Black Rock Trails
Visit Black Rock Trails again and again...
A unique collection of forest and shoreline trails located on North Mountain, about 30 km north-west from Kentville, Nova Scotia.
The trailhead is just behind the Black Rock Community Centre located on 4404 Black Rock Road. There are 4 loops from 0.5 km to 12 km.
The trails are lovingly maintained by a volunteer group called the Black Rock Trail Society. This group works with local landowners and the broader community to make the trails accessible. and fun for the whole family. The group hosts various events through the year including a magical Fairy Walk in October and a Spring Plant Sale to help raise funds for trail insurance, maintenance costs and special projects. An inspiring humanure privy and large covered area create space for picnics and longer visits. Be sure to stop by the pollinator garden too.
A self-guided sensory trail has recently been added to the purple loop of the trails, developed in partnerships with Flying Squirrel Adventures. Make a trip to this beautiful spot and take yourself on a mindfulness adventure that will help you slow down and de-stress. You can apply the trail prompts to any area - check out the sensory trail guid below.
For updates about the trail visit the Black Rock Trail Society facebook page
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Welcome to the Black Rock Trails Sensory Walk.
This activity is designed to give you time to connect
with yourself and your surroundings. It takes place
mainly on the Purple Trail, as highlighted on the
map below.
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You will be guided through this activity by small icons on wooden discs that are posted along the trail. Each icon corresponds with an activity invitation described in this guidebook, so you can follow along as you walk. This activity is designed to be completed at your own pace, so take your time. When questions are posed during this activity, you don’t need to write your answers down. The questions are for your mental consideration as you explore
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Once ready, you can begin walking on the trail.
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As you enter the forest, take a moment to check in
with yourself. How does it feel to enter this new
space?
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As you walk, take some deep breaths of the fresh
air. Notice the space around you.
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What scents do you notice? Can you smell the earth
or the trees?
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Take some earth or leaves and rub them between your hands. Breathe in and see if you taste anything on the wind.
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Continue walking with deep inhalations until you
reach the next marker.
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Begin to look at your surroundings more deeply.
What details can you notice in the forest around you?
What colors do you see?
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Now that you ’ ve begun to notice the colors in your
surroundings, see if you can collect items of forest
material to match as many colors as you can from the
wheel below. Continue walking as you collect.
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If you want, you can leave your rainbow collection on a rock or log, for the next person to find.
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Begin to listen to your surroundings more deeply. Can
you hear the wind in the trees, or birds singing?
If you ’d like, take a moment to pause and close your eyes.
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What is the quietest sound you can hear around you?
What is the loudest?
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When ready, keep walking. But this time, see how quiet you can make your footsteps. Can you walk without being able to hear yourself?
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Try walking as quietly as you can to the next trail marker. (Hint: stepping with the foot pad down first and rolling into your heal is one way to dampen your step!)
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