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Mill Run Trail

Halifax North West Trails Association

Record #: NST0025
Last Modified: 07 Jan 2020
Last Full Update: 12 Mar 2019

Location

Located In Halifax Regional Municipality
Where To Find Us
Trailhead:
920 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS
Canada B4A 1A8
Areas Served Halifax Regional Municipality

Contact

Description & Services

Trail Surface Combination of crusher dust and city sidewalks. There is a bridge to cross.
Trail Activities Hiking ; Trail Running ; Walking ; Snowshoeing ; Geocaching ; Bird Watching ; Nature Viewing ; Swimming Nearby ; Dog Walking (on leash)
Trail Attributes Point to Point Trail ; Suburban Trail ; No Winter Maintenance (Use Caution) ; Scenic View ; Reliable Cellphone Reception
Facilities At Start/End/Along Trail Benches ; Picnic Areas ; Parking Available ; Public Transportation ; Swimming Location
Facilities Near Trail Parking Available ; Public Transportation ; Restaurant/Take Out ; Swimming Location
Information This family-friendly woodland trail behind the historic Moirs building runs alongside the outflow from Paper Mill Lake, the popular swimming area, and to the dam. Return is same or a walk through the neighbourhood 
 
The Mill Run Trail and Park were created by the Bedford Council (now incorporated with HRM) and covers the river trail and Paper Mill Lake and Falls. On old maps the river was called Salmon River or Nine Mile River. The old Moirs Power station still exists at 920 Bedford Highway and is a designated heritage building. The trail is home to a variety of tree species including maple, hemlock and pines. Some 23 lakes, including the Birch Cove Lakes, make up this watershed area which flows into the Bedford Basin via Bedford Bay and Moirs Pond. The latter was created with the installation of “the dump” which blocked the bay and carries the railway line, still in use.  
 
Between 2012-15 the Annapolis group rebuilt the existing dam and enlarged the park. During this period when the lake was drained, remnants of the older dams were seen and documented e.g. the old road connecting the Bedford Highway to Hammonds Plains, the site of the paper mill and the course of the Nine Mile river plus the path of the flume which brought water from the Lake to the power house. Supports for the flume may be seen to-day as they cross the Mill Run but are underwater after a lot of rain.

Special Information