Scenic Drive · Nova Scotia
Cabot Trail
298 kilometres around Cape Breton's highlands — one of the world's great drives.
About
Cabot Trail, Cape Breton
The Cabot Trail loops 298 km around northern Cape Breton, crossing the highlands of Cape Breton Highlands National Park between Atlantic and Gulf of St. Lawrence coasts. It links Acadian, Mi'kmaq, and Gaelic communities through some of Canada's most dramatic coastline.
Highlights
What not to miss
No. 01
Skyline Trail
Boardwalk staircase down a headland over the Cabot Trail — sunset moose territory.
No. 02
Pleasant Bay
Whale-watching capital on the Gulf side; pilot whales close to shore in summer.
No. 03
Chéticamp
Acadian fishing village with the best French bakeries on the trail.
No. 04
Ingonish & Keltic Lodge
Grand 1940s hotel on a peninsula inside the park, beach below.
No. 05
Cape Smokey
Lift-served lookout south of Ingonish with sweeping coastal views.
Through the year
Seasons of Cabot Trail
Spring
Eagles thick along the coast; some park services not yet open.
Summer
Whales reliable from Pleasant Bay; ceilidhs nightly in Chéticamp.
Autumn
First week of October — Cape Breton fall colour rivals Vermont.
Winter
Trail open but exposed to storms; Keltic Lodge closes.
Insider tips
Local knowledge
- 01
Drive counter-clockwise (Baddeck to Chéticamp first) for ocean-side views.
- 02
Time Skyline Trail for late afternoon — moose come out, light is golden.
- 03
Stop at Aspy Fault Lookoff and MacKinnon's Brook trailhead, easily missed.