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Pollett's Cove Trail
Once a small settlement, Pollett's Cove is said to be one of the
most beautiful places in Canada. Elevation: 0 to 366 m (0 to 1200ft)
You may camp in Pollett's Cove or reside in Pleasant Bay where
there are several accommodations and camping. Length: 19 km (11.5
miles) return. Hiking time: 8 hours Skill Level: Advanced
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L'Acadien Trail Length: 9.6 km (6 miles) loop Hiking time:
3 to 4 hours Elevation: 0 to 365 m (0 to 1200 ft) L'Acadien Trail
is a pretty light trek both up and down. The trail offers panoramic
views at the top of the climb, and some benches to rest on. Keep
an eye out for bears, hikers often spot them feasting on the many
wild strawberry plants in the beginning of summer. |
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Trous de Saumon Trail Length: 13 km (8 miles) Hiking time:
4 to 5 hours Elevation: 15 to 75 m (50 to 250 ft) Not far from
the Cheticamp Information Centre, you'll find this trail following
the Cheticamp River upstream. The walk to the first poll is an
easy one, located only 3.6 km
up the river. Here the trail narrows to a footpath, and continues
for another 9.4 km
to the end of the trail. |
(3)
Le Chemin du Buttereau Trail Length: 5 km
(3 miles) Hiking time: 1.5 to 2 hours Elevation: 15 to 122 m (50
to 400 ft) The trail begins at the fringe of Melane's Pond close
to the Cheticamp Campground entrance. This trail is the remnants
of the old Cabot Trail, along this road you will see the foundations
and fields of the Acadien settlers who once lived here.
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(6)
Corney Brook Length: 8 km
(5 miles) Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours Elevation: 0 to 75 m (0 to
250 ft) The trail begins just across the road from the parking
lot. As the trail winds its way up the box canyon keep an eye
out for bobcats they are seen quite often on this trail. Garter
snakes the largest of Cape Bretons four harmless snakes may also
be encountered on the trail.
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(7)
Skyline Trail Length: 7 km
(4.3 miles) loop Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours Elevation: 320 to 400
m (1050 to 1350 ft) As you hike the Skyline Trail keep an eye
out for moose as well as spruce grouse both of which frequent
the area. You may notice that the forest seems to be disturbed,
this was caused by a forest fire in the 1950's, and by moose eating
the spruce in winter. The view at the end of the trail cannot
be adequately described. You can peer down on the Cabot Trail,
or turn and look for whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
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(8) Bog Trail Length: 0.6 km
(0.4 miles) loop Hiking time: 20 to 30 minutes Elevation: 410
m (1350 ft) The Bog is a short self-guiding boardwalk trail which
navigates through a late development bog. Here you will learn
about the plants and animals that live in this highlands plateau
bog, including: pitcher plants, orchids, green frogs and gray-cheeked
thrushes.
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(9) Benjies Lake Trail Length: 3.2 km
(2 miles) return Hiking time: 1 to 2 hours Elevation: 396 to 400
m (1300 to1350 ft) The trail at Benjies Lake takes you through
wet barrens and evergreen forests typical of the highland plateau.
Some portions of the trail boardwalks to protect the trail, and
about two thirds of the way to the lake there is a bench you can
sit and rest at. Many hikers report seeing moose in and around
Benjies Lake at all times of the day. |
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(10) Fishing Cove Trail Length: 16 km
(10 miles) Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours Elevation: 0 to 330 m (0
to 1100 ft) The trail follows the Fishing Cove River as it winds
its way down to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1100 feet bellow. The
area was once a small fishing community, it's now one of two wilderness
campsites located in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Fishing Cove offers swimming in either salt or fresh water, and
is said to be a good spot to fish for trout. |
(11)
MacIntosh Brook Length: 2.8 km
(2 miles) Hiking time: 50 minutes Elevation: 30 m (100 ft) The
trail is located at the MacIntosh Brook camp ground, and follows
the brook up one side to a beautiful water fall. Then returns
on the other side of the brook with a few bridges to cross. |
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(12) The Lone Shieling Length: 0.8 km
(½ miles) Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours Elevation: 0 to 75 m (0 to
250 ft) The Lone Shieling has a short trail that will take you
through a forest that was never cut by the early settlers in the
area. Nature just resumes what it has been conducting for the
past 10,000 years. The forest is alive with different kinds of
life, including great horned owls and barred owls. |
(13) Aspy Trail Length: 9.6 km
(6 miles) Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours Elevation: 60 to 450 m (200
to 1500 ft) Past the warden station, across the road from the
Big Intervale Campground you will find the Aspy Trail. The trail
is an old fire access road which follows the valley and finally
climbs up into the highlands. There are some magnificent views
from up here of the North Mountain, and the river valley below. |
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John D. and Lobster Lake Trail Length: 15 km
(9 miles) return Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours Elevation: 206 to 460
m (850 to 1500 ft) The trail begins at the parking lot by Paquette
Lake. This trail is a long and hard one, and be sure to bring
a compass with you on this hike, because it is easy to wander
off the trail and loose your way in the barrens. You may encounter
moose, bear and swarms of mosquitos during the trip. |
(17) Jigging Cove Lake and Brook Trails Length: 7 km
(4.5 miles)return Hiking time: 2 to 2 ½ hours Elevation: 15 to
45 m (50 to 150 ft) The lake is only a short distance away from
the parking area (1 km),
keep an eye open for moose who may be hiding in the spruce trees
on your way to the lake. After hiking for two kilometers from
the trail head you have the choice to continue hiking on the loop
around the lake or take another trail 3 km
return, to the Atlantic Ocean. |
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(16) Coastal Trail Length: 11 Km (6.6 miles) Hiking time:
3 to 4 hours Elevation: 0 to 30 m (0 to 100 ft) Considered the
best coastal trail in the park, it follows the Atlantic Ocean
North from Black Brook to almost Neil's Harbour. From the trail
you may see northern gannets diving straight into the water catching
fish. If the tide is out go down to a tidal pool a and take a
look at what kinds of sea life you can find. |
Jack
Pine Trail Length: 2.8 km
(1.7 miles) Hiking time: 1 hour Elevation: 30 m (100 ft) This
trail has the same starting point as the coastal trail. You begin
the hike in a forest of trembling aspen, mixed with spruce and
pine. As you climb higher, and the ground becomes dryer, you enter
the jack pine area. This trail is unique because there are only
two stands of jack pine in the park and very few on Cape Breton
island. |
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Broad Cove Mountain Trail Length: 3.2 km
(2 miles) Hiking time: 1 ½ to 2 hours Elevation: 30 to 180 m (
100 to 600 ft) Broad Cove Mountain is a real climb, at 500 ft
this trail is almost straight up! Don't worry there are steps
in the tough spots to help you along and benches at the look-offs
to give you a well deserved rest. The views from the top of the
mountain are worth the hike, you can see Warren Lake and Middle
Head below you, as well as Smokey Mountain. |
Warren Lake Trail Length: 8.5 km
(5.3 miles) loop Hiking time: 2 ½ to 3 hours Elevation: 15 m (50
ft) This trail will guide you around Warren Lake, it's quiet here
and if your lucky you might see a white tailed deer early in the
morning. The trees are mostly hardwoods here and they seem to
be alive with all the birds looking for insects to eat. At the
end of the lake there is a sandy beach where you can take a swim
or just sit back and relax for a while. |
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Lake of Islands Trail Length: 25.8 km
(16 miles) return Hiking time: 8 to 9 hours Elevation: 100 to
300 m (350 to 1250 ft) This is a back-packing trail which runs
for thirteen kilometres along an old fire access road. It will
take you through many different terrains including: bogs, barrens,
hardwoods, softwoods, and mixed forests. After hiking for about
six kilometres you'll come to a cabin, this is a good place to
rest after climbing nearly 300 metres. When you reach the Lake
of Islands there is a cabin and a place where you can camp for
the night. |
Franey Trail Length: 6.4 km
(4 miles) loop Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours Elevation: 120 to 425
m (400 to 1400 ft) This trail climbs 365 metres in only four kilometres,
so it's a steep climb to the top. After a kilometre and a half
you'll come across a trail heading to MacDougal Lake. After hiking
for four kilometres you reach the fire tower and a small look-off
that offers spectacular views of the area. The last 2.5 kilometres
is almost straight down, while hugging the wall of the valley
so be careful. |
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Clyburn Valley Trail Length: 9.2 km
(5.7 miles) return Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours Elevation: 30 m (100
ft) This trail follows the old Clyburn Valley Road as it winds
it's way up the valley. After travelling for 1.5 kilometres you'll
come across the hotel and storage area of an abandoned gold mine
that closed down in 1916. A little farther you come to the path
leading to the mine shaft, but there isn't much to see. At the
end of the trail the river offers a good place to fish, however,
you are restricted to fly fishing only. |
Middle Head Trail Length: 4 km
(2 ½ miles) Hiking time: 1 ½ to 2 hours Elevation: 30 m (100 ft)
The trail begins near the Keltic Lodge and travels to the tip
of Middle Head and back. This trail not only offers wonderful
views but also a little history. The Corson's who were befriended
by Alexander Graham Bell owned this estate during the early part
of the century. This was also the site of a fishing village at
the turn of the century. At the end of the trail you can view
the nesting areas of arctic and common terns. |
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Freshwater Lake & Look-Off Trail Length: 2.5 km
(1.5 miles) Hiking time:45 minutes Elevation: 0 to 30 m (0 to
100 ft) The trail follows the edge of Freshwater Lake, which is
only 3 feet above sea level. There are loons nesting in this area
and evidence of beaver chews are all around. If you continue on
the Look-Off Trail you will be guided to the top of a hill where
you have views of the entire area. |
Cape Smokey Trail Length: 8 km
(5 miles) Hiking time: 3 hours Elevation: (600 to 900 ft) The
Cape Smokey trail displays extraordinary coastal views of the
area and offers pic-nic and washroom facilities. A fire ravaged
this area not long ago resulting in white birch establishing itself
as the primary tree in the area. The end of the trail offers views
of the Ingonish area and Middle Head , but be careful how close
you get to the edge of the 600 ft drop. |
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North River Trail Length: 16 km
(9.5 miles) Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours Elevation: (200 to 1000
ft) At the parking area walk about a hundred feet up until you
reach the old cart road. The trail cling to the side of the valley,
above the river for about 3 kilometres. You'll cross a bridge
and encounter numerous wild life on this excursion. |
Uisge Ban Falls Length: 7 km
(4.3 miles) Hiking time: 2 ½ hours Elevation:(250 to 650 ft) After
leaving the parking area you come to a fork in the trail, go right
and follow the North Branch Baddeck River. There are benches along
this trail that offer a place to rest as well as some nice views
of the river. The trail turns inland and you eventually reach
the bridge crossing the Falls Brook, there is a bench here so
you can take a break before continuing on to the falls. The area
around the falls is a mystic place, you feel the coolness and
the mist as you approach the 50 ft falls. On the return route
take the other route in the fork, it's a little shorter. |
