Frequently asked questions

Nothing at all — the Faerie Trails are completely free. They’re a volunteer-run labour of love, kept alive by our community. Donations and memberships are always welcome, but never required.

The trails are open dawn to dusk, from May through October. They tuck in for the winter and reopen in the spring — the 2027 season begins in spring 2027.

There are three trails, each with its own starting point: the Maggie Maggie River Trail at 34 Clairmont Street (the Aquatic Garden), the Secret Garden Trail at 644 Main Street (beside Suttles & Seawinds), and the Merrymaking Trail at 503 Main Street.

We’re about an hour’s drive from Halifax along the South Shore — take Exit 10 off Highway 103. Mahone Bay is a small, walkable town, so once you arrive you can wander all three trails on foot.

There’s parking all along the waterfront and in public lots throughout town. Since everything is close together, it’s easy to park once and walk.

Each trail is a gentle wander you can take at your own pace — plan to linger, since half the fun is spotting the tiny details. We’ll confirm walking times and distances for each trail soon.

Wonderfully so — they’re made for curious little eyes. The Maggie Maggie River Trail is the gentlest, with level, natural ground. The Secret Garden has rocky, uneven footing, and Merrymaking follows paved town streets, so choose what suits your family best.

It varies by trail. The Merrymaking Trail follows paved streets (with and without sidewalks) and is the easiest for wheels. The Maggie Maggie River Trail is level but on a natural path, and the Secret Garden is rocky and uneven. Please choose the trail that best suits your needs.

Yes — well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome, and they often spot the faeries before we do! Please tread gently and clean up after them so the trails stay magical for everyone.

Please look with your eyes and gentle hands, and leave the little houses just where they live. The faeries are shy, and their homes are delicate — a careful visit keeps the magic alive for the next family.

Comfy shoes, water, a snack, a camera, and your softest pair of eyes. A printed copy of the Faerie Trails map is handy too — you can download it from our map section.

Wander slowly and quietly. Listen for tinkling bells or mysterious giggles, watch for a trail of faerie dust or tiny flickers of light, and keep an eye out for butterflies — faeries love to travel with them.

Anyone who loves a bit of wonder! It’s a favourite with children, but lots of grown-ups are proud members too. There’s no age too small — or too big — to believe in faeries.

For $7 a year, members receive an official membership card, the faerie newsletter, an invitation to the Annual Faerie Tea Party, and discounts on faerie-house workshops.

The next Annual Faerie Tea Party is in spring 2027. Faerie costumes are warmly encouraged! Members receive an invitation with all the details.

Visit the Join the Society page and check out securely with Square — you can join for a single year or subscribe annually. Membership is $7 a year.

We love that you’d like to help the faerie folk feel at home! Send us a note at faeriesociety@gmail.com and we’ll let you know how you can take part.

Yes — we’re putting the finishing touches on our local sponsorship program. If you’d like to support the trails, email us at faeriesociety@gmail.com and we’ll share the details as soon as they’re ready.

Please do! Tag us and use #FaerieTrailsMahoneBay on Instagram or Facebook — we love seeing the trails through your eyes, and you might just appear in our gallery.

Send a faerie hello to faeriesociety@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram. We’re a small team of volunteers, so please be patient — we’ll flutter back as soon as we can.