A Journey Through Time

The Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark is located on the north shore of the Minas Basin in Nova Scotia. It spans 165 km and includes dozens of geosites that help tell this 300-million-year history.

You could easily spend several days exploring not only the geosites but also the welcoming communities tucked alongside them.

Here are some of the not-to-be-missed locations:

Truro

Begin your exploration of the Cliffs of Fundy by experiencing the power of the tides. In Truro, visit the Salmon River (you have to time your visit to the tide schedule) to see the tidal bore, a natural phenomenon where the strength of incoming tides pushes a wave up the river.

While in the area, visit downtown Truro for great local shops and restaurants. You can't go wrong with a stop at the Nook & Cranny Brewpub.

Mi'kmawey Derbert National Historic Site

The Mi'kmawey Derbert National Historic Site is one of the most significant archaeological areas in the country. Artifacts dating back nearly 13,500 years have been uncovered here, making it one of the earliest known human settlements in North America.

Walk the interpretive trail to feel the significance of this monumental area. It is the future home of the Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre.

Thomas Cove Coastal Reserve

Beautiful year round, the Thomas Cove Coastal Reserve trails are a must-see when visiting the Cliffs of Fundy.

Thomas Cove has excellent examples of rocks from the Late Triassic period (approximately 220 million years ago), as well a woodlands and tidal creeks. The trails lead to the open water where you can see views of the Bay of Five Islands and Cape Split.

Five Islands Provincial Park

Located just east of Parrsboro, the Five Islands Provincial Park has stunning 300-foot sea cliffs overlooking the Minas Basin. The park offers camping sites if you are looking to overnight, but it is also a wonderful stop for a hike or a paddle. Beachcombing, rock collecting, and clam digging are also popular activities

The Red Head Trail takes you to sand dunes blown by the arid winds of the Fundy rift valley during the Dinosaur era, now preserved in sandstone.

Be sure to visit Old Wife, one of the best places to see the breakup of Pangea.

According to the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark:

"As Pangea ripped apart, the greatest outpouring of lava in Earth's history gave rise to one of the Five (or Six) mass extinction events in the history of Life, wiping out the competitors of the dinosaurs and ushering in the true reign of the famous reptiles. The dark rocks are basalt–cooled lava, and the red rocks below are the sediments swept by rivers and winds in the rift valley."

Parrsboro

The community of Parrsboro enjoys a beautiful location on the Bay of Fundy. Stop at the welcoming community for lunch or stay overnight.

In the summer, catch a show at the Ship's Company Theatre, an award-winning theatre on the Parrsboro harbour.

For a taste of local flavour, try Two Islands Brewing, a small batch craft brewery.

And to gain an understanding of the incredible power potential of the tides, stop at the FORCE visitor centre and learn about how this area is researching and testing marine renewable technology.

Fundy Geological Museum

Located in Parrsboro is the Fundy Geological Museum, a worthy stop on your Cliffs of Fundy road trip.

The museum has dynamic exhibits, engaging staff and many hands-on activities that bring millions of years of history to life.

Wasson Bluff

From the Fundy Geological Museum, it is just 9 km drive to get to Wasson Bluff. Staff at the museum offer guided tours to this protected area, and it is worth going with a guide to get the most out of this stop.

Wasson Bluff is one of Canada's most significant fossil sites. Palaeontologists have found a plethora of fossils here from dinosaurs that lived in the early Jurassic period. Thousands of fossils have been found here, including tiny dinosaur footprints, and more continue to be exposed through the action of the tides.

Aside from the incredible fossils, the geological history of the cliffs, which form the edge of the ancient rift that was created when Pangea broke apart, is incredible to see.

Partridge Island

Although not technically an island as it is connected to the mainland of Nova Scotia by a sandbar, Partridge Island is a significant site culturally and geologically.

It is comprised of ancient sandstone and basalt cliffs that, like much of this region, have been continuously eroded by the powerful tides to reveal artifacts, fossils and gemstones.

Partridge Island is a sacred site to the Mi'kmaq, who call it Wa'so'q, which translates to heaven. Click on the video below to learn about the stories and legends that surround this location:

A 3-km hiking trail around the island will take you up to 200-foot cliffs overlooking the sea with dramatic views to nearby Cape Split and Cape d'Or.

Cape d'Or

Enjoy panoramic views over the Bay of Fundy from the cliffs of Cape d'Or, one of the best places to observe the powerful tidal currents.

The prominent basalt cliffs of Cape d'Or date back to the late Triassic period. Historic copper mines can still be seen in this area, which was known for its copper deposits for millennia.

Isle Haute

A sancturary for sea birds and seals, Isle Haute sits 8 km off Cape Chignecto in the Bay of Fundy. It can only be accessed by boat for day use, but is best seen from the water so as not to disturb the wildlife.

The balsat cliffs tower 100 metres over the water, dating back to the late Triassic-early Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago.

Three sisters

The most prominent feature of Cape Chignecto are the sea stacks, remnants of lava flows and magma intrusions from deep within the earth.

The name Three Sisters comes from a Mi'kmaw legend in which three sisters were turned to stone.

Sea kayaking is very popular in the area, although the sea stacks can also be observed from land.