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Little Meander River Falls Hike, Nova Scotia

ByHikers Movement

The Little Meander River Falls Trail is a short out-and-back trail that takes visitors to a marvellous 20-foot waterfall with a swimming hole. There are numerous paths, including those along (and across) the river itself.

Though the hike itself isn’t overly challenging, it’s well worth it for the end goal of reaching the falls. The location, in our opinion, is one of the most beautiful spots in Nova Scotia.

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.3 km (out and back)
Suggested Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Signage: none
Facilities: Side street parking

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Key Features Of Little Meander River Falls

  • Leads to a 20-foot waterfall with a swimming hole
  • Hike through the forest and along Little Meander River
  • Dog friendly (on a leash)

Facilities And Services

  • Side street parking

Before You Start Hiking Little Meander River Falls

There are a few things to note before you begin hiking to Little Meander River Falls.

The only parking is on the side of the road. Be mindful of the locals, and do not block their driveways.

The trailhead does not have a sign. However, it is easy to spot as there is a fence indicating the entrance. Once you begin on the trail, there are two pathways that you can take to the falls.

The easiest option is to follow alongside the river (pictured below for reference). However, this way can get quite rocky and slippery at times, and you may also need to cross the river at points. Further along the trail, the pathway turns into rocks. It is important to note that this trail might not always be accessible. Since you will be hiking along the river, parts of this trail may be unavailable if the water is too high.

The trail along side the river at Little Meander River Falls.

The second option is to follow the trail uphill. This trail provides a fantastic workout and can be quite difficult due to its steepness. If you do choose this option, be careful. Especially when descending.

As always, we do not go anywhere without our Atlantick Tick Kit. We highly recommend bringing some form of tick-removal tool with you whenever you are outdoors. Insect repellent is also encouraged. We did not find the trail overly buggy, though we might have just lucked out that day. For more information on tick prevention, check out our article How To Avoid Ticks When Hiking.

A close up of our Atlantick Tick Kit on Julias book bag that we take with us hiking.

The falls make for the perfect swimming hole that the entire family can enjoy. Whether you plan on only hiking in and out or staying awhile for a swim, it is important to remember to leave no trace behind. Whenever you are out exploring and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, please bring all garbage and items back with you.

Our Experience Hiking Little Meander River Falls

We made our way to Meander River Falls on a hot and sunny day in early June. The ample shade and proximity to running water made the day seem much cooler and the hike that much more enjoyable.

We parked on the East side of the bridge on McKay Road, where three other cars were lined up on the side. After quickly lacing up our hiking boots, we made our way to the trailhead just before the bridge.

There are multiple interconnected paths in the woods that lead toward the falls. Along the river is the easiest, yet it can be quite slippery in spots. We would walk along the river for most of the hike. However, in the beginning, we took to higher ground.

Note that the riverside “trails” may not be fully accessible all year round. If the river is flowing heavily, it may not be safe (or possible) to walk along the river’s rocks.

We initially hiked uphill by what seemed like a well-trafficked trail. We eventually made our way back down toward the river as the trail became less and less clear. We’d recommend staying closer to the river as the descent was rather steep.

On this late Spring day, the water was relatively calm and low. This made it easy to follow the river and stay dry whilst doing so.

Here are some shots from the river, showing the diversity of views as we travelled along:

There were several times when crossing the river was necessary to stay on hikeable ground. The alternative would be to climb a small cliff to one side or to walk through the water.

Other than the few slippery crossings, though, the hike along the river is fairly easy. The elevation gain along the river is insignificant, and, at least on hot June days, the path is relatively dry.

Before long, we made it to the destination: Little Meander River Falls. We both remarked how much more beautiful the falls we in person versus in photos. As we mentioned earlier, it’s one of the most beautiful spots in Nova Scotia, in our opinion.

Here are a few shots from our June visit:

We will certainly be back in the earlier spring months when the waterfalls are fuller. We also made a note to come back with bathing suits to enjoy the swimming hole.

After hanging out and enjoying the view, we turned back and followed the river back to the car with another excellent Nova Scotian waterfall hike completed.

Since the hike was relatively short, we actually decided to head to Moses Mountain for the second hike for the day. Read about that hike here.

WATERFALLS IN NOVA SCOTIA

Julia and Arthur are the owners, creators and writers of Hikers Movement, Homestead Fox and owners of Fox Media Tech Inc.. As seasoned hikers, Julia and Arthur don't just write about the great outdoors – they live it. Their firsthand experiences, shared through hiking adventures around the world, reflects their genuine commitment to inspiring a community of outdoor enthusiasts.

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