Blue Rocks is a tiny, picturesque harbor a short drive from Lunenburg. It's every bit as scenic as Peggy's Cove, but without any of the tour buses. Head out of town on Pelham Street and just keep driving east, watching for signs indicating either THE POINT or THE LANE, and steer in that direction. The winding roadway gets narrower as the homes get more and more humble. Eventually, you'll reach the tip of the point, where it's just fishing shacks, bright boats, rocks, and views of spruce- and heath-covered islands offshore. I love it out here. The rocks are said to glow in a blue hue in certain light, hence the name; bring a camera and see if you can capture some of it.
If you continue onward instead of turning toward "the point," you'll soon come to the enclave of Stonehurst, another cluster of homes gathered around a rocky harbor. The road forks along the way; the narrow, winding route to South Stonehurst is somewhat more scenic. This whole area is just ideal for exploring by bicycle, with twisting lanes, great vistas, and limited traffic.
Heading eastward along the other side of Lunenburg Harbor, you'll end up eventually at the Ovens Natural Park (tel. 902/766-4621; www.ovenspark.com) in Riverport, a privately owned campground and day-use park that sits on 1.6km (1 mile) of dramatic coastline. You can follow the seaside trail to view the "ovens" (sea caves, actually) for which the park was named. A closer view can be had on a Zodiac boat tour of the caves (call for prices).The park also features Ol’ Gold Miner Diner that serves up traditional homemade meals, and a great view. Entrance fees are C$10 adults, C$5 seniors and children age 5 to 15, free for children under 5. Campsites cost C$28 to C$60 per night—the most expensive sites are on the water, with the best views—and there are discounts for weekly stays. Ten camping cabins of various sizes are C$55 to C$190 nightly, C$380 to C$1,300 weekly. The park is open from mid May to late September.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
