Economy Falls Hiking Trails on the Glooscap Trail

We were on our to Five Islands Campground, heading towards Parrsoboro along the Glooscap Trail and were looking for a place to stop for a picnic and a mini adventure.

That’s when I discovered Economy Falls Trail!

Here is what the website says:

Economy Falls was renowned for its beauty and geology since the days of Darwin. Some of the oldest rocks in Nova Scotia can be found here. In the early 1900’s an apron was built to allow logs to cross the falls on their way down the river to a waiting scow at the mouth of the Economy River.

In 1997 an historic phenomenon occurred when one side of the rock face collapsed… practically unheard of in lowlands such as this. 2,000 tonnes of rock fell into the huge pool in front of the falls and piled up. Since that date, floods, yearly spring freshets and rise in the river’s water level due to long rainy periods, have rearranged and continue to sculpt a new course for the waterfall and it’s gathering pond below.

About the Trail

Follow the signs along a woods road until you reach the stairs (0.75 km) and descent into the gorge on 186 steps to the bottom.

The entire trail took us about 30 minutes, round trip, not counting time we spent at the falls.

We saw many people heading there with swimsuits and towels, so it seems to be a popular place to cool off in the summer!

Amenities

There are no washrooms at the trail head. There are no picnic tables, but there are 2 benches on the trail. One is at the head of the stair case, so we stopped there for our picnic.

Other Trails in the Area

The Economy Falls Trail is actually part of a network of several trails, called the Kenomee Trails System. This is a network of hiking trails situated in West Colchester highlighting the Economy River, gorges, waterfalls and the Economy River Wilderness Area.

For great maps and other trail routes that connect with the Economy Falls Trail, check here.