Lets talk fall - Cape Breton Island Edition!
Cabot Trail - All images in the blog captured by us!
Okay, so the cozy pumpkin-fuelled season is here and this home Island of ours is about to showcase some of the most spectacular fall colours - seriously, experiencing autumn here is a bucket list MUST.
With this season begins the questions and messages on how to best plan a trip here in fall. So, here are some frequently asked questions and tips from our experience!
1. When is Peak Fall Colour Time on Cape Breton Island??
This is the #1 question we get each year.. and well, the reality is that this is 100% up to Mother Nature so it can be hard to determine exactly when! However, your best bet to see fall colours here is mid-October. Usually just after Thanksgiving weekend (around October 7th) until around the 22nd of the month. So those two middle weeks of the month! That being said, different geographical regions on the Island can peak in fall colour before others. Leaves in spots like North River and Margaree often turn colour and fall before up North and on the Eastern side of the Island.
Our biggest recommendation - please travel with patience! No matter what, your trip will hold fantastic views and you’re bound to see fall colours somewhere on the Island throughout October - just maybe not all peaked at once.
Is it worth the trip to experience? Absolutely yes!!
Franey Mountain Trail
2. Accommodations
Please book before arriving! And before traveling, it never hurts to call or email your hosts closer to the trip to check in if there are any changes on the Island like road closures, new events, predicted weather, etc. October is one of the busiest times of the year, so where you are staying should be planned before traveling. What’s wonderful is that there is so much to choose from! Whether you love cabins, yurts, hotels or motels, BnBs, a hostel, camping, house rentals, and more - there are so many unique places to stay on Cape Breton Island. For a list of some of our favourite places that we have personally stayed at, visit our “Favourite Things” blog.
OTENTik in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Highlands Hostel, Valley View Chalets, Hot Tub & Yurt stay at Cabot Shores
3. Dining
Reserve tables at restaurants where you can and if you can’t we recommend you call ahead to make sure the restaurant is open. October is the end of many businesses’ official tourism season, some adjusting to shorter fall hours without having time to update their google listing, and some close completely for the season sooner than expected. Plan where you will eat ahead of time! Beyond packing your patience, packing a cooler with snacks and backup food/drinks never hurts either. Trust us, you don’t want to roll into a town after a big day of adventuring only to have to backtrack for food. Been there, done that!
4. Fuel
The same goes for gas stations. Maybe make a mental note of where a few are before chasing fall colours. Rural area gas stations sometimes close early too - just a heads up! Speaking of driving, calling 511 or visiting the 511 website is your source for up-to-date road conditions in the event of stormy weather.
Fall framed road by Lake O’ Law
5. Where to See Live Music
Well, you’re in luck! Cape Breton Island is also home to the world-renowned Celtic Colours International Festival and it takes place in October around peak fall colour time. Head to their website for all the details and ticket purchasing. This being a very musical Island means there are also tons of musical events outside of the festival too though! Many communities, restaurants, breweries, etc will host live music events which are always a treat to enjoy. Those locations often share on social media if they have live music coming up so be sure to give them a "creep" when researching what's happening in the area. And, if you’re interested in checking out a local square dance or ceilidh, inquire with your accommodation if they know of one happening nearby.
6. See more than just the Cabot Trail
Yes, of course, travel the famous Cabot Trail and experience its wonder, but also give yourself some extra days before or afterward to see more! Maybe take a drive to Isle Madame, or pop over to Sydney for a selfie with the giant fiddle. Step back in time at the Highland Village in Iona or Fortress of Louisbourg! And a personal favourite of ours, drive Route 19 along the West Coast of the Island to experience a mix of beaches, Celtic music, the famous Red Shoe Pub, charming towns, sunsets, and more!
The Mabou Rivers section along the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail
7. Weather
There’s a saying here in the Maritimes, “If you don’t like the weather, Just wait 5 minutes”… and this totally applies to temperatures and forecasts in Cape Breton through the month of October! Before hitting the road, be sure to pack and plan ahead. We always recommend packing and dressing in layers on fall days since you can bundle up if you’re cold, or pull layers off if you get warm. Good footwear for muddy trails is also a recommendation, having hat/mittens on hand can be useful just in case, and a raincoat is a must. You never know what weather you might face but the good news is that no matter what - the views are still and always will be breathtaking!
Rainbow and it’s reflection over Aspy Bay
8. How to stay up to date on fall colours, events, and more
If you want to stay up to date on where the best fall colours are and when throughout October, we encourage you to follow us or subscribe on social media - @daveyandsky on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube! Additionally, following fellow locals, and the Cape Breton / Nova Scotia tourism boards are a great source of information and inspiration too.
For more fall travel planning materials - visit these links!
Aspy Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park
