Most hikers will start off on the yellow trail and head up the blue trail to spectacular views.  If you want to add to your challenge you can always add the Scout Trail which will loop you back to the bottom. This trail may only be 2.5kms return, but the climb is steep to get to the summit. June 26, 2018. This iconic boardwalk path offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and Cabot Trail. Our trip to explore the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Nova Scotia was one of the best trips we have ever taken. Skyline Trail: One of the best Cabot trail hikes - See 826 traveler reviews, 721 candid photos, and great deals for Cape Breton Island, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Just looking to take a quick stroll? Use the map above or view the trails list to find your perfect hike. Cape Breton Highlands National Park is arguably one of the most scenic national parks in all of Canada — and for those who know Canada's rugged and natural beauty, that's saying a lot.. A friend had heard about my plans to go hiking along the famous Cabot Trail in Cape Breton and wanted to ensure I knew about the many trail closures. Their songs told the stories of the people, the land, good times and bad, love's lost and yearned for. From waterfalls to epic lookoffs, no two hikes are the same.  Be prepared though. Skyline Trail at sunset, Cape Breton Highlands National Park​​ Hike to an Historic Lighthouse Hike the 2 km (1.25 mile) Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail that begins at the lighthouse and runs along the coastline and through forests and wetlands with views of the Fortress of … The Best Cape Breton Island has to offer, direct to your inbox. Tammy Aucoin and Chris van den Berg are both Local Hiking Ambassadors and nature lovers who reside in Cheticamp, Cape Breton Island. As a songwriter, I’ve often described my creative process as though I have tuned into an invisible radio frequency. There are no trees, so the views will leave you in awe. Broad Cove Mountain is one of the shorter trails (2.3kms return) in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, but offers exceptional views of the Atlantic coast, Middle Head and Cape Smokey. "We did stop quite a bit to take pictures and spent 15-20 minutes at the overlook enjoying the scenery and taking more pictures, but you could make the trip quicker or could easily stay closer to 3 hours." hikes including the Skyline Trail, Cabot Trail accommodations with AMAZING amenities, along with gorgeous drives and … Length: 9.2km loop The Skyline Trail is one of the jewels of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park — though there are many jewels, for hikers, this 9.2km loop trail is perhaps the jewel in the crown of Nova Scotia. I really should have stayed for a bit longer, but with 3 nights in … Win an amazing winter wellness trip for you and your bubble on Cape Breton Island. Take in the scenery during a hike on Skyline Trail, a 7 km (4.3 mi) round walking route in a national park. Ratings for many Cape Breton locations on this site are provided by TripAdvisor. The Cape Breton Highlands National Park is still fairly obscure making the crowds smaller than those found in more well-known areas. The Best of Cape Breton Hiking . Welcome to Hike Cape Breton, a hiking planning and sharing site. Broad Cove Mountain is one of the shorter trails (2.3kms return) in the. Cape Breton Highlands National Park, in Northeast Nova Scotia, is an epic destination, with scenic hikes and drives along the Cabot Trail and access to unique coastal landscapes throughout the park. Gaelic language, music, and square dances are some of her favourite things about Cape Breton. Located in the Whycocomagh Provincial Park, this trail offers that “wow” panoramic view of the Bras d’Or Lakes. But, for good reason. Now is the time to discover the beauty of this place by hiking Cape Breton Island’s best trails. Activities in our guide will be subject to availability. - See 1,529 traveler reviews, 920 candid photos, and great deals for Ingonish, Canada, at Tripadvisor. This trail may only be 2.5kms return, but the climb is steep to get to the summit. This short trail was quite the surprise and packed a punch! Most hikers will start off on the yellow trail and head up the blue trail to spectacular views.  If you want to add to your challenge you can always add the Scout Trail which will loop you back to the bottom. This new edition of Hiking Trails of Cape Breton profiles forty routes, from Money Point to Ghost Beach. Grab your hiking boots, water bottle, and a healthy snack and hit the trail! The trails provide a chance to intimately explore the complex habitat of northern Cape Breton Island. Take in the breathtaking landscapes and scenery while hiking Cape Breton and discover why the island is renowned as a "hiker's paradise." Numerous trails line the ocean and meander up the rolling hills that cross the province. As a resident of Cape Breton Island, all around the Island is beautiful! Near the end of the trail be very careful as you’ll need to scramble over large, loose rocks. The Gaels celebrated their culture not in huge buildings or sculptures but in their songs. They are plenty! To quote National Geographic "this island is Canada's best kept secret." The 7.5-km (or 9.2 km if you take an optional loop on the way back) return walk is fairly level, until you get near the end. Tammy Aucoin & Chris van den Berg Nicole Boutilier. The Top 5 Cape Breton Hiking Trails: Autumn Edition As you might imagine, our 55-acre respite is a short walk, bicycle ride, or drive from several trailheads, many of which meander along the ocean’s edge or deep into the forest en route to secretive waterfalls. If you are looking for hard-core hikes, then check out the hiking and camping options in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park .  We wanted to highlight some hikes that are not as well known as Skyline or Franey. You’ll meet seals, puffins, and Celtic culture along the way. They are passionate about exploring the island no matter the season and can be found hiking, paddling, snowshoeing or doing any other type of outdoor adventure that allows them to capture its amazing beauty. It serves 2 purposes: It was the highlight of our day in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Please connect with our tourism partners directly to confirm they are operating. © Destination Cape Breton Association Inc. 2020. Fishing Cove Trail Length: 16 Km (10 miles) Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours Elevation: 0 to 330 m (0 to 1100 ft) The trail follows the Fishing Cove River as it winds its way down to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1100 feet bellow.The area was once a small fishing community, it's now one of two wilderness campsites located in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. There are ropes and rebar to aid in the steep sections along the trail; use them to save your knees on the way down. We had head back over Kelly's Mountain ... St. Ann's Lookoff looked a lot different today than Thursday! Proper hiking shoes are a must. There are beautiful (and toddler-friendly!) “You know all the best trails are closed, right?” I shrugged in reply. We have endless opportunities to explore mountains, rugged coastlines, and vast untouched wilderness.  At the top, the mountain is covered in wild blueberries. Once you make the quick ascent to the top, you can wander for 2-4 km enjoying the valley, mountain, or ocean views depending on where you look from the summit. Keep watch for falling rocks if you are hiking or climbing behind someone. The trail's highlights include co more Middle Head Trail, Ingonish 4.7 It’s one of the steepest trails on the island, so you are sure to get your heart rate up on this one. Adding a business to Yelp is always free. Tips for hiking in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. You may also wish to: Register / Setup Profile Tourist Recommendations | Must See Submit Trail Info She loves dancing, making beauty in the world & bringing people together. Come visit us on the other side of the Cabot Trail, we have beautiful scenery, surfing, lovely restaurants, sailing and sailing curses on the Bras d’Or Lakes, beautiful beaches, accommodations, museums,walking trails, hiking… 1. helps you to walk of course Then a series of steps and boardwalks take you to … Easy Cape Breton Hikes and Adventures These are not the hardest hikes on the island, these are simply nice short day hikes or walks you can do and also enjoy other things the island has to offer. All you need is: a pair of good shoes, a strong and light walking stick. Broad Cove Mountain is one of the shorter trails (2.3kms return) in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, but offers exceptional views of the Atlantic coast, Middle Head and Cape Smokey. This trail meanders along the Aspy fault, through an Acadian and mixed forest. Hike to your heart’s content when you take part in the annual Hike the Highlands Festival. The Skyline Trail in Cape Breton has all this and more. As nature reclaims land once used for farming and logging, a regenerated forest begins to blend in with the old growth.  The trail has a good, steep climb, but being a short trail it is appealing to families who want to see its picturesque views. We had to take” more, “The easiest trail I have ever been to. Once at the top, the view will not disappoint. We had people in our group from 85 down to 11 years old and everyone felt safe, comfortable and ended up very happy. Proper hiking shoes are a must. Cape Breton Island, the most magnificent and beautiful island in the world. You'll feel on top of the world looking out from the celebrated Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.This is hands-down the best hike on what Travel + Leisure calls North America’s No. This trip for 10 is valued at $5,000; some covid-19 conditions apply. Nature doesn't end at the park's boundaries. Join me virtually for a culinary adventure around the world-famous Cabot Trail on beautiful Cape Breton Island.  Be prepared though. Cape Breton Highlands National Park is defined by Atlantic Ocean views and deep canyons carved by rivers flowing through the forests. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic. If you have never been, the island should be on your bucket list of places to go and explore. Be on the watch out for moose as they love it up there as much as we do! Tenerife Peak, also known as Theodore Fricker Mountain, ends up on a small rock outcrop that overlooks the Aspy Valley. It is one of the most exciting hikes along one of the most gorgeous stretches of highway in the whole world. There are so many hiking trails with phenomenal views in Cape Breton that it’s difficult to narrow it down to 5. (Those Lunadomes look like they'd be” more, “I just went out with a group of six people on one of their inner tube excursions down the Margaree River and it was glorious.  You can even see the Magdalen Islands on clear days! Most people will tell you that their favorite trail to hike in the entire park is the iconic Skyline Trail. There’s nothing better than watching two musicians who just love playing music together. This unmarked trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park is our all-time favourite, where the climb offers amazing views of mountains, coastline and our famous Cabot Trail. 2. Most of the trail is level and forested, with occasional benches for a rest or a snack. The trail is well maintained and includes stairs in parts to help with the incline sections. It is often highlighted on the marketing materials for this area and is a bucket-list destination for many. This list are some of our favourites. Story by: Tammy Aucoin & Chris van den Berg. "The first huge bonus on this hike is that you get to drive past the gorgeous Keltic Lodge, Cape Breton's most famous hotel." The trail winds up what was once part of the old Cabot Trail from Cap-Rouge to the Skyline Trail. Making the drive out to Meat Cove is an adventure on itself as it’s the most northern point of Nova Scotia. The Skyline Trail is the best place to meet some of Cape Breton Highland National Park’s permanent residents – moose. Cape Breton Highlands National Park: Hiking the best hikes in the WORLD! Make sure you take lots of photos! Due to COVID-19 impacts, a number of the trails were late to open, along with countless restaurants and shops. The trail starts as a gradual climb, but as you get close to the base of the peak the real climb begins. This short trail was quite the surprise and packed a punch! Shannon MacMullin is a Gàidhlig learner, singer and storyteller; a community educator, and the Cultural Experiences Co-ordinator at Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village. Skyline Trail This is undoubtedly Cape Breton Highland’ most famous hike. The Skyline Trail is a relatively easy trail and worth a … Located in the, this trail offers that “wow” panoramic view of the. Hike Overview: One of the most well-known – and busy – hikes in Cape Breton is the Skyline Trail. Local Hiking Ambassadors. If you are planning a trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the one thing you won’t want to miss is a hike on the Skyline Trail. Nova Scotia Hiking Trails are some of the best that I have ever explored. There are 26 trails in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park alone and many more located outside of the park, and experienced hiking guides will lead you through all of them during the festival. It’s one of those hidden gems that is often overlooked. And it was true – my trip was planned for June 2020. Such a Masterpiece by God :) This has been the year for exploring locally, be it a family camping excursion, a PEI adventure or city staycation. Hiking Cape Breton Highlands National Park's hiking trails range from easy strolls to challenging climbs with panoramic views of canyons, highlands and seacoasts. The southwestern section passes through the Margaree River valley before passing along Bras d'Or Lake. Hannah Krebs works as a ban-chleasaiche | Gaelic Cultural Animator at Baile na Gàidheal | Highland Village Museum. The Skyline Trail is perhaps the best known and most popular hike in the park. With over 7600 km (4750 mi) of coastline and much of it offering superb trails, Nova Scotia is yours to discover! 9 Cabot Trail Cape Breton Hikes There are around 25 hikes in Cape Breton Highlands National Park according to the Parks Canada site, most are easy to moderate and a few rated as difficult. From the Bay of Fundy to the Cape Breton Highlands, one of the best ways to explore Nova Scotia is on foot. | Thanks to an Atlantic Canada travel bubble, those of us in the Maritimes are able to move around from province to province without needing to self-quarantine. A portions of the Cabot Trail, a world-famous scenic highway exists in the park along with old growth forests, Acadian, Boreal … It’s one of those hidden gems that is often overlooked. Best Hiking in Cape Breton Island, NS - The Cabot Trail, Middle Head Trail, MacIntosh Brook Trail, Cabot Shores, Coastal Trail, Live Life In Tents At the first initial clearing your view is of the Aspy Bay, but if you climb a little further you’re treated to an even more magnificent view! The 300 kilometre loop around Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton shows off some of the east coast’s best landscapes, while highlighting the history of the area’s Scottish roots. Seated on the Atlantic Ocean, the Maritime provinces exude a windswept beauty. “ of the ocean. Its about an hour and a half trip and we could have…” more. You'll also find some great local park options, like Pollett’s Cove- Apsey Fault Wilderness Area or Dalem Lake Provincial Park. It is a weapon ,…” more, “ by rope to the other side of the creek (which the kids really got a kick out of! ); and nice little hiking trails that allowed us to catch glimpses of the other unique and quirky accommodations. Make sure you have a seat in the Red Chair! If you're looking for the best trails in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, we've got you covered.