Jajiktek Seawall Trail

Jajiktek Seawall Trail

A unique and challenging wilderness hiking experience is planned for Inverness County.

When complete, Jajiktek (Jah-Jick-Teck) Seawall Trail is anticipated to span close to 50 kilometres, beginning in the small community of Red River (near Pleasant Bay) and following the northwestern coastline of the provincially protected Polletts Cove-Aspy Fault Wilderness Area. Hikers will complete the trek over four days, concluding in the remote community of Meat Cove.

Constructing the trail will be a significant undertaking due to the exceptionally rugged terrain, which presents a challenging working environment. This fall, small sections of the trail will be built as a mock-up to evaluate how well the proposed design works in these conditions. The Municipality has obtained the necessary authorizations from the province to work in the wilderness area. A comprehensive evaluation of the mock-up sections with be conducted to inform further planning. Full trail construction anticipated to begin in spring 2026 and completed in 2027.

This trail is anticipated to become one of Canada’s premier wilderness attractions and a leading tourism destination in Nova Scotia

About the Project

Jajiktek is a Mi’kmaw word that means crouching down and standing up as you move along a difficult route close to water. The route will showcase exceptional topographic and ecological diversity, from jagged coastal mountains, cliffs and barrens to old growth forests, chattering brooks and marshy lowlands.

Three accommodation locations along the trail, each with bunks for 20 hikers, will offer respite and shelter at the end of each day. The cabins will significantly lighten each hiker’s pack and open the possibility of four-season operations.

In addition to direct tourism revenue, operation of the Jajiktek Seawall Trail is expected to create jobs and stimulate private investment and business opportunities in the surrounding areas including guides, tour companies, accommodations, restaurants, transportation, and other adventure tourism operations.

For the project’s Mi’kmaw partners, the trail offers unique opportunities for holistic and authentic cultural sharing and education about the First People’s history here in the ancestral homelands of the Mi’kmaw / L’Nu people.

Every effort will be made to protect the ecological integrity of Polletts Cove-Aspy Fault Wilderness Areas and adjacent lands affected by this project.

Currently, there is no trail or accommodations. It is a rugged, remote, and challenging wilderness route with no wayfinding signage or infrastructure of any kind, requiring seasoned wilderness navigation and survival skills. It is strongly recommended that anyone exploring the area reach out to a local guiding business.

 Project Specifics:

• Design-Build Contractor: Zutphen Contractors Inc. (General Contractor), in partnership with Glenn Group Landscape Architects (Prime Design Consultant)
• Jajiktek Seawall Trail Steering Committee: Comprised of northern community, Mi’kmaw and government representatives
• Mi’kmaw Elders Advisory Group

Provincial Government Approval Agreements:

The majority of the proposed trail lies within the provincially protected Polletts Cove-Aspy Fault Wilderness Areas which is administered by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment & Climate Change. Projects activities within the wilderness area are regulated by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Project Timeline:

Project Partners

The project has long been championed by the Seawall Trail Society, founded by a group of volunteers in the host communities. Their vision has been embraced by the surrounding northern communities of Inverness and Victoria Counties and has support from the Mi’kmaw communities across the island. The project has been awarded funding from the provincial and federal governments. Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change is providing oversight to trail planning and construction in the Wilderness Area.

Key project partners include:

• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
• Build Nova Scotia
• Community of Pleasant Bay
• Meat Cove Development Association
• Municipality of the County of Victoria
• Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network (NSITEN)
• Nova Scotia Nature Trust
• Seawall Trail Society

Project Principles

The project is guided by eight principles:

• Minimize impact on the land
• Minimize negative impact on locals
• Maximize economic opportunities for locals
• Offer a high quality Jajiktek Seawall Trail experience
• Design alongside Mi’kmaq partners
• Align with other adventure tourism initiatives
• Extend tourism activities throughout the year
• Provide opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities*

* The Jajiktek Seawall Trail will  be a challenging hike through steep and difficult terrain, which will cater to a specific, able-bodied user group.

Environmental and Cultural Impacts and Regulatory Compliance

The project design complies with all relevant environmental standards, including:

• Consultation with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia
• Eastern District Planning Commission Guidelines
• Nova Scotia Department of Community, Culture, Tourism & Heritage Special Places: Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment
• Nova Scotia Department of Environment & Climate Change: Wilderness Areas Protection Act, Watercourse Alteration Standard and On-site Sewage Disposal Systems Standard.
• Nova Scotia Department of Public Works: permitting for public road parcels
• Nova Scotia Nature Trust stewardship standards

Budget

In addition to contributions from the Municipality of Inverness County, funding for planning and construction of this project has been provided by the provincial and federal government.

• The Province of Nova Scotia is contributing $6.4 million through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
• The Government of Canada is contributing $3 million through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us:

• Email construction@invernesscounty.ca
• Call toll-free 1-866-258-0223, select option #5.

To learn more:

• Read news release here

Acknowledgment of Challenges

The Municipality of Inverness County acknowledges that this is a challenging time to build, due to the possibility of extreme weather events, market fluctuations, and contractor availability.  While we strive to provide the most accurate information, please understand that project timelines, costs, and other details are subject to change. We will keep the public informed with updates as they become available.