Being outdoors and experiencing natures beauty is truly our favourite thing in life, and there’s certainly no shortage of that in Nova Scotia! Here on our home Island of Cape Breton, there are tons of hiking trails that stretch from the mountains to the sea, featuring show-stopping lookouts, mesmerizing waterfalls, therapeutic forests, and so much more. There are too many great trails to say in one post, but here are some of our favourites below - AND I’ll link the Youtube Video David made too!
North River Falls (18km)
This 18km well-marked Trail is an all-day trek taking roughly 8hrs roundtrip. The trail is easy for the first half and gets more rugged for the last half as you get closer to the waterfall. Standing at an impressive 32+meters tall, it is recognized as the largest in Nova Scotia with a trail. Take lots of water and snacks! There is also no cellphone service here. Don’t miss the bonus viewpoint! Located just as you reach the falls, keep an eye out for markers to your right. A small bonus trail will have you climbing up an extra 1km to give you a birds-eye view of the waterfall.
2. Meat Cove Mountain (3.7km)
The Meat Cove Mountain trail is a somewhat short but very steep and challenging hike. it brings you to breathtaking mountain views as well as views of the town of Meat Cove. Ropes have been placed alongside the trail to help hikers with some of the steeper sections. Once hikers reach the top, the trail extends in two different directions to provide different sets of views. The way down can be tricky, so wear good shoes and hike this trail in good weather. The views at the top are terrific!
3. Money Point Trail (14km or shorter if you go a different way)
The Money Point Trail is a fantastic day hike. Enjoy this out-and-back trek starting in Bay Saint Lawrence or shorten the trail in half by starting near the Kauzmann Trail. Be warned, it can be quite steep to climb back but worth it! The money point trail is also great for camping and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. If you’re lucky, you may even see some horses roaming the area! For an extra treat, look up some of the fascinating history on this spot and St. Pauls's Island before your hike.
4. Tenerife Mountain (3.7km)
Tenerife Peak, also known as Theodore Fricker Mountain, is a hidden gem on Cape Breton Island. The trailhead is located between the villages of Cape North and Dingwall. Blink and you’ll miss the start of the trail (marked across from the parking space) which takes you up through a beautiful forest. Starting off gentle, eventually, the trail will direct you up a slope from the base of the mountain to the top. Take your time and pace yourself, watching for loose rocks on your way. On the summit, you’ll be above the trees and rewarded with a stunning 360-degree view over Aspy Bay and surrounding areas. After you’ve caught your breath, hike the ridgeline for even more beautiful views.
5. Wilkie Sugarloaf Mountain (3.2km)
Sugar Loaf is a short but challengingly steep hike to its peak. Triangle in shape, it is one of the few stand-alone mountains in Nova Scotia, making it both unique and beautiful to see from a distance, and the views from the top are even better. From the peak, hikers are able to look out over the Aspy Bay, see all the way to White Point (another popular hiking spot), Cabot’s Landing Beach, and back into the mountainside ravines behind Sugarloaf Mountain.
6. Franey Mountain (7.4km)
The Franey Mountain hiking trail is one of the most challenging hikes in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Worth every step, hikers can stop midway to get the famous Franey boulder shot, before continuing on to see the fantastic viewpoint at the top. Overlooking the seaside town of Ingonish, and Middle Head peninsula, you may even get a red chair moment!. Make sure not to miss the small side trail at the top that leads to a stunning view down the Clyburn Valley. This trail is dog friendly, but keep your pups on a leash as per Parks Canada regulations. This is a very popular area for hiking, snowshoeing, and trail running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.. Or maybe even a moose!
7. Salt Mountain (4km)
The Salt Mountain Trail is located in the picturesque village of Whycocomagh. Starting at the upper Whycocomagh Provincial Park, this trail is short but challenging, offering multiple routes and amazing lookouts over the Bras d’Or Lake and Whycocomagh Bay. Stunning any time of year, this is a great spot for snowshoeing in the winter as well. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, in particular bald eagles that are always soaring above here. Visit the lower park after your hike for a picnic and a dip in the bay.
8. Humes River Falls (9.6km)
Parking by the Wagmacook School, start your hike to Humes River falls by taking the trail roadway to the left of the School. Follow trail markers that eventually take you on a smaller path through the woods and over a few small rivers. This hike is very peaceful. Nearing the waterfall, you may hear it before you see it! At 20 meters high, the falls are breathtaking and offer plenty of room to sit and relax at the base of it. On hot summer days, it is the perfect place to jump in for a refreshing swim.
9. Acadian Trail (8.4km)
One of the more popular trails on the western side of the Cape Breton, there are two trailheads beginning at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Cheticamp. Climb above the Chéticamp River for panoramic views of the Acadian coastline, the Chéticamp river valley, and the park's highland interior. Benches along the way let you rest periodically and enjoy the scenery. Keep dogs on a leash and be on the lookout for signs of black bears and moose. Taking this trail counterclockwise will give you a more gradual ascent than clockwise - but either way is stunning!
10. Roberts Mountain (3.9km)
Located in Pleasant Bay, this hike climbs Roberts Mountain to a treeless peak with an unbelievable 360-degree view. It is short but mighty due to its steepness. Walk around to the other side of the peak for views over the interior mountains and bring your binoculars to watch out for whales and other wildlife. If you remember a headlight, it is the perfect spot to watch a majestic West Coast sunset!
***As someone has already pointed out to us on YouTube, of course these trails may not challenging for everyone!
Cape Breton honestly doesn’t have any super crazy trails that are established, so if you’re looking for something more challenging than these you may have to go bushwhacking (which we highly recommend since it’s a ton of fun and you can find true hidden gems this way).
