Cape Breton
Cape Breton is an island off the Atlantic coast that is part of the province of Nova Scotia. In addition to spectacular coastal landscapes, you will discover a vibrant culture shaped by the traditions and heritage of the Mi'kmaq, Acadian and Gaelic people who have been sharing this land for hundreds of years.
Explore magnificent beaches, the superb Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park and quaint coastal villages. During your Matitimes road trip, you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy seafood freshly caught by local fishermen. Lobster season starts in early May.
Inverness Beach
Inverness municipal beach is the perfect family beach with warm and shallow waters and beautiful, soft sand. It's also a magnificent place to stop and admire the view!
Stroll along the 1.5-km of wooden boardwalk and take in the sea air while enjoying scenic views of the ocean and the golf course. Be sure to grab an ice cream at the canteen.
The beach is supervised in July and August. Parking is available at the end of the road.
Cabot Trail
The Cabot Trail is at the top of any list of things to do in Nova Scotia. With its hairpin bends, steep sea cliffs, beautiful beaches and brightly coloured landscapes, this extraordinary 300-km scenic road is one of the most beautiful in the world.
One-third of the Cabot Trail runs through Cape Breton Highlands National Park and for picturesque views, it is one of the most visited regions in Canada. Its striking beauty will leave you breathless. Take the time to relax and enjoy the many scenic look-offs and attractions along your way.
A bit of history...The first inhabitants of Cape Breton were the ancestors of the Mi'kmaq people, who have lived in this region for ten thousand years. Today the island has 5 First Nations communities. John Cabot is said to have reached the shores of Cape Breton in 1497, becoming the first European explorer to visit present-day Canada. This historic discovery is commemorated in the name of the famous Cabot Trail. Several European nations then laid claim to the island, which changed hands more than once between the French and English during the long struggle for control of the North American empire. Cape Breton Island experienced an influx of Highland Scots in the early 19th century. A sizeable majority of Cape Breton's population is of Scottish descent. |
Chéticamp to Ingonish:
Chéticamp
Chéticamp is an Acadian community. In this small town of lobster, crab and halibut fishermen, the locals speak French with a strong local accent. You will discover a warm people with their own music, dances, songs and age-old traditions. A stroll along the waterfront is a great way to get a feel for the place. And be sure to admire Chéticamp’s world renowned hooked rugs!
Les Trois Pignons cultural centre and museum
Learn about the culture and history of the Acadians of Chéticamp, and admire the stunning collection of hooked rugs for which the village is famous. The most popular are those of local artist Élizabeth Lefort (1914-2005), which depict local landscapes, historical and religious scenes and celebrity portraits.
Luxury picnic!A lobster dinner on the beach is an enjoyable and typical Cape Breton experience. If possible, boil your lobsters in a large pot of sea water, or cook them directly over the fire. Crack them open and enjoy, just as the sun is slipping over the horizon... Unforgettable! Another interesting option is to order a picnic for pick-up. Three eateries offer this service in Chéticamp and Ingonish. You can consult the menus online. |
Cape Breton Highlands National ParkSeason: The park is open all year round, but offers visitor services from late May to late October only. The Cabot Trail is open year-round. Visitor Centres: |
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
The park entrance is just past Chéticamp. A park pass is required to tour this section of the Cabot Trail. Numerous look-offs provide ample opportunities to admire the striking beauty of the ocean and mountain landscapes, and each has a different story to tell. There is a Visitor Centre in Chéticamp and another in Ingonish. The trail can be explored in either direction.
Hiking
The 26 hiking trails in Cape Breton Highlands National Park offer different levels of difficulty and a variety of landscapes, allowing you to explore the complex habitat of northern Cape Breton Island. The trails below are listed in order of location from Chéticamp to Ingonish and Cape Smokey. Visit the website for a complete list and descriptions of all 26 trails.
Cap Rouge
Distance (round-trip): 9 km
Time (round-trip): 2 to 3 hours
Level: Easy
Elevation gain: 40 to 110 m
9 km hike, rated easy, along the route of the old Cabot Trail. Leaves from Trout Brook and climbs gently, offering views of the Atlantic along the entire length. Traces of Acadian history abound, with the remains of an old school, former residents' houses and an old wharf. The final look-off offers spectacular views and an exhibit on the families who used to live here. Nice place for a picnic. About 2-3 hours.
Corney Brooke (Rivière à Lazare)
Distance (round-trip): 6.5 km
Time (round-trip): 2 hours
Level: Easy
Elevation gain: 30 to 170 m
Easy 6.5 km hike along a meandering brook through a hardwood forest to a small waterfall. Keep a watch out for wildlife – you may spot a variety of birds or maybe even a snowshoe hare or a moose. About 2 hours.
Skyline
Distance (round-trip): 6.5 km
Time (round-trip): 2 to 3 hours
Level: Easy
Elevation gain: 290 to 405 m
This easy 6.5 km hike will give you an eagle's view of the Cabot Trail with dramatic rugged coastal landscapes. The view of the sunset from the headland cliff at the end of the trail is a unique experience you won't soon forget. One of the most beautiful hikes in the park. About 2-3 hours.
Benjie's Lake
Distance (round-trip): 3 km
Time (round-trip): 1 to 1.5 hours
Level: Easy
Elevation gain: 400 m
This flat 3 km round-trip hike crosses wet barrens and evergreen forests ending at a small lake. Boardwalks in some sections. Moose are frequently seen. About 1 hour.
Lone Sheiling
Distance (round-trip): 0.6 km
Time (round-trip): 15 minutes
Level: Easy
Elevation gain: 70 m
Short easy hike (600 m) in the Grande Anse Valley with its 350-year-old sugar maple trees. This is a protected area. A replica of a Scottish crofter's hut is found at the beginning of the trail. Take the time to discover its history and keep an eye out for wildlife – moose like it here too.
Green Cove
Distance (round-trip): 0.2 km
Time (round-trip): 10 minutes
Level: Easy
Elevation gain: 10 m
Don't miss this easy 200 m trail that will only take you 10 minutes. It leads to a rocky granite headland jutting out into the sea, where you can watch the ocean crash against the rocks. Notice how the plants have adapted to this windy, salt-sprayed coastal environment.
Franey
Distance (round-trip): 7.4 km
Time (round-trip): 2 to 3 hours
Level: Difficult
Elevation gain: 95 to 430 m
A difficult 7.4 km trail, but the magnificent view where the mountains meet the sea is your reward. The trailhead is on the fire access road just north of the Clyburn River, in the western section of the park. Bring a picnic to eat at the top. About 2-3 hours round-trip (loop).
Middle Head
Distance (round-trip): 3.8 km
Time (round-trip): 1 to 2 hours
Level: Intermediate
Elevation gain: 5 to 45 m
This moderate-level 3.8 km trail follows a long, narrow peninsula separating two ocean bays, ending on headland cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Smokey and Ingonish Island. There are opportunities to see seabirds, seals, whales and eagles. Nice place for a picnic. About 1 to 2 hours.
Challenge yourself!10-trails-in-one-day challenge ! It's easy to do if you're a good walker and choose short hikes. Bring a list with a photo of yourself on each trail to the Visitor Centre to earn a prize. Suggested short trails: Le Buttereau, Bog, Benjie's Lake, MacIntosh Brook, Lone Sheiling, Jack Pine, Green Cove, Broad Cove Mountain, Freshwater Lake, Freshwater Lake Look-Off. Recommendations: Use a walking stick, stay on trails to protect fragile vegetation, do not approach wild animals, take all your litter with you, bring enough water and insect repellant. Note that mobile reception is unreliable in the park. |
Swimming
Cape Breton Highlands National Park is home to many beautiful beaches. Those on the west coast let you swim in the calm fresh waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while on the east coast beaches you can go for a dip in the salty Atlantic Ocean. You may spot whales or bald eagles. You will have plenty of opportunities for an open-air picnic!
La Bloc Beach: This pebbly beach invites you for a refreshing swim. The wharf reaching into the warm gulf waters reminds us of the Acadians who once lived nearby on the west coast of the park. Enjoy a walk along the coast while admiring the sunset. Pit toilets and a picnic area on site.
Black Brook Beach : One of the most popular beaches in the park, offering both saltwater and freshwater in the same location with lovely ocean views. The beach is bordered by a gentle waterfall on one end and intersected by a freshwater brook. Washrooms, change rooms, kitchen shelter, playground and picnic area on site.
Neil's Harbour Beach : Situated in the northeast corner of the park, in the village of Neil's Harbour, this sandy beach is a real haven of peace. This is also where John Cabot is said to have come ashore in 1497. Take the time to walk to the Neil's Brook estuary, and be sure to have an ice cream cone at the nearby lighthouse on Lighthouse Road.
Ingonish Beach and Freshwater Lake : Here you can choose between swimming in warm Freshwater Lake or in the salty Atlantic Ocean, separated by a barachois. Services on site: washrooms, change rooms, playground, picnic area, tennis courts, canteen and lifeguards at the saltwater beach in July and August.
North Bay Beach: If you are looking for a quieter, more secluded beach experience, you will appreciate this long sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean. It is also a habitat for many species of birds. Pit toilets and picnic area on site.
Broad Cove Beach: This sandy beach is on the Atlantic Ocean. You can swim in the Atlantic and rinse off in the neighbouring brook near Broad Cove campground. Washrooms available at the campground.
Warren Lake: Enjoy a swim in the warm waters of the largest lake in the park, surrounded by incredible mountain scenery. You have a good chance of seeing and hearing loons. Pit toilets and picnic area on site.
Pleasant Bay
Pleasant Bay is known as the whale-watching capital of Cape Breton. It is also a paradise for nature lovers. Take a walk along the harbour, watch the sea birds soar, the fishermen hard at work, breathe in the salt air… And of course, it's the perfect place to take a whale-watching tour. Go out on a zodiac with Captain Mark, sailing directly from the Pleasant Bay wharf.
Bay St Lawrence
The snug little fishing village of Bay St Lawrence is well worth a stop, both for its unspoiled landscapes and its people. Many families have been in the area for more than five generations. You will also notice the village's Scottish Gaelic heritage.
Meat Cove
Going off the beaten track can lead to beautiful discoveries! Meat Cove is another magnificent village worth visiting, offering spectacular ocean views. Situated at the extreme north of Inverness County, this fishing community can be reached from Capstick (after Bay St Lawrence) via an 8-km dirt road.
Ingonish
Situated on the Cabot Trail, at the edge of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Ingonish is actually a cluster of five small communities covering an area of just 16 km. There are three main centres of activity: Ingonish Ferry in the south, Ingonish Harbour, and the beach. The area offers several nice hikes and a number of pleasant sites for swimming and activities on or in the water, be it saltwater or freshwater, with a multitude of lakes, ponds and rivers and, of course, the ocean (see Swimming and Hiking in the park). Be sure to go admire the view on Cape Smokey.
Gaelic College
Founded in 1938, The Gaelic College (Colaisde na Gàidhlig) offers courses in traditional Scottish disciplines such as singing, music, dancing and crafts. It is dedicated to the study and preservation of the Gaelic language, arts and culture. Visit the museum and discover the fascinating history of the Scottish settlers and their traditions that live on here on the island. Don't miss the cultural demonstrations for a real immersion in the Gaelic culture.
Baddeck
Situated about 60 km from Ingonish, Baddeck is an important tourist hub on the Cabot Trail. Take the time to visit this charming village on the shore of beautiful Bras-d'Or Lake.
Baddeck is also known as the site of the summer home of Alexander Graham Bell, the famous inventor of the telephone.
Bras d’Or Lake
Bras d'Or Lake is an inland sea that cuts Cape Breton Island in half and is linked to the ocean by two deep channels, Great Bras d'Or and Little Bras d'Or. In the past, Mi'kmaq lived along its shores.
This vast body of partially fresh/salt water was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011. You can drive around the lake and enjoy the views by taking the roads identified as Bras d'Or Lake Scenic Drive.
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
Alexander Graham Bell built a summer home in Baddeck in 1886, spending more and more time there until his death in 1922. This remarkable museum tells the story of the world-famous inventor who was also greatly interested in aviation. In fact, the museum houses a full-scale replica of his famous aircraft, the Silver Dart, that made the first powered flight in Canada in 1909.
The "White Glove Tour" provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Bell collection and the chance to handle some of the great inventor's photos and mementos, including his walking stick and notebook. Children can play games, fly kites and try scientific experiments.
NEARBY
Fortress of Louisbourg
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, a reconstruction of the fortified French town before being taken by the British in 1748, will captivate the whole family. You will see high walls and heavy doors, houses and gardens, and characters in period costume who bring the town to life, recreating daily activities from 300 years ago. Restaurant and picnic table on site.
Miners Museum
Situated in Glace Bay and open from June till October, the Cape Breton Miners Museum pays tribute to the region's long and rich history of coal mining. Take an underground tour of a coal mine located beneath the museum building, with a retired miner guide. You will learn all about the geological development of Cape Breton’s coal field and the different types of mines and mining techniques. You are sure to be moved by the stories of the miners and their families.
On some evenings you can attend a concert by a well-known Cape Breton choir of coal miners, The Men of the Deeps.
