Gold River Natural Area
The basics: Hiking trail though woods and along Gold River
Location: 1458 Beech Hill Road, Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
Date: May 2026
Cost: None
Weather: Sunny & Clear
Terrain: Well-marked and well-maintained trail; rocky sections; winding trailways; fallen trees; river
Difficulty: 2/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Facilities: Mapped & signed trail; picnic bench at end of trail
Accessibility: Parking lot (signage but does sneak up on you); Seasonal washroom
Animal Life: Insects; ticks; dragonflies
Plant Life: Many different tree species, outlined on signage; mossy sections; fungus
(Read more below)
Gold River Natural Area offers a great area for hiking or biking (and snowshoeing in the winter). The 75-acre property was gifted to the Municipality in 2015 by Rudy Haase, who wanted the land to be protected but used for recreational purposes. The property has been used for hunting, fishing & harvesting for years.
There are two sections of trail that are clearly marked. The shorter path is 650 meters, a winding path that connects to the larger 2300-meter section of trail. Parts of the trail were rocky & uneven, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. There were also some fallen trees and sticks, but those were easy to navigate over. Parts of the hike led through areas teeming with moss and fungus, making you feel like you’re wandering though a fairy forest.
The magic continues at the end of the trail, where a rest spot with a picnic bench overlooks Gold River. Water levels vary with time of year, but the area seemed open enough to allow for easy boat launching for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. The river and lands surrounding it hold deep cultural, historical and spiritual significance for the Mi’kmaq people, traditional used for gathering, hunting & resource harvesting. Trees you can spot along the trail include yellow and white birch, red spruce, white pine and eastern hemlock.
ATV’s & other motorized vehicles are prohibited, and as with any trail or destination, please follow “leave no trace” hiking practices. Dogs are welcome on leash as well.