From wooded trails and historic canal locks to sandy beaches and off-leash dog paths,
Port Wallace sits at the doorstep of some of Dartmouth’s finest green spaces.
Shubie Park
Shubie Park is a 40-acre municipal park maintained by Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), located between Lake MicMac and Lake Charles — directly adjacent to Port Wallace. It is one of Dartmouth’s most popular year-round recreation destinations and the primary green space for Port Wallace residents.
Trails & Recreation
- 9+ km (5.5 miles) of wooded walking trails
- Section of the Trans Canada Trail
- Off-leash dog trails
- Mountain biking trails
- Fully serviced campground
- Canoe and kayak rentals
Historic Shubenacadie Canal Features
- Lock 2 and Lock 3
- The Deep Cut — the canal’s most dramatic excavation
- Fairbanks Centre interpretive facility with a working scale model of the canal locks
Shubie Beach
Shubie Beach sits on the shore of Lake Charles within the park. Lifeguards are on duty from July 1 through August 31, 11 am – 6 pm. The beach area also provides access to canoe and kayak rentals, making it a popular spot for families throughout the summer.
Lake Charles
Lake Charles is a small lake situated between the Dartmouth and Waverley communities. Its western shore borders Shubie Park, making it easily accessible from Port Wallace.
Activities
- Swimming beach at Shubie Park (supervised in summer)
- Kayak rentals
- Fishing: pickerel, brown trout, smallmouth bass
Lake Charles Trail
The Lake Charles Trail is a segment of the Trans Canada Trail, approximately 4.39 km in length with a crusher dust surface. It runs along the western side of the lake from Shubie Park to the Highway 107 overpass at Route 318. The trail is suitable for walking, jogging, and cycling.
Lake MicMac
Lake MicMac is a larger lake located southwest of Port Wallace. It is connected to Lake Charles via the historic Shubenacadie Canal route. The lake and its surrounding shores have long been an important part of the Dartmouth lakes system, and the area’s recreational and ecological character is a key reason many residents are drawn to Port Wallace.
Shubenacadie Canal
The Shubenacadie Canal is a National Historic Civil Engineering Site that once linked Halifax Harbour to the Bay of Fundy. Construction began in 1826, the canal was completed in 1861, and it closed in 1871 — a remarkably short operational life for such an ambitious project.
Indigenous Heritage
The canal route follows a waterway used by the Mi’kmaq for over 4,000 years. The name comes from the Mi’kmaw word “Sipekne’katik” — meaning “where groundnuts grow.” Long before European engineers attempted to formalize the route, it served as a vital transportation and trade corridor for the Mi’kmaw people.
Engineering & Route
The canal system comprised 9 locks and 2 incline planes connecting 7 lakes and the Shubenacadie River. Today, several locks have been preserved as heritage sites. Lock 5, located between Fletchers Lake and Shubenacadie Grand Lake, remains operational and can be visited.
Locks 2 and 3 within Shubie Park are among the most accessible and well-interpreted sections of the canal, offering visitors a tangible connection to 19th-century engineering and thousands of years of Mi’kmaw history. Learn more about the area’s history on our About Port Wallace page.
Other Nearby Trails & Green Spaces
Cranberry Lake Pathway
A 1 km paved pathway that is fully accessible and family-friendly. An excellent option for strollers, wheelchairs, and short walks close to the Portland Hills and Westphal area.
Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area
For more adventurous hikers, the Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area offers extensive backcountry trails. The Cranberry Lake Loop covers approximately 14.6 miles (~23.5 km) and provides a challenging full-day outing through old-growth forest and lakeland terrain.
Future Parks in Port Wallace
The Port Wallace development plans include new parks and open space within the community itself. As the neighbourhood takes shape, residents will benefit from both the established trail networks of Shubie Park and Lake Charles, and purpose-built green spaces designed as part of the new development.
Explore More
Port Wallace’s access to parks and trails is one of its defining features. To learn more about the community and its surroundings: