| Province: | NS |
| Type: | Hwy |
| Glooscap Trail | |
| Allocation: | |
| Section1: | Main segment |
| Length Km1: | 357 |
| Direction A1: | West |
| Terminus A1: | at Fort Lawrence |
| Direction B1: | East |
| Terminus B1: | at Scot's Bay |
| Section2: | Shubenacadie Valley segment |
| Length Km2: | 59 |
| Direction A2: | South |
| Terminus A2: | in Enfield |
| Direction B2: | North |
| Terminus B2: | in Truro |
| Counties: | Hants, Colchester, Cumberland |
| Section3: | Fundy Shore segment |
| Terminus A3: | in Parrsboro |
| Terminus B3: | in Maccan |
| Direction A3: | South |
| Direction B3: | North |
| Length Km3: | 119 |
The Glooscap Trail is a scenic roadway in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.
It is located in the central and northern part of the province around the Minas Basin and Cobequid Bay, sub-basins of the Bay of Fundy. The route connects Amherst in Cumberland County, near the interprovincial boundary with New Brunswick, with Scot's Bay in Kings County, Nova Scotia.[1] [2] A spur of Glooscap Trail follows Trunk 2 in Truro, through the Shubenacadie Valley, to Enfield at the boundary with Halifax Regional Municipality. The Fundy Shore segment branches off from the main route in Parrsboro and continues along the Minas Basin shore until reaching Advocate Harbour, where the route then follows the Chignecto Bay, outlining the Chignecto Peninsula.[1]
The main route measures 357km (222miles), with the Shubenacadie Valley spur being 59km (37miles). Additionally, the Fundy Shore segment is 119 km (74 mi) long.
According to a Mikmaq legend, Glooscap was a giant god-like man who was created by Gisoolg (the Great Spirit Creator) and lived on the high cliffs of Cape Blomidon, overlooking the Bay of Fundy. He was created by a lightning bolt striking sand.The legend credits Glooscap with creating the Five Islands in the Minas Basin. These islands were formed from giant clods of mud thrown by Glooscap at a disrespectful beaver (the beaver's dam had flooded Glooscap's garden). Glooscap smashed the beaver's dam and allowed the water to flow freely, creating the Bay of Fundy tides.