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Cape Breton Island is world renowned for the breathtaking beauty of wind-swept coastline
and inland trails.
Explore the trails of Cape Breton Island by browsing through the listings below.
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Follow Cabot Trail west through Cape North; turn left at sign just before Big Intervale Campground on right. Short drive to very nice falls and hiking trail. Roughly 10km ( return ) climb up Aspy Valley.
Category: Walking Trail
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Cape St Lawrence is located on the northern tip of Cape Breton Island. From the Cabot Trail near the community of Cape North, turn north towards Bay St Lawrence. Follow the road past Bay St Lawrence, as it becomes dirt, to Meat Cove. There is a campground at the end of the road... and the trailhead. The campground owner will allow parking here for a small fee.
Park here and follow the dirt road as it winds up over the mountain. After a challenging climb the track levels out a bit and begins to slope downward. Look for a track that branches to the right and is marked with flagging tape. This is the old Cape St Lawrence lighthouse access road... follow this road as it descends to the open fields of Cape St Lawrence.
Cape St Lawrence was the site of several lighthouses... all that remains today are the old foundations, some rusting equipment, and a new automated light. On a clear day you can look northeast to St Paul Island, the northen-most land mass in Nova Scotia. Watch for moose along this trail, eagles over the mountains and whales off the coastline.
Note: Several footpaths lead away along the coastline... following these coastal paths will eventually lead to Lowland Cove.
Category: Backcountry Hike
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Follow Cabot Trail south from Pleasant Bay to Corney Brook Campground on right ( just past Cap Rouge ). Park outside campground at lot and cross highway to trail. Nice 4 kilometre climb along river valley to waterfall.
Category: Walking Trail
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Egypt Falls is located in the Upper Margaree area of Cape Breton Island. The best way to reach this area is to follow Hwy 105 towards Whycocomagh, then turn onto Route 395 north, following the shores of Lake Ainslie towards Scotsville. A couple of kms past Scotsville there is a dirt access road on your right. Follow this road as it winds up into the hills... after a few kms look for the Egypt Falls trailhead on your right. It is marked by flagging tape and a survey marker (there may also be a sign?)... at the top of a sharp left bend in the road. Park here, off to the right of the main road.
Follow the well-defined trail as it descends sharply to the waterfall area. The trail is not long but drops steeply to the brook... beware the vertical climb back out.
This is a beautiful (and wide!) waterfall, nestled within the Cape Breton highlands. A lovely spot for a picnic or to soak in the fall colours.
Category: Backcountry Hike
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Fishing Cove is the only backcountry camping area found in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The trailhead is located between Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, on the west coast of Cape Breton Island, and is well marked. From the parking area the trail descends over 300m (1000 ft) and follows the Fishing Cove River roughly 8km to the ocean.
The end of this trail opens onto expansive fields at the mouth of the river... once the site of a lobster cannery, long since abandoned. There are still signs of old foundations and equipment. Several well developed campsites (with tent pads) are scattered throughout the fields and there are outhouse facilities.
This is one of the most beautiful coves in Cape Breton with breathtaking sunsets. It is not uncommon to view whales outside the cove or moose strolling across the fields.
Note: It is advisable to make reservations if you plan to overnight at the cove... this is a busy area during the summer months!
Fishing Cove Panoramic (120k)
Category: Backcountry Hike
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Follow Cabot Trail west along North Mountain, towards Aspy Valley; turn left into Lone Shieling parking area, follow marked signs. Nice 1 kilometer stroll through old-growth ( 300 years old ) hardwood forest ( primarily sugar maple ). Note replica of Scottish sheep-crofter's hut on
trail.
Category: Walking Trail
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Lowland Cove is located on the northern tip of Cape Breton Island. From the Cabot Trail near the community of Cape North, turn north towards Bay St Lawrence. Follow the road past Bay St Lawrence, as it becomes dirt, to Meat Cove. There is a
campground at the end of the road... and the trailhead. The campground owner will allow parking here for a small fee.
Park here and follow the dirt road as it winds up over the mountain. After a challenging climb the track levels out a bit and begins to slope downward. Look for a track that branches to the right and is marked with flagging tape. This is the old Cape St Lawrence lighthouse access road.
From here you can follow the Cape St Lawrence branch to the coast, and them follow the coastal footpaths to the cove. Or you can keep straight past the Cape St Lawrence branch trail... which eventually leads down to the cove.
Lowland Cove is a beautiful spot to camp overnight... there is a nice camping spot at the far end of the cove, next to the brook. Expect to see eagles soaring overhead or whales swimming offshore. There is also a good chance of spotting a moose on the trail.
You will notice old cow trails along the way... some locals lead their animals down to graze at the cove.
Note: I would avoid hiking this area in the fall during hunting season.
Category: Backcountry Hike
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Turn left just past the Canso Causeway, following Route 19 to the community of Mabou. In Mabou turn left on the road to Mabou Harbour... after 4-5 kms look for a dirt road on the right. Follow this road as it winds through the Mabou Highlands, past Mabou Mines and MacDonalds Glen to the bridge over Mill Brook. Park here or at the trailhead just past the bridge, up the hill a bit.
The community has contructed an excellent trail system throughout the Mabou Highlands (there is a map of the trail network at the trailhead). Several of the trails follow the coastline and up along the highlands, affording spectacular views. Probably the best view is from Beinn Bhiorach.
Category: Backcountry Hike
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Follow Cabot Trail west; just past Lone Shieling, turn left at picnic park ( marked by "MacIntosh Brook" sign ). Nice 1.5 kilometre stroll through
mature hardwood forest to waterfall.
Category: Walking Trail
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Money Point is located on the northeast tip of Cape Breton Island. There are two routes to this area:
- Turn off Cabot Trail near Cape North and follow road to Bay St Lawrence, through the town and turn right onto road before wharf (Money Point Road). Follow this road to the mountainside... this is the trailhead. Follow the trail up over the mountain to the Money Point Light access road.
- There is an old road that leads over the mountain to the money point access road, but you will require a good four wheel drive vehicle to reach it. Just past Cabots Landing on the way to Bay St Lawrence look to the right for a gravel road. Follow this road up over the mountain, past the radio towers, keeping right. Eventually the road levels and begins to descend slighly... you will encounter a fork in the road. Park and follow the grassy cart track left... this is the old Money Point lighthouse access road.
Follow the old track down the mountain and left along the coastline until you see the lighthouse.
Please note that the descent to the coastline is quite steep and a challenging hike back out.
This is a wonderful spot to camp or picnic, with a great view of St Paul Island offshore. Look for eagles soaring down off the mountains behind you, or pods of whales swimming offshore.
Note: follow the trail back along the coast (to the right after the climb down) and you will find the rusting remains of an old shipwreck!
Category: Backcountry Hike
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Follow Cabot Trail through St. Ann's to North River. Turn left onto Oregon Road ( unpaved ) just past North River bridge; Follow dirt road to Provincial picnic site. Trail is 18 km ( return ) and is quite rugged during last 4 kms, but the 100 foot falls is worth the hike. This is the most spectacular falls I've seen yet in Nova Scotia. Hiking time is estimated at 6 hours ( return ).
Category: Backcountry Hike
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Polletts Cove is located on the northwest tip of Cape Breton Island and is one of the most beautifully scenic places in Nova Scotia.
The trailhead is accessed by turning off the Cabot Trail in Pleasant Bay, towards the community of Red River. Just past Red River the road becomes unpaved.. follow this until the road ends at the driveway to a cottage. Park here and walk up the driveway, past the cottage, and to the right, where you will see a trail heading off along the coastline.
The trail hugs the mountainous coastline.. there are a few challenging climbs, with notable mention to the climb over the Fox Back Ridge, between the trailhead and Otter Brook. Otter Brook is a great place to stop for a rest and get a small taste of what is in store at Polletts Cove. The hike from Otter Brook to Polletts Cove is very pleasant, and at the end the trail opens onto an expansive meadow offering a beautiful view of the entire cove.
There are many campsites to choose from. Depending on the weather, which can be very windy along this coast, you may choose to pitch camp back from the cove among the trees, or at the river mouth, near the shore.
Don't be surprised to encounter horses and cows in this cove. They are brought here to graze on the abundant grassy slopes surrounding the cove; an area that was once farmed many years ago.
For the adventurous, there is a small trail at the very back of the cove that leads past a small cottage and up along the banks of the river. Follow this trail as it leads back along the river to a bend where you will notice plenty of moose sign. Or, you may choose to climb the hills at the north end of the cove, which afford spectacular views (see link below).
Polletts Cove Panoramic (75k)
Category: Backcountry Hike
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In Cape Breton, follow Highway 105 towards Baddeck and turn off at exit #9. Turn left after off-ramp and take first right towards Baddeck Forks. Turn right onto dirt access road after golf course and drive to picnic park and trailhead. The picnic area offers washroom facilities ( outhouses ) and water tap. The trail leads to another spectacular
waterfall, typical of the Cape Breton highlands.
The main trail splits into two trails:
- Falls Trail: Roughly 3 kilometre ( return ) hike to falls.
- River Trail: Roughly 5 kilometre ( return ) hike along Baddeck River.
Category: Walking Trail
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| September 7, 2010 |
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