Cavendish Grove Trail
Gallery
Quick Facts
| Difficulty | wheelchair |
| Trail Type | mixed |
| Distance | 1.4 km |
| Estimated Time | 1 hour |
| Surface Type | paved, crushed rock |
| Elevation Change | 33 meters |
| Features | maze, fields, forest |
| Trail Markers | signs |
| Scenery Rating | recreational |
| Maintenance Rating | well maintained |
| Cell Reception | strong |
| Dog Friendly | on a leash |
| Fees | none |
Store
Description
I was so excited when I found out that Cavendish Grove was the former site of Rainbow Valley. When we were kids going to Rainbow Valley was the highlight of our summers. At the time it was the only amusement park in Atlantic Canada. The park closed in the year 2000 and some of it's attractions ended up at Shining Waters across the road. There is still a circular spruce maze on site. If you have never had the privelege of visiting Rainbow Valley check out this documentary. If you google it you will find a Facebook page and lots of articles that are testaments to how many families the park impacted.
After the amusement park closed the land was purchased by Parks Canada in 2007 it was opened as Cavendish Grove. Cavendish Grove is now a picnic area that is mostly field with large trees. The wide, crushed rock trail leaves the parking lot and crosses through the ponds that used to have paddle boats. The maze is up in the trees to the left. The trail climbs the gentle hill to the right passing several picnic tables in among the trees.
The trail passes by a bathroom building that is a built to be self sufficient using solar panels and rainwater. After the bathroom the trail travels along a stretch of woods with several side trails that enter the woods. The woods is a beautiful stand of hardwoods.
The main trail soon comes to a trail junction. Turning left will take you on the Clarks Lane Trail. Turning right you will continue on the the Cavendish Beach Trail. The trail travels through the woods along the back of a farm field. The trail then travels through an old field and another patch of woods before emerging next to the parking lot at Cavendish Beach. The trail travels around the parking lot and then meets up with the boardwalk to the beach.
Map
Directions
From the intersection of Route 13 and Route 6 in Cavendish drive west towards Green Gables. Drive for 1 kilometre and turn right into Cavendish Grove.
Other trails in this section of the park
- Balsam Hollow Trail
- Cavendish Beach and Dunes
- Clarks Lane Trail
- Dunelands Trail
- Graham's Lane Trail
- Gulf Shore Way West Trail
- Haunted Wood Trail
- Homestead Trail
- North Rustico Beach
External Links
Trail Last Hiked: July 12, 2018.
Page Last Updated: March 25, 2020.