Discovering the Cabot Trail

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“No matter where I roam, Nova Scotia will always be my home.” – Unknown

I was born and raised in Nova Scotia but it wasn’t until I was an adult that I visited the Cabot Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands. I had actually never spent time in Cape Breton, nonetheless the Cabot Trail. People always told me how beautiful it was and how it was one of their favorite places to visit. I just never had the opportunity. It was a friend’s wedding that finally took me to Cape Breton and opened my eyes to the incredible nature found along the Cabot Trail.

Within Cape Breton Highlands National Park are 26 trails for all abilities, not to mention all the other options for exploring this park. But the best way to experience the park is to slow down and spend some time there.

Skyline Trail

The Cabot Trail offers lots of hiking opportunities. The most popular hike being the skyline trail. The loop is 5.1 miles and is considered easy. You get beautiful views of the trail, the ocean and the wildlife the grace this area. From the look off bald eagles soar over your head and within the trees moose are seen grazing off the bushes. You can even gaze out to the Gulf of St Lawrence and spot whales. The area is absolutely bursting with life.

Being such a popular spot means lots of tourists milling about trying to get that perfect photo. Peak summer crowds can take away from the beauty of the place but if you go in the shoulder season you are sure to be wowed by the immense beauty of the place. Fall being one of the best times to visit the province for some of the best fall foliage in the world.

Bog Trail

This trail uses a boardwalk to do a 0.3-mile loop around a beautiful wetland area where you can see pitcher plants, dragonflies, orchids and of course moose. This self-guided trail is an easy stroll and wheelchair accessible. It is completely in tune with the parks mission to protecting the natural environment.

Like I said there are tons of opportunities to hike and some of the most popular trails, aside from the Skyline, include the Acadian Trail and Fishing Cove.

Acadian Trail

A 5.2-mile loop, this trail is considered moderate with elevations ranging from 65 to 1,200ft. It’s a tough climb over some rugged terrain but rewards you with panoramic views of the Acadian coastline.

Fishing Cove

Once the site of a Scottish Fishing community this is the only area with a designated wilderness campsite. The trail itself is 7.5-miles return (not a loop) with an elevation of 1,165ft. This trail gives the opportunity to explore the beach, the Acadian forest and the grassy hills.

After Dark

The park isn’t just for exploring during the day. There are also several things to do while the sun is setting and once dark has fallen. There is a guided sunset hike along the skyline trail, a lantern walk, and a “seeing in the dark” experience. It is all very family friendly, with the exception of your fur-bearing friends. Dogs are not allowed.

Sunset skyline hike

This hike begins 2 hours prior to sunset along the Skyline Trail. This is a guided trail, where a park interpreter will help you navigate through 4.7 miles of trail. It gives you the chance to witness this spectacular trail from another vantage point as it changes from day to night. You will notice as the sounds of the bugs and the peepers begin to come out, the eagles soar overhead, and the crash of the waves, all while watching the sun set on the horizon.

Lantern Walk Through Time

This walk begins and ends on the sands of Ingonish beach. You will walk through the forest, and along a freshwater lake to Barrachois, part of the old Ingonish road, where travelers passed before the Cabot Trail was built. This same route was taken by the Mi’kmaq people and the Cape Breton settlers arriving from Scotland and Ireland. The walk itself takes place on what is known as the Freshwater Lake Trail. For more information on this walk, and other places to visit, check out this post.

Seeing in the dark

This guided walk takes place on the Warren Lake Trail, allowing you to experience a place that truly becomes dark. Allowing your other senses to guide you, as you listen to the waves crashing in the sea and the loons calling in the night. The park interpreter will guide you through the trail, helping your other senses come alive, from touch, smell and even taste. Giving you a completely new way of experiencing a trail.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park is truly something special. To fully appreciate the area, you need more than one day to explore. Have you experienced the Cabot Trail? Let your senses take over during a night walk along the Warren Lake Trail? Heard the ghosts of the past during a Lantern Walk? Share your experiences in this beautiful corner of the world that I still call home. Come play in Canada’s Ocean Playground and witness something unlike anywhere else.

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