Mersey River Trail In Kejimkujik National Park
The Mersey River Trail is a fantastic day hike option within the Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada. With trailheads that connect the Ukme’k and Slapfoot Trails, the 3.3-kilometre (one-way) Mersey River Trail takes hikers (and cyclists) along the Mersey River north of Kejimkujik Lake. The trail is well-groomed and easy to follow. There is ample signage to keep hikers aware of where they’re going and which trail they’re on.
Fun fact: You may notice that the Mersey River tends to resemble the colour of dark tea. This is actually due to natural organic substances that form within the river. One of these substances is tannins, which stain the water, creating a dark tea-like colour.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 3.3 km (one-way)
Suggested Duration: 2 hours
Signage: Signs and maps throughout
Facilities: Parking lot, camping
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Key Features Of Mersey River Trail
- Located in Kejimkujik National Park
- Follows the scenic Mersey River with opportunities for river views.
- Offers opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife sighting
- Dog friendly (on a leash)
- Connects to Ukme’k Trail
- Great for hiking and cycling
- Access points for swimming
Facilities And Services
- Benches
- Parking lot
- Picnic Table
- 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)
- Bike rentals at Whynot Adventure
Before You Start Hiking Mersey River Trail
Before you begin hiking the Mersey River Trail, there are a few things to note. First, this hike is located within the Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. Therefore, you will need to purchase a day or overnight park pass at the Visitors Centre before hiking.
We recommend taking a few nights to camp at Kejimkujik to take in all the beautiful nature, wildlife, hiking trails and canoeing/kayaking on the Mersey River.
Along with campsite and RV site rentals, Kejimkujik National Park offers roofed accommodations, including oTENTik, Ôasis, rustic cabins and a yurt (pictured below for reference). While the park is open year-round, activities such as camping, fishing and Whynot Adventure rentals are seasonal.
The Mersey River Trail is one of many that are both hiking and cycling trails. Because of this, the terrain is nicely groomed and features crushed gravel. In addition, it is relatively flat with little to no ascend or descends, making it suitable for all-level hikers. It is important to stay on the designated paths and bridges to help reduce the impact on fragile vegetation.
For those interested, you can rent adult and youth bicycles at WhyNot Adventures, located at Jake’s Landing near the Mersey River trailhead.
Along the trail, there are numerous markers, maps and informational signs. While the trail is easy to follow, a few points branch off to different locations, such as Jeremy’s Bay (photo below for reference).
The Mersey River is full of wildlife, be sure to keep an eye out for beavers, turtles, kingfishers, and assorted birds and ducks.
As always, along with bringing insect repellent, we strongly encourage hikers to carry a tick removal tool kit with them. Make sure to check yourself and your pets throughout and after hiking.
Our Experience Hiking Mersey River Trail
During our first stay at the Kejimkujik National Park, we opted to stay in the Yurt near Jake’s Landing. After settling in on our first day, we decided to check out the nearby Mersey River Trail.
From the Yurt (or Jake’s Landing parking lot, for most visitors), we crossed the nearby bridge and walked along the Slapfoot Trail for a few hundred metres before turning north onto the Mersey River Trail.
Like the Beech Grove Trail we had hiked earlier in the day, the Mersey River Trail was well-groomed and marked, making it an easy walk through nature. These hikes with easy terrain are enjoyable since they allow us to take in the scenery rather than forcing us to concentrate on technical terrain.
A good majority of the trail twins the Mersey River, hence the name. Hiking near rivers is great in the heat of the summer as it helps to keep us from overheating. The coolness of the water, combined with the shade of the trees, made it a pleasant hike.
In addition to the easy terrain, there are also several park benches and even some boardwalks along the way to help hikers complete the trail. Here are a few pictures we took:
During our hike along the Mersey River Trail, we passed by a few fellow hikers. For the most part, however, we passed by bikers. Remember that this trail is open to cyclists and hikers alike.
The Mersey River Trail technically ends where the Ukme’k Trail begins (or starts depending on how you complete it). For us, this marked the end of the trail. There is a large information sign to show the change in trails.
We quickly made our way back to the Yurt via the same trail for supper, campfire, music, and rest before the next day.
On the following day, we would complete the following trails in the Kejimkujik National Park:
- Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail
- Flowing Waters Trail
- Farmlands Trail
- Rogers Brook Trail
- Grafton Woods Trail
Checklists And Recommended Gear
Click the highlighted items to view the prices of our recommended gear while 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
