Hiking the McIntosh Run- Osprey Trails
It was just starting to drizzle as we set out to head for Halifax-no matter, we’ve hiked in the rain before.
Today we were headed towards Spryfield, our destination-the McIntosh Run trails. In particular, the Osprey trails, Attic and Lou’s Basement.
Osprey’s Attic and Lou’s Basement Trails
It wasn’t our first visit to this neck of the McIntosh Run Watershed area, but hiking the Osprey Attic and Lou’s Basement trails were new to us.
Located at the end of Alabaster Drive, there is limited parking at the cul-de-sac at the trail head. A detailed map there indicates the many ways to get lost, er, I mean the many trails in the McIntosh Run Watershed area.
I like hiking atop granite boulders, and there were lots of them.
Although we didn’t hike near any waterways on this route we could see Flat Lake in the distance in spots.
There are trails signs and maps along the routes, but it’s still easy to get confused- and we did, several times. The view from every granite boulder, while beautiful, looks much the same. Every blacked tree seemed just like it’s neighbour. However,we had access to GPS maps, indicating the hike covered just over 3.5 km and got us back on course when needed.
The granite made for some clambering up and careful stepping at times. It’s rated More Difficult, but I, as a card- carrying ‘older person’, did not find it too bad. I guess it’s just what one is used to hiking.
There is sparse flora along the this trail-mostly jack pine. Much of the white pine had been burned in a 2009 fire and the charred blackened remains blended with the fog of the morning, lending a spooky atmosphere to our hike. Share on X
Other McIntosh Trails
Trails within the natural watershed area except the community trail are described as single track-the width of a hiker or mountain biker, and as of 2021 there were 27 km of single track trails. There is an ongoing work to open more trails.
These trails are also popular for trail runners, bikers ,snowshoeing and cross county skiing and McIntosh Run,since 2023, is one of the municipal trails that permits e-scooters.
Trail head addresses:
-
- 125 Angler Drive : Angler’s Path trail
- 91 Norawarren Drive : Upper West Pine trail
- 529 Alabaster Way (the cul-de-sac): Osprey trail
- 25 Lois Lane / Hartlen Park : Clark Kent trail
- Sarah Drive, between #15 and #18 : Orange Jelly trail
Tick season is every season.
Wear good sturdy shoes, especially on granite trails.
Dogs welcomed, on leash
McIntosh Run Community Trail, This is a 4 meter wide, crusher-dust trail that runs through Spryfield and allows access the singletrack trails from some parking and public transit locations. It is now managed and maintained by Halifax Regional Municipality
