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Hiking Channel Lake Loop In Kejimkujik National Park

ByHikers Movement

Channel Lake Loop is one of the three multi-day, overnight hikes offered in Kejimkujik National Park. Compared to the front country trails, Channel Lake Loop is perfect for hikers who prefer backcountry hiking and, at times, bushwhacking. This trail features a variety of opportunities to explore forests, rivers and lakes while in solitude.

Difficulty: Hard
Length: 24 km (loop)
Suggested Duration: 1 to 2 nights
Signage: Signage and trail markers throughout. Bringing a backcountry or offline map is highly encouraged.
Facilities: Parking lot, camping, Visitor Centre, water stations, restrooms

trail map

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Key Features Of Channel Lake Loop

  • Located in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia, Canada.
  • A challenging backcountry hiking trail
  • Offers a mix of forested sections and lakeside views
  • Views of Channel Lake, Frozen Ocean Lake, Big Dam Lake
  • Connects to Hemlocks And Hardwoods Trail
  • A chance to observe local wildlife and birdwatching
  • Camping and picnicking facilities are available in the park

Facilities And Services

  • Parking lot
  • Camping
  • Visitor Centre
  • Outhouse toilets, fire pits (except site #17), tent pads, picnic tables, and bear pulley systems (for food) at backcountry sites
  • Restrooms (Visitor Centre, Jeremy’s Bay Campground, Jake’s Landing)
  • Water Station (Visitor Centre, Jeremy’s Bay Campground, Jake’s Landing)

Before You Start Hiking Channel Lake Loop

The first thing to note before you begin hiking Channel Lake Loop in Kejimkujik National Park is to make sure you check in and receive your permit at the kiosk. Even if you have a reservation, you will need a permit when hiking in the backcountry.

This hike can be completed in one night or more. We opted for two nights so we could spend more time in the woods (plus we love camping!) You will need to reserve your campsite prior to hiking.

The trail from the Big Dam parking lot to campsite #17 and campsite #17 to #5 is overgrown and can be a bit challenging at times. This portion of Channel Lake Loop appears to have little to no maintenance at all. There are large trees that require climbing either over or under, and sections of this trail will require bushwhacking. Either a physical or pre-downloaded digital map is strongly encouraged, as some overgrown areas can be hard to navigate. Hikers could easily become lost, and cell service is limited at times.

Tree branches overing the Channel Lake Loop trail.
Ferns blocking and covering a wooden bridge on the Channel Lake Loop trail.
A broken wooden bridge on the Channel Lake Loop trail.

As you get closer to campsite #5 (hiking clockwise from the Big Dam parking lot), you will need to cross Still Brook. During the spring or after heavy rainfall, the brook can become flooded, making it impassible. Before starting your hike, you’re encouraged to ask the Kejimkujik staff about the water levels and if it is possible to cross.

We highly recommend bringing a tick removal tool and insect/tick repellent. We always carry our Atlantick Kit, which comes with everything you need to protect yourself and remove ticks. If you already have a tool, the Atlantick Spray can be purchased separately.

While none attached themselves to us, we did find a handful of ticks on us while bushwhacking from the Big Dam Parking lot to campsite #5. Long clothing is also encouraged for this portion of the trail. To learn more about tick prevention, check out our article How To Avoid Ticks When Hiking.

Lastly, please take out all the trash you bring in and leave no trace. It is important to keep the wilderness wild. And do not feed any wildlife. This can draw animals to the trails, putting you and other hikers at risk.

Our Experience Hiking Channel Lake Loop

Every year, we plan a Kejimkujik National Park hiking trip, and this year, we decided to check out the backcountry hiking trails. A friend of ours had mentioned that the first 12+ km hiking from Big Dam parking lot to campsite #5 was not maintained, but past campsite #5 was beautiful and what you would expect when hiking in the National Park. And he was right!

We started the hike clockwise from the Big Dam parking lot to campsite #17, the first stay of our two-night hiking trip. It did not take long into the hike before the trail started to become less groomed. There were areas of overgrown bush and trees, waist-high ferns, broken bridges and large fallen trees to climb over and under. While exciting and challenging at times, it did take us much longer to hike than we had anticipated for this section.

Channel Lake Loop trail in Kejimkujik National Park covered in forest bush.
There is a trail somewhere in there!

We did this hike in the middle of August, and thankfully, it was a cool enough day (thanks to some light rain) that we were able to wear long pants and shirts for this portion of the trail. We would highly recommend wearing long clothing for this part due to the number of ticks in the area, and be sure to check yourself thoroughly when you reach your campsite.

Once we reached the split-off point to campsite #17, it was an additional 0.5 km (one-way). This site was just what we needed. It was secluded and beautiful, and there were wildlife sounds all around (in fact, we heard quite a few coyotes howls at dusk). It featured a picnic table, dry shelter (where we put up a rope to hang up our hiking clothes and boots), tenting area, outhouse toilet, bear pullies to keep our food up and access to Channel Lake. The one thing to note about campsite #17 is that no fires are permitted. This is the only spot where you cannot have a fire. Please respect the rules set in place.

Here are a few photos from campsite #17.

A sign for campsite number 17 along the Channel Lake Loop trail.
Our tent in the middle of the woods in an opening along the Channel Lake Loop trail.
The sun setting over lake Kejimkuijik.

The next morning, we woke up early to enjoy some coffee by the lake and get ready for another day of hiking (and bushwacking). Getting from campsite #17 to #5 was probably the worst of the bushwalking. There were times we were full-on pushing tree branches out of the way to see if we were even still on the trail. At one point, we did lose sight of the trail after stopping at an opening for a water break. Thankfully, we had a map downloaded from AllTrails, which helped us navigate which way the trail was. There were no real lookouts or changes of scenery until we got closer to campsite #5.

Here is a photo of where we got lost.

Overgrown trees and bushes blocking the pathway on the Channel Lake Loop trail.

Just before we got to our next campsite, we had to cross Still Brook. Luckily for us, the rain the day prior was quite light, so the brook was relatively low and easier to cross.

Still Brook crossing along the Channel Lake Loop in Kejimkujik National Park.

Campsite #5 was our favourite as the views of Frozen Ocean Lake were incredible! The area was clean and open, making for a great place to hang out after a day of hiking. This campsite was the first time we had seen other hikers on the trail. This is no surprise as just a few kilometres away from our campsite was the other half of the Channel Lake Loop, which is also part of the Big Dam/Frozen Lake trail.

From campsite #5 back, the Big Dam parking lot was much more enjoyable, with little to no bushwhacking, beautiful hemlocks and a few views of Big Dam Lake. The last two or so kilometres allow you to take the Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail (which is worth it if you have not done this before) or continue straight on the main trail back to the parking lot. We opted for this as we had already completed the Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail.

And just like that, another Kejimkujik hiking trip for the books!

The following is our recommended gear for Channel Lake Loop.

HIKING GEAR
SLEEP AND SHELTER
SAFETY GEAR
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
PERSONAL ITEMS
  • Socks (extra in case of rain)
  • Hiking clothes
  • Warmer attire for the evenings
  • Ecofriendly hygiene products
  • Wilderness wipes
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Phone or emergency communication device
  • Feminine hygiene items
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Ecofriendly body soap

Related Hikes

OTHER KEJIMKUJIK HIKES
OTHER OVERNIGHT HIKES

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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