It’s a natural wonder, a one-of-a-kind sight in the southwest corner of Nova Scotia is Balancing Rock. It’s actually a column of basalt rock that was formed from cooling volcanic rock 200 million years ago and has weathered and eroded on its seaside location. The amazing part is that it looks like the columnar rock is perched on the edge of another rock and is ready to fall over at any moment. But it’s been standing in its present position for so long, it’s doubtful that it will slip into the sea anytime soon. Drive to Tiverton, and walk the trail to the observation deck. And be wowed! When my husband and I visited Nova Scotia, we put Balancing Rock on our must-see list. And I’m glad we did because this is something to behold.
Balancing Rock: Highway 217 (near #2500) / Tiverton, Nova Scotia (31 miles/51 km south of Digby)
What You’ll Find at Balancing Rock
- A 1.5 mile/2.4 km out-and-back or linear trail from the parking lot through a wooded areas and bogs to the observation deck for Balancing Rock.
- The trail is mostly level terrain and includes packed earth, gravel, wooden boardwalk, and some rocky areas. Near the end of the trail are 235 wooden steps down to the observation deck. Handrails along the steps help ensure safety.
- Informational signs on the trail and at the observation area provide details on the landscape and the rock.
- Benches along the way provide places to rest.
- Gorgeous, seemingly endless views of St. Mary’s Bay.
Tips for Your Visit to Balancing Rock
- The trail is open daily from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm.
- There is no charge for the trail. Just park in the parking lot and hit the trail.
- Wear sturdy shoes. The trail can be muddy and rocky at times and the steps might be slippery.
- Expect to spend about an hour total walking the trail down to the observation area, taking pictures, and returning to the parking lot.
- You can use the AllTrails app (or website) to read comments on trail conditions from recent visitors.
- The trail is not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.
- Balancing Rock is about a 1.5-hour drive (32 miles/51 kilometers) south of Digby. Therefore, expect to spend about a half-day on this excursion including the round-trip drive from Digby and walking the trail itself.
- Approaching from Digby, there is a free ferry from East Ferry to Tiverton, crossing the Petit Passage waterway. (At one point, our GPS stated that we had 8 miles to go until we reached the Balancing Rock Trail, but the estimated time was over 45 minutes! What? Turns out that the GPS platform we used did not inform us that there was a ferry involved. No worries. Now we, and you, know.)
- The ferry from the Digby side (East Ferry) runs every hour on the half-hour (2:30, 3:30, and so on). The ferry returning from Balancing Rock Trail (the Tiverton side) runs every hour on the hour (2:00, 3:00, and so on).
- There are rustic/vault toilets in the parking lot.
Map of Balancing Rock
Nearby Attractions
About a 1.5 hours drive north of Balancing Rock, Digby is a seaside town with restaurants featuring the town’s specialty: scallops. Still further north is Annapolis Royal that’s home to the Fort Anne National Historic Site (a museum and site of an 18th-century fort), Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, and Port-Royal National Historic Site (a recreated 17th-century settlement).
Final Thoughts
When we were planning our trip to Nova Scotia, my husband and I were intrigued by photographs of Balancing Rock in the province’s southwest. We knew we wanted to include that in our itinerary. It is indeed a sight to behold. How on earth does that column of basalt stay standing so precariously?! It’s one of those wonders of nature that you need to see to believe. We are glad that we made the time for the trip to Balancing Rock as it’s such a unique sight.
Comments?
Feel free to share your experiences in Nova Scotia’s western coastal area and/or suggestions for other places to visit in the area. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂
