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Bucketlist Bri

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Ultimate Cabot Trail 2 Day Itinerary (Hikes + Highlights)

Last Updated: November 23, 2022 · Canada, Nova Scotia

The Cabot Trail in scenic Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia is a world-famous road trip and destination for the avid outdoorsman.

Although it’s known primarily for its breathtaking Skyline Trail, there are many Cabot Trail highlights, hikes, and must-see vistas that peer off dramatic cliffs to the endless ocean!

After seeing countless photos of the Cabot Trail fall foliage online, Paul and I made it a bucket list endeavor to road trip the entire Cabot Trail in October of this year (2019).

I’m happy to say that after our impromptu 2-day adventure, we were able to find the best places to stop along our Cabot Trail drive (including hikes, worthy accommodations, trails, etc.) which I list here.

Below you’ll find everything you need to know to fully enjoy the Cabot Trail!

Table of Contents show
Planning Your Cabot Trail Road Trip Itinerary
Driving the Cabot Trail in 1, 2, or 3 days?
The Best Way to Drive the Cabot Trail: Clockwise or Counterclockwise?
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Cabot Trail?
Check out our Cabot Trail road trip!
Day 1 Cabot Trail Itinerary: Ingonish to Pleasant Bay
Hiking on the East Coast of The Cabot Trail
Buying Your Cabot Trail Pass
East Cabot Trail Accommodations Near Ingonish
Waterfalls + Best Vistas
Black Brook Cove Beach
MaryAnn Falls
Exiting/Entering The Cabot Trail and National Park
Day 2 Cabot Trail Itinerary: Pleasant Bay to Skyline Trail and Chéticamp
Hiking on the West Coast of The Cabot Trail:
Cabot Trail Highlight: Skyline Trail
Other Notable Hikes and Trails on the Cabot Trail
West Cabot Trail Accommodations in Cheticamp
Hiking the Cabot Trail Safety Tips
Final Thoughts: Cabot Trail 2 Day Itinerary
Watch our Cabot Trail Highlight Reel

Planning Your Cabot Trail Road Trip Itinerary

cabot trail viewpoint nova scotia

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Driving the Cabot Trail in 1, 2, or 3 days?

First things first, decide how much time you have to explore the Cabot Trail.

I recommend you spend at least two days exploring the Cabot Trail fully, maybe even 3 if you really want to take advantage of the 26 hiking trails that dot the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

You can definitely drive the Cabot Trail in one day. And some people do end up driving the entire trail in one day, finishing the full 185 mile-loop (298 km). But, you’ll likely miss out on some cool hikes and highlights. (It’s better to split the road trip in two!)

Also Read — The Ultimate Road Trip Across Canada: From Newfoundland to British Columbia

Roadtripping the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia www.bucketlistbri.com Bucketlist Bri #cabottrail #roadtrip #novascotia #capebreton
Roadtripping the Cabot Trail | Bucketlist Bri

The Best Way to Drive the Cabot Trail: Clockwise or Counterclockwise?

Next, decide on your Cabot Trail route. We personally drove the Cabot Trail counterclockwise (so, ending with the famous Skyline Trail).

I can vouch for this epic road trip. The views were amazing and I felt we saved the best for last. The drive incrementally became more beautiful.

However, we met lots of hikers who were driving the Cabot Trail clockwise (starting on the west coast with the Skyline Trail).

We decided to start on the east coast because we were in North Sydney just before (we just got off the ferry from Newfoundland). So it made sense to start this way.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Cabot Trail? 

The Cabot Trail is most enjoyable during the summer or during fall months. I’d say it gains in popularity in late September/October because of the fall colors. But even though we went in early October, fall colors were spotty.

Some parts of the route were loaded with colorful yellow and orange hues and even crimson-red leaves. But lots of the trees were still in the process of changing color.

Our expectations of the Skyline Trail fall colors, for example, weren’t as vivid as what we had seen from the smaller hikes.

Check out our Cabot Trail road trip!

Day 1 Cabot Trail Itinerary: Ingonish to Pleasant Bay

If you follow the Cabot Trail counterclockwise as we did, you will start your road trip on the east coast.

Your first destination will likely be Ingonish, as this is where a cluster of hikes is (just before and after).

Hiking on the East Coast of The Cabot Trail

Hikes around Ingonish:

Provided by Parks Canada. Visit their website to see each hike in more detail.

Hiking Highlights: Middle Head and Franey are the two most recommended trails by the Visitor’s Center. However, we ended up doing Broad Cove Mountain and the views were amazing. The hike was short and sweet (with a bit of uphill).

The Broad Cove Mountain hike took us about 50 minutes round-trip. At the top of the trail, you get unhampered views of Middle Arm, Ingonish, and Warren Lake. Warren Lake, which we drove to after our hike, is a really nice and large park with a loop trail around the lake.

Roadtripping the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia www.bucketlistbri.com Bucketlist Bri #cabottrail #roadtrip #novascotia #capebreton
View of Middle Arm from atop Broad Cove Mountain | Bucketlist Bri

Buying Your Cabot Trail Pass

Speaking of the Visitor’s Center, this is where you will need to purchase your Cabot Trail Park Pass. 

Although you entered the Cabot Trail miles before the center, to continue onward, you need a daily pass that costs $7-8 each.

The pass is valid for 24 hours from the time you purchase it! We didn’t know this at first. But because we bought it at 4 pm on Saturday, we had until 4 pm on Sunday to take advantage of the hikes.

East Cabot Trail Accommodations Near Ingonish

The most popular place to stay the night or play golf on the eastern part of the Cabot Trail is at the Keltic Lodge.
Booking.com

If you do the Middle Head hike, you’ll pass by the Keltic Lodge to reach the trailhead. It’s worth checking out!

Although we were able to sleep in our van along the Cabot Trail, I wish we could’ve spent a night at one of the remote chalets or campgrounds. They look cozy and comfortable with nearby golf, spas, restaurants, and more.

Looking at places to eat nearby? The Coastal Pub & Restaurant often features live Celtic music in the evenings. We heard from locals that they play so well!

Waterfalls + Best Vistas 

Yes, there are many waterfalls to discover along the Cabot Trail. Two waterfalls, in particular, are worthy of your time: Black Brook Cove Beach + MaryAnn Falls.

Roadtripping the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia www.bucketlistbri.com Bucketlist Bri #cabottrail #roadtrip #novascotia #capebreton
Black Brook Cove Beach Waterfall | Bucketlist Bri

Black Brook Cove Beach

Along your drive from Ingonish north to Neil’s Harbor, you’ll find a road-side beach and waterfall at Black Brook Cove Beach.

I didn’t even know of this waterfall until we were driving and just happened to spot the waterfall from the corner of my eye! We stopped, despite the light drizzle of rain, and enjoyed the huge pink rock beach with its scenic waterfall.

As we learned at the Visitor’s Center, the west coast and east coast of the Cabot Trail produces two very different types of rocky beaches:

The west is known for its small pebble rocks. And the east is recognized by its giant, dinosaur egg-like rocks that are subtly pink-hued.

Two easy waterfalls to visit near Ingonish | Bucketlist Bri

MaryAnn Falls

We didn’t get the chance to complete the MaryAnn Falls hike, but I note it here just in case you get the chance to. Ideally, you’d start with this hike and then drive onward to Black Brook Cove Beach (I couldn’t find an alternative drivable route).

Seeing that MaryAnn Falls isn’t on the main Cabot Trail route, it’s easy to miss unless you know about it! The hike down only takes 15-20 minutes. So if you’re willing to take a detour to see some gorgeous falls, make sure to stop here.

As for other vistas, Lakies Head is indicated on Google maps. I don’t remember if we stopped at this spot exactly, but it’s true there are scenic stops virtually every few miles. So make sure to get out and snap a few pictures along the way!

Exiting/Entering The Cabot Trail and National Park

Remember that your park pass is required for all activities within the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

If you choose to visit small towns as we did at Neil’s Harbor, you’ll meander off the trail and your park pass isn’t required (but the time limit still applies).

At the end of our 1st night along the Cabot Trail, we camped in our van at Neil’s Harbor near the quaint lighthouse. There are available washrooms and even showers at the local fire station. The 15-minute hot showers cost just 2 loonies!

Cape North to Pleasant Bay

Optional: If you entered the east side of the Cabot Trail earlier in the day than we did (4 pm), you’ll have more time for hikes and journey time. You can continue the drive from Neil’s Harbor toward Cape North and even onward to Pleasant Bay. 

There are three hikes in between this curvy route – Aspy, Lone Sheiling, and MacIntosh Brook Trails.

Roadtripping the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia www.bucketlistbri.com Bucketlist Bri #cabottrail #roadtrip #novascotia #capebreton
Splendid coastal views all the way from east to west! | Bucketlist Bri

Day 2 Cabot Trail Itinerary: Pleasant Bay to Skyline Trail and Chéticamp

For the second day of your Cabot Trail itinerary, you’ll experience increasingly dramatic coastal and cliff views. The drive this way climbs up steep slopes, so go slow and take in the views.

As our goal for the day was primarily the Skyline Trail, we didn’t take advantage of the 10 other hikes in the area. But here’s another list if you wish to check them out!

Hiking on the West Coast of The Cabot Trail:

Hiking Trails Between Pleasant Bay – Chéticamp

Hikes on the west coast of the Cabot Trail. Visit the Parks Canada website for details of each hike.

As you see, there are more easy-level hikes on this side of the Cabot Trail compared to the east. Among them is the world-renown Skyline Trail (which I imagine you’ve already heard about!)

Cabot Trail Highlight: Skyline Trail

Since the Skyline Trail is so popular, I’ll mention a little more detail about our experience hiking this trail.

Roadtripping the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia www.bucketlistbri.com Bucketlist Bri #cabottrail #roadtrip #novascotia #capebreton
The world-famous Skyline Trail | Bucketlist Bri

First, it takes a good 2-3 hours to hike the Skyline Trail, but it remains fairly level and easy.

And second, it gets extremely busy with tourists. The Skyline Trail is definitely a picturesque hike, but the overcrowdedness really sours the experience (in my opinion).

We arrived at mid-day, and it was already crowded (but not as much as it could have been).

I recommend you plan your park pass so that you can either hike the Skyline Trail in the morning or in the evening during sunset. We were just too early for the yummy golden hour.

You can hike directly to/back from the main highlight of the trail. Or, you can hike the larger loop trail. (The loop portion was closed when we went due to an aggressive moose).

Roadtripping the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia www.bucketlistbri.com Bucketlist Bri #cabottrail #roadtrip #novascotia #capebreton
The best time to visit the Skyline Trail is early morning or before sunset. | Bucketlist Bri

Along the way, there are viewpoints and signs explaining the unfortunate loss of Boreal and Acadian forests due to the moose overgrazing. This has resulted in the loss of biodiversity in both plant and animal species that once thrived here.

Other Notable Hikes and Trails on the Cabot Trail

As our park pass expired at 4 pm, we couldn’t take advantage of the other hikes on the west coast. We passed by the trailheads and was only able to stop briefly at a small-pebble beach.

  • Le Buttereau Loop
  • Le Chemin du Buttereau
  • Bog Trail
  • Le Vieux Chemin du Cap-Rouge

These are some popular trails on past the Skyline Trail. Across from the Buttereau trailhead/parking lot is also the Grande Falaise (you can’t miss it). This makes a nice, scenic spot for a picnic!

Once you pass the remaining Cabot Trail hikes, you’ll quickly reach Cheticamp. Cheticamp is a quaint, traditional Acadian fishing village. It’s very cute with French-Canadian flare and worth stopping at.

Cheticamp also doubles as the official western entrance for the Cabot Trail. Nearby you can pick up park passes (if you’re driving clockwise).

West Cabot Trail Accommodations in Cheticamp

Considering the Skyline Trail is the most popular destination on the Cabot Trail, there will be lots of options for places to stay in nearby Cheticamp.
Booking.com

Hiking the Cabot Trail Safety Tips 

You’ll quickly notice BEWARE signs all over the Cabot Trail warning you about wildlife in the area. Specifically, moose, bear, and coyote.

Roadtripping the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia www.bucketlistbri.com Bucketlist Bri #cabottrail #roadtrip #novascotia #capebreton
Be wary of coyote, bear, and moose as many of the trails treks through wildlife territory. Be respectful! | Bucketlist Bri

You should always practice caution while hiking on the trails. Never approach wildlife and give moose ample space (at least 30 ft). Moose can become quickly aggressive and charge. (Exactly why the Skyline Trail loop was closed).

Driving at night is also more risky than driving during the day. Especially when it rains, the Cabot Trail isn’t as safe to drive as there are lots of steep curves, hills, and bends.

Also, remember to take out all the trash that you bring in. There are bear-proof trash bins along the trail to properly dispose of your garbage.

Final Thoughts: Cabot Trail 2 Day Itinerary

Roadtripping the Cabot Trail in 2 days is ultimately a grand adventure!

Whether clockwise or counterclockwise, the Cabot Trail affords the outdoor enthusiast rugged cliffs and pristine ocean vistas, majestic mountains and tranquil lakes, wildlife watching, and so much more.

So, when are you planning your trip around Nova Scotia’s picturesque Cabot Trail?

Watch our Cabot Trail Highlight Reel

Find more adventures in Nova Scotia here!

5 Epic Destinations on Nova Scotia’s South Shore

Travel Guide to Exploring Historic Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Top 5 Popular Things To Do in Downtown Halifax

Skyline Trail on The Cabot Trail
2 Day Cabot Trail Itinerary
Cabot Trail Hikes and Best Stops
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By: Bri · In: Canada, Nova Scotia · Tagged: Road Trips

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Comments

  1. Josee says

    November 19, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    Merci pour votre billet, j’ai adoré. Cela va m’aider à préparer mon voyage en Nouvelle -Ecosse. De très belles photos.

    Reply
    • Bri says

      November 22, 2021 at 6:57 am

      Merci beaucoup! Je vous souhaite un bon voyage!

      Reply

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Traveling solo in Nepal has awakened in me a confi Traveling solo in Nepal has awakened in me a confidence & sense of self (at the risk of sounding cliché), of “my essence” and inner Knowing, and where my compassion and passions mingle and thrive. I was reading some of your comments on my recent Reel about solo travel and how I put myself at great risk/in danger. But as I was telling my Tibetan friend, Sonam, tonight (yes, the new one I made last week!), I inform my decisions mostly by 1. Asking myself, “Would this make a good story?” and 2. Listening to my body and emotions. Yes, it’s risky to travel solo, to be a female in a male-dominated culture, to go out after hours with people you just met, etc. But doing that — and all the magic that followed by “allowing” — reminded me exactly of who I am at my core: Curious and open to the world, willing to get uncomfortable for the sake of finding magic and serendipity. Some of you said, “I’m too scared to do this, how do you overcome that fear of personal safety?” And to this I say, I don’t! Fear accompanies me along the journey. Living life is one big risk. It’s uncomfortable to be open, vulnerable, and unsure. But once you accept that and once you begin to let compassion and curiosity guide you rather than your fear, the real magic starts to happen in all areas of life, not just travel. I find these moments most in travel though, when I’m confronted with contrast and am left vulnerable to the world and the kindness of my fellow humans. My Reels are not meant to romanticize or gloss over very real risks/threats in life, but rather to share a real account of what’s possible (adventure, connections, love, etc) when you worry less about societal norms and what’s “safe not safe” “right not right” and allow your over-active fears to take a backseat. 
This is your reminder to trust your inner compass to guide you in writing your epic life story. ✨✨

To sum it up: 

1. Choose a life of adventure 
2. Stay curious
3. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable (otherwise said, seek discomfort)
4. Let love and light flow in and out 
5. Change is the only constant 

#solotravel #nepaltravel #solofemaletraveler #soloadventure #localtravel #trekkingnepal #adventurethatislife
The strength of women 💛 These ladies were lau The strength of women 💛 

These ladies were laughing so sweetly while filling up their water jugs at the Manga Hiti fountain in Patan. I watched them for a while and then plucked up the courage to ask if I could take their photos, which only made them giggle more. 

I've always felt that not being able to communicate in the same language makes for even more interesting encounters. Without words, we have to touch each other's humanity with eyes and gestures, and most of the time it leads to unspoken mutual understanding, acceptance, and love. We three walked away with the biggest smiles on our faces. I yelled out "Dhayabad!" (Thank you!) as they hoisted their jugs up the stairs, laughing all the way. I won't forget this shared moment between us 🙏 

Check stories for the landscape orientation for some of these photos ✨ 

#nepal #nepalnow #nepalphotography #nepaliculture #nepalisbeautiful #natgeoyourshot #patan #kathmanduvalley #lifetimeexperiences #photonepal #nepaltravel
Did you feel it? Nepal’s ancient wisdom, its swi Did you feel it? Nepal’s ancient wisdom, its swirling spirituality, its raw humanity? ✨🇳🇵❤️

#nepal #visitnepal #nepalnow #travelstories #localtravel #mindfultravel #slowtravel #natgeotravel
When you say “yes” as a solo traveler and stay When you say “yes” as a solo traveler and stay open to the randomness of life and the kindness of strangers, really wonderful memories can be made. Thank you Lama family and my new Tibetan friends for such a fun and insightful sequence of experiences 🙏 💛

#solotravel #localtravel #nepaltravel #nepaldiaries #nepali #solofemaletravel #kathmandunepal #thamel #tibetanfood #solotraveldiaries
My first week back in the chaos of Kathmandu, 💛 My first week back in the chaos of Kathmandu, 💛 

Being back after 7 long years away has jolted my body, brain, and spirit. At first, I felt overwhelmed with the recurring thought of, "I don't know what to do with myself." It was only when acceptance knocked on my door, and I finally decided to let it in, that things began to shift and flow.
 
In Nepal, particularly Kathmandu, everything around me swarms like a hive. I have nowhere else to go but inside myself. I've discovered through years of slow traveling (and solo travel) that peace awaits me there -- a sense of independence, power, and knowing that is still, comforting, and safe. And I can tap into it whenever I need to.

Chaos and peace reside in all of us, and Nepal has a cosmic, ancient way of reminding you of just that. 

📍 Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur

#nepaltravel #patan #durbarsquare #nepalphotography #slowtravel #nepal #solotravel #lalitpur
They ask, “Why?” I was 29 when I embarked on They ask, “Why?” 

I was 29 when I embarked on the plane on the 21st, and 30 when I disembarked on the 23rd. How fitting. I spent all of my 20s abroad (except for my two final semesters in undergrad), and moved to Nepal when I was 21. 

What better way to say goodbye to my twenties than by returning to the start? I felt the desperate urge to start my 30s this way—alone on a one-way ticket with no concrete plans. I have both feared and longed to come back all these years. You see, I had made a promise to one of my closest Nepali friends that I’d see her again, but the reality is that I no longer can. 

She, along with another dear friend, passed away from cancer a couple of years back. The thought of returning to my old life here without my friends made me, well, incredibly sad. I had thought that, upon landing in Kathmandu—or taking a bite of my first momo—after so long, I’d find myself bursting into tears of both grief and gratitude. But I didn’t. Instead, I found familiarity in the chaos and chaos in the strangeness. 

Just being here—and the decisions and actions it took to get here—has reminded me of the preciousness of this one very short life. And that, by choosing to celebrate mine—at the exciting turn of a decade no less—by coming back to Nepal on a solo trip that would force me into daring discomfort when I could instead retreat to the comforts of family or my partner, is how I want to live it.

Truth is, a couple of months ago the thought of Nepal felt out of reach. It felt risky, unattainable. But the idea itself pushed open, just a crack at first, a door that had been otherwise closed. I could have more easily ignored my “what if?” daydreams—calling them off as too hard, too uncomfortable, or too far-fetched to actually pursue—and kept it shut.
But sometime in mid-July, I decided to look at flights. And I found one (truly, just one) option that could work. And it just so happened that it would fall on my birthday, or rather bridge my birthday. The idea of getting on a plane at 29 and getting off it at 30—back in Nepal—sold me. I fell in love with the story, the adventure, the unknowingness of it all. 

So, yeah. That’s why. Or as I prefer, “Why not?”
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