Category: Cape Breton Island

High up in the Highlands of Cape Breton is a place so remote, most people who have lived on the island have never heard of it.  The ones who have heard of it don’t believe there is such a place.  I’ve been to this mystical place and I can confirm that it does, in fact, exist. Cape Clear Look-off can be found by turning off the 105 Trans Canada and heading towards Margaree until you reach the turn-off towards Hunter’s Mountain.  This gravel road keeps going upward into the highlands of Cape Breton – quite literally on top of the […]

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I often call the Southern part of Cape Breton the neglected part of the island.  Isle Madame, L’Ardoise, Grand River and Framboise are just some of the small villages located in this part of the island that few people think to visit.  I’m not sure why that is; the area is vastly different from other parts of the island but the rugged and serene beauty rivals anywhere else in Cape Breton.  Framboise is most popular with locals as a fishing and hunting destination but it is also a great place to spend the day if you love being, quite literally, […]

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Port Morien is located just outside the town of Glace Bay in the industrial part of the island.  Once a thriving fishing and coal mining town, it is now a quiet place where many Cape Bretoners come to retire after spending their working years in the oil fields of western Canada. The best way to get to Port Morien is via the scenic route – from Glace Bay, along Tower Road and through the village of Donkin.  Along the way, it is well worth it to stop at Big Glace Bay Beach and take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic […]

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When it comes to hiking trails in Cape Breton, there is certainly no shortage of trails of varying lengths and levels all over the island.  However, there is one trail that many people neglect because it is a bit off the beaten track and somewhat hard to find.  North River Falls are located deep in the woods of central Cape Breton not far from St. Anne’s Bay.  Not many people go to the falls because not many people will take the 19-kilometre return hike into them.  For those who have done the hike, they know it is well worth it. […]

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Along the Cabot Trail between Cheticamp and Ingonish is the small and scenic village of Pleasant Bay.  The village is surrounded by mountains and ocean which is why, I assume, it received it’s name – the area is quite pleasant! Pleasant Bay is a popular stopping area along the trail because there are a number of restaurants and gift shops in the village.  The Rusty Anchor is a popular restaurant serving up all sorts of popular local fare.  Cardinal Points Gift Shop and Mountain View Gift Shop are great places to find some unique and local souvenirs.  Folk Art Enthusiasts […]

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Mabou is a small village in Western Cape Breton, not far from the town of Inverness.  The village is surrounded by rolling hills and forest and the ocean not very far away.  Mabou is mostly known across North America for being the hometown of the famed musical group, The Rankin Family.  The main street in the town is lined with little shops and restaurants including the famous Red Shoe Pub which is actually owned and operated by several members of The Rankins.  Live entertainment by well-known and emerging artists, delicious homemade meals and desserts, friendly staff and a down-home atmosphere […]

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Port Hood is a small village located on the western coast of Cape Breton Island on the Ceilidh Trail.  The most popular attraction in the area is the long, sandy beach and scenic boardwalk.  The beach is perfect for swimming because the waters are calm and warm. Other popular activities that can be enjoyed in Port Hood include hiking, kayaking and boat tours that allow visitors to view whales and other marine life.  Port Hood Island is only accessible by boat and there is a boat that ferries visitors back and forth to the island where there is an uncrowded […]

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Industrial Cape Breton is made up of a number of communities but visitors often only visit the city of Sydney before heading to the Northern portion of the island.  Lingan is one of the communities located about twenty minutes from downtown Sydney and although it is very small, is a great little village to visit. The first thing that people will see when approaching Lingan is the massive coal generating station that supplies power to hundreds of thousands of people.  The plant’s days are numbered and gradually, this type of power will be replaced by more environmentally-friendly power sources.  This […]

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When people think of Cape Breton Island, they think of The Cabot Trail, sandy beaches and rocky shoreline but there is an area of the island that is often overlooked by visitors; that is central part around the Bras d’Or Lakes, in particular Iona and Grand Narrows. The scenery in this part of the island is characterized by rolling green hills, forest and lakes.  The Bras d’Or Lake is the biggest lake on the entire island and is nicknamed the Inland Sea.  Sailing, swimming and relaxing on the shores of the lake are popular summer activities.  In winter, many people […]

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St. Ann’s is located in the center of the island but it is not remote like other areas of the interior because it can be accessed right off the main highway passing through the island – the 105 Trans Canada Highway. If you are heading to St. Ann’s from the city of Sydney, there is a look-off on Kelly’s Mountain that allows you to see scenic St. Ann’s Bay in it’s entirety.  Another five-minute drive down the road and you will come across exit 11. The main attraction in St. Ann’s is the Gaelic College.  Although it is technically a […]

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