Plan your day trip
Visit us in Mahone Bay
One of the most magical little harbour towns on the South Shore of Nova Scotia — three church steeples, a sparkling bay, kind shops and faeries hiding all around. Make a day of it.
Find us
Where the trails begin
There are three free trails, each with its own starting point in and around Mahone Bay — pick one, or wander all three.
Your treasure map
The Faerie Trails Map
All three trails on one magical map. Print it out, tuck it in a pocket, and play a little Faerie I Spy along the way.
Faerie I Spy — can you find them all on the map?
- Two faeries, seven mushrooms and one bandstand
- Four churches and two sailboats
- Two tulips — what colour are they?
- A bridge and two daffodils
- One poppy — what colour is it?
- How many parking signs can you count? (There are three!)
Good things to know
- Getting here Mahone Bay is about an hour’s drive from Halifax along the South Shore — take Exit 10 off Highway 103. There are three trails to wander, each with its own starting point in and around town.
- Parking There’s parking all along the waterfront and in public lots throughout town. Mahone Bay is small and walkable, so leave the car and wander.
- Accessibility Surfaces vary by trail: Maggie Maggie River is level, natural path; the Secret Garden is rocky and uneven; and Merrymaking follows paved town streets, with and without sidewalks.
- What to bring Comfy shoes, water, a snack, and your softest pair of eyes. A camera helps — the faeries are wonderfully photogenic.
- When to come The trails are open dawn to dusk, May through October. Early morning and golden hour are the most magical.
- Pets Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome — and they often spot the faeries first. TODO: confirm
A gentle word
Travel like a faerie
The trails are tended by volunteers and loved by thousands. A little care keeps them magical for the family wandering through after you.
- Stay on the paths and tread softly — faerie gardens are tender.
- Look with your eyes and gentle hands; please leave the houses where they live.
- Take your wrappers and treasures home with you (faeries tidy up after no one).
- Bring a little gift of kindness instead — a smile, a quiet voice, a careful step.
Make a day of it
A magical South Shore day trip
Mahone Bay is about an hour from Halifax, and it’s brimming with more than faeries: harbourside cafés, little shops, kayaks on the bay and that famous view of the three churches. Wander a trail in the morning, lunch in town, and let the afternoon unfold.
TODO: local café / shop recommendations
- TODO: client photoThree churches across the bay
- TODO: client photoA cosy Main Street café
- TODO: client photoKayaks on a calm morning
Before you set off
Pick your path
Three free trails are waiting. Choose your wander — or join the Society and make your visit official.