The Chiganois River is located in the Belmont/Masstown area of Nova Scotia, accessible from Highway 104 via the Debert exit (exit 13). The run is characterized predominantly by class III-IV rapids, with the most demanding section reaching class V. Paddlers should come prepared with all appropriate safety equipment, as the river passes through a gorge where access to roads is limited, making it effectively a more remote day trip despite its proximity to major highways.

The put-in is reached by continuing past the take-out on Belmont Road, staying right onto Upper Belmont Road, which transitions to a dirt road. Staying right at the fork leads to the put-in on a small feeder creek that can appear little more than a ditch. The take-out is on Graham Road off Belmont/Masstown Road, where the river is visible down a hill to the right. A vehicle shuttle between the two points is required.

One notable hazard near the take-out warrants particular attention: barbed wire has been strung across the river in the past, adjacent to a cow field. This wire can be difficult to spot and demands heightened alertness as paddlers approach the final section. Below the main whitewater, there are a few kilometers of class I paddling leading to the take-out.

The Chiganois River also supports striped bass fishing, which may mean encountering anglers along certain stretches, particularly in the lower, calmer sections of the river.