Picture an ice-age landscape with mastodons, caribou, and giant beavers wandering over the tundra that covered Mi’kma’ki more than 11,000 years ago. Imagine communities of people who lived at the base of the Cobequid Mountains for more than a thousand years. This is the story of the Mi’kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail.
The interpretive panels located along the trail share the ever-growing story of the ancestral Debert sites.
Sharon Farrell (Miawpukek First Nation), Mi’kmaw archaeologist…
Featuring the artwork of Dozay Christmas, the panels were created by the Mi’kmawey Debert Elders’ Advisory Council, who guide the overall development of the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre. The trail abounds with wild flowers, tall trees and running streams of today’s warmer climate and travels through moderate terrain and diverse forest cover.
Learn More:
A small “utilized flake”— a small flake of stone used as a tool without being…
The Mi’kmawey Debert Interperative Trail Celebrates 10 years
New Warning Signs on the Mi’kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail
sharing our stories
The trails should be signs better to show where people at
Hi Jamie,
The trail is maintained regularly and last year we posted new directional signage. We like the idea of having a series of “you are here” signs that will help orient walkers. We will work to complete those this summer.
Thanks for your feedback!
MDCC Staff
Even simple signs that mark each km that you have travelled would be helpful.
Kwe’ Susan,
Wela’lin for the suggestion.
Solange
Excited to visit – sounds fascinating. Is it accessible now (March), or should we wait till later?
Hi Tessa,
While people use the trail year-round, the parking lot is not plowed, and facilities are provided only between May and October.
Enjoy your walk!
MDCC Staff
What year was the trail opened to the public? Who maintains it?
Hi Stacey,
The trail was opened in 2003. The project maintains the trail as part of our annual operations.
MDCC Staff
Is the trail equine friendly?
Hi Wendy,
The trail has several stairways that horses would not be able to maneuver (or the steep banks they are on).
MDCC Staff
Some Garbage Cans along the way or even at the end of the trail would be helpful. There was a lot of garbage at the end because there was no spot to put dog waste, water bottles and food waste.
Hi Shannon,
Thank you for letting us know. We will be cleaning the trail soon.
MDCC Staff
is there a location map for the trail? how do you get to it?
Good day, the Mi’kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail is located off Plains Road in Debert. As of right now we do not have a map of the trail, although it is something that we might explore in the future. There are signs throughout the trail that guide you. We hope this helps and you enjoy your hike at our trail!
Love walking this trail. A group from our church camp (Camp Evangeline) in Debert walk this trail every year! Very Nice!
It sounds like we won’t have trouble following the trail once we’re on it, but I can’t seem to figure out how to find the trailhead. Can you advise?
Good afternoon,
If you google the trail it will show up in maps. Here is the location as well: Plains Rd, Debert, NS B0M 1G0
I hope this helps. If not, please contact us directly at 1.877.892.2424
Thank you!
[…] morning head north on the Trans-Canada Highway towards Mi’kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail, where you can spend the day exploring an area rich in both culture and natural wonder. The […]
[…] matin, dirigez-vous vers le nord sur la route transcanadienne en direction du sentier d’interprétation Mi’kmawey Debert ,où vous pouvez passer la journée à explorer une région riche en culture et en merveilles […]
[…] le sentier d’interprétation Mi’kmawey Debert, où vous pouvez passer la journée à explorer une région riche en culture et nature. Les […]
[…] Mi’kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail, where you can spend the day exploring an area rich in both culture and nature. The interpretive […]
Beautiful trail, really enjoyed ourselves. Found the trail really fun to trek. Went for the first time yesterday, it was well marked and nicely maintained. Took lots of great photos. Will be back next season to see what it looks like without all the snow.
That’s great to hear Heather! Wela’lin for writing with such positive comments.
MDCC Staff
Out of a hike today several Atv’s in the area, part of the trail is quite muddy as a result of Atv’s traffic.
Good morning,
Thank you so much for letting us know. We try our best with signage to deter people from using their ATV’s on the trail and Debert sites, but sometimes they don’t work as well as we hope.
We hope you still had a great day at the trail!
MDCC Staff
Hi there!
My dog and I go there often and love it! I was notified of coyote mating season though around this time of year and was wondering if there was ever a sighting in the Debert trail??
Hi Lauren,
As our project is based at the Millbrook First Nation until the Cultural Centre is built, we are not on the trail on a daily basis. We have heard coyotes ourselves, but have not seen any on or near the trail, and no sightings have been reported to us.
We’re very glad to hear you are enjoying the Trail!
MDCC Staff
I walked the trail on 31 Aug., 2019 and found it very well cared for except muddy in places from the previous rain – maybe some wood chips would help. I had some difficulty finding the trial head – missed the sign on the way in from the highway. The trail interpretive signs are well done and well placed and the map at the trail head was invaluable. It took me just over an hour to complete the 4.4 Km and I left impressed. Thank you for your efforts!
Glad you enjoyed the trail Brian. Wela’lin, MDCC Staff
[…] Mi’kmawey Debert Trail, Debert […]
I really like this trail, however I need more signage. I did a lot more than 4.4 km to get back to the entrance. I’ve read similar comments from other walkers on Facebook.
Hello Ina,
We are very sorry that you had this experience on our trail. We are working to make signage more clear for visitors.
Wela’liek,
The MDCC Team
Was it roughly in the first kilometer the signs started pointing back to the parking lot for you?
There seemed to be a lot of signs, but all it took was me missing one yesterday before I had walked to the highway 104, and then went to Thermo-cell on my way back. The 4 wheeler paths were much easier for me to navigate, as they seemed to at least go in straight lines. I’ll probably follow them next time I come back to at least ensure I know where I am without having my phone out the whole time.
I’d hate to ask for even more signs, but I think mappy “you are here” signs would be worth more than the signs we have, dollar per dollar.
Wela’lin Ben, for sharing your experience on our trail. With the weather improving, we will be doing an audit of the trial to see where our visitors are having issues to determine the best course of action.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Communications Officer if you have any additional concerns at solange@cmmns.com. We hope you continue to enjoy spending time on the MDCC Interpretive Trail.
Went to this trail with friends for the first time yesterday and had a truly enjoyable experience. Great day!
However there were a few things that were totally unacceptable.
1 – A white woman who insisted on having her dog off leash even when I asked her directly if dogs were not supposed to be on leashes on this trail. She said yes and just continued on her way with her dog running lose without regard for other trail users.
2 – The purple dog poop bags that appeared very new that littered the trail as we were making the look. They appeared to be new bags.
3 – Almost being run over by someone riding a trail bike on the return leg of the walk. The rider did not slow down for any of the walking trail users. This is probably the shared part of the trail, but the behaviour of the rider was out of line.
Hello A.J.,
We are so glad that you enjoy the trail but are so sorry for your most recent experience. We are a very small team here at MDCC and although the trail is an MDCC trail, we don’t have the resources to be on the trail as much as we would like. The trail does not actually have any shared parts but does cross a road that is used by ATV/Bike users. Feel free to contact local RCMP if you feel at risk from ATV activity. Thank you for keeping us up to date on activity on our trail and we hope you can continue to enjoy your time there.
The MDCC Team
Loved the trail a few years ago; can’t wait to take some company to get back and see the additions !
Wela’lioq
Love this trail..I find it is very well marked and maintained quite well…
Thank you so much for this trail..
Wela’liek, Gail. Your comment is greatly appreciated.
The MDCC Team
Love the trail and I am sure you may have had some people contact you but the foot bridge going in is broken off and a few of the bridges and stairs through the trail are badly damaged. I would hate for someone to get seriously injured.
Hello Bette
Our team has recently been out to the trail to do an audit of winter damages and is aware of the issues you have noted. Thank you for letting us know and we hope you continue to enjoy our trail.
The MDCC team.