Guysborough Loop

The sea, the sea, the beautiful seacoast is the feature of this relaxing day-trip.  Dont forget to bring your bathing suit!  Leaving Antigonish travel east along Highway 104 to Southside Harbour Road which leads to two of our finest beaches: Dunns Beach which is the eastern barrier that protects the entrance Antigonish Harbour and further along this road takes you to the beautiful Pomquet Beach with its 1.5 mile sandy beach and extensive boardwalks.

Returning to Hwy 104 continue east to Exit 36 (route 4) and to the left, at the fork in the road, the fishing community of Bayfield with its busy wharf.  Returning to route 4, turn left, and continue along the shoreline through Tracadie.  This historic coastal area was settled first by the Acadians in 1761.

Continue along route 4 towards the community of Monastery and just past the underpass watch for a dirt road to the right that will take you to Our Lady of Grace Monastery which was opened first by the Trappists in 1825.  The Monastery, operated by the Monks of St. Moron, is closed to the public but there is a beautiful outdoor Chapel and Shrine in a glen that is well worth visiting.

Back on route 4 take route 316 across country to Boylston, settled by Loyalists in 1786, and the shores of Chedabucto Bay where there is a beautiful day park and refreshing 2 km walk around a wooded island. 

Crossing the inlet continue to the historic town of Guysborough which is an inviting town with distinctive heritage architecture.  Carefully maintained, the town has erected plaques on its old buildings giving the visitor some information on its age and history.  Take a walk around the town and experience another era.  The Old Court House is a designated heritage property (c. 1843) that has been restored and houses the local museum with displays of early Acadian and Black settlements.  Stop at the Days Gone By Bakery and Restaurant on Main Street for a light homemade lunch.  Guysborough is the eastern entrance to a 26 km portion of the Trans-Canada Trail.
 
 Returning to Boylston, take route 344 along the unspoiled coastline to the busy port of Mulgrave and village of Aulds Cove.  From here rejoin Highway 104 and return to Antigonish.  If you still have some time you can take a short side trip at Exit 35 through the village of St. Andrews to the Fraser Mills Fish Hatchery where trout and salmon are raised.
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