Shared itinerary · Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
Cabot Trail loop in 4 days
Four days around the Cabot Trail, clockwise from Baddeck so the views stay on your side of the road: Cape Smokey and Ingonish, the wild north tip to Meat Cove, over the top to Pleasant Bay and the Skyline Trail at sunset, then down the Acadian coast through Chéticamp and the Margaree. 14 stops with times and notes.
From the guide Cape Breton Highlands: the Cabot Trail done properly
Updated
Distance
271 km
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site → Margaree Valley
Days
4
Stops
14
| Day | Route | Stops | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to Middle Head Trail | 4 | 92.8 km |
| Day 2 | Black Brook Cove Beach to Meat Cove | 4 | 70.7 km |
| Day 3 | Lone Shieling to Skyline Trail | 3 | 47.0 km |
| Day 4 | Cap Rouge lookoffs to Margaree Valley | 3 | 60.7 km |
Day 1: Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site to Middle Head Trail
92.8 kmBaddeck to Ingonish, clockwise. Driving clockwise keeps you in the outside lane for the views.
- 09:00
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
Sight
Bell summered in Baddeck for 37 years. The hydrofoil and giant kite work is stranger than you expect.
80.0 km · 1h 15m drive to next
- 11:30
Cape Smokey
Sight
The lookoff where the trail first climbs above the Atlantic.
8.8 km · 20m drive to next
- 13:00
Ingonish Beach
Park & nature
Salt water on one side of the barrier beach, the freshwater of Freshwater Lake on the other. Swim your pick.
4.0 km · 10m drive to next
- 15:00
Middle Head Trail
Activity
A 3.8 km walk down the narrow headland splitting two bays, past the Keltic Lodge. Eagles overhead most days.
Day 2: Black Brook Cove Beach to Meat Cove
70.7 kmThe wild north tip, off the main loop and worth every kilometre.
- 09:00
Black Brook Cove Beach
Park & nature
A waterfall pours directly onto the beach at the north end. Local secret, no longer very secret.
10.8 km · 25m drive to next
- 10:30
Neils Harbour
Food & drink
A working fishing village with a lighthouse chowder hut. Eat the chowder.
31.1 km · 20m drive to next
- 12:00
Bay St. Lawrence
Sight
The road ends at the top of the island. Whale boats sail from the wharf June through September.
16.6 km · 20m drive to next
- 13:15
Meat Cove
Park & nature
The last 5 km are gravel. A cliff-edge campground and chowder hut at the literal end of Nova Scotia.
Day 3: Lone Shieling to Skyline Trail
47.0 kmOver the top to Pleasant Bay, then the sunset boardwalk.
- 09:30
Lone Shieling
Park & nature
A 350 year old sugar maple grove around a Scottish crofter’s hut, in the Grande Ansée valley.
7.1 km · 15m drive to next
- 11:00
Pleasant Bay whale watching
Activity
Pilot whales summer in these waters in the hundreds. Zodiac tours get you close.
14.6 km · 25m drive to next
- 16:30
Skyline Trail
Activity
The 7.5 km loop to the boardwalk stairs down the headland. Go for sunset, watch for moose, bring layers, the wind owns this ridge.
Day 4: Cap Rouge lookoffs to Margaree Valley
60.7 kmDown the Acadian west coast and out through the Margaree.
- 09:00
Cap Rouge lookoffs
Sight
The switchbacks above the gulf, the stretch of road every Cabot Trail photo is really of.
13.1 km · 30m drive to next
- 10:30
Chéticamp
Food & drink
The Acadian village: rug hooking at Les Trois Pignons, fresh bread, French on the wharf.
39.3 km · 45m drive to next
- 13:00
Margaree Valley
Park & nature
Wide green farmland along one of the great Atlantic salmon rivers. The salmon museum in North East Margaree is a charming half hour.
