Hiking Cape Breton Highlands National Park has been on our bucket list for 20 years. After a failed attempt in 2020 (cancelled for obvious reasons) we drove more than 2,500 miles from our home in Louisiana to spend two weeks in Cape Breton as part of a 50-day road trip. Our original plans were to hike all of Cape Breton, not just the highlands, but due to trail closures those plans changed. This guide covers the areas which we explored, including the Cabot Trail from Mabou to Ingonish.
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When to hike Cape Breton Highlands
When to visit Cape Breton depends on personal preference. We hiked Cape Breton Highlands the last week of May and first week of June, which was perfect for us because temps were still cool and there were few people on the trails. Not all of the businesses were open in May, however, so we suggest June as the most ideal time for hiking and July or August for those who prefer warm weather, lush green trees and swimming.
Tips for hiking Cape Breton Highlands
- Visit before June 30 for half price park fees (Seasonal Early Bird Pass).
- Expect the weather to change quickly and often, just like any other coastal mountains. You may begin your hike in full sun only to reach the top and have no view due to fog, or you may begin in rain and get amazing clear skies at the top.
- Plan extra days for non-hiking, partly for rainy days but also for a cultural experience. There’s usually live music somewhere on the island on any given night and there are several museums. Some of our most enjoyable days were non-hiking days when we visited with people at local stores and coffee shops.
Best trails near Mabou and Inverness
Mabou and Inverness are good choices for anyone who wants good beaches and biking paths. The hiking trails here are part of the Mabou Highlands, which is not in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park so don’t expect them to be as well-maintained.
Celtic Shores Coastal Trail
57 mi (92 km)
Primarily a bike trail, the Celtic Shores Coastal route links Port Hastings to Inverness, with 5 sections ranging 10-14 mi (16-22 km) each. It’s also a part of the Trans Canada Trail and International Appalachian Trail.
Fair Alistair’s Trail
1.9 mi (3 km)
Fair Alistair’s Trail is in the Mabou Highlands and offers excellent coastal views with a short climb. Combine it with MacKinnon’s Brook and other trails in the Cape Mabou Trail system.
Best hiking near Chéticamp
If you only have time to stay in one place, we recommend Chéticamp. It offers the most hiking within close distance, has good lodging and decent dining/grocery options, plus all of the charm and cultural activities for which Cape Breton is famous. Read how we combined epic hikes with immersive experiences in our Trails and Tales of Cape Breton and Cape Breton Beyond the Trails.
Skyline Loop Trail
5.1 mi (8.2 km)
If you only have time for one hike in Cape Breton Highlands, it has to be Skyline or Blueberry. Skyline is the most popular trail, is clearly marked with plenty of parking and offers expansive views for very little effort. If you need a trail with easier footing, this is the one to choose. Hike this one early in the morning to beat the crowds and do the loop if you want a chance to see moose.
Blueberry Mountain Trail
4 mi (6.7 km)
Blueberry Mountain is an unmarked trail within Cape Breton Highlands but all the locals know about it and will tell you it rivals the Skyline Trail. It’s much more challenging technically due to stream crossings and rocky terrain but the top of this trail is truly magnificent. Even in fog when the views are obscured the alpine terrain and sense of being far away from everything else is something that Skyline can’t provide. Park at Cap Rouge parking area and cross the road where you’ll see a small wooden post marking the trailhead.
Acadian Trail
5.2 mi (8.4 km)
I’ll admit I was bored with this trail at the beginning but once you get high enough for the views you see why this is a popular trail. Walk it clockwise (take the left path) so that you end with the waterfall section (which lasts for over a mile). Good second or third choice if you have time.
Corney Brook
4 mi (6.5 km)
Beautiful water trail that’s easy to walk and easily combined with one of the more challenging hikes. Blueberry Mountain and Skyline are the closest. Corney Brook is also an excellent camping spot with a beautiful walk down to the beach and the nicest washrooms in the park.
MacIntosh Brook Trail
1.1 mi (1.7 km)
MacIntosh is another pretty water trail that’s easy on the legs and a perfect choice to add after Skyline. There’s also a good camping spot here — no beach or ocean views but it does have a playground and large enclosed gathering area with nice washrooms.
Best hiking near Cape North
The northern section of Cape Breton is remote and rugged with few lodging and dining options and the Cabot Trail road is in poor shape in this region. However, for those who love off-the-beaten-path locations and summit hikes, this area is a gem. Stay at the Highlands Hostel so they can show you the best pools and beaches for swimming after you hike these trails.
Aspy Trail
6 mi (9.6 km)
Aspy lies within Cape Breton Highlands National Park and is a popular trail. It begins at Beulach Ban Falls and climbs steeply for excellent views of the river and mountains.
Theodore Fricker Mountain
2.3 mi (3.7 km)
Also called Tenerife, this is a short but steep hike with views of Cape Breton’s gorgeous north coastline.
Kauzmann Trail
2.3 mi (3.7 km)
You’ll need a good vehicle that can handle rough roads but this trail is worth it if you want ridge hiking overlooking the coastline. Expect some rougher trail conditions as well, but oh the views!
Meat Cove Trail
2.3 mi (3.7 km)
Everyone says the road to get here is terrible but the views are worth it, and they would be correct. Even the locals who live at the end of this road complain about how bad it is, but if giant potholes don’t scare you then Meat Cove is truly a beautiful place to hike and explore.
Seawall Trail (in development)
30 mi (48 km)
We get really excited when new trails are being developed and that’s exactly what’s happening in the far northwestern section of Cape Breton. When finished, the Seawall Trail will be a multi-day wilderness hike using huts and incorporating Meat Cove into the route.
Best hiking near Ingonish
Full disclosure, we had all of these trails on our itinerary but only hiked sections of Freshwater Lake, Jack Pine and Cape Smokey. The day we arrived in Ingonish all trails in Nova Scotia were closed due to forest fires. We explored every beach on this side of Cape Breton and made walking trails wherever we could and you can read our Beach Walking Guide to Cape Breton.
Middle Head Trail
2.4 mi (3.8 km)
If you only have time for one hike near Ingonish and you don’t want a steep climb, this is the trail to choose. It’s easy to find the trailhead, just drive past Keltic Lodge all the way to the end of the road and you’ll see the parking lot. We love this trail because it offers forest and coastal views.
Franey Trail
4.6 mi (7.4 km)
Franey is one of the more difficult day hikes in the national park but mostly because it’s such a steep climb. It’s a loop trail, which is always nice, and it offers the best views of Cape Breton’s northeast coastline.
Freshwater Lake Trail
1.1 mi (1.7 km)
We loved walking around Freshwater Lake, even though the section going into the woods was closed. It’s a great walk for families with young children and an interesting one because you have a clear calm lake on one side and crashing tidal waves on the other side.
Jack Pine Trail + Coastal Trail
1.4 mi (2.3 km) + 1 mi (1.6 km)
Jack Pine is a family-friendly forest hike that can be combined with some beach exploring at Black Brook Beach (where there are toilets). Sections of the Coastal Trail are currently closed but you can reach some of its viewpoints while hiking the Jack Pine Loop.
Cape Smokey Trail
6.6 mi (10.6 km)
Located in Cape Smokey Provincial Park, this trail is a delight for those who like their trails less-maintained and full of wildlife. You’ll definitely need pants and bug spray but it’s a fun trail to hike and offers views of Middlehead Peninsula. The main trailhead was closed when we visited but we cheated and took one of the off-shoot trails to get a quick view.
Walking tour operators for Cape Breton
While all of the trails mentioned above can be easily hiked on your own, booking a tour operator is a great choice for anyone who doesn’t want to rent a car, wants to hike with a guide or simply wants someone else to plan their trip. These are the local tour operators we recommend for a walking/hiking holiday in Cape Breton:
- Bootprints Hiking Tours offers a 6-day guided Cape Breton Highlands Tour
- Freewheeling Adventures offers a 7-day Cape Breton Hiking Tour that can be guided, self-guided or self-drive
Want some easy beach walks? Read our Beach Walking Guide for Cape Breton. For more personal stories and trail photos, read Trails and Tales of Cape Breton.
