Circling Cape Breton Island, off Canada’s Atlantic coast, the Cabot Trail passes through fishing villages where Gaelic is still spoken, Miꞌkmaq reserves and Acadian towns. It winds through old-growth forest to the edge of rust-coloured bluffs, before dropping hundreds of metres to sandy beaches and picturesque ports, where the locals sell fresh lobster and chowder. Whether you do the 300km loop in a day or a week, the Cabot Trail is one of the best bike rides in North America. Go in the spring or fall. It can get very busy in summer, and winter is, well, winter in Canada.
We will even show you how to cook them. When in season ( we only like to cook fresh lobster) ask us to pick up the lobsters for you, We will let you know the price of lobster closer to the season.
If you want to do some hiking there is not enough time to do all the hikes so let us know what your competencies are and we will pin out some jawdropping hikes for you on your cell phone or map
We have so many world class beaches with 15 minutes from the church, if your lucky Bricin may fire up the Crib Bomb and take you to the beach for an evening lobster feast.
Now if you are really lucky we can show you where this real hidden gem of a swimming hole is.
Now you have no excuse not to visit Highlands national park. Highlands Hostel is open 12 months of the year, so Spring Break, summer and don't forget Autumn with the fantastic Celtic colours or Christmas come enjoy the season with us. Hiking in the summer, cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter or just a vacation .
Cape Breton Highlands National Park's hiking trails range from easy strolls to challenging climbs with panoramic views of canyons, highlands and seacoasts. The trails provide a chance to intimately explore the complex habitat of northern Cape Breton Island. Nature doesn't end at the park's boundaries. Many surrounding areas boast equally breathtaking trails.
All these trails are right on our hostels back and front door step.
The following is a list of Cape Breton Highlands National Park's hiking trails. Distances are round-trip with average walking times. Click on the trail name for more detailed information.
The trails have been rated for difficulty with the internationally recognized symbols:
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Easy | Family-friendly trails that are suitable for all visitors. | ||
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Moderate | Medium-length trails with moderate elevation gain and some short, steep sections. Suitable for most visitors. | ||
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Difficult |
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Trail | Difficulty | Distance | Time | Elevation | |
1 | Acadian (loop) |
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8.4 km | 3 - 4 hours | 20 - 365 m |
2 | Salmon Pools |
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7.8 km | 3 - 4 hours | 15 - 110 m |
3 | Le Chemin du Buttereau |
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4.6 km | 1.5 hours | 25 - 65 m |
4 | Le Buttereau (loop) |
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1.6 km | 30 - 45 minutes | 0 - 55 m |
5 | Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge |
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9 km | 2.5 - 3.5 hours | 40 - 110 m |
6 | Corney Brook |
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6.5 km | 2 hours | 30 - 170 m |
7 | Skyline |
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7 km or 8.7 km (loop) |
2 - 3 hours | 290 - 405 m |
8 | Bog (loop) |
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0.5 km | 15 minutes | 410 m |
9 | Benjie's Lake |
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3 km | 1 - 1.5 hours | 400 m |
10 | Fishing Cove |
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12 km | 5 - 6 hours | 0 - 355 m |
11 | MacIntosh Brook |
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1.7 km | 30 - 45 minutes | 30 - 65 m |
12 | Lone Shieling (loop) |
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0.6 km | 15 minutes | 70 m |
13 | Aspy |
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9.6 km | 3 - 4 hours | 60 - 450 m |
14 | Mica Hill |
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7.9 km | 3 - 3.5 hours | 260 - 410 m |
15 | Jack Pine (loop) |
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2.3 km | 1 hour | 0 - 50 m |
16 | Coastal |
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11.3 km | 3 - 4 hours | 0 - 45 m |
17 | Jigging Cove (loop) |
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2.4 km | 40 - 50 minutes | 50 - 65 m |
18 | Green Cove |
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0.2 km | 10 minutes | 10 m |
19 | Broad Cove Mountain |
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2.3 km | 1 hour | 35 - 180 m |
20 | Warren Lake (loop) |
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4.7 km | 1.5 hours | 15 m |
21 | Branch Pond Look-off |
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8.4 km | 2 - 3 hours | 100 - 305 m |
22 | Franey (loop) |
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7.4 km | 2 - 3 hours | 95 - 430 m |
23 | Clyburn Valley |
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8.5 km | 2 - 3 hours | 5 - 50 m |
24 | Middle Head |
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3.8 km | 1.5 hours | 0 - 45 m |
25 | Freshwater Lake Look-off |
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0.3 km | 10 minutes | 10 - 45 m |
26 | Freshwater Lake |
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1.7 km | 30 - 40 minutes | 0 - 15 m |
Remember that you are hiking in a protected wilderness environment.