! Literally ZERO Bear Lairs or whimsical nature fun. We found a cool caterpillar who was pretty much down for anything but we were afraid he would die if we touched him so it made things awkward to say the least.

But it's like a circle and there's no actual hiking involved.
Written January 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TDakin
Bridgewater, Canada822 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Solo
Well marked and moderately challenging trails traversing groomed areas, rocky paths, and wooded areas with tree roots. Took roughly 2 1/2 hr with short breaks for water and photos to do the first loop (Pot Lake). It was a beautiful fall day, so the views were fantastic as well. There are only mild elevation gains, but some of the minor rock scrambling needs some care (especially if wet). Definitely bring your camera as there are some really nice views at the lakes and high areas. Will definitely return to do the longer loops in the future.
Written October 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

racsan24
Dartmouth, Canada48 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2016 • Solo
The trails are well-kept and accessing it is super easy. It is real hiking, no crusher dust here. It will take longer than you think to do a loop, so bring some food and water, and definitely bring your camera. The scenery is fantastic, a great break from the city. It's the best hiking trails I've come across in the city!
Written July 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AKDNRN
Dieppe, Canada131 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016
It was our second visit to this trail. Again, we completed the yellow loop. We loved it. The views are amazing! It's slightly strenuous, but not too difficult. We'll be back!
Written April 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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