About the Summit
The eleventh annual Nova Scotia Hiking Summit is a celebration of hiking culture. Held in a different community each year, the 2025 Summit will take place on May 30, May 31 and June 1 (Friday to Sunday) in Bridgewater. Avid hikers, hiking clubs, trail groups, provincial government, municipalities and others will attend. The Summit includes workshops, hiking stories, networking opportunities and, of course, hikes! It will shine a light on the beautiful trails found in and near the Bridgewater area, keen trail groups and hiking leaders. Bridgewater and area has lots of great hiking opportunities we will showcase throughout the Summit!
Hosts & Location
The Hiking Summit is organized annually by Hike Nova Scotia. Our co-host is the Lunenburg County Hikers. The location is the Days Inn in Bridgewater, 50 North Street. We are happy to have wonderful sponsors for the Summit including: O'Regan's Subaru, Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia, Province of Nova Scotia, TrailFlow Outdoor Adventures and Terra Beata Farms. We further thank the Honourable Becky Druhan, MLA for Lunenburg West, the Honourable Susan Corkum-Greek, MLA for Lunenburg and South Shore Physiotherapy for their support. Additional partners will be announced in the near future.
View the Program & Hike Details Before Registering
Included in registration is access to food described below, evening events, morning workshop sessions and guided hikes. You must select the hikes you’ll attend in advance, so please review Hike Details document before making your choices. There is no need to pre-select the workshops you’ll attend.
If you've accessed these files before, please refresh your browser after you click on a file as it may have been updated.
Families: Most hikes are family-friendly, and families are expected to attend hikes together. Parents and caregivers are responsible for their children on all hikes, including judging their child’s ability to do a hike. Transportation: You are responsible for finding your own way to the various venues, events and hikes. Hike NS will not organize or provide transportation or carpooling during the Summit. Ticks: Spring is tick season, so please come prepared – learn how to prepare here. Dogs: Sorry, but to ensure that everyone is comfortable and experiences enjoyable hikes, dogs are not allowed on the Summit’s guided group hikes.
Registration Fee
Click on the green button below to register ASAP. The registration fee covers the whole weekend whether you attend for one, two or three days. Registration costs are:
Subsidies are available to those from equity-seeking groups. Please contact us if you would like to access one.
Food
Your Summit registration includes the following food: Friday night reception (finger food - not a meal) with cash bar; Saturday and Sunday mid-morning breaks; Saturday and Sunday lunches; and Saturday evening supper with cash bar. Participants are responsible for all other food not included above. A list of local restaurants is found below. For the hikes, please bring your own snacks. Hike NS will not provide single-serve water bottles for those going on hikes. Instead, we’ll provide a water bottle fill station in the Summit registration area.
Accommodation
The Days Inn in Bridgewater has a special room rate for Summit attendees. A limited number of rooms is available for $150/night plus HST (based on 1 or 2 people in a room with free breakfast each morning). You can only get this rate by calling the hotel directly at (902) 543-7131 ext 0 (booking online will not get you this rate). You can also email: daysinn@eastlink.ca (they will need your phone number/ how many people in the room and a credit card). You must make your booking with the Days Inn by May 8, 2025.
Other accommodation options can be found at these links:
Displays
For organizations and businesses that would like to have a display at the Hiking Summit, please click here to learn more and register for a table.
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel your Hiking Summit registration by May 26 at noon and receive a full refund. Cancellations between May 26 at noon and May 29 at noon will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations after May 29 at noon and no-shows will not be refunded. To cancel your registration, please contact Hike NS. By registering for the Summit, you acknowledge and accept this cancellation policy.
Register: Click the Green Button
Registration will close at the end of the day on May 25 if it doesn’t sell out before then. You must register in advance by this date or you will be turned away at the door; we will not accept walk-in registrations during the Summit. Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Check your email spam folder and then contact Hike NS if you do not receive one.
Co-Hosts & Sponsors
Co-hosts
Sponsors
Help Promote the Summit
Please help promote the Summit! Use this Promo Pieces document (Word file) to cut and paste various write ups for social media and other uses. Here are some social media graphics to download and use: Facebook file, X file and Instagram file. Download and print this flyer and post in your local community. Thank you.
Donate to the Summit Silent Auction
Please consider donating an item or experience to Hike Nova Scotia’s 2025 Silent Auction, taking place at the Hiking Summit. Funds generated will support Hike NS’s work. Here is a list of donation ideas.
Here is a video wrapping up the 2024 Hiking Summit in Antigonish!
Seeking 2026 Hiking Summit Co-Host
Hike NS is now seeking applications to co-host the 2026 Hiking Summit, with a deadline of February 28, 2025. A celebration of hiking culture, the Summit is usually held each Spring and moves to a different part of the province every year to support the local hiking movement and highlight local trails and attractions. With up to 250 people expected, such an event is also an economic boost to a community. Contact us to learn how to apply.
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