From there, a great first stop is the town of Inverness. Day 2: Drive to Ingonish in the morning and hike the Franey Trail, have lunch in Ingonish or wait to drive to Neil's Harbour to check out Chowder House. [1] It is a 298km (185mi) loop around the northern tip of the island, passing along and through the Cape Breton Highlands and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Theres even a guest book you can sign! . Can Americans drive their car on Canada roads, or will I need a special driver license? Don't be scared - driving the Cabot Trail is a very relaxing and easy drive! We bought a bottle to take home. #cabottrail #capebreton #novascotia #scenicdrive #explorecanada #fyp #canadianroadtrip. You can rent kayaks and SUP from the Inverary Resort adventure center and paddle to Kidston Island Lighthouse. When looking up who this man was, I found out that Dan hiked daily to Point Hill and took great pride in maintaining the cemetery of the unknown sailor. Out on the point, there is a cemetery where youll encounter the grave of the unknown sailor paying tribute to the fisherman lost at sea. If you plan on driving counter-clockwise, Baddeck will be your first destination on the Cabot Trail and . . The walk takes about two hours and is well maintained. It is a great starting point before heading off around the trail. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Taking the overnight Ferry, we arrived in North Sydney very early in the morning and discovered that the Cabot Trail was not too far away. You can easily rent a car from the airport there its about a two-hour drive to Cape Breton. Its size surprised us. Im pinning for later. The scenery was beautiful and it really is not possible to really enjoy the trip in just 5 -6 hours. I loved to see all the small harbours on our journey through CB and it is well worth a visit and they saying is so true, if you visit there you will leave a bit of your heart there. Deserving of a day on its own is the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. It requires either a ferry or plane ride to this province, but it houses the famous Gros Morne National Park which is also very beautiful to check out. And we said, we continued from there in a counter clockwise direction. One of Nova Scotia's most enchanting places, where the mountains meet the sea. Hoping for next year to do some hiking there !! and try a local pint of Big Spruce beer. The ownereven sells organic beauty products that you can buy online. These are indeed some really good optionsI think saving and putting into my list thanks for sharing . If you go to Pleasant Bay, continue following the road through Red River Valley, and you will come to Gampo Abbey, a Buddhist Monestary. And yes, I was spending most of my time on the western side of the Cabot Trail, which is where most of the scenic (and mountainous)views are. ), Wow! This might be a great spot to have a picnic lunch. Mackenzie Mountain is another great lookout viewpoint. Make sure to visit the Elizabeth LeFort Gallery and Museum at Les Trois Pignons to see her rug hook portraits. The Cabot Trail is located on the island of Cape Breton in stunning Nova Scotia. I will make sure to spend more time on the Western side of the island. And once youve had lobster in Nova Scotia, your bucket list is complete. 2) Gros Morne National Park. Required fields are marked *. The Cabot Trail is a scenic highway on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. The original site was destroyed, but Parks Canada rebuilt it to 1/4 of its size. The Cabot Tail has some of the best scenic stops in Canada. On this gondola ride, you will get amazing mountain and shoreline views of Nova Scotia and see a bit of the Cabot Trail drive as well. One not to miss is the Cape Breton Highlands Lookout which is shortly after the entrance from Cheticamp. Baddeck is considered the beginning and end of the Cabot Trail, so its the perfect place to start/end your Cabot trail road trip no matter where youre coming from. Theres also a beautiful lighthouse you can visit in Louisberg! Cabot Trail 4.5 1,811 reviews #8 of 273 things to do in Cape Breton Island Hiking Trails Scenic Drives Visit website Call Write a review About One of the most magnificent loop drives in North America treats visitors to the spectacular scenery of the Cape Breton Highlands. I never stop chasing them! Theres also a beach hut on Inverness beach serving food which I really wanted to try, but sadly it was closed the day I was there. If you'd like to learn how this blog makes me money (and how you can too): Thank you for sharing your trip to Cabot Trail. I visited the last week of August and got quite a bit of rain and wind! Sure you can drive anything in a few hours, but to actually see it, you should take 3-5 days. Baddeck was the summer home to Alexander Graham Bell and there is an excellent museum built near his cottage namedBeinn Bhreagh, Gaelic for Beautiful Mountain.. My wife and I just bought the tickets to go In September (next month). You can do the road trip in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. Neils Harbour, Dingall, Bay St. Lawrence, Meat cove, to name a few. Id recommend spending at least two nights, and more if possible! It was the best trip ever and the people we met were all friendly and helpful. Wondering how you can have an article about the Cabot Trail, updated in August, and not mention the gondola? Click on the Interactive map for all the stops on the Cabot Trail that we mention. Surprisingly, there are not a lot of places to stop for food along the Cabot Trail. Hiking the Cabot Trail is a feast for the senses regardless if its a newbie or veteran hiker on the trail. Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Ive always wanted to see it. The Cabot Trail makes a 185-mile (298-kilometer) loop around a sizeable chunk of the island, passing through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park at its northernmost point. Its just a 20-minute walk to the lake from the parking lot, which is a stunning turquoise color. Make sure to give plenty of time to see all the sights. There are so many gorgeous hiking trails in Cape Breton; I wish I could have done them all. Another stop off the Cabot Trail is the fishing village of Pleasant Bay. The Island Wide Waterfall Weekend is a weekend to get up and get outside. You can sit on Muskoka Chairs (Adirondack chairs if you prefer) to take in the view. Another gorgeous spot to visit in Cape Breton is the North River, between Ingonish and Baddeck. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Really Really good Tips!! And that my friends is a tour of Cape Breton Islands Cabot Trail. If youre interested in discovering the whiskeys of Cape Breton, make a stop at the Glenora Inn & Distillery. They are so friendly and open, youll end up having conversations with everyone you meet. All opinions are our own. This trail is part of the proposed multi-day backcountry SeaWall Trail system. I tried to post a pic for you however the post does not allow pics in the comment section. There are so many stops along the Cabot Trail, you could easily take a week to explore them all. It is also called Skyline Trail. For the most part, the whales that do swim in this area do so in the northern, coastal end of the road. Its right on the water, and they have delicious seafood options including the iconic Nova Scotia lobster roll. Most scenic areas are on the western end, so save your stops and gas for those areas. Inverary also has a restaurant on-site that serves delicious food and live music daily. On a lighter note we agree that you can do the trail in 5-6 hours depending on your start but you really need to get off the track and stop and explore. Its no secret that the Cabot Trail is one of the biggest attractions on Cape Breton, but did you know theres an ideal place to start and finish your trip around the trail? Just outside of Baddeck is one of the most pleasant hikes we took during our drive. The turn-off is well marked with a sign, and then you just follow a dirt road to a parking lot. If you do anything in Ingonish, go to the beach. There are only 300 residents in the village but the population soars in the summer with people stoping along the Cabot Trail. Must eat: Visit Labri Cafe Restaurant for brunch/lunch/dinner/all the meals. where does the cabot trail start and end. It is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the world and was appointed as a heritage river. Where to Start Your Cabot Trail Itinerary, Top Places to Visit in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Viewpoints in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Top of the Island Cape North / Meat Cove, Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Cape Breton/Cabot Trail One Week Itinerary. We preferred to stick to the road and trust me, youll find PLENTY of scenic spots to stop at which you wont be able to miss. When it comes to the Cabot Trail, the journey is the destination. Of course had to visit the GlenOra distillery which looks very Scottish.Ever time we have stayed there we were in The Silver DArt Lodge in Baddeck and this was so central for everywhere we went and we went on the boat trip from Baddeck Pier which was an amazing afternoon and were lucky enough to see the Bald EAgles. When we were there, there wasnt too much water, but it was still beautiful. Learn about the genius of Alexander Graham Bell and how he found himself here in Cape Breton. The excitement of the Cabot Trail really begins once you reach Ingonish Beach, located inCape Breton Highlands National Park. You can get into Canada in your own vehicle LeNard, you just have to go through the border crossing. All.places have wharves where fresh seafood is available, whale tours, accommodations, and eating establishments. Nick is a displaced Cape Bretoner currently working in Toronto who has spent much of his life enjoying the natural amenities of Cape Breton Island. Its a short but extremely challenging hike that will give you 360-views of Cape Breton Island. I cant recommend this experience enough, its easily one of the best things to do in Cape Breton. The 3.8 km route takes you through forests and fields leading out to high cliffs for beautiful views of Ingonish Beach to the right and the Cabot Trail winding north to the left along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Chticamp is an excellent place to base yourself if you want to enjoy the many activities in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Youll want to stop for photos every two minutes while driving through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, and luckily, theyve done a fantastic job building lookout points for you to do just that. Its a beautiful place! It goes through a mossy forest meandering along a running stream. This isn't just a pretty drive, but rather one of the most famed roads in the world, renowned for its views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Breton highlands. The Cabot Trail Traveling clockwise, the route begins in Baddeck and ends in Ingonish. Breathtaking does not even come close to the experience. Cape Breton is known for being a slow-paced and beautiful . Stop in as many viewing areas as possible. Theres also a small airport you can fly into in Sydney, but I recommend renting a car from Halifax so you can explore other areas of Nova Scotia! Should you come back to the island and its open to the public it is worth a visit. Theres also a cute lighthouse just outside of it and an excellent restaurant attached to the rooms. A little hostile there dont you think.these people are guests to our island and have done a beautiful PERSONAL photo & video presentation of what they encountered on their trip and presented it well. This and display ads allow me to keep the site up to date and give back. Its our favourite souvenir whenever we travel. We found this thoroughly entertaining and informative. The roads wind through Cape Breton Islands National Park along the Atlantic Coastline, offering stunning seaside views at every turn. Found a couple of places where me and my bike can certainly enjoy both the wonderful scenery and cycling. If you plan to enjoy the great outdoors while road tripping in Cape Breton, heres what I suggest packing. We even saw a nest with babies sticking their heads out, waiting for mom to arrive. Its one of the top scenic drives in North America in my personal opinion! Bras d'Or Lake It may be called a lake, but this is really Canada's inland sea. Theres a great spot at the top of a hill located beside the parking lot where the fishermen hang out. When driving in a counterclockwise direction, it is located between Red River and the Skyline Trail. It's a scenic drive across the coast of Cape Breton Island, in the north east part of Nova Scotia. Thanks for all the info! 3) California Coast. Let me introduce the village of Baddeck. It begins with your guide lighting lanterns for everyone that will directyour way as you walk through the forest. Hope you can visit soon! Unfortunately, sighting whales is also seasonal so call before you schedule a tour. If you're flying into Nova Scotia, you'll most likely land in Halifax. Its also worth spending a few nights exploring Halifax and staying in one of the charming accommodations. And of course, naturally if you are going to drive something in a car, chances are you can also drive it on a motorcycle. My golf skills arent at that level yet, but I enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Learn more about me and how this blog can help you. A quirky bakery along the Cabot Trail between North River Kayaking and Ingonish Beach is the Clucking Hen Cafe and Bakery. St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching and what good is celebrating this festive day without listening and dancing to Celtic music. Mary Ann Falls is another beautiful waterfall you can visit in Cape Breton near Ingonish. There are many places along the trail to stop and eat from small mom & pop convenience stores to bistros to restaurants (seasonal). See our zodiac tour of Antarctica. You need to have a valid Parks Canada pass when youre inside the park. I didnt get to spend a lot of time here, but there are some lovely places to stay and restaurants. You will see a small parking area to the right, and the entrance to the hike is across from that. Dave and I love kayaking, but I must say, this was one of the most pleasant kayaking excursions weve ever had.It was a relaxed, easy-going half-day excursion that offered beautiful views and great conversation. Baddeck is the hometown of Alexander Graham Bell, a renowned inventor best known for inventing the telephone. The Skyline Trail is a seven-kilometre, looping, hiking trail at Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada.It lies on the western side of the Cabot Trail, near French Mountain's summit.This trail is well known for its scenic views, but also for the 2009 fatal coyote assault on Taylor Mitchell.. Fresh tea and baked goods are served during a tea break on a picturesque beach where paddlers can take a short hike to another pretty waterfall. Specifically, its in the north eastern region of this province. If youre looking for a short trail with fewer people, check out La Chemin du Buttereau. Theres also an on-site spa where you can treat yourself to a massage, pedicure, or manicure. Check us out and come visit!!! Capers Fish and Chips (each an experience that is a bucket list item if youre traveling from a non-seafood hotbed like Nova Scotia). Rising from the sea and clinging to mountains, the 298-kilometre-long Cabot Trail is a winding mix of roadway, paths, stairs and stunning beauty that takes you from unreal ocean vistas to quaint fishing villages. We had just returned from New Foundland, by Ferry, and when we were there, we explored Gros Morne National Park. Google the home, its spectacular. To get there, check out the location Ill embed for it into your GPS, and when you get there (there is a parking lot), there is a pretty steep hike down to the falls, which you should be careful of, but its literally right off the road. And one way to think of the Cabot trail is 2 ways: Now you can do this scenic drive in the direction of the arrows I put up (Start on the eastern end, and finish up on the western end) and I would recommend that approach. Heres a few: Firstly, our trip to this location was very impromptu. Plus, there are excursions, boat tours, and kayak rentals. This is the classic view of the Cabot Trail from the Veterans Monument half way down French Mountain when driving counterclockwise. So inaccurate I didnt bother finishing the article. Blankets and Pillows Just in case. The Skyline Trail is the most famous stop on the Cabot Trail and with good reason. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Your photos from the helicopter look incredible. Theres a parking lot inside the park, and from there, its a half-hour easy walk to the waterfall. I love that visitors like yourself open up new adventures for me to explore in my own backyard. The Cabot Trail is on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. Or walk towards the community wharf for your pick of either The Freight Shed, Bell Buoy, or Capt. Baddeck is centrally located an hour on both sides from either entrance of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Although the two share strikingly similar landscapes along with unpredictable weather and a love for good whiskey. We drove the Cabot Trail in a counter clockwise direction starting in Baddeck and ending in Cheticamp. Head on over to the Baddeck Lobster Suppers where you can enjoy a fresh lobster alongside All-You-Can-Eat mussels and chowder. The Cabot Trail, a scenic roadway that takes you around the greater part of Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island, is one of the most famous drives in Canada. The drive alone is worth the trip to Cape Breton. Just do the drive itself (its an amazing scenic road). I spent a lot of my time in Cape Breton chasing waterfalls, but Egypt Falls was my favorite. This location is actually the spot which most advertisements show off for the Cabot Trail as a whole. Inverness has one of the prettiest beaches I found while in Cape Breton. The drive passes through Canada's Cape Breton Highlands National Park as well as a number of lovely fishing villages. Sydney is the capital city of Cape Breton. Another great time to visit Cape Breton is when the leaves change color during the fall. The castle-like building you can see in the background of the above photo is the Keltic Lodge at the Highlands, which is a great option if you want to stay in Ingonish. I stopped here on my way from Cheticamp to Ingonish while driving the Cabot Trail. Visitors to Cape Breton can explore the trail in a number of ways, with the two most popular options being by car and by foot (hiking). Some of the most diverse and beautiful coastal land to explore is on the western end of the United States in California. so WE'VE asked our Travel Counsellors at each of the six Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centres and our Contact Centre what their recommendations are to experience the best of Cape Breton Island's famous Cabot Trail. Well done. 23 Best Things to Do in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 22 Awesome Things to do in Edmonton, Alberta in 2023. This day tour from Sydney is a mini tour that shows some of the best highlights along the Cabot Trail, with many look-off stops for photographs and breathtaking viewpoints. You can go whale watching in Cheticamp, which I really wanted to do, knowing that Cape Breton has some of the best whale watching in the world. Now you can do this scenic drive in the direction of the arrows I put up (Start on the eastern end, and finish up on the western end) and I would recommend that approach. 2. While it is possible to drive the Cabot Trail in one day, I recommend spending at least three. Its got award-winning accommodations, private beaches, and three delicious on-site restaurants. Its just a half-hour drive from Inverness and a 15-minute hike down from the road. watch our video here. I dont think motorcycle enthusiasts need to be told that they can do it on a motorcycle. There are several tiers for watching the sunset and if you really want some privacy, you can hike down further off the boardwalk to view the scenery from the tip of the trailhead on a narrow dirt trail. You can build your own kite (one of AGBs favourite hobbies) while overlooking the lake and the lands where he carried out many of his ground-breaking experiments. Its one of the most beautiful places to see the fall colors in Canada! This luxury resort has two acclaimed world top 100 courses. Its basically a walking trail across that takes you atop of mountains that are on the coast and has some of the most scenic views from there. This winding road spans roughly 186 miles and encompasses the entire northern half of the island. On the bright side, we found some seals, which are so cute to see bopping their heads in the water. After the nearly four-hour drive north from Halifax, our Cabot Trail road trip started in the town of Baddeck where we continued in a counter-clockwise direction. Let the fiddle get you out on the dance. Here youll see that classic Canadian East Coast view of Cape Breton fishing boats lining the pier. Walk along the beach and if you are up for some excitement, you can take a zodiac tour to do some whale watching. It not only is a good stop for delicious coffee and pastries, its a fun photo opportunity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. which is where this trail starts was only about 30 minutes away, and being that were had the whole day to travel, before heading back to the states, we decided to drive through this whole location, and we did not regret it! The sunsets over the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the crowds are much lighter at this time of day. You did say Baddeck was not part of the trail after all so you know we all make mistakes. With the main street filled with buskers, music, local food, artisans, and much more its no doubt worth spending an extra day or two in town to catch the celebration. As you continue farther north you must take a turn onto Wharf Road of the Cabot Trail. If its a late-night craving, skip over to Toms pizza, an island-wide favourite, and take in a slice of pizza while listening to a local musician strum his guitar to your favourite tune. 3) If youre visiting from the states, then I recommend reading up on my eastern United States road trip for ideas on what to see across the north eastern states of the U.S. 4) And finally, there is the Eastern Canada road trip post which shows all of the areas my buddies and I saw in Canada, including the Cabot Trail. It is the most beautiful place to visit and the people of Cape Breton are so friendly. It doesnt look like it but next time youre in NS you MUST its the most amazing hike! Inside the museum, you can learn about the fascinating life of this inventor and see original artifacts, films, and photographs that highlight his scientific and humanitarian work. This 7.5 km loop is one of the longer hikes on the trail, but it is very easy and the scenes are worth every minute. Dave and Deb thank you so much for your beautiful article. Our trip around the Cabot Trail was in partnership withNova Scotia Tourism who we went on assignment with to capture adventures and photography around Nova Scotia. Its right in the center of town next to the ocean, which you can see from your bed. 10 min read Share Last updated: April 24, 2023 Cycling the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island is an excellent choice if you're a fan of multi-day bike trips. Plan several days to experience the journey of a lifetime along one of the world's most scenic drivesyou'll need it. Stop at the Clucking Hen Cafe (amazing food). Yet even though I grew up next door in Newfoundland, it only happened in 2020. We set off from Halifax early one morning to spend five days exploring the famed coastal. She currently calls Puerto Vallarta, Mexico home and enjoys ending each day with sunset and tacos on the beach. It typically takes one to several days to drive the Cabot Trail. I love nature travel and this blog not only encapsulates all of my adventures, but also funds them fully allowing me to have the freedom to travel wherever and whenever I want. If youre flying into Nova Scotia, youll most likely land in Halifax. Beside the Unknown Sailor is the grave of Dan Dixon. It takes 5-6 HOURS to drive around the trail, not 3-5 days, but if you have 3-5 days youll enjoy it more. There are two viewpoints to admire the falls from! This website is where I share all my advice on becoming a digital nomad, the best places to live and work remotely, and insider travel tips. No matter the time of year, for my wife and I, the weekend means heading to the Cabot Trail for an adventure. Its rare to find beaches that are so pristine in this world. Lora is a full-time digital nomad on a quest to visit every country in the world and pet as many dogs as she can along the way. The inside isnt luxurious, but it has everything you need for a comfy stay, and the location is perfect. Stop 1: Charlene's Bayside Restaurant and Cafe Stop 2: Wreck Cove General Store Stop 3: Cape Smokey Picnic Park Stop 4: Middle Head Hiking Trail Stop 5: White Point Harbor Stop 6: Rusty Anchor Restaurant Stop 7: Sunset Point Stop 8: The Normaway Inn and the Barn Music Center What to Pack for Driving the Cabot Trail Cape Breton well the only way I can explain it is there is a surprise round every corner. The Cabot Trail is one of Canada's ultimate scenic highways. Its a dirt road, and its filled with potholes. Looking to book your next trip? From the parking lot, the waterfall itself is about a 100 feet away. Parks Canada established the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to commemorate his genius. If you drive through the Keltic Lodge (which we highly recommend staying at if you want to splurge or have it in your budget) youll find the entrance to the Middle Head Trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. It was here that we met many friendly local fishermen who chatted with us as we took photographs and flew our drone over the spectacular coast. Polletts Cove this is a very difficult hike, up and down two mountains before entering the beautiful Cove inhabited by a few horses and cows. This park is home to one of the most beautiful road trips in the world, but its also full of opportunities for outdoor adventure, including some of the top hikes in Cape Breton. 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 dOr Lakes, beautiful beaches, accommodations, museums,walking trails, hiking, music, etc..