Grafton Woods Trail In Kejimkujik National Park
The Grafton Woods Trail is several short hikes accessible via the Kejimkujik Main Parkway in the wonderful Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada. This 1.6-kilometre loop takes visitors through the forest toward Grafton Lake, east of Kejikmujik Lake.
The Grafton Woods Trail is a great option for a short walk in Kejimkujik National Park. Though slightly more challenging to navigate than other trails in the park, it is well-groomed and offers a variety of options. Additionally, visitors can easily access Merrymakedge Beach from the trail, making it a perfect choice to balance beach time with a quick walk in nature.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.6 km (loop)
Suggested Duration: 25 minutes
Signage: Map at trailhead
Facilities: Parking lot, camping
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Key Features Of Grafton Woods Trail
- Located in Kejimkujik National Park
- Passes through a picturesque forested area
- Offers opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife sightings
- Dog friendly (on a leash)
- A relatively easy and family-friendly hiking trail
Facilities And Services
- Parking lot
- Camping
- Visitor Centre
- Garbage
- Washrooms (Visitor Centre, Jeremy’s Bay Campground, Jake’s Landing)
- Water Station (Visitor Centre, Jeremy’s Bay Campground, Jake’s Landing)
Before You Start Hiking Grafton Woods Trail
Before you begin hiking the Grafton Woods Trail, there are a few things to note.
While this trail is relatively short, it is located within the Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. Thus, a day or overnight park pass is needed to explore this trail.
The Kejimkujik National Park and National Park feature various accommodations for overnight stays, including campsites, RV sites, roofed structures such as oTENTik, Ôasis, rustic cabins and a yurt.
While the National Park is open year-round, please note that certain activities, such as camping, fishing and Whynot Adventure rentals, are only seasonal.
As for the terrain, the trail is relatively flat and is on crushed gravel, except for a few front-country boardwalks. The path is well-defined, and therefore no trail markers are needed. Hikers should keep to the designated path to help protect fragile vegetation and avoid ticks. Along with insect repellant, we highly recommend bringing a tick removal tool such as the Atlantick Tick Removal Kit in case you happen to get a tick on you.
Our Experience Hiking Grafton Woods Trail
Our experience hiking the Grafton Woods Trail was during a heatwave while we enjoyed an extended stay in the Kejimkujik National Park. Having completed four hikes earlier in the day (Hemlocks And Hardwoods Trail, Flowing Waters Trail, Farmlands Trail and Rogers Brook Trail), we waited until the evening to complete the Grafton Woods Trail.
We arrived at the Grafton Woods Trail trailhead and parking lot after completing the Rogers Brook Trail. We parked the car and began hiking.
The Grafton Woods Trail was different from the other four trails we had completed that day because it has numerous trails. We had no particular plan and chose our directly randomly. The trails themselves aren’t very long, and we had our GPS if worse came to worst, and we lost track of where we were.
Though it was later in the day, we still had plenty of time before sundown, so we were comfortable checking the trails out in a slightly haphazard fashion.
However, similar to the other day trails, the Grafton Woods Trail is super easy to hike on. It has well-groomed terrain and boardwalks in some locations. Here are a few pictures from our experience:
The mosquitoes were particularly bad on this trail during the time of day. Nevertheless, we ended up completing most of the trail system before making it back to the car. After completing our fifth hike in a heatwave (although we only totalled about 10 km), we were ready for a good meal, campfire and rest.
That being said, we’re delighted we got to check out all of these hikes. We’re also grateful to have the opportunity to share them with you!
Checklists And Recommended Gear
Click the highlighted items to view the prices of our recommended gear with staying in Kejimkujik National Park.
HIKING GEAR
- Hiking shoes – Women’s // Men’s
- Cascade Hiking Poles
- Water Bottle
- Atlantick Tick Removal Tool Kit
- Atlantick Spray
- Ponchos or rain jackets
- Lamp/Headlight
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Camera
- Insect repellent
SLEEP AND SHELTER
- Tent
- Tarp
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Pillow
- Rope
SAFETY GEAR
- Emergency first aid kit
- Whistle
- Watch
- Knife or multi-tool
- Bear spray in a holster
- Repair kit for the tent
- A trip plan left with a friend or family member in case of emergency
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
- Single-burner camping stove
- Fuel for stove
- Pot
- Aeropress Go Travel
- Food
- Cutlery
- Lighter, matches, fire starters
- Water filter or purification tablets
- Dry bag for hanging food at night
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
