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Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada

Hiking

Cape Breton Highlands National Park's hiking trails range from easy strolls to challenging climbs with panoramic views of canyons, highlands and seacoasts. The trails provide a chance to intimately explore the complex habitat of northern Cape Breton Island. Nature doesn't end at the park's boundaries. Many surrounding areas boast equally breathtaking trails.

The following is a list of Cape Breton Highlands National Park's hiking trails. Distances are round-trip with average walking times. Click on the trail name for more detailed information.

Trail	Distance	Time	Elevation
Acadian (loop)	8.4 km	3 - 4 hours	20 - 365 m
Salmon Pools	12.2 km	3 - 4 hours	15 - 110 m
Le Chemin du Buttereau	4.6 km	1.5 hours	25 - 65 m
Le Buttereau (loop)	1.6 km	30 - 45 minutes	0 - 55 m
Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge	9 km	2.5 - 3.5 hours	40 - 110 m
Corney Brook	6.5 km	2 hours	30 - 170 m
Skyline	7.5 km or 9.2 km (loop)	2 - 3 hours	290 - 405 m
Bog (loop)	0.5 km	15 minutes	410 m
Benjie's Lake	3 km	1 - 1.5 hours	400 m
Fishing Cove	5.7 km or 12 km	2 - 3 hours or 5 - 6 hours	0 - 355 m
MacIntosh Brook	1.7 km	30 - 45 minutes	30 - 65 m
Lone Shieling (loop)	0.6 km	15 minutes	70 m
Aspy	9.6 km	3 - 4 hours	60 - 450 m
Glasgow Lakes Look-off	9.2 km	3 - 4 hours	260 - 460 m
Jack Pine (loop)	2.3 km	1 hour	0 - 50 m
Coastal	11.3 km	3 - 4 hours	0 - 45 m
Jigging Cove (loop)	2.4 km	40 - 50 minutes	50 - 65 m
Green Cove	0.2 km	10 minutes	10 m
Broad Cove Mountain	2.3 km	1 hour	35 - 180 m
Warren Lake (loop)	4.7 km	1.5 hours	15 m
Branch Pond Look-off	8.1 km	2 - 3 hours	100 - 305 m
Franey (loop)	7.4 km	2 - 3 hours	95 - 430 m
Clyburn Valley	8.5 km	2 - 3 hours	5 - 50 m
Middle Head	3.8 km	1.5 hours	0 - 45 m
Freshwater Lake Look-off	0.3 km	10 minutes	10 - 45 m
Freshwater Lake	1.7 km	30 - 40 minutes	0 - 15 m

Remember that you are hiking in a protected wilderness environment.

Do not approach, disturb or feed wild animals.
Hike with friends and a solid walking stick.
If you choose to walk alone, tell somebody where you are going.
Pack in, pack out. Littering attracts wildlife and puts you and the animals at risk.
Stay on boardwalks to protect fragile vegetation.
Mountain bikes are permitted only where indicated, for public safety and protection of the environment.
Dress appropriately. Weather may change rapidly on the plateau and along the coast.
Bring water, especially for longer trails, climbs and open barrens.
Bring insect repellant. Black flies and mosquitoes are common all summer.