Today I loaded up Project Foreman and headed down the Southern Shore towards Ferryland to check out the newly developed Southern Shore Trail-way as I had seen posted on their Facebook group. This group has put in a lot of work repairing existing trails including the old rail bed & Merrymeeting road, and developing brand new trails to connect communities up and down the shore together.

Last fall they reached a major milestone connecting Merrymeeting road to the old rail bed over in Calvert.

This is the section I wanted to check out, so I unloaded the bike, strapped on some gear for a quick lunch and headed in the new path.

The path is designed as a multiuse trail for bikes, side by sides, snowmobiles, hikers and skiers etc. It's well built, in great condition, wide enough for 2 bikes to pass, and blocked off so that heavy automobiles can't get in and tear up the new path and/or get stuck.

The new path intersects the old rail bed in Calvert after a long, winding descent off the hill. Here I tuned left and followed the rail bed which I found to be in great shape. I could see where much needed repairs and even a couple bypasses had been made which really improved the existing trail in both comfort and safety.

Bridge repairs are top notch creating a safe path over a number of rivers and built wide enough to accommodate modern off highway vehicles.

I followed the rail bed all the way to Cape Broyle where the trail-way takes a left turn up over a steep hill on the power line.

I rode as far as the top of the hill where I decided to stop and have a cook-up. From here you can follow the map on the Southern Shore Trail-way Facebook group where you will find that it takes you all the way to Horse Chops cabin road. The route requires some road crossings, but the trail is well marked.

Lunch today was quick and easy, a sandwich from Clover Farm in Cape Broyle, a freeze dried meal, and a cup of fresh brewed coffee.

Beautiful large bull moose off in the distance about 500 yards away!

After lunch I retraced my ride and headed back towards Ferryland.

Before loading up, I ran further in Merrymeeting road which leads to a beautiful cabin area and lots of nice looking trouting ponds. All in all an awesome day and a fantastic organization to support.

Cheers, MIKE

Copyright © 2011 Michael Smith