Pomquet Acadian Trails
While visiting Pomquet, enjoy a walk on the Pomquet Acadian Trails; 6 km of coastal and inland hiking trails along the shores of St. George’s Bay. The trailhead, located at Chez Deslauriers, is marked by a large map depicting the trail system. The trail system includes 3 stacked loops and a 1 km linear coastal trail. Directional signage is present along the trail. Numbered markers are linked to a self-guided interpretive brochure, available at Chez Deslauriers. Highlights of the trail include an amazing view of 20-metre high limestone and gypsum cliffs overlain by glacial till (remnants of a glacial drumlin), a barachois pond surrounded by cranberry plants, 150-200 year old white pine trees, various stages of forest succession, a glacial erratic transported some 2 km by glaciers, and views of Cape Breton Island in the distance.
Pomquet Provincial Park Beach is a short walk southward from the base of Chez Deslauriers. The beach along the trail system is accessible via stairs approximately 0.5 km north of Chez Deslauriers and at the barachois pond.
The trail system is classified as a front-country trail and is available to users all year round. The trails have a natural tread and are not accessible to wheelchairs. The topography can be classified as a rolling landscape. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail.
The trail system was designed and constructed in 2005-2006 by well-known local trail builder Peter Jackson, of Corvid Enterprises. It is located in the Monk's Head Provincial Park Reserve, a 230 acre protected area of forest, coastline and pasture land administered by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.
The Monk's Head Nature Preserve, located to the immediate west of the Monk's Head Provincial Park Reserve, contains over 200 acres of protected mixed forests, shoreline and coastal wetlands. These protected areas are administered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and are accessible using Scout Camp Road in Monk's Head, approximately 3 km west of Chez Deslauriers.
In total, almost 700 acres of shoreline, coastal forests and wetlands along Monk's Head are protected for future generations. Conservation efforts encourage passive recreational activities such as walking and birdwatching. Visitors to the area are asked to "Take only photographs, leave only footprints."