Driving it in a counter clockwise direction puts you on the outside lane offering better views of the coast. Everyone tells you that you should plan for 3 to 5 days on the Cabot Trail – a 185 mile drive around the tip of Cape Breton Nova Scotia passing along and through the scenic Cape Breton Highlands. Our second day exploring Cape Breton began with the main event, the Cabot Trail. Jan 22, 2020 - An Itinerary For 3 Days On The Cabot Trail In Cape Breton photo ideas from Best Itinerary Ideas 1739. Revitalize the senses, uplift the mind, and nourish the soul in Canada. I only have 3 days...an absurdly short time,I know. This area of the island is very remote and not many tourists venture off the main road but you’ll always be able to find your way back to the Cabot Trail. I only have 3 days...an absurdly short time,I know. Start planning your next trip with Tourism Nova Scotia. Get your urban fix in the lively capital of Halifax before striking out for rural Cape Breton Island and the world-famous Cabot Trail. The exit to the Cabot Trail is right next to it. Please suggest. Here are a couple of options for you to experience a quick trip of the beautiful Cabot Trail. Pass through pretty little villages such as Cap LeMoine, Grand Etang and Saint Joseph du Moine before arriving in Cheticamp. There are 3 exits in total and there are two ways to do the Cabot Trail; counterclockwise or clockwise. I plan to fly in/out of Halifax from the United States, connecting in Toronto. Good thing that a comfy room is just steps away. As our goal for the day was primarily the Skyline Trail, we didn’t take advantage of the 10 other hikes in the area. Experience one of the world’s top road trips with this three-day itinerary as a guide. After all, it has gained a reputation for being one of the top travel destinations in North America. Wildlife is plentiful so keep an eye out for moose, coyote, bobcat, fox, deer, and black bear. In order to do the Cabot Trail comfortably in a day you will begin your trip from somewhere in Cape Breton… the typical beginning/end of the trail is in Baddeck. There’s such a thing as deep-fried cheesecake and it’s delicious. I always like to end my day in Ingonish with a trip to the Bean Barn Cafe. If time doesn’t allow you to venture north off the Cabot Trail, you can get a glimpse of some of the scenery from across the way when you take the Alternate Scenic Route near South Harbour. Scenic as ever, it’s no wonder so many car commercials are filmed here. We're all in our 60's and quite fit, but would like a relaxing holiday. Phone service will be its weakest along this part of the route, and there won’t be a lot of dining options. Experience the best of both on this three-day road trip across one of Canada’s founding provinces. This is the section you see in pictures, TV commercials, and guidebooks. Lucky for me, Baddeck is the Mr.’s hometown! Dusk is peaceful at the lake and, if you are lucky, you may spot some wildlife as I usually do. Or take your pick from a range of restaurants serving up fresh, local, and seasonal fare. Before you hit the road, know that today will be the most rural part of your Cabot Trail road trip. Acadian Trail in Cheticamp at the entrance to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Perhaps you’ve recently heard about Cape Breton Island. After your meal, stretch your legs with a walk through the vibrant little town and perhaps you will find some live entertainment The Doryman Pub. The Best Hikes Near Denver That Locals Will Tell You About. Their baked goods are to die for, especially the cinnamon rolls and carrot cake. As an example: Day 1: arrive in Baddeck from mainland Nova Scotia in the afternoon, check out Alexander Graham Bell Museum and walk the main street. Day 1. Named after Italian explorer John Cabot, who landed on these shores in 1497, the winding coastal route climbs from sea-swept beaches and sleepy fishing villages to forested slopes and cliff-tops. Your first hurdle is Cape Smokey Mountain. If you only have a day, love to eat delicious food and want to see “everything” – this is the perfect one day itinerary of the Cabot Trail! Either way, you’re in for a treat. Cultural learning experience, outdoor adventure, nature discovery - it's all right here on the Cabot Trail. I personally love stopping here. Instead, walk your way around this foot-friendly port city to find out why it was named a Top Destination on the Rise in TripAdvisor’s 2018 Travelers’ Choice Awards. If you wish to swim in the ocean, mid-July to mid-August is the best time and if it’s the spectacular fall colors you wish to see, the first two weeks in October are when the leaves are at their brightest. Those things are gone but the gift shop has some great Cape Breton souvenirs and there is a nice little restaurant on site. We saw lots of Bald Eagles on the Cabot Trail. Which is why you’ll be plotting your return trip on the drive back to Halifax. Can’t decide between Nova Scotia’s city hot spots or country sights? It’s easy to live like a locavore here, where menus and markets brim with bounty from both land and sea. We're all in our 60's and quite fit, but would like a relaxing holiday. Now for the long drive back to the city. This tiny but beautiful island just East of mainland Nova Scotia on Canada’s East Coast has always been a popular destination for history buffs, culture lovers and outdoor adventure seekers. Whether you take the long way or the short way, you will soon be back on the Trans Canada Highway and the end of your Cabot Trail road trip. This post is for hikers, adventurers, and those who can’t get enough of a scenic view. If you’ve only got a few days to explore the park, I recommend spending one night in either Cheticamp or Plesant Bay, and then another in Ingonish or Baddeck. Day 1- Leave Halifax and head to Cheticamp, Skyline trail in afternoon. Ingonish Beach is the most popular beach in Ingonish and if you don’t mind crowds and it also has a fairly long stretch of soft sand and warm waters perfect for swimming. The Cabot Trail is stunning in every season but the best time for a road trip is between Late June and Mid-October. Day 1 - Port Hawkesbury to Pleasant Bay (night stay) I will be taking the Ceilidh Trail. Read my full disclosure for more information. Your jaw will drop – for real – at the sight of this sweeping cliff-and-forest-cloaked coastline. Take exit 11. The unofficial capital of Cape Breton Island is the city of Sydney and this is likely where you will start your Cabot Trail road trip. Before turning in for the night, grab some grub from Brookside Takeout and enjoy it on a picnic table in one of the parks or sit down to a meal at Coastal (which was featured on the widely popular Food Network show “You Gotta Eat Here”) and enjoy live music on select nights. Long Weekend On The Cabot Trail. Once again, this will take you off the Cabot Trail for a while but it’s well worth it. I know this is a Cabot Trail road trip but I highly suggest taking this alternate route as it’s a lot more scenic than the stretch of highway ahead. The next stretch of the Cabot Trail after you leave Neil’s Harbour is a long stretch of pristine, natural lands with beaches, look-offs and hiking trails. Which Cabot Trail route is best? At the base of North Mountain, you will come across a seemingly ill-placed hut along the highway. There are 3 exits in total and there are two ways to do the Cabot Trail; counterclockwise o… How long does it take to do the Cabot Trail drive? SUNDAY, 9 AM, HIKE THE SKYLINE TRAIL. Camp here. Cheticamp is the perfect half-way point to stop for the night and rest up for the day ahead and there are two campgrounds and a number of hotels, bed and breakfasts and cabins. Follow Highway 104 to the mile-long Canso Causeway before hanging left onto Highway 105. Lake O’Law Provincial Park is a nice spot to stop and take a break but if it’s coffee and sweet treats you are craving for the drive ahead, The Dancing Goat Cafe is a must-stop. For the second day of your Cabot Trail itinerary, you’ll experience increasingly dramatic coastal and cliff views. The national park has many look-offs, picnic areas and hiking trails that are well-marked so there are plenty of places to stretch your legs, snap some photos and admire the stunning scenery. As you drive along this country road, you will notice there are a lot of roads going off to the right and left. Pleasant Bay is the next village along the trail and I must say, it’s quite pleasant. Partway down the mountain, you will see the first exit to the Cabot Trail via Englishtown. This long, windy section of the Cabot Trail passes through an area of rolling hills and deep valleys along the famous Margaree River. Don’t worry, most of the townspeople can speak English as well. You’ll have quite the treat if it’s a full moon! Keep going over the big bridge at Seal Island and over Kelly’s Mountain. Check your brakes – sharp curves and steep grades ahead – and fuel up. Keep going over the big bridge at Seal Island and over Kelly’s Mountain. You won’t need your car today. Don’t blink coming down MacKenzie Mountain or you will miss the spectacular views! With a ceilidh or two under your belt, and a four-hour drive back to Halifax tomorrow, it’s time to say goodnight. The best way to experience all it has to offer is to put aside at least three days or more. I must warn you though; you might get lost but it’ll be worth it. It is spectacularly scenic roadway, winding around and through the Cape Breton Highlands and offering vistas of mountain, ocean and coastline as far as the eye can see. Answer 1 of 5: I'm trying to arrange a trip for August, traveling with 2 sisters. I personally love camping at Broad Cove Campground because you can hear the waves crashing on shore at the beach nearby. Day 3- Drive to Louisbourg, visit here for most of the day and head to Pictou in late afternoon/early evening. Your Cabot Trail Adventure begins in Baddeck. For this itinerary, we will travel clockwise and take the third exit past Baddeck. 90 … Camp past Ingonish. There are so many things to see and do, you’ll really be missing out. As you continue over North Mountain, you will see more beautiful scenery consisting of deep valleys. While the Cabot Trail can be driven in one short day, we suggest 3-5 days to drive the Cabot Trail. 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