I Walked a Canadian Camino in Nova Scotia

Anyone who has walked Spain’s Camino de Santiago will tell you that it’s addictive.

When I walked my first Camino in 2017, I thought that would be enough. But there is something about this journey that sticks with you and makes you yearn for more. I have since been back to volunteer in a pilgrim’s albergue and walk another route.

As much as I have been dying to get back to Spain to walk again, life’s circumstances had other plans for me this year. I was disappointed. But it turned out to be a fantastic opportunity to explore something just as great but closer to home.

The Camino Nova Scotia.

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The Camino Nova Scotia is a great option for anyone who can’t get to Spain or is unable to take weeks off for the long journey.

View of the wide and flat trail surrounded by greenery in Camino — *The whole trail was groomed and flat, making for easy walking*

Although I have walked two Caminos in Spain and have been a part of the Vancouver Camino community for years, I had never heard of the Camino Nova Scotia. It wasn’t until my city hosted the 2025 Pilgrim Gathering that I learned about it from one of our gracious speakers, and the founder of the Camino Nova Scotia.

The Camino Nova Scotia was created in 2014 by Dr. Rob Fennell of the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax. He was familiar with the pilgrimage routes in Spain and had friends who had walked them.

He loved hearing about their pilgrimages, but thought to himself, what about those who couldn’t get to Spain, or weren’t able to take weeks away from work and life to walk a Camino? Would they miss out?

Scenic view of the lake behind the woods along the trail in Camino — *What a view! Can I move in, please?*

This, along with his love of the outdoors, sparked an idea. What about creating a Canadian Camino?

It took many years of planning the routes and working out logistics. But with the support of the AST and some generous funding from the United Church of Canada Foundation, the Camino Nova Scotia was born.

📚 Further Reading: To learn more about Dr. Fennell’s journey, check out his book, Camino Close to Home.

This Camino is shorter and fully supported, with organizers who work tirelessly to ensure the trip goes smoothly.

People walking the boardwalk leading to Mahone Bay — *On the way to Mahone Bay*

So, how does everything work on the Camino Nova Scotia? Is it the same as Spain? Not quite.

Four different routes encompass this Camino: The Gael’s Trail in Cape Breton, The North Shore Way, the Annapolis Valley Pilgrimage, and the South Shore Peace and Friendship Way, which was the one I did. We walked just over 100 kilometers from Upper Tantallon to Lunenburg.

The Camino Nova Scotia webpage lists all of the routes and their corresponding dates. They each run around five days in length. You will need to register and pay a deposit to secure your place on the Camino you choose.

The fee for each is $1000 CAD. This covers everything: your food, accommodation, and transportation (but not flights). To me, it was totally worth it!

View of the old train station in Chester — *Chester’s old train station*

The only stressful part of this Camino was preparing beforehand. Luckily, my friend had already walked it, so I knew everything would work out. The organizers are busy people with full-time jobs and other obligations, so it was a challenge for them to respond to what I imagine was a barrage of phone calls and emails.

I found most of the communication trickled in at the last minute, so I would advise that if you need a flight and any additional accommodation, don’t wait to book those.

My friend was right. It was a little chaotic to obtain information beforehand, but the walk itself couldn’t have been more perfectly organized.

As they say, “the Camino provides.”

View of the colorful lounge chairs on the deck in Hubbards — *My favourite place for some R&R in Hubbards*

The big difference between this Camino and the ones in Spain (unless you take a guided tour, of course) is that it was fully supported.

We had three incredible leaders, one of whom kindly picked me up and dropped me back in Halifax. They took care of preparing our accommodation, doing the big grocery shops, and helping us with anything we needed as we walked.

Accommodations on the Camino Nova Scotia were in churches, most of which were historic and very beautiful.

These churches graciously opened their doors to us to sleep, cook, eat, and hang out. As there were no beds, we slept on air mattresses on the floor. I couldn’t carry that on the plane, so one was loaned to me. But I took my fleece sleeping bag liner and travel pillow, and it was perfectly comfortable.

One great thing about this Camino was that I didn’t have to worry about packing light. All of our belongings were transported! I only walked with what I needed for the day. When it came to packing for my Camino, I brought most of the things I would normally take: clothing, First Aid, and toiletries. But as the route was flat, I left my walking sticks at home.

View of the lined famous “Three Churches” in Mahone Bay — *We stayed in Trinity United (far right), one of Mahone Bay’s famous “Three Churches”*

Since we stayed in churches, you may be wondering about the shower situation. After all, churches aren’t known to have bathing areas, and nothing is needed more than a hot shower after a long, sweaty day of walking.

Only one of the churches on this route had one. But our leaders arranged for us to use the showers at a campground and sailing center. We did go for a couple of stinky days without one, though. But hey, we were all in the same boat. Pack lots of wipes!

Our day-to-day rhythm consisted of peaceful walks, scenic views, delicious meals, and daily reflections.

Scenic view of the church reflecting in the water early in the morning — *Early morning in Mahone Bay, my favourite stop*

Now for the good stuff!

Day-to-day life on the Camino Nova Scotia was everything I wanted my regular life to be. Easy and stress-free, with lots of really great food! It wasn’t hard to fall into a beautiful routine. And I still miss it!

We would wake up between 6:30 and 7:00 AM, get dressed for the day, pack our belongings, and take them to the van that would transport them to our next stop. I have never had my bag transported on my Caminos, but I now realize how luxurious it is to only walk with a day pack!

Breakfast was casual, but we did not leave hungry. Over scrambled eggs, yogurt, oatmeal, toast, and OJ, we’d recap how we’d slept and study the route for the day.

This Camino was a little different from the Spanish Caminos I’m used to. In Spain, there are bars and shops every few kilometers where you can grab drinks, snacks, and a meal. There was nothing like this in Nova Scotia.

Once we set out, that was it (other than a cooler with water and treats lovingly left on the trail for us at the halfway point each day). So, we had to take all our food and drink with us.

View of the crowd enjoying along the shore at Queensland Beach — *Queensland Beach – the much-anticipated ice cream stand was closed 🙁*

After breakfast, the items to make our lunch were laid out for us. We made sandwiches with cold cuts and cheese, grabbed a few granola bars, and filled bags with trail mix. It was plenty for the day.

Then we would gather together before setting off.

Because it’s run by a theological school, there was a religious element to this Camino. But I found that this wasn’t too different from the Camino in Spain. Everyone is welcome, and there is no pressure to participate in anything that may not align with your beliefs. In the end, I actually really enjoyed this aspect of the trip.

During our gathering time, we could share anything that came up for us during our Camino. I loved the dialogue and connection that came from this. Then, we would pull a “star card” and a scripture passage. These gave us some ideas to ponder or share in conversation as we walked. I looked forward to this ritual every day.

Closeup look of the star cards — *My star cards*

Now, it was time to walk!

We had set places to begin and end, so each day was different in terms of distance. It ranged from 15 to 30 kilometers. But I found this one much easier, physically, than my other Caminos. The big difference? The whole trail was flat and groomed. Lazy me (and my knees) loved it!

We walked along a converted rail line, known as the Rails to Trails or “Rum Runners” route. There wasn’t a lot of signage, but it was impossible to get lost. The trail is popular and very well-established. And you can always find a local if you’re feeling unsure. The people of Nova Scotia are so friendly and helpful!

The landscape was a mix of coastline and forest, peppered with lovely lakes. It was peaceful with plenty of stunning water views. We encountered the local animals. There were deer, birds, and even a bear! And the weather was fantastic every day – a far cry from my last Camino.

Scenic overlooking view of the clear water of the lake with greenery around — *One of the sparkling lakes along the route*

I walked some days alone and others with my fellow pilgrims. I enjoyed our conversations and felt grateful for the things they shared with me about their lives. We had the whole day to walk. There was no pressure and no rush to be anywhere at a certain time.

Once we arrived at our day’s destination, our bags were already waiting for us. We’d collect them and find a spot to set up our beds for the night. I always liked to sleep in the church sanctuaries under the stained glass windows. Others chose to sleep in the cooler basements. And one even slept in the van outside.

We had lots of free time in the afternoons before it was time to start dinner. Even though I’d walked all day, I loved exploring the towns we were staying in. Then I’d usually find a quiet spot by the water to relax for a bit.

Exterior view of a restaurant in Chester — *A cute restaurant in the town of Chester. Nova Scotia architecture is the best!*

Around 5:00 PM, we’d all gather back at the church to begin dinner prep. All of the shopping was done for us during the day, so all we had to do was cook the meal. Every day, a recipe was provided to us by our organizer. I hear she is quite the chef, so the recipes were next level!

Our meals consisted of local Nova Scotia specialties. We had delicious fish cakes, sausages, meat pies, and pasta. There were always options for special diets. Half the group would gather in the kitchen to prepare the meal. The other half were on clean-up duty! On our last night together, we dined out at the incredible Betty’s at The Kitch in Mahone Bay.

Dinnertime was always a highlight of my day. I never cook like that at home, so I felt super spoiled. But more than that, I loved our communal meals. It was a special opportunity to hear about everyone’s walk, share lots of laughs, and get to know one another a little more.

The author Catherine Driver and her Camino friends smiling for a photo with their dinner on the table — *A quick photo before digging in!*

After dinner, there wasn’t a lot of time left before we were all ready to hit the sack. We would gather together, over tea and coffee, to share any highlights, thoughts, and feelings from the day. And we’d usually say a prayer before drifting off for a good night’s sleep.

Then, we’d do it all again the next day.

Scenic view of the clear blue sky over the clear water at Sawpit Park — *Nova Scotia’s version of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Sawpit Park*

Unlike the Spanish Caminos, we did not collect stamps, receive a Compostela, or end at a majestic cathedral. We finished our walk at lovely Sawpit Park, where our leaders greeted us with hugs and a beautiful handwritten card. Then we went off to explore the incredible town of Lunenburg before saying our goodbyes.

The communal aspect of the Camino Nova Scotia is a perk rather than a hindrance, even if you’re used to traveling solo.

The author Catherine Driver and her Camino friends outside the St. James’ Church in Boutilier’s Point — *At St. James’ Church in Boutilier’s Point, before setting out to Hubbards*

Travelling solo is my preferred way to go. And I always encourage people to walk Caminos alone.

I love being able to take my time, stop when I want to, and not have to keep pace with or hold anyone else back. Being by myself also leaves me open to meeting new people. And gives me time and space for introspection.

Walking the Camino Nova Scotia solo was not an option. But I was fine with that, because there are plenty of reasons why I also enjoy being with a group. I was looking forward to getting to know my fellow pilgrims, not worrying about where I would sleep, and having all the little details taken care of.

All I had to do was show up and walk!

The author Catherine Driver and her Camino friends smiling for a photo — *Me with two of my new Camino friends*

On any group trip, you run the risk of not getting along with your tour mates. After all, you’re a bunch of strangers from all walks of life who are about to embark on a new, and sometimes intense, experience.

But from day one, everyone clicked. I knew to expect it from Camino pilgrims, but the way everyone supported each other, shared their stories, and gave generously of themselves will stay with me forever.

It wasn’t only my fellow walkers who had a lasting impact on me, but also our exceptional support team. The three of them worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly, our accommodation was ready, the food was purchased, and, most importantly, that we all had an unforgettable time.

It is hard to explain how taken care of I felt and how much that meant to me.

Facade of the St. Luke's Anglican Church surrounded by greenery — *Historic St. Luke’s, where we spent the night in Hubbards*

Walking the Camino Nova Scotia was definitely not on my radar this year, but it turned out to be a beautiful surprise and a true travel highlight. And it was a joy to explore a part of my country that I’d never been to. I can’t wait to sign up for my next one!

Like Dr. Fennell says, sometimes, it’s not always possible to travel to Europe to walk. It wasn’t for me this year. So, I will always be grateful that Nova Scotia fulfilled my Camino dreams in 2025.

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I hope this article has sparked your interest in considering Nova Scotia for a Camino. For information on dates and routes, and to register, check out the Atlantic School of Theology’s Camino page.

Leave me a comment with any questions you have about the Camino Nova Scotia. And if you’re looking for other Canadian destinations worth visiting, read this piece on why I think everyone should visit Salt Spring Island next!