Activities
Due to the Highway 103 twinning project, sections of the Chester Connection Trail (Rail Trail) will be closed intermittently from April 1 to December 31, 2026. Work includes overpass construction, trail realignment, and new abutments.
Nova Scotia Department of Public Works will be blasting along Hwy 103 (near Exit 6) and along Hwy 3 (near Exit 7) periodically Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for 10-minute intervals.
The affected section is between Goat Lake Road and East River. Closures will impact access to Castle Rock Trail. Detour options and maps will be available by calling 902-275-3490 beginning April 6, 2026.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Alternate Routes to Castle Rock Trail during Trail Closures
During Trail closures of the East River section of the Chester Connector, visitors can still use Castle Rock Trail through the trail access off Goat Lake Road. To get from the East River Parking lot to Goat Lake Road trail follow the directions below.
Exit parking lot --> Turn RIGHT on Route 329
At stop sign --> Turn LEFT on Route 3 and travel 3.8 km
Turn RIGHT on Goat Lake Road
Travel 300 m to trail crossing
No OHV permitted on Hwy 3
No designated parking. Park of the shoulder of the road. Do not block driveways or trail entrance.
During trail closures of the Goat Lake Road trail side of the Chester Connector Trail (Rail Trail) visitors can access Castle Rock Trail via East River Trail. To get from the Goat Lake Road trail to the Parking lot in East River follow the directions below.
Leave Goat Lake Road
At stop sign --> Turn LEFT on Route 3 and travel 4 km
Turn RIGHT on Route 329
Travel 210 m --> Turn LEFT into trail parking area
No OHVs permitted on Route 3
Park in the designated parking area, not on the
shoulder of the road.
