Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada

Special Events

Special Events - 2013

May | June | July | AugustSeptember | October 


May 2013

May 25-26

Cabot Trail Relay Race

Seventy teams of 17 run almost 300 kilometres around the entire Cabot Trail in a 24-hour relay race on some of the most challenging and spectacular terrain in North America.
Registration: www.cabottrailrelay.com


June 2013

June 29

The Great ChétiCamp-Out
The Great ChétiCamp-Out
© Parks Canada
The Great ChétiCamp-out! - Chéticamp Campground (Robert Brook)

Join Cape Breton Highlands National Park for a fun night of campfires, stories, music and sleeping under the stars! Unwind by the campfire or participate in the Skyline Sunset Hike. Wake up to the fresh mountain air. Local vendors will be on site with coffee, tea and baked goods in the morning. New to camping? We'll teach you how to set up a tent, make a campfire and cook outdoors. Bring your camping supplies and provisions for meals.
Registration required: 902-224-2306.


June 30

Participants in the Ingonish Triathlon at Freshwater Lake Ingonish Triathlon
© D. Murray
Ingonish Triathlon - Ingonish Beach Day Use Area - 8 a.m.

Swim, bike and run individually or as part of a fun team.  Beginners are invited to 'try-a-tri'. 
Sprint Triathlon (minimum age 16) - 750 metre swim, 23 kilometre bike, 5 kilometre run
Olympic Triathlon (minimum age 19) - 1,500 m swim, 42 km bike, 10 km run
Try-a-Tri (minimum age 14) - 300 m swim, 9.2 km bike, 4 km run
Team Triathlon - same distance as Sprint
Cash prizes for top three men and women in Olympic and Sprint.
Pre-registration required: www.atlanticchip.ca



July 2013

July 1

Canada Day - Enjoy FREE entry to all Parks Canada sites

Canada Day Celebrations - Chéticamp Visitor Centre area - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrate Canada Day in Cape Breton Highlands National Park with live music, family activities and cake.  Hosted collaboratively by La Société Saint-Pierre and Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Family Day - Ingonish Beach Day Use Area (soccer field), Keltic Lodge and community locations -  8 a.m. until dark 
Cake, music and games for the whole family!

July 20

Parks Day

3 Peaks Challenge
3 Peaks Challenge
© T. Wilson / Hike the Highlands Festival

Cape Breton Highlands 3 Peaks Challenge - 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Hike three peaks in less than 12 hours! You will have climbed over 1150 m and completed a half-marathon (21 km). This year's climbs are FraneyFishing Cove and Acadian. $150/team of 4. Deadline for registration is July 6.
hikethehighlandsfestival.com.


July 23

Acadian Milling Frolic
Acadian Milling Frolic
© D. Aucoin
Acadian Milling Frolic - Trout Brook - 7:30 p.m.

You can't beat our milling frolic. Wait – yes, you can!
Beat the wool to the rhythm of traditional Acadian songs and watch the sun set over the ocean. Join in around the table or simply sing along – and we'll take you back in time for an hour or two. Hosted collaboratively by La Société Saint-Pierre and Cape Breton Highlands National Park.




August 2013

August 2-5

Thunder in the Highlands

Hundreds of motorcycles will travel through the park as part of this Cape Breton Bike Fest's annual event. They will also "Storm the Fortress" in Louisbourg, along with an array of other activities over the weekend. For a complete schedule of events, visit capebretonbikefest.com.

August 11

Grand Falaise
Grande Falaise
© Parks Canada
Picnic in Acadie - Grande Falaise - 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Celebrate the perseverance of the Acadian people while enjoying a picnic and traditional music at the base of the magnificent Grande Falaise!  Bring provisions for your lunch. Hosted collaboratively by La Société Saint-Pierre and Cape Breton Highlands National Park.




September 2013

September 13-22

A group photo of the Hike the Highlands participants
10th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival
© L. Dixon
Hike the Highlands Festival

Join us for the 10th anniversary of Hike the Highlands Festival, featuring 29 hikes within and adjacent to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The ten-day festival, attended by hikers from across North America and beyond, offers evening activities and presentations, a photography workshop, opening and closing ceremonies, hikers distance award program, a photo contest and more. The festival is hosted and organized by the Hike the Highlands Festival Society.
Registration: hikethehighlandsfestival.com. Fee applicable.




October 2013

October 16

Acadian Trail
Celtic Colours Hike - Acadian Trail
© Parks Canada
Celtic Colours Hike - Chéticamp - 10:30 a.m.

Hike through a vibrant panorama of autumn leaves as fiddle music resonates within you. Join park staff on the Acadian trail for a guided hike in honour of the Celtic Colours International Festival concert in Chéticamp. For hike details, contact cbhnp.info@pc.gc.ca.