The Cabot Trail – Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
“I have traveled around the world. I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes, the Alps, and the Highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton out rivals them all.”
(Alexander Graham Bell)
The Cabot Trail is named for Giovanni Caboti, an Italian navigator under the pay of England who mapped the region in 1497. It circumnavigates the highlands of Cape Breton winding around the rocky northern shore to the plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. One of the marvels of this magnificent highway is that it’s carved into the sides of mountains above the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. All along the route there are lookoffs to view the vistas of Cape Breton’s lowlands and rocky ocean fronts.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park is one of Canada ‘s most exceptional wilderness areas because it is many things in one package. The highlands are made up of woodland, tundra and bogs, where wildlife is common and moose are often seen grazing in the shallows of lakes and streams. The park has 25 trails ranging from 20-minute interpretive family walks to challenging hikes through stunning mountain and coastal landscapes.
The Cabot Trail is a destination for all seasons. However, in fall the highlands chnage to a mix of fiery reds, oranges, crimsons and golds. The days are warm, the evenings sweater-cool and every road leads through a tapestry of brilliant autumn colors.
In winter, endless groomed trails open the winter magic of the highlands for cross-country skiers and snowmobilers, and Ski Cape Smokey’s 300-m (1000-ft) vertical drop is Atlantic Canada’s unique downhill ski experience.
The Cabot Trail is a golfer’s paradise with exciting, world-class championship courses that surround players with the magnificent beauty of Cape Breton Highlands National Park or panoramic views of the Bras d’Or Lakes.
The Cabot Trail meanders for nearly 300 km (185 mi.) through the beautiful highlands and forested plateaus of Cape Breton. Visitors can begin or end their journey at a number of different points depending on what side of the vehicle they want to view the ocean. Usually they take Trans Canada Highway 105 west from Baddeck to Exit 7 to travel clockwise around the Cabot Trail, or east to Exit 11 at St. Ann’s to travel counter-clockwise. Cheticamp greets you on the St. Lawrence River side.
Leave a comment!