To Do List

This page lists hikes in Cape Breton that I hope to take at some point in the future, but about which I have no first hand information. It serves as a list for me to pick from when I am in an exploring mood so that I do not lose track of interesting hikes. In each case, I have supplied any published information about the hike that I know about, either in books or on the Internet, but a number of these proposed hikes are simply places I have stumbled across driving around or that people have suggested to me as being of interest and I therefore have no other documentation for them.

The proposed hikes on this page are grouped by county and, within county, by general area, in alphabetical order.

Cape Breton County

East Bay Area

Name
Ben Eoin Trail
Description
A steady hike that climbs to a look-off (along a well worn path uphill through mainly hardwood trees and some very large fern) affording a breathtaking view of the Bras d'Or Lakes.
Length
1.1 km (0.7 mi)
Motivation
Curiosity; views.
References

Gabarus Area

Name
Gabarus - Gull Cove Trail
Description
Follows the coast of Gabarus Bay from Gabarus to Gull Cove. “The trail is stunning - taking you along the ocean, through fields and woods so you have the chance to see seagulls and squirrels. It is relatively flat and gentle so various hikers will enjoy it.” [from reference below]
Length
5 km (3.1 mi)
Motivation
Curiosity; views.
References

Main-à-Dieu Area

Name
Moque’s Head Trail
Description
Runs from the end of the harbour road in Main-à-Dieu to Moque’s Head.
Length
Unknown; said to be a “leisurely 30-minutes, each way”.
Motivation
Beauty of the area; curiosity.
References

North Sydney Area

Name
Old Branch Road - Georges River Division
Description
Part of the Trans-Canada Trail, this is the only completed segment in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Length
7.9 km (4.9 mi)
Motivation
Curiosity.
References

Port Morien Area

Name
South Head Trail
Description
Follows Sailor Dans Lane to a trail to the cliffs at the south end of South Head, at the end of the Cape Morien “peninsula”.
Length
unknown
Motivation
Curiosity; views.
References
  • Topographical map (11J04).

Sydney Area

Name
Cow Bay Road Trail
Description
Follows an old road from Sydney to Port Morien, once known as Cow Bay through a once-inhabited but now deserted area.
Length
8 km (5 mi)
Motivation
Curiosity.
References

Inverness County

Margarees Area

Name
Eagle Nest Trail
Description
The trail begins at Browns’ Bed and Breakfast in Margaree Centre and climbs through wood and fields to a look-off with a view of the Margaree Valley.
Length
1.6 km (1 mi).
Motivation
Curiosity; views.
References

Meat Cove Area

Name
Abandoned Zinc Mine Trail
Description
The trail starts about ten minutes after the Lowland Cove Trail leaves the Pollets Cove Trail.
Length
1 km (0.6 mi) one way.
Motivation
Curiosity.
References
  • Flyer describing trails in the Meat Cove Area.
Name
Little Grassy Trail
Description
The trail starts near the campgrounds and goes out towards the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Length
1 km (0.6 mi) one way; probably involves climbing.
Motivation
Curiosity; probable vistas of a gorgeous area.
References
  • Flyer describing trails in the Meat Cove Area.

Pleasant Bay Area

Name
MacIntosh Brook Trail
Description
Leads from the Cabot Trail in the Highlands through a hardwood forest to a waterfall.
Length
1.6 km (1 mi) level loop trail.
Motivation
Curiosity; waterfall.
References

Pollets Cove–Aspy Fault Wilderness Area

Name
Pollets Cove Trail
Description
The trail starts at the end of the road from Pleasant Bay to Red River and continuing past Gampo Abbey to dead end 1.4 km (0.9 mi) later. I was told by a much younger couple who had hiked there that it was arduous, especially for a day trip—they camped there overnight; there is a gorgeous panorama of that area here which shows why it would involve a lot of climbing.
Length
9.5 km (5.9 mi) one way; serious climbing involved.
Motivation
Curiosity; spectactular scenery.
References

Richmond County

Isle Madame

Name
Unnamed Trail
Description
I have no information about this trail other than that its route from Cap Auguet (on the Cap Aiguet Road) to the Chedabucto Bay Coast is shown on a flyer entitled …on Isle Madame.
Length
Unknown
Motivation
Curiosity.
References
  • Flyer entitled …on Isle Madame.

Victoria County

Cape North Area

Name
Money Point Lighthouse Trail
Description
From the end of the Money Point Road, climbs up over the Cape North Massif (apparently following the Cape North Massif road described below for some of its course) and descends again on the other side to an apparently still functioning lighthouse.
Length
6 km (5 mi) one way. Serious climbing is involved in the ascent of the massif in both directions.
Motivation
Curiosity; hopefully, some stupendous vistas; lighthouse; view of St. Paul Island.
References
Name
Road on the ridge of the Cape North Massif
Description
I have been looking for this road for some time and finally located its start off the Bay St. Lawrence to Cape North Village road in the locality of Bay Road Valley near the MT&T (?) building. From the maps I have, it climbs up the massif and continues about two thirds of the way down the massif.
Length
8 km (5 mi) one way. Serious climbing is involved in the ascent from Bay Road Valley.
Motivation
Curiosity; hopefully, some stupendous vistas.
References
  • Flyer describing trails in the Meat Cove Area.
Name
Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
Description
I have heard by word of mouth of a trail which ascends to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain (which the The Nova Scotia Atlas names Wilkie Sugar Loaf Mountain, presumably to avoid confusion with the Sugarloaf Mountain in the Margarees). The first reference below gives its trail head as follows:

Take the Cabot Trail to Cape North village and turn off toward's Cabot's Landing provincial park, after passing the park entrance, keep an eye out on the left for the trail head, which is marked with orange flagging tape and two yellow stones. If you pass the sign for Bay Road Valley, you've gone too far.

Length
3 km steep trail.
Motivation
Curiosity; hopefully, some stupendous vistas.
References

Ingonish

Name
Franey Mountain Trail
Description
Trail to the summit of Franey Mountain above the Clyburn River valley shows the transition from an Acadian to a boreal forest and offers fabulous views at the summit.
Length
7.4 km (4.6 mi) loop
Motivation
Curiosity; views.
References
  • Parks Canada description of the Franey Mountain Trail (#23).
Name
Freshwater Lake Look-Off Trail
Description
Short but steep trail starting across from the Administration Building in Ingonish Beach leading to a look-off offering views of Ingonish Beach, Freshwater Lake, Middle Head, and Cape Smokey.
Length
0.3 km (0.2 mi)
Motivation
Curiosity; views.
References
  • Parks Canada description of the Freshwater Lake Look-Off Trail (#27).
Name
Freshwater Lake Trail
Description
This short level trail starts in the Ingonish Beach Day Use Area parking lot, follows the Freshwater Lake shore line, and returns on a section of the Old Cabot Trail.
Length
0.3 km (0.2 mi)
Motivation
Curiosity.
References
  • Parks Canada description of the Franey Mountain Trail (#28).

North River Area

Name
North River Falls Hiking Trail
Description
This trail is actually two trails, a 4 km (2.5 mi) trail to a scenic overlook of the North River known as “the benches”, and a 5 km (3.1 mi) extension that ends at the North River Falls.
Length
9 km (5.6 mi) one way. This is a physically demanding trail.
Motivation
Curiosity; views.
References

St. Anns Bay

Name
Gaelic College Trails
Description
Located on the extensive grounds of the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts are a series of numbered trails that travel through the habitats of this vast property—woodland, coastal and historical. A map can be obtained by contacting our office. Trail beds are natural with ravines and road ditches bridged for convenience. Trail lengths vary from 1–3 km and several trails can easily be explored in a morning or afternoon. The forest type is mixed with softwoods dominating. Woodlands trails offer many opportunities for wildlife sightings; historical trails can quench your thirst for local lore; coastal trails offer some exceptional scenery to delight and enhance the hiking experience. Please be advised that many sections of trail can be wet throughout the year. All trails in this system require proper hiking shoes/boots and there are some steep sections. Trails are open year-round.
Length
vary from 1–3 km
Motivation
Curiosity; views.
References
  • Island Trail Talk newsletter of the Cape Breton Island Pathways Association, Volume 9, August 2007, p. 9. This newsletter is available from the association’s web site.