The French Basin Trail
A Great Short Walk

One of the Rest Areas Along the French Basin Trail

The French Basin Trail is 1.2 km long as it follows around the perimeter of the Ducks Unlimited pond. The trail is great for walking - hiking, snow shoeing and mountain biking.

The far end of the trail boarders along the larger French Basin portion of the Annapolis River.

As you near the end of the trail it passes through a small stand of trees and out onto the old Dominion Atlantic Railroad line. At this point you may return to the parking lot or walk along the old rail bed for a longer hike.

Along the Basin Trail you will pass by several types of vegetation including some wild lupines and the unusual elephant grass.

The Ducks Unlimited pond is home to several Canada Geese, several varieties of ducks plus many other

Along the trail on the French Basin Trail

species of birds. There are a couple muskrats and beavers also living in the pond. Several sightings of deer and other wildlife have been reported around the Basin Trail.

The Annapolis County Recreation Services have put up interpretive signage along the trail. They have also set up a few lookout towers for better viewing of the wildlife.

You can also access this trail from the old Dominion Atlantic Train Station building in Annapolis Royal.

A Blue Heron Stops to Enjoy the Pond      

The French Basin Trail is one of favorite trails. It is just long enough to give me a bolt of exercise when I feel my legs stiffening up from sitting at the computer too long.

I often walk around it at different times of the day and in different seasons. I am always amazed at how such a short walk can seem almost different each time. I think that is mostly because of the vegetation and the wildlife found along the trail. I am always seeing new sights.

Some of the wildlife I have encountered along the trail is various species of ducks, tons of song birds, blue herons, cormorants, sea gulls, flacons and even a few eagles. There are resident Canada geese there nesting all summer long and I love to go and watch the young growing up. Besides the feathered friends I have also seen deer, muskrat, beavers, fox and

Foam Gathered in a Cove along the French Basin

once I seen a coyote. He was a fair distance away, thank goodness.

In the spring I love to walk the trail to see all the new blossoms appearing on the various trees and bushes. The whole trail seems to come alive with all the different colors.

Summer is always a great time along the Basin Trail. Everything is so green, well except for the array of color coming from the lupines growing wild along the bank.

I still marvel every time I walk through the stand of elephant grass growing wild along the trail. It grows so tall and it's feathery ends look so soft as they sway in the breeze.

A Bird Resting on top of his Bird House

Speaking about elephant grass, did you know that the Acadians used this reed to thatch the roofs of their dwellings? The real name is Phragmites Communis or Norfolk Reed. At first it was thought that it had been brought over by the Europeans, but since it has been proven that this reed grew here even before the first settlers came.

(Ha, my mom used to tell me it started growing here after a circus train had derailed and they had to take the elephants off to get the train back on the tracks.)

Elephant Grass Growing along the French Basin Trail

Elephant grass is a large perennial grass that grows best in wetlands where it can grow in clumps as big as a square kilometer. The erect stems can grow from 2 - 6 metres, (6 - 19 feet) tall. They have long slender leaves and dense dark purple flowers that appear in late summer.

Another special part of this Trail is the view of the large French Basin of the Annapolis River. There is one area that goes quite close to a small inlet of the river and when the wind is right, you can really smell the salt in the air.

In the summer the basin is often full of sailboats. The cadets from HMCS Acadia Sea Cadets Camp in Cornwallis use this area to do their sailing.

A Family of Canada Geese at the French Basin Trail

In the winter the Annapolis County Recreation Services maintain one section of the marsh pond for skating. It has become a popular spot for skating and residents look for the sign at the parking lot letting them know if the ice is ready and clear.

Birds Congregate on An Island

Lupins Growing Along the French Basin Trail

Leave the French Basin Trail and return to check out other trails in Annapolis County.