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The 10 Best Hiking Trails in Cape Breton Island, Canada
"For simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all." So said Alexander Graham Bell of the island he adopted as his home. Rich with Celtic, Mi'kmaq and Acadian heritage, Cape Breton is a delight for history buffs, music lovers and explorers of nature. Immerse yourself in 18th-century life at the Fortress of Louisbourg, explore the winding roads and Atlantic vistas of the Cabot Trail, and seek out a local Ceilidh for a lively and rousing experience.
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1. Cape Mabou Highlands Hiking Trails
2. Louisbourg Lighthouse Coastal Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By SylviaA478 - Colorado Springs, United States
This trail starts by the Louisbourg Lighthouse and goes along the coast with spectacular views of the Ocean. This trail is in the open as opposed to most in Nova Scotia which are in the trees. The wide vistas, beautiful wild flowers and crashing waves on the rugged coastline made this our favorite hike. Wish we had planned for more time spent there.
3. White Point Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By JFLeB325 - Moncton, Canada
We came here today for a quick walk. What a great place for a hike. There are no signs here. Park at the wharf and follow the rocky road. You will not regret it.
4. Kauzmann Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Spuddler - Charlottetown, Canada
Beautiful hike in Cape Breton. Narrow ridge hike 1000 feet above the Atlantic. Easy hike but not so easy to find the road in. It is the first right on an unimproved road after Sugarloaf on the right. It is number 6410 road but sign is no longer there. Bad ruts when we were there from a lot of rain and a 4 wheel drive was needed as some of the ruts a car would not have enough clearance. It is around 5.6 km from Bay St. Lawrence Road to the trailhead which is marked by a bouy. Hike is 3.7 km return.
5. Strait Area Trails
6. Cabot Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,759 reviews
One of the most magnificent loop drives in North America treats visitors to the spectacular scenery of the Cape Breton Highlands.
Reviewed By Lets_Cruise_13 - Ottawa, Canada
On Tuesday August 20th, 2019, leaving Baddeck my wife and I drove the Cabot Trail which is a scenic highway completed in 1932 in northern Victoria County and Inverness County on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. The Cabot Trail is 298 km or 185 miles in length and completes a loop around the northern tip of the island, passing along and through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park (the Park). That morning, at the Park’s East Gate we stopped to purchase two $7.80 adult day passes to drive through the Park. At the booth, the Park employee provided us with information on what to look for and other fishing villages to visit. The western and eastern sections of the Park follow the rugged coastline, with views of the ocean. The southwestern section passes through the Margaree River valley before passing along Bras d'Or Lake. Driving the Trail, we stopped at the many lookout spots in and outside the Park, such as Lakies Head, Neil’s Harbour, Rusty Anchor Restaurant in Pleasant Bay, Chéticamp and in Inverness to take photos of mountainous plateau, ocean views and fishing villages during our scenic drive through stunning landscape. What a marvelous day it was for travelling! For nature lovers, hikers or just anyone wishing to visit Cape Breton Island and the surrounding areas, the Cabot Trail and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a must to see as it provides beautiful scenes. We would recommend it to family and friends.
7. Ceilidh Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Following the shore of western Cape Breton, this 67-mile-long trail offers magnificent views of dramatic coastline, bays, inlets and rolling farmlands.
8. Skyline Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 825 reviews
Reviewed By LuluReview - Canada, null
This trail is a must when traveling along the Cabot Trail! There is lots of free parking and bathrooms at the trail entrance. While the trail is located high up in the mountains, the terrain was quite level and easy to navigate. We did the shorter route and took our time to enjoy the views along the way, and especially at the end (even with some fog).
9. Acadian Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By U4991XLmichelc - Cheticamp, Canada
Great hike, kind of like 5 hikes in one.....terrain goes from lush, moss, forest, canopy, to top of mountain open air. Great views of Cheticamp (make sure you do trail counter-clockwise to see views coming back down). Takes about 2-3 hours depending on how fast you go. Wild blueberries on the top! Wonderful hike close to the village of Cheticamp.
10. Middle Head Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Reviewed By LuluReview - Canada, null
This trail was a great amenity of staying at the Keltic Lodge as the access is close to the main building. It was a relatively easy hike providing some incredible views of the peninsula on both sides. The trail does have a few steep spots, but the terrain was in good condition overall, providing an enjoyable adventure.
