Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada

Hiking - Trail Descriptions

19. Warren Lake

Enjoy the beauty and serenity of Warren Lake as you hike the Warren Lake trail.
© Cape Breton Highlands National Park / R. Irwin, 1993

For a relaxing walk or an early morning jog, this level trail is hard to beat. Starting at either the Warren Lake picnic area or the access trail from Broad Cove Campground, the trail hugs the shoreline of the lake and is alive with wildlife. A wide variety of birds flit through the trees and there is evidence of larger animals like moose and bear. Quiet hikers may catch a glimpse of one of these elusive animals.

Trailhead: (2) The Warren Lake picnic area or from the connector trail across from Broad Cove Campground.
Significant Feature: Acadian forest, lake
Length: 4.7 km (2.9 miles) loop
Hiking Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Elevation: 15 m (50 ft.)

20. Branch Pond Lookoff

Hike through forest and taiga to reach a panoramic lookoff.
© Cape Breton Highlands National Park / Marie Stradeski, 2005

A slow steady climb to the park's interior highland plateau, bogs and large windswept barrens are the wilderness experiences on this trail. The lookoff gives you a panoramic view of the Atlantic coast and the open highland plateau.

Trailhead: Turn off the Cabot Trail at the Warren Brook warden's station and follow the Mary Ann Falls road for about 5.9 km to the small parking area.
Significant Feature: Highland plateau, barrens
Length: 8.1 km (5 miles) return
Hiking Time: 2 - 3 hours.
Elevation: 100 - 305 m (330 - 1000 ft.)

21. Franey

Enjoy the views afforded from the top of Franey Mountain.
© Cape Breton Highlands National Park / G. Briand

You climb up and up and your reward is at the top! Large flat rocks give you a nice place to sit and enjoy the views - you can look out over the open ocean from Cape Smokey in the east to Money Point in the north, with the Middle Head Peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic directly below. Gaze back at the mountains, the sheer rocky face of Franey Mountain, or the river winding through the valley, 425 m below. Keep an eye out for wildlife - moose like this habitat too.

Caution: Keep young children away from the steep cliffs.

Trailhead: Turn off the Cabot Trail just north of the Clyburn River and follow the fire access road for about a kilometre to a small parking lot.
Significant Feature: Transition from Acadian to boreal forest
Length: 7.4 km (4.6 miles) loop
Hiking Time: 2 - 3 hours
Elevation: 95 - 430 m (310 - 1410 ft.)

Trails Index page