9 Cape Breton Hikes on the Famous Cabot Trail Nova Scotia

Have you ever dreamed of driving the famous Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Nova Scotia? For many years I thought about visiting Cape Breton and hiking in the Highlands National Park along rocky coastlines and through the forests. After driving across Canada last summer I finally realized my dream of visiting Cape Breton.

You may also like : Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary (with Maps)

In this post I’m sharing nine hiking trails in Cape Breton including a mix of easy, moderate, and one more difficult hike. I also found out about an annual hiking festival in Cape Breton, scroll to the bottom for more about it.

 

 

Did you know that Nova Scotia means New Scotland

 

 

Which direction to drive the Cabot Trail?

Seems most people figure you should drive Cabot Trail in a counter-clockwise direction. So, naturally I went clockwise instead :)

Does it really matter which direction you drive the Cabot Trail?

People will claim the views are better when you go counter-clockwise. But that doesn’t make much sense, there are curves all along the Cabot Trail, so some of the views are better in one direction and some in the other, it all works out pretty much the same.

And I figured if most people go counter-clockwise there should be less traffic in the other direction.

Related: 10 Day Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary (including Cape Breton)

 

 

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.

I really should have stayed for a bit longer, but with 3 nights in Cape Breton, I saw quite a bit and hiked 6 of the trails. In this post I’m also including 3 hikes that are on my list for next time.

Outside of the park, I also did a nice boardwalk hike up in Meat Cove, it’s the northernmost community in Cape Breton and definitely worth the drive (it’s not on the Cabot Trail) for some hiking and a visit to the chowder hut restaurant.

If you are wondering about where to stay in Cape Breton read this post about cottages and hotels in the area. I stayed in Pleasant Bay one night and Ingonish for two nights (in the cutest cottage).

I would advise adding a couple more days for Cheticamp and another day or two for Ingonish area if you want to do a good amount of sightseeing and hiking. So basically a week.

But if you can only spare a weekend go for it, you will love Cape Breton! Life is enjoyed at a more relaxing pace on the coast and the people are friendly and welcoming.

Now let’s have a look at some of the beautiful hiking trails in Cape Breton.

 

Skyline Trail

Distance: 6.5  km (4 miles)
Elevation gain: 236 m (775 ft)
Type of hike: Loop trail
Time: Allow 2 to 3 hours
Rating: Easy

Skyline is the one trail people talk about a lot.

 

 

I have to say that Skyline was a bit of let down. Considering all the hype it gets I envisioned a coastal hike with beautiful views all along the trail.

There are stunning views at the end of the trail but the trail itself is not spectacular.

One thing though, you are likely to see moose along the Skyline trail so that is cool and makes it worth your effort. And I did see one moose at the beginning of my hike, getting close to sunset.

 

 

Why do I recommend Sky Line trail if I thought it was not up to my expectations?

Everybody else seemed to love the trail so I figure my opinion is not what the majority of people think about Skyline. It is a pretty sunset hike, but a lot less crowded early in the mornings.

 

 

MacIntosh Brook

Distance: 1.7 km (1.1 mile)
Elevation gain: 64 m(209 ft)
Type of hike: Out and back trail
Time: Allow 15 – 30 minutes
Rating: Easy

After staying one night in Pleasant Bay I had no excuse not to do this little hike along the Cabot trail.

 

 

MacIntosh Brook is a short and pleasant out and back trail by a lovely brook with a pretty waterfall at the end.

 

 

 

The Lone Shielding

Distance: .6 km (.4 mile)
Elevation gain: 15 m (50 ft)
Type of hike: Loop trail
Time: Allow 15 – 30 minutes
Rating: Easy

This one is a short little hike through the forest but it’s unique and I enjoyed visiting the Lone Shielding.

 

 

The Lone Shielding features ancient sugar pines, over 350 years old, and a short walk through the forest but the big reason to go is to check out the replica of a Scottish hut (or Shielding).

 

 

Broad Cove Mountain

Distance: 2.3 km (1.4 miles)
Elevation gain: 145 m (475 ft)
Type of hike: Out and back hike
Time: Allow 1 hr to 90 minutes
Rating: Moderate

I enjoyed hiking Broad Cove after my first night in Ingonish. It’s a great place to start your day and take in the beautiful views.

 

 

You’ll hike up the mountain for stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Breton coastline. There’s a bench at the top and there’s also one of the Canada red chairs for your Instagram photo ops.

 

 

Jack Pine Trail

Distance: 2.3 km (1.4 mile)
Elevation gain: 44 m (144 ft)
Type of hike: Loop trail
Time: Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour
Rating: Easy

I did a variation of the Jack Pine loop combining it with a bit of the Coastal Trail to make the Jack Pine Coastal mini-loop.

You see, it was a bit hot out and I was getting hungry (more truthfully hangry) so I didn’t have the energy or the ambition to do the full Coastal Hike.

I started out doing the loop and then I veered off to the Coastal trail and all the lookouts, which offer spectacular coastal views. I could watch the waves crashing against the rocky coastline for hours.

Mesmerizing views.

 

 

If you are feeling more ambitious you can do the Coastal Hike (from the same trailhead as Jack Pine) for a total 11.3 km (7 miles) and enjoy more of the coastline.

Allow 3 – 4 hours total. Note that the map below only shows a small portion of Coastal hiking trail.

 

 

Middle Head Trail

Distance: 3.8 km (2.4 miles)
Elevation gain: 130 m (425 ft)
Type of hike: Out and back hike
Time: Allow 1 – 2 hours
Rating: Moderate

This hike reminded me of the beautiful Gaff Point hike at Hirtle’s Beach in the South Shore region (shhhh… don’t tell Cape Breton, but that’s actually my favorite hike in Nova Scotia…so far) near Bridgewater, where I stayed.

 

 

I chose Middle Head as my farewell to Cape Breton hike on the morning of my departure back to Bridgewater. Great choice! Middle Head is a beautiful hike in Ingonish, by the Keltic Lodge, with lovely coastal views.

 

 

Franey Mountain Trail

Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation gain: 340 m (1,118 ft)
Type of hike: Loop trail
Time: Allow 2 to 3 hours
Rating: Difficult

Franey Mountain hike is tops on my list for next time I drive the Cabot Trail. I talked with a few people that said Franey is their favorite hike in the highlands.

You should have a decent meal before hiking this one because there is a substantial elevation gain. Remember to bring plenty of water and some snacks for the hike.

 

Acadian

Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation Gain: 365 m (1,200 ft)
Type of hike: Loop trail
Time: Allow 3 to 4 hours
Rating: Moderate

One of the main reasons I want to go back to Cape Breton is to visit Cheticamp to explore the area and learn more about the Acadian history.

After the British expelled the Acadians from what is now New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in 1755, some Acadians came to Cheticamp area. While many others found their way south to Louisiana, to the region known as Acadiana, where I visited many times, staying in Lafayette – heart of Cajun Country.

Acadian Trail features coastline views and a waterfall. There’s a big elevation gain so it’s a good workout hike.

 

Le Buttereau

Distance: 1.6 km (1 mile)
Elevation gain: 55 m (180 ft)
Type of hike: Loop trail
Time: Allow 30 minutes
Rating: Easy

This trail is on a small hill (buttereau) overlooking Cheticamp and Gulf of St Lawrence. Plaques commemorate Acadian homesteads along the trail.

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You’ll find the red chairs at the summits of several of the Cape Breton Highlands hikes including Broad Cove Mountain, Franey Mountain, and Middle Head Trail.

 

 

Map of  Cape Breton Hikes

Have a look at my map of these nine Cape Breton hikes. I hope you get a chance to do a few of them. And check out my info below about the hiking festival in Cape Breton.

 

Hike the Highlands – Fall Hiking Festival

Driving down the road in Ingonish I spotted a sign that read: Hike the Highlands Hiking Festival so naturally I had to stop and find out more about this festival of hiking.

I can’t say I have ever heard of a such a thing before, but I like to hike so why not get more info. I spoke with a few of the friendly local volunteers to learn more about this Cape Breton festival.

It turns out Hike the Highlands Festival is a 10-day event with guided hikes around Cape Breton Highlands along with evening events for socializing, music, and presentations about hikes around the world.

If you’re thinking 10 days is way too much of a commitment, no worries, you don’t have to sign up for the full 10 days.

Get more info and register for the hiking festival here. You can sign up for anything from one hike, 1-day pass, or the full 10 days. Rates are very reasonable. This is a great option for solo hikers or anyone wanting to meetup and hike with others in Cape Breton.

Hike the Highlands Festival takes place September 10 – 19, 2021

Get yourself to Cape Breton and enjoy some incredible hiking trails, wonderful friendly people, and of course delicious seafood!

 

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