Exploring Cape Breton Island: A Dog-Friendly Waterfall Adventure

We are Davey and Sky, photographers from Cape Breton Island. Recently, we, along with our pups Indie and Tovi explored the Island during the beautiful Waterfall Season. Here is a dog-friendly itinerary featuring places to stay, dine, and, of course, lots of waterfalls!

Cape Breton has hundreds of waterfalls to explore all year round, but during spring, when the rivers are running high and plants are in bloom, is certainly the best. That’s why Visit Cape Breton Island created an official “Waterfall Season,” encouraging everyone to get outside. By downloading the waterfall app and visiting some of the pre-selected 12 waterfalls around the Island.

Day 1: South Coast Adventures

Day 1 of our dog-friendly waterfall itinerary had us exploring the south coast of Cape Breton Island!

We started by visiting Embrees Brook Falls along the beautiful Port Hawkesbury Community Trail system. With over 10 km of trails, you can find a platform viewpoint and this stunning slide-type waterfall carved into shale. We can’t wait to return after a good rainfall!

Next, we made our way to the St. Peters area to check out Grand River Falls. Sitting along the river’s edge, we watched eagles fly above and admired the powerful falls. Our dogs loved this one.

A great place to stay in St. Peters is Pepperell Place. This cozy bed and breakfast has wonderful hospitality, and selected rooms are pet-friendly. Be sure to have breakfast at the inn before you check out because it’s delicious!

Heading off to our next waterfall location, we grabbed coffee and baked goods from The Farmer's Pantry for the road.

Day 2: Between Baddeck and North River

Day 2 of our dog-friendly waterfall itinerary had us exploring between the Baddeck and North River areas of Cape Breton Island!

Starting our day around lunchtime, we stopped in at Herring Choker Deli for some of the best sandwiches on the island.

Our first waterfall of the day was Uisge Ban Falls. The hike is very enjoyable, and the waterfall is spectacular. We sat here eating our sandwiches and watching the dogs cool off in the falls.

Next up was Lower North River Falls, located just off the Cabot Trail. This short hike leads to a mesmerizing set of fast-moving falls. Our dogs swam a bit while we lay back on the rocks, listening to the rush of the falls beside us.

A great place to stay in the North River area is River Nest Wilderness. These uniquely crafted pet-friendly cabins are a nature lover's paradise. Owners Angelo and Danyelle gave us the warmest welcome, and we enjoyed a wood-fired pizza event that night. They even have naturally made dog treats for their doggy guests!

Day 3: Sydney Area

Day 3 of our dog-friendly Cape Breton Island waterfall itinerary had us chasing waterfalls around the Sydney area!

We started our day by checking out Greenlink Rotary Trail Waterfall. This urban park in Sydney features a trail system, an off-leash dog park, a disc golf course, and a beautiful stone dam waterfall.

We then got lunch from Gaslight Cafe, known for their pot pies.

Next, we hiked to Devil’s Hill Falls. The name comes from local folklore, but we didn't experience any spookiness and enjoyed the photogenic waterfall.

That night, we stayed at the breathtaking and dog-friendly Mira Riverfront Getaway. Located right on the water, these cozy cottages are a dream.

For dinner, we treated ourselves to a meal at Kiju’s Restaurant, which offers great eats, local beverages on tap, and live music.

Day 4: Middle River and Nyanza

Day 4 of our dog-friendly Cape Breton Island waterfall itinerary had us chasing waterfalls around the Middle River area!

A perfect spring day includes a hike to Gairloch Mountain Falls on Cape Breton Island, this waterfall is now one of our favourites on the Island.

Followed by a visit to Big Spruce Brew for a rewarding craft beer and the best burger and fries from Rose’s Smash Burgers.

Exploring Cape Breton during Waterfall Season has been an absolute blast. Bravo to those who created this wonderful shoulder season celebration! The waterfall app has encouraged more people to hike and enjoy the Island's natural beauty while supporting local businesses.

Cape Breton is stunning all year round. Don't let the summer and fall hype stop you from discovering its beauty in winter and spring too. We hope our waterfall posts have inspired you (and your pups) to go out and explore. ❤️

Here is our YouTube video of the trip!