Gibraltar Rock Loop Trail
Quick Info
- Distance: 2.6 KM
- Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
- Rating: Moderate
- Type: Linear
- Usage: Hiking
- Surface: Gravel, Natural, Old Railway
- Season: Spring - Fall
- Updated: September 28, 2012
- Features: Look off, Parking, Trail Markers
Directions
From Dartmouth follow Highway 107 and then Highway 7 to Musquodoboit Harbour. Turn left off of Highway 7 onto Highway 357. Continue along the 357 for approximately 16km to the second parking lot for the Musquodoboit Rail Trail. The trailhead is located just a few meters south of the parking lot on the rail trail.
Description
A bird’s eye view of the Musquodoboit River and the surrounding area awaits you at the top of Gibraltar Rock, but you’ll have to work to get there. The trail begins by steeply climbing up the side of the granite ridge through mixed forest and large rocks to the top of Gibraltar Rock. Once at the top you are rewarded by the first of two look-offs over the river and valley below.
The trail then follows along the top of the granite ridge to a second look-off before winding it’s way downhill through tall trees, mossy rocks and across a small brook.
The decent down is more gradual then the climb up was and there are wooden steps placed along steep sections to help with your decent. The trail follows the babbling brook down to re-join the Rail Trail at the bottom of the ridge. Return along the rail trail for another 1.1km to get back to the Gibraltar parking lot where you started.