Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada

Cabot Trail Sightseeing

You leave the valley and climb North Mountain.

North Mountain Look-off - The Aspy Fault

A fault is a crack or fracture in the earth's crust. The Aspy Fault runs inland for about 40 kilometres (24 miles). Land masses move and separate along fault lines. By studying them and comparing rock types, geologists can determine what land masses might once have been connected. Cape Breton may have been joined to Africa at one time. The panels show the fault lines in Cape Breton and how the land formed over time. Find out how a hanging valley is formed!

North Mountain Look-off - The Beulach Ban Falls

Watch the waterfalls in the Aspy Valley below you as the river winds its way to the Atlantic. The name “Beulach Ban” is Gaelic, a language spoken by the original Scottish settlers. When you reach the base of the mountain, you can drive to the falls. This is a particularly nice area in the Fall when the foliage changes colour. A small picnic area allows for a tranquil lunch.

After Big Intervale, you leave the Park for a while until you climb South Mountain.

Trail #12. Glasgow Lakes Look-off

Climb up and down South Mountain to Neil's Harbour...

Neil's Brook Picnic Area
Trail #14. Coastal

Continue along the coast to Black Brook

Trail #15. Jigging Cove Lake
Trail #16. Jigging Cove Brook

Black Brook Day Use Area
Trail #13. Jack Pine
 
Tucked in off the Cabot Trail, the trailhead is in the upper parking lot. Signs explain the life of the Jack Pine forest in this area. Return walking time is 1 hour.

After leaving the Black Brook Area, continue along the Cabot Trail....

Trail #17. Green Cove
 
A short “leg stretcher” this trail has lots of interesting features. Going out onto a rocky headland, notice the hardy plants, the pink lines in the rocks and feel the salt spray against your face.

Just a bit further along the Trail...

Lakie's Head Look-off

A great spot to watch for whales blowing off shore. Depending on the season, the signs will either explain lobster fishing in the area or how to identify a particular kind of whale. Another panel identifies the sea birds that flit about the coastline. During lobster season, you can watch as fishermen haul up their traps and remove the tasty catch.

You'll come to a turn off on your right by a warden station. Take it to get to:

Trail #20. Branch Pond Look-off
Warren Lake Day Use Area
Mary Ann Falls Day Use Area
Trail #18. Broad Cove Mountain
Trail #19. Warren Lake

Or continue along the Cabot Trail. You come to Ingonish and leave the Park for awhile. You will enter the Park again after Ingonish Centre.

North Bay Day Use Area
Trail #21. Franey
Trail #22. Clyburn Valley
Clyburn Brook Day Use Area

On your left, there is a turn off to the Keltic Lodge and Highlands Links Golf Course. Take this turn off to get to:

Middle Head Exhibit

This four-panel display gives visitors a bit of natural history of the Middle Head and surrounding areas. How did this rocky headland survive? How did the piles of smooth round stones get on the beach? Which are the plants capable of living here in the relentless wind and pounding surf?  The sound of the Herring Gull is common but keep your eye out for Guillemots and Cormorants too.

Trail #23. Middle Head
An interpretative trail takes you to the tip of Middle Head, explaining the intriguing human and natural history of the area. See Trails for more information.

Or continue along the Cabot Trail to get to:

Trail #24. Freshwater Lake Look-off
Trail #25. Freshwater Lake

The Visitor Centre at the Ingonish Entrance (or exit) of the Park is a small stone building in the middle of the road. The staff is friendly, well informed and willing to help. Take care - mind the traffic as you enter or exit the building.

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