7 Days & 6 Nights

Nova Scotia Hiking: Cape Breton Island

Hike the wild coastline of Nova Scotia's iconic Cabot Trail
Explore quaint Acadian villages, rich in history, dotting Cape Breton's coastline
Enjoy malt whiskey and daily Scottish music at the Glenora Inn & Distillery
Feast on fresh-caught lobster, snow crab and mussels from the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Look for moose, whales and wildflowers on the Skyline Trail and Franey Mountain

Hike the stunning landscape of Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island, exploring by car and on foot and stopping at trailheads along the Cabot Trail and throughout Highlands National Park. Upon arrival in Halifax, enjoy a picturesque drive up to Baddeck for a waterfall hike, lobster supper and optional evening sail. Continue up to Ingonish Beach for a two-night stay at the Keltic Lodge, allowing plenty of time to soak in the panoramic views and nearby trails. Drive the coastal route to White Point, a memorial for an unknown sailor and seaside hike for spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Continue west to Cheticamp, for scenic views of the St. Lawrence seaway and hikes along the Skyline Trail. Strap on your boots for more hiking adventures and whale watching opportunities before heading to Glenora Inn & Distillery, an old-world inn with daily whiskey tours and nightly traditional Ceilidhs (Scottish) music.

From $1,635.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Halifax

Upon arrival at the airport, rent a car (we can arrange this as an add-on) for a thirty minute drive to downtown Halifax.

Check in to your hotel and head to the waterfront boardwalk, passing unique shops, bustling restaurants and graceful tall ships. Enjoy a stroll through the botanical gardens, explore the oldest farmers market in North America or visit the Titanic and Maritime Museum for captivating memorabilia. Halifax boasts more pubs per capita than any city in Canada, so make sure to stop for a cold brew and ale-battered fish and chips, a local favorite.

Overnight Halifax

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Halliburton House & Inn | Hotel

A trio of redbrick heritage townhouses have been cleverly combined to create this charming boutique hotel. Signature dining and individually appointed guest-rooms make The Halliburton a favorite downtown Halifax retreat.

The Lord Nelson | Hotel

Enjoy the historic elegance of The Lord Nelson, located in the heart of downtown Halifax and a few steps to popular Atlantic Canada landmarks and culture.

The Garden South Park Inn | Bed and breakfast

Located in the heart of downtown Halifax, the Garden South Park Inn is a renovated Victorian home from the 19^th century. Enjoy a relaxing stay at this historic B&B located walking distance from the public gardens and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Day 2 Drive to Baddeck & Hike Uisage Ban Falls 1.6 miles / 2.6 km

After breakfast, drive north to Baddeck, a quaint shire town in Victoria County (approx. 4 hours).

Pick-up a packed lunch or head straight to the Uisage Ban Trailhead (Gaelic for “white water”) for a beautiful hike to a 50-foot waterfall. Enjoy walking along a shaded path through forest comprised of maple, birch and beech trees. Take a rest at the waterfall, admiring the deep stream valley and narrow walls of the 500-foot gorge tower, before heading back.

Drive back to Baddeck and check in to your B&B. If desired, head to the wharf to join an evening sailing tour aboard the Schooner Amoeba for an education narrative and wildlife viewing of Cape Breton’s Bras d’Or Lakes (approx. 1.5 hrs, additional costs apply).

Hike: Uisage Ban Falls (Easy, 2.5 miles, 1 hour, out-and-back)

Overnight Baddeck

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Water’s Edge Inn | Bed and breakfast

Situated in historic Baddeck and conveniently located a few blocks from town, enjoy overlooking the picture-perfect harbor and stunning vista of the Bras d’Or Lakes.

Dunlop Inn | Bed and breakfast

Enjoy a night at this polished bed-and-breakfast set on Baddeck Bay, with a private sandy beach and waterside deck. Located in the center of the village, this B&B provides the perfect combination of well-appointed accommodations and a relaxed sea side atmosphere. Friendly staff and attention to details ensures that guests have a relaxing and comfortable stay, for a home away from home.

Lynwood Inn | Hotel

Lynwood was built in 1868 and for many years was a private home, but later became a prominent local store, selling art, antiques and collectibles. The Inn is now tastefully decorated throughout with antique furnishings and fixtures collected over the years. It is conveniently located in the heart of the picturesque Village of Baddeck.

Day 3 Drive to Ingonish Beach & Hike Warren Lake and Franey Mountain 5 miles / 8 km

From Baddeck, drive the Cabot Trail up to Ingonish Beach, the eastern entryway to Cape Breton Highlands National Park (approx. 1.5 hours).

Warm up your legs with a relaxing trail hike around the shoreline of Warren Lake, the National Park’s largest lake. Get an early start for greater chances of viewing moose, bears and a variety of birds native to the area.

Take it up a notch with a hike up Franey Mountain. The spectacular views at top make this hike a must do and well worth the challenge. Walk through forest until reaching wooden stairs, the steeper section of the hike. Turn back at any point along the trail or hike up to the summit (1,400 ft. above sea level) for priceless views and world famous panoramas.

Head back to the Keltic Inn to swim in the pool, enjoy a spa treatment or to play an 18-hole round of golf.

Hike: Warren Lake (Easy, 3 miles, 1.5 hrs, loop)

Hike: Franey Mountain (Moderate to Challenging, 5 miles, 2.5 hours, loop)

Overnight Ingonish Beach

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Keltic Lodge | Hotel

Sitting high on top of the peninsula, this historic 1950’s Lodge offers fantastic views, newly renovated guestrooms, an on-site restaurant, 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, spa and is only a short distance from the national park.

Lantern Hill & Hollow | Hotel

An enchanting beach house just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean offering guest beds and bathrooms overlooking the sea alongside beachfront cottages. Located directly along the Cabot Trail in Ingonish, NS.

The Island Inn | Bed and breakfast

The Island Inn is situated on a hill overlooking a quiet lake in the village centre. It is within close walking distance of commercial amenities and short drives of the areas major attractions. There is an endless variety of hiking and scenic activities along the fifty miles of rugged accessible coastline and the Highlands of Cape Breton.

Day 4 Drive to White Point & Hike Middle Head and White Point Trail 3.5 miles / 5.5 km

Depart from the Keltic Inn on foot to the Middle Head trailhead located only a short distance from the parking lot.

The trail follows a long, narrow peninsula separating two ocean bays, and ending on headland cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Smokey and Ingonish Island. Keep eyes peeled for seabirds, seals, whales and eagles in the distance.

Veer off the Cabot Trail for the coastal route to White Point (approx. 30 mins), leaving the National Park and entering Neil’s Harbour. Stop by the Chowder House for lunch and continue onward to White Point Trail for an amazing seaside hike. Circle back to Ingonish Beach, stopping off at any antique shops, goat farms (for hand-made goat’s milk soaps) or points of interest along the way.

Hike: Middle Head (Easy, 2.5 miles, 2 hrs, loop)

Hike: White Point Trail (Easy, 3.5 miles, 2 hrs, out-and-back)

Overnight Ingonish Beach

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Keltic Lodge | Hotel

Lantern Hill & Hollow | Hotel

The Island Inn | Bed and breakfast

Day 5 Drive to Cheticamp & Hike Benjie’s lake, Bog and Skyline Trail 4.5 miles / 7.5 km

Today, you will drive from the east side of Cape Breton to the west side, overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Before reaching Cheticamp (approx. 2 hours), stop-off at three incredible, yet diverse, hiking trails along the way. Located only a few blocks apart, start with the hike to Benjie’s Lake for views of moose, boreal forest and birds. Head over to the Bog Trail for a short loop along a level wooden boardwalk to view beautiful wildflowers, particularly orchids. Continue on to the famed Skyline Trail, one of the park’s best hikes and a local favorite for the perfect conclusion to this hiking day.

Drive down to the Acadian town and Francophone enclave of Cheticamp. Check into your B&B or join a whale watching tour to view whales, dolphins, seals, eagles and wildlife near Pleasant Bay (not included).

Hike: Benjie’s Lake (Easy, 2 miles, 1.5 hrs, out-and-back)

Hike: Bog (Easy, 0.3 miles, 15 min, loop)

Hike: Skyline Trail (Easy, 5 miles, 3 hrs, loop)

Overnight Cheticamp

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Maison Fiset House | Bed and breakfast

The Maison Fiset House is an elegant retreat on the magnificent Cabot Trail. Built in 1840 and situated in the heart of Cheticamp, enjoy exquisite accommodations with magnificent views of the highlands, harbor and ocean.

The Archie & Isidore Hotel | Bed and breakfast

L'Auberge des Pêcheurs Inn, in Chéticamp, is the perfect inn along the Cabot Trail that will keep you coming back for years to come. The rooms, the atmosphere and the friendly personnel are second to none. Enjoy a night’s stay at this charming inn, partaking in all that the surrounding Acadian community has to offer.

L’Auberge Doucet Inn | Inn

Overlooking the Chéticamp Harbor and surrounded by the Cape Breton Highlands, this cozy inn is set in a quaint red building along the scenic Cabot Trail. The quiet and relaxing atmosphere which surrounds the Inn will lull you into a deep and peaceful sleep; while the food, atmosphere and friendly personnel offers an experience unlike any other.

Day 6 Hike Acadian Trail & Drive to Glenville 5.4 miles / 8.7 km

This morning, take the road to southern Cheticamp and the start of the Acadian Trail. Enjoy a steady climb for panoramic views of the plateau, river canyon and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Continue driving south for a late afternoon arrival to Glenville and the Glenora Inn & Distillery (approx. 1 hour).

Spend the rest of the afternoon roaming the grounds or joining a distillery tour and whiskey tasting (Daily 9AM-5PM, additional costs apply). Head to the restaurant and pub for lively Ceilidhs music and signature dishes influenced by traditional Nova Scotian culture (reservations in advance are highly recommended).

Overnight Glenville

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Glenora Inn & Distillery | Hotel

Located among scenic glens and highland hills, this old-world inn doubles as a malt whiskey distillery and traditional lodge of Scottish heritage and Gaelic culture. Being a destination in and of itself, enjoy a tour of the distillery, tasty creations and daily Ceilidhs music.

Day 7 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 4kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 4kg is equivalent to 2.5 avocados. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This tour is graded easy to moderate, with daily average hiking around 3-7 miles (3 to 5 hours). Enjoy hiking along hand-picked trails to stunning vistas, waterfalls or natural delights within the national park or coastal trails. Trails are signed, well-maintained, traveled frequently and near the road for ease of navigation and parking. Each night, drive to nearby villages to stay at historic B&Bs and inns influenced by Irish and Scottish settlements.

Tour Type:

Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

Activity:

Drive and Hike | Exploration of picturesque and remarkable destinations by car combined with walks that highlight the best of a country or region.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 5 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Islands

Activity Level & Terrain

This tour is graded easy to moderate with five days of hiking and a maximum distance of 8 miles. Daily hikes average around 3-7 miles (3-6 hours) along dirt nature trails or wooded boardwalks and stairs.

Although the trails are maintained by the park or local organizations, there is always the possibility of encountering washed out, overgrown or of muddy conditions. Almost all trailheads have parking lots with plenty of space, while only a few have pullouts or space to park on the side of the road. Distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Experience & Fitness

Daily trails have been hand-selected by the Macs Adventure team and chosen for their level of difficulty, scenic qualities and high rank within top trailheads, so you can enjoy the best of the region. Due to the flexibility of this trip, you can always skip a hike or turn around whenever desired.

Note: Wildlife safety, cell service availability, and other trip specific information will be outlined within your pre-departure information pack.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

6 Nights at charming historic B&Bs and inns
6 Breakfasts
Hand-picked daily hiking trails
Turn-by-turn directions and route notes
Macs Adventure Navigation App
Detailed pre-departure information pack
24/7 US telephone support

Excluded

International flights
Car Rental
National Park Pass
Sailing, whale watching, tours or other optional activities
Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
Additional nights before, during or after the trip
Personal equipment
Travel Insurance
Gratuities and tips

Extras

Extra Nights in Halifax, Baddeck, Igonish Beach, Cheticamp and Glenville
Room Upgrades (only where applicable)

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

National Park Pass

While hiking within Cape Breton National Park, a parking pass will have to be purchased upon arrival. Booths will be set-up at entrance stations to prompt you to purchase your pass before parking, or you can stop by the visitor’s center along the route. You can purchase each day’s pass all at once or per day if preferred. Costs are $7.80 CAD per person via cash or credit card. For more information click this link and visit the national park pass section found within the pre-departure information pack.

Equipment

Our pre-departure information pack has detailed advise and a packing list on what to bring. This includes warm and cold weather gear, hiking boots, rain gear and lots of other specifics.

Please be prepared by packing all the necessary items for a comfortable trip. If you have any questions about what to take, we'd be happy to share our own top tips and advice.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance helps protect your travel investment, your belongings and most importantly you, from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip. For more information, please visit our travel insurance page