Visiting Nova Scotia

[IanA]

Figured this is the best place to get good information. We are planning a trip up to Nova Scotia in June. I am looking for advice and general information on sites/ attractions to see, places to stay, best form of transportation, and most importantly places to climb. Thoughts?

[patzer]

In June - Dover Island for climbing! It and other climbing are both very near Peggy's Cove, a popular tourist spot.

Around Halifax there are quite a few things to do and see, hiking/museums/drinking/old buildings/ocean and boat stuff/etc.

Other major tourist/driving sightseeing regions are probably:
- the "south shore" - mahone bay/lunenburg - UNESCO world heritage site.
- the fundy shore (both sides, cape split is a nice hike on the wolfville side, and 5 islands park/chignecto/parrsboro area is on the other)
- the annapolis valley, and
- cape breton (cabot trail and louisberg I suppose are the big ones here).

A fair bit harder to find climbing there than around Halifax though... For all of these a car is really the only option for transportation. Otherwise you can manage getting around Halifax on a bus, but you'd need to bum a ride out to some climbing spots (shouldn't be too hard though... )

Good luck!

[pulldown]

Check out http://bouldering.ca/ there are lots of videos of the bouldering in NS. Also you can check out http://www.pulldown.ca, you can order a copy of Eastern Tide (it will get you very excited about Dove Island) and there are a links on the beta page for the guidebook and climbing gym in case it rains. In June there is a good chance you will have a rain day.

The Locals are friendly and only bite if you ask nice. Finding someone to show you around will be a huge help. keep posting on this board as your trip gets closer and certainly someone will offer to show you around.

Todd

[IanA]

Thanks Patzer and Pulldown for the advice. Do any of you have advice on places to stay? We are mostly looking to camp but would like to be able to checkout the touristy stuff on rainy days. Are there campgrounds located near the climbing but within short driving distance of the cities or hostels within short distance of the climbing. Also as a local what should we not miss that most visitors don't know about? Thanks in advance.

[Fred]

Don't miss Dover Island. Minimum two days with an overnight stay. Amazing camping and bouldering that you will remember for the rest of your days.

For all other climbing and bouldering on mainland check-up on the bugs season. At the peak of bug season you probably won't want to climb. Check with the locals.

[pulldown]

Try here. http://www.waysidecampground.com/ i think it's the only campground around the Peggy's Cove area. That is where the bulk of the bouldering is. It's about 30-40 minutes from Halifax.

Also here( http://www.hubbardsbeach.com/ ) but it's a bit further from the city and most of the bouldering, but it's near a beach (the water will be too cold to go in but it's nice to look at) this spot is closer to an area called the Bully Wall.
http://bouldering.ca/bouldering-bully/

Dover Island is a must see! check out the top of this forum for "NEW! A guide on how to successfully book a trip to Dover Island"