Pictou County isn't primarily known as a hiking destination, but the county's varied terrain — shoreline, river valleys, agricultural lowlands, and forested ridgelines — produces some genuinely rewarding trails.
Jitney Walking Trail (Pictou) — 3 km The Jitney Trail is Pictou's best-known walking path, running 3 kilometres along the waterfront from town to Brown Point — approximately where the Ship Hector anchored in September 1773. Interpretive panels along the route tell the story of the harbour, the settlement, and the community that grew from that landing. The Charlie Hoegg Covered Bridge and a waterfront gazebo make good rest stops. This trail connects to the Trans Canada Trail system. Easy, paved, suitable for all fitness levels.
Fitzpatrick Mountain Trail (Scotsburn area) — 8 km For a more demanding outing, the Fitzpatrick Mountain Trail offers panoramic views across Pictou County's farmlands and forests from the summit. The trail passes through abandoned farmsteads — evidence of the agricultural communities that once occupied these hills — and wind turbines mark the ridgeline at the top. Picnic tables at the summit reward the climb. Expect a genuine uphill workout; this is a proper mountain trail.
Samson Trail (New Glasgow) Built on the bed of what was once Canada's first iron railway — the line that carried Samson locomotive between Albion Mines and the harbour beginning in 1839 — the Samson Trail follows the river through New Glasgow with antique lampposts marking the route. It connects to the Pioneer Trail at the riverside marina.
Short Line Trail — 12.7 km A converted railway line running from Brown's Point to Scotsburn through Lyons Brook, the Short Line Trail has a compacted surface suitable for walking, cycling, snowmobiling, and skiing. The route passes through rural landscape unchanged from when this line carried coal, stone, and salt.
Trenton Park — 6.5 km network The largest green space in the New Glasgow area, Trenton Park encompasses 565 acres with 6.5 kilometres of wooded trails, a dedicated mountain bike trail, fishing ponds, and the option to continue to the park's swimming and splash facilities.