Ukme'k Trail

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site

Kejimkujik's newest trail will have you twisting and turning with the Mersey River as you weave your way through the landscape by foot or by bike. Take it easy or challenge yourself with the optional technical features perfect for mountain bikers.

The Ukme’k Trail winds along the forested banks of the Mersey River. Travel the 13.5 km from Mill Falls to Merrymakedge almost entirely on trails. Access Ukme’k from trailheads at Mill Falls, Flowing Waters, and Mersey River trail parking lots.

The name Ukme’k means twisted in Mi’kmaq, and was inspired by the winding path this trail takes along the Mersey River.

Listen to how to pronounce "Ukme'k"
 

Current advisories, warnings, and closures Visitor safety  Prepare for your activity with AdventureSmart

Explore the Ukme'k Trail with this ArcGIS Storymap
Map

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More information
Map:

Trail map

The new Mill Falls Bridge connects the Mill Falls Trail, the Beech Grove Trail, and the Ukme’k Trail.
Activities:

Map symbol for hiking  Hiking

Map symbol for cycling  Biking
Length:

6.3 km (one way)
Rating:

Moderate (Parks Canada trail rating guide)
Elevation:

92 m to 116 m
Time:

1.5 hours to 2 hours walking (one way)
Terrain:

Ranges from flat ground to gently rolling with short steep sections.

Technical features include: rock crossings, berms, rollers, and natural features.

An easy route is always clearly indicated for those who prefer to bypass the natural features.

    Photo of the trail in the background with an image in the foreground showing the symbols for trail the level of difficulty which include: a green circle for easy, a black diamond for difficult, and two black diamonds for extremely difficult.
    Natural feature
Significant features:

A beautiful rainbow crosswalk connects Ukme'k to the Mersey River Trail.

Walk or wheel safely and confidently across this new crosswalk. Everyone is welcome to come in and find their place at Kejimkujik.

The eleven colours of the Progress Pride Flag show support for all members of Two-spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and beyond (2SLGBTQIA+) communities. The Progress Pride Flag also incorporates the light blue, pink, and white of the Transgender Pride Flag, plus brown and black to represent marginalized 2SLGBTQIA+ communities of colour, community members living with HIV/AIDS, and those lost to the disease.

    Photo showing a crosswalk with purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, black, brown, light blue, pink, and white bars with two outer white lines running the length of the crosswalk.
    Rainbow crosswalk
Technical features:

Technical features are obstacles or design elements that add challenge and improve trail flow for mountain bikers. Some features along the Ukme’k trail require additional skill to negotiate. Watch for signs indicating you are approaching a trail feature and ride to your ability.

Rock crossings (rock gardens) are bumpy parts of trail where rocks have been incorporated into the trail bed. This allows drainage to occur in an environmentally sustainable manner. Although the greatest concentration of rock crossings is at the Beech Grove end of Ukme’k, these features occur sporadically along the section of trail between Beech Grove and Flowing Waters.

    Photo showing a rock crossing which is a cluster of rocks embedded in the dirt trail bed.
    Rock crossing (rock garden)

Berms are banked corners where the trail has been built up on the outside of the curve. You may encounter a single berm or a series of up to five berms along the trail.

    Photo showing two berms which are banked corners where the trail has been built up on the outside of the curve.
    Berm

Rollers are series of relatively short ups and downs in close proximity.

    Photo showing the profile of rollers from the side of the trail.
    Roller

Natural features are used to create optional obstacles or jumps in several places. An easy route is always clearly indicated for those who prefer to bypass these features.

    Photo showing a natural feature which is two boulders with a gap between them, creating a narrow trail for users to pass through.
    Natural feature
Trailheads (summer):

Access the Ukme’k Trail from multiple trailheads including:

  • Mill Falls
  • Flowing Waters Trail (#3) parking lot
  • Mersey River Trail (#10) parking lot

The Ukme'k trail connects the Beech Grove Trail, Mill Falls Trail, and Mersey River Trail.

Trail users can travel in either direction on the trail.

Experience the trail in pieces or do the whole trail from end to end. If you’re looking to explore more, continue on the Mersey River Trail all the way to Jake's Landing and Merrymakedge!

Related links

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