Cabot Trail

The Basics

In theory, Cabot Trail can be completed in five hours. In reality, however, most visitors spend several days here, stopping for hikes, whale-watching tours, or to simply soak up the scenery along the route.

Drive yourself around the route or join a tour so you can focus on the views out the window. Multi-day tours typically incorporate the Cabot Trail into a longer itinerary that also includes other parts of Nova Scotia, such as Halifax and Baddeck, and—in some cases—Prince Edward Island. Many multi-day tours incorporate whale-watching boat trips and stops at scenic coastal villages.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Cabot Trail is a must for scenery seekers and nature lovers.

• Travel clockwise to stay on the inside lane, which is further away from scary roadside drop-offs.

• For those comfortable and confident at the wheel, go counterclockwise and take the trail’s outside lane, where there is typically less traffic.

• There are no roads cutting across the center of north Cape Breton Island, so once you start the trail, you either have to finish it or turn back the way you came.

• Watch out for moose on the road; if you encounter one, be prepared to stop and wait for it to move on.

How to Get There

Enter the trail via Route 19 (Ceilidh Trail), or via Exit 7, if you’re going clockwise, or Exit 11 of the Trans-Canada Highway 105, if you’re going counterclockwise. It’s also possible to take the Englishtown Ferry across St. Ann’s Bay and enter the trail via Route 312.

When to Get There

Sightseeing tours and whale-watching tours run between June and October, and it’s the best time to go. It’s also when the weather is mildest. If you plan on doing the trail in one day, set off early so you have ample time to explore.

Cabot Trail Wildlife-Watching

As you make your way along Cabot Trail, be on the lookout for some of the most impressive species known to frequent Cape Breton. Moose commonly wander onto the road, bald eagles can sometimes be spotted in the skies overhead, and all kinds of whales—from pilot to minkes to humpbacks—can be seen journeying near the coast from June to mid-October.

Ways to explore

Spanning 186 miles (298 kilometers), the Cabot Trail is considered one of Canada’s most picturesque highways. Day tours of Cape Breton Island typically cover part of the trail and its highlights, including Ingonish village, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Gaelic College, and the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. It is possible to do the trail as a day trip, but because there is plenty to see and do along the way, many travelers take 3–4 days to drive the full route.

Accessibility

The Cabot Trail can easily be done just as a road trip with stops at viewpoints, but the majority of the hiking trails are not wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water, snacks, cash, sunscreen

What to wear

Hiking boots or walking shoes, seasonally appropriate outdoor gear, windbreaker, warm layers

Not allowed

Pay attention to the speed limit—with lots of twists, turns, and narrow sections, the speed limit is 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour) for most of the trail, rising to 56 miles per hour (90 kilometers per hour) on straight stretches.

Address 

Cape Breton Island is connected to the rest of Nova Scotia via the Canso Causeway. The Cabot Trail is easiest to experience if you have your own vehicle, though it is also possible to see it on a guided tour.

Driving

From the Canso Causeway, exit onto Highway 105 and continue east. Turn onto Route 312 and follow the signs for Ingonish. The road continues in a loop around the headland.

Public transportation

There is little in the way of public transit across Cape Breton, but plenty of tours depart from the village of Baddeck or from the port of Sydney, where cruise ships dock.

Best times to visit

The Cabot Trail is a lot of ground to cover, so try to make a full day of it by starting early.

Best days to visit

Avoid Sundays when shops in the smaller towns might be closed; otherwise, pick the days with the best weather.

Best months to visit

Late summer and early fall (August and September) are beautiful times to visit—whale watching is in full swing, the leaves will start to change color, and there are plenty of events and activities.

Special events

The Celtic Colours International Festival runs for nine days through mid-October, bringing traditional music, dancing, and artwork to the whole island.