We Drove the Cabot Trail
03.10.2020 - 04.10.2020
My four friends and I checked another adventure off of our bucket list- The Cabot Trail. In the beautiful province of Nova Scotia, just two hours away from our small town of Antigonish is Cape Breton National Park and the iconic Cabot Trail. This 300 km loop takes you around Cape Breton to some of the most scenic views this province has to offer. From breathtaking mountain top views and beautiful sand beaches to towering cliffs, this drive is a MUST for anyone visiting/living in Nova Scotia.
(See vlog at the bottom of the post & more photos on My Point of View page)
SEVEN MUST DO’s on the CABOT TRAIL
Drive Counter Clockwise
When researching the Cabot Trail, you’ll quickly learn that you have two options for driving- clockwise or counter clockwise. After much debate, we decided to drive counter-clockwise (in the direction of Baddeck). By taking this route your car will always be in the outside lane, closest to the edges of cliffs, which makes it easy to pull over and stop to take photos (because you don’t have to cut across the other lane). It also makes for the better views, since you’ll be driving up into the mountains along the ocean, seeing them as they come, rather than driving down and only seeing the ocean. Now, we are bias, seeing as how we have only ever done it this way, but it is the most recommended way to drive the Cabot Trail.
2. Franey Trail
One of the first well-known hiking spots you’ll come across when driving counter-clockwise will be Franey Trail. As our first hike along the trail, we were not expecting it to be a challenge….we were mistaken. This trail is STEEP and takes around 2-3 hours to complete. Although we were exhausted, the views from the top were well worth the suffering. It is a great hike for anyone looking to get their heart rate up, and to see some incredible views of the Cape Breton highlands.
3. Highlands Hostel
Driving the Cabot Trail in one day is manageable, but we knew we’d be able to see more if we split it into two days. This meant finding accommodations. In Cape North, right in the middle of the loop, lies Highlands Hostel. A beautiful refurbished white church that is tucked away on a hill in Northern Cape Breton. Bricin, Patricia and their two kids opened the hostel three years ago and we were lucky enough to spend time there and get to know more about this curiously spectacular place.
Pulling up to the hostel we were greeted by their upbeat energy and the smell of bonfire. Hammocks were hung in trees next to chicken coups and their decked out RV.
Throughout the hostel are skateboards and skateboarding memorabilia from when Bricin travelled the world hosting downhill skateboarding competitions and events. The collection will be on display for all to see when he opens the first downhill skateboarding museum and he hopes to make a documentary about the stories that each board/boarder has to offer.
We stayed in the newly renovated basement, which was so much fun. We had so much space, two bathrooms, heaters and blankets, and the place was ALWAYS clean. Patricia and Bricin took great care of us and even fed us when we couldn’t find food.
The highlight of this treasured spot is their RV. Inside are hundreds of stickers, postcards, article clippings and photographs of their skateboarding adventures. If you’re lucky, you can even be featured on Speakers Corner (their instagram story).
I loved staying at this hostel because it was so warm and inviting. It gave us the chance to meet new people and hear new stories. It was always clean and it had everything we needed. If you ever get the chance to stay overnight in Cape Breton, this is THE place to stay.
4. White Point & Neil’s Harbour
Not far from the Highlands Hostel is White Point and Neil’s Harobur. A fellow traveller, Paul, raved about White Point saying “it has the most incredible views in the world”, so naturally we had to go. We were not disappointed. The drive to White Point is breath-taking. The water is crystal blue and the cliffs are epic. The drive is more exciting than the actual point, which is a warf that overlooks beautiful clear blue waters and Cape Breton beaches, however, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go for a dip. The ocean was begging for it.
Neil’s Harbour is a white sand beach, tucked away from the main Cabot Trail road. Near a small white and red lighthouse are stairs that lead you down to the water. It feels private and secluded, which was nice because we were the only ones there. We spent time playing in the water and collecting sea glass to keep as memories.
5. The Skyline Trail
Probably the most recommended spot to see is the Skyline Trail near Chéticamp. This 9km walking path takes you through the tree tops of Cape Breton to an iconic walking path that over looks the ocean and makes you feel on top of the world. It is an easy trek through the mountains and it offers really incredible views along the way. We only had time to do half of the path, but if you get the chance to do the whole thing, I’m 100% sure it is worth it. If you’re a runner, this would be a fantastic place to go for a run and take in the views.
6. Eat at L’Abri in Chéticamp
After many hikes and pit stops we stopped to eat in Chéticamp. This town offered a variety of restaurants, but we were directed to L’Abri- and thank god we were. This restaurant was one of the nicest restaurants I’ve ever been to. Not only was the aesthetic and decor right up my alley, but the food on the menu was delicious- I wanted to try EVERYTHING (and being gluten-free… I COULD HAVE). Their menu was super accommodating to gluten-free people, such as myself, and the staff were very kind and understanding. And everything on their menu was fairly priced, which as a student, I REALLY appreciated. It was the perfect place to sit, admire the ocean, eat and be merry with friends. Anyone going to Chéticamp has to eat here!
7. Gypsum Mines
Our last stop, only 4 minutes away from L’Abri, was the iconic Gypsum Mines Quarry. If you’ve ever seen a friend post about their trip to the Cabot Trail, you’ve probably seen a photo of this hide away. It is about a 10 minute walk to the Quarry and a 4 minute climb (with ropes) to the lookout that overlooks the highlands and the lake itself. We got their at golden hour, the perfect time for photos. Lucky for us it was also the perfect time for a swim, with no one around and the water not being too cold, we had to end our trip with a splash. If you get the chance, swimming in the Gypsum Mines is a MUST do, for any visitor.
Cabot Trail Vlog
