Six Mile Brook Trail

Distance: 10 kilometres

In preparation for the four brook crossings, pack water footwear to change into. At the trail head at Six Mile Brook Road, the trail begins on the south side of the brook. From the parking area, walk 10-20 m. toward the brook. Enter the woods to your left (west), following trail markers and the established path for approximately .5 km. to the first brook crossing. Use the rope provided as a handhold in case of deep water levels and slippery rocks to cross to the north bank.  You have a choice to make: 1) turn left (west) Z to hike along the brook toward the Bothy (2 kms. away) follow the directions below at the Z; 2) turn right (east and north) to hike uphill toward Gordon Young’s house and the loop up Dalhousie Mountain.

 You may choose to begin on the trail section on the west side of Millsville, on the Grant Road, close to Gordon Young’s house and a collapsed barn.  Follow the Grant Road (west) until you see the Cape to Cape sign in the field to your left. Cut off into the field and then continue down through hardwoods.  There is a steep embankment that takes you across an ATV trail. Look for the white trail markers and watch for a right turn Z that takes you close to Six Mile Brook. Hike 1 kilometre or so along the brook.  Here, you have another choice to make: 1) follow the original trail on the south side of the brook; 2) follow the newly-cut trail on the north side of the brook. To follow the original trail, cross the brook to your left to the south side of the brook. Immediately, turn right.  The trail soon heads up a steep hill into woods overlooking the brook.  When it comes down again to brook level (.5 km later), it follows the brook for two kilometres or so, crossing it in three places with rope to hold onto.  The Jack and Doris McLachlan Bothy sits above the brook on the south bank. To continue on the north bank, follow ribbons and trail markers beside the brook for one km. or so. Merge with the original trail at the brook crossing  and cross to the south bank until you reach the Bothy.

To complete the loop trail, cross the brook to the north and west. An old logging road leads up the hill through heavy vegetation (approximately 100 metres) to pass beside a blueberry field.  Eventually, the trail merges with a road, passes a cabin and the access road to the Willis Cemetery, a point of historic interest, on Dalhousie Mountain.  100 metres past the Willis Cemetery road, find signs for a trail head on the right.  It goes through mixed wood stands (2.5 km) to a field.  Follow this back down to the Grant Road and enjoy distant views of western and central Pictou County. If you miss the trail, walk back to Millsville on the Porter Road, turning right into Millsville and right onto the Grant Road to return to Gordon Young’s house. Follow the Grant Road (west) until you see the Cape to Cape sign in the field to your left. Cut off into the field and then continue down through hardwoods.  There is a steep embankment that takes you across an ATV trail. Look for the white trail markers and watch for a right turn Z that takes you close to Six Mile Brook. You can return to the parking lot/kiosk by crossing the brook at this point to the south bank and following the .5 km. trail to your left (east).

 

Trail Access Points: Six Mile Brook Road (N45 35.529 W62 54.712)  and Grant Road, Millsville (N45 36.163 W62 54.695)

Directions to Six Mile Brook Trail Head:

 

Directions to Millsville from from Truro/Halifax:

Take the Trans Canda Highway E/NS-104 E ramp to New Glasgow/Cape Breton

Merge onto NS-104 E

29.5km - Take exit 19 toward NS-4/Salt Springs/West River/Durham/NS-376

270m - Turn left toward NS-4 Trunk E

300m - Turn right at NS-4 Trunk Ec(signs for NS-4 E/NS-376/Salt Springs/West River/Durham)

Apprx 4.4 km - Turn left at NS-376 towards Durham

4km - Turn left at Rockfield Rd

4km - Turn left at Millsville Rd

4km - Turn left at Grant Rd (not marked)

600m - Park near the house and begin your hike by following the road to where signs direct you into a field. You'll make the hike in a clockwise direction.

Directions to Millsville from Antigonish/New Glasgow:

Take the Transcanada Highway/NS-104 W towards Truro/Amherst

Take exit 20, Pleasant Valley ,toward CentralWest River/Durham/NS-4/NS-376

200m - Turn left toward NS-4 Trunk W

5.6 km -Turn right at NS-376 towards Durham

4km - Turn left at Rockfield Rd

4km - Turn left at Millsville Rd

4km - Turn left at Grant Rd (not marked)

600m - Park near the house and begin your hike by following the road to where signs direct you into a field. You'll make the hike in a clockwise direction.