The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Halifax County

This small waterfront park sits on the shores of Bedford Basin, with open views across the water toward the hills on the opposite side of the harbour. Benches, picnic tables, and a playground make it a pleasant place to pause, while the adjacent Bedford Outdoor Pool adds to the park's community feel during the summer months.

Stretching along the harbour and Lake Ontario shoreline, Admiral Harry DeWolf Park combines waterfront paths, marina views, and open green space. The park is named after Vice Admiral Harry DeWolf, one of Canada's most decorated naval officers and a key figure in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Benches along the shoreline provide a place to watch sailboats moving through the harbour, while the mostly level paths make this an easy stop on a longer waterfront walk.

Sheltered from the open waters of Lake Ontario, Mill Cove offers a quieter stretch of shoreline where sailboats, marina traffic, and waterfowl are often found. The cove sits at the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek and provides pleasant views across Oakville Harbour and the surrounding waterfront parks. Benches and lakeside paths make it a good place to pause during a walk, especially when boats are moving through the harbour or the sun is setting over the water.

Martinique Beach is the longest sandy beach in Nova Scotia, with amazing views over the open Atlantic. The sand is white and fine, and along the beach there are boardwalks, grassy picnic areas, and access paths through the dunes. Be careful around the water, as there are usually crashing waves.

The Martinique Beach trail is a long coastal walking route, a mix of sandy beach, grassy areas, and rocky sections near headlands. The soft sand is a great place to kick off your shoes and enjoy being barefoot. The farther you walk, the more remote this beach feels.

Flying Point sits at the far end of Martinique Beach, where the Martinique Beach trail terminates. The exposure to wind and surf is stronger here, as the area is less protected than the rest of the bay. It feels more remote and wild than the earlier sections of Martinique Beach.

The Prince of Wales Tower stands on the highest point of Point Pleasant Park. This imposing Martello tower (a name given to small, defensive British fortresses of the 19th century) is characterized by its thick walls. It was the first of its kind built in North America. Interpretive panels provide further information.

The Halifax Memorial, located on the shores of Pleasant Point, commemorates the 3,267 Canadian and Newfoundland sailors and soldiers who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars. The monument replaced an earlier memorial on Citadel Hill in Halifax.