Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada

Hiking

The Park's 25 hiking trails range from easy strolls to challenging climbs with panoramic views of canyons, highlands and seacoasts. The variety of trails provides a chance to intimately explore the complex habitat of Northern Cape Breton Island.

Remember that you are hiking in a protected wilderness environment.

• Take along appropriate clothing - rapid weather changes often occur on the plateau or along the coast.
  
• Carry water with you, especially for longer trails, climbs or open barrens.
  
• Bring insect repellant as black flies and mosquitoes are common all summer.
  
• Do not approach, disturb or feed wild animals.
  
• Mountain bikes are permitted only where indicated, for public safety and protection of the environment.
  
• Stay on boardwalks to protect fragile vegetation.
  

Trail & Exhibit map for Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
© Parks Canada

1 - 2 - 3 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25

The following is a brief description of each trail corresponding to the numbers on the Park Map. Distances are round -trip with average walking times.
Click on the trail name for more detailed information.

1. Acadian
Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles) loop
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Elevation: 20 - 365 m (65 - 1200 ft.)

2. Salmon Pools
Distance: 12.2 km (7.6 miles) return
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Elevation: 15 - 110 m (50 - 360 ft.)

3. Le Chemin du Buttereau
Distance: 4.6 km (2.9 miles) return
Time: 1.5 hours
Elevation: 25 - 65 m (80 - 215 ft.)

4. Le Buttereau
Distance: 1.6 km (1 mile) loop
Time: 30 - 45 minutes
Elevation: 0 - 55 m (0 - 180 ft.)

5. Corney Brook
Distance: 6.5 km (4 miles) return
Time: 2 hours
Elevation: 30 - 170 m (100 - 560 ft.)

6. Skyline
Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles) loop
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Elevation: 290 - 405 m (950 - 1330 ft.)

7. Bog
Distance: 0.5 km (0.3 mile) loop
Time: 15 minutes
Elevation: 410 m (1345 ft.)

8. Benjie's Lake
Distance: 3 km (1.9 miles) return
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Elevation: 400 m (1315 ft.)

9. Fishing Cove
Distance: 15.7 km (9.8 miles) return (also a 5.7 km alternate route)
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Elevation: 0 - 355 m (0 - 1165 ft.)

10. MacIntosh Brook
Distance: 1.7 km (1.1 miles) return
Time: 30 - 45 min
Elevation: 30 - 65 m (100 - 215 ft.)

11. Lone Shieling
Distance: 0.6 km (0.4 mile) loop
Time: 15 minutes,
Elevation: 70 m (230 ft.)

12. Glasgow Lakes Lookoff
Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles) return
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Elevation: 260 - 460 m (850 - 1510 ft.)

13. Jack Pine
Distance: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) loop
Time: 1 hour
Elevation: 0 - 50 m (0 - 165 ft.)

14. Coastal
Distance: 11.3 km (7.0 miles) return
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Elevation: 0 - 45 m (0 - 150 ft.)

15. Jigging Cove Lake
Distance: 2.4 km (1.5 mile) loop
Time: 40 - 50 min
Elevation: 50 - 65 m (165 - 215 ft.)

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16. Jigging Cove Brook
Distance: 2.6 km (1.6 mile)
Time: 40 - 50 min
Elevation: 0 - 50 m (0 - 165 ft.)

17. Green Cove
Distance: 0.2 km (0.1 mile) loop
Time: 10 minutes
Elevation: 10 m (35 ft.)

18. Broad Cove Mountain
Distance: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) return
Time: 1 hours
Elevation: 35 - 180 m (115 - 590 ft.)

19. Warren Lake
Distance: 4.7 km (2.9 miles) loop
Time: 1.5 hours
Elevation: 15 m (50 ft.)

20. Branch Pond Lookoff
Distance: 8.1 km (5 miles) return
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Elevation: 100 - 305 m (330 - 1000 ft.)

21. Franey
Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles) loop
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Elevation: 95 - 430 m (310 - 1410 ft.)

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22. Clyburn Valley
Distance: 8.5 km (5.3 miles) return
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Elevation: 5 - 50 m (15 - 165 ft.)

23. Middle Head
Distance: 3.8 km (2.4 miles) return
Time: 1.5 hours
Elevation: 0 - 45 m (0 - 150 ft.)

24. Freshwater Lake Lookoff
Distance: 0.3 km (0.2 mile) return
Time: 10 minutes
Elevation: 10 - 45 (35 - 150 ft.)

25. Freshwater Lake
Distance: 1.7 km (1.1 miles) return
Time: 30-40 minutes
Elevation: 0 - 15 m (0 - 50 ft.)