Durham Hill Trail

Trail Description: From the starting point on the Condon Road in Scotsburn (N45 39.161 W62 51.250), the Durham Hill section of the Cape to Cape Trail heads in an easterly direction on the abandoned Short Line Railway that is now known as the Jitney Trail in reference to the passenger train that used to travel between Pictou and Oxford Junction.

After walking about 1.5 km along the Jitney Trail, turn to the right off the Jitney and cross Highway 256. Walk along a short stretch of asphalt road (part of the old highway) to a kiosk with a map of the Durham Hill Trail. There is a sign with the Cape to Cape Trail logo indicating the pathway down the bank to the Sawmill Brook (N45 38.888 W62 50.137). Most of the time it is possible to ford the brook, but during periods of high water there is a plank bridge a short distance up stream. (N45 38.899 W62 50.159)

Follow the Cape to Cape Trail markers about 0.5 kilometres to an opening in the wire fence. At this point the trail goes into a field that, in the growing season, has a crop of oats or corn; looking toward the west, walkers will see Fitzpatrick Mountain and the two wind turbines near Millsville.  Now, walk in a southerly direction along the edge of the field to a marked opening in the fence and continue on the trail through a grove of mature hemlock trees. The owner of this woodlot has recently cut some of the trees as part of a silviculture management plan.

Next on the trail look for a sharp left turn that is marked with the Cape to Cape logo and a directional arrow, then continue walking through a mixed-wood forest of both hardwood and softwood trees. The next landmark is a paved highway, the Stewart Road (N45 38.174 W62 50.072). At this point (looking to the left) you often see the smoke rising from the pulp mill at Abercrombie Point.

Cross the Stewart Road (N45 38.184 W62 50.080) and follow the Cape to Cape Trail signs. The next section of the trail heads in an easterly direction following an old property boundary so it is a bit rocky in places. Look for the directional arrow that indicates a right turn into the woods. After crossing a tiny stream, the trail follows an old hauling road; then it veers to the left through a grove of old spruce trees, heads down a gentle slope and crosses another small stream.

Next the trail enters a small grove of mature hemlock trees that ends abruptedly where the forest was clear-cut a few years ago. With the permission of the land owner, a new route has been created at this point to cross Quarry Brook. For a short distance the trail continues through the forest at the edge of the clear-cut, on high ground allowing a view of the flood plain on both sides of Quarry Brook. Where the trail crosses this flood plain walkers might encounter problems with wet conditions depending on the season and the weather. However, there is a sturdy log bridge across Quarry Brook.

The trail continues across farm land, beside fields and through the woods until it meets a well-defined hauling road. Follow the road down the gentle slope of the Durham Hill until coming to a Cape to Cape Trail marker indicating that the trail heads to the right across a field and then into a grove of trees. At this point the trail is on an old hauling road with some muddy ruts that leads to a field behind a house on Highway 376. Continue walking across the field behind the houses to a paved highway; i.e. the Durham Road connecting the villages of Durham and Scotsburn.

Cross the Durham Road, while at the same time looking for the Cape to Cape Trail sign on the other side, just a bit to the right. For a short distance, the trail is a mowed path through a hay field before heading into a grove of trees behind the houses in the village of Durham. The exit from the Durham Hill section of the Cape to Cape Trail is at the intersection of Highway 376 and the Durham Bridge.

Trail Access Points: Durham (N45 37.030 W62 48.726)  and Scotsburn (N45 39.161 W62 51.250)

Directions to Durham from Exit 19 on Highway 104: From Exit 19 travel East on Highway 4; i.e. towards New Glasgow. After travelling about 5 km East on Highway 4, turn left onto Highway 376 towards Pictou. Travel about 5 km on Highway 376 to the centre of Durham; i.e. in the vicinity of the Durham Presbyterian Church and the Durham Bridge.

The trail access point in Durham(N45 37.030 W62 48.726) is directly across Highway 376 from the intersection with the Durham Bridge. There is a parking place across the highway from the trail access point.

Directions to Scotsburn from Exit 19 on Highway 104: From Exit 19 travel East on Highway 4; i.e. towards New Glasgow. After travelling about 5 km East on Highway 4, turn left onto Highway 376 towards Pictou. Travel about 5 km on Highway 376 to the centre of Durham village where there is a paved road between Durham and Scotsburn called the Durham Road. From Highway 376 in Durham, turn left onto the Durham Road towards Scotsburn. Travel about 5 km to the intersection with Highway 256, then turn left to the centre of Scotsburn; i.e. in the vicinity of the post office, the school and Scotsburn Dairy. (N45 39.161 W62 51.250)

The trail access point in Scotsburn is near the intersection of Highway 256 and Condon Road; i.e. at the back of the parking lot adjacent to the abandoned Short Line Railway that is now known as the Jitney Trail.