Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada

Located on northern Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Highlands National Park is known as one of Canada’s most enchanting destinations. The park covers 366 square miles, protecting roughly 20% of northern Cape Breton Island, and is home to a unique combination of Acadian, Boreal, and Taiga habitats.

Established in 1936, Cape Breton was the first national park created in the Atlantic provinces and is one of the largest protected wilderness areas in Nova Scotia.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park is best-known for its impressive highlands, sheer cliffs, and lush, forested river canyons. Though the tallest point in the park, White Hill, reaches just 1,755 feet in elevation, the park’s rugged landscape and extensive ocean views draw visitors from around the world.

Roughly 88% of the park is forested. The plateau is dominated by boreal and taiga vegetation, while the lowland Acadian forest encompasses both 350-year-old old-growth and sugar-maple stands.

The park’s dominant feature, the Cape Breton Plateau, is the product of millions of years of geological change, erosion, and glaciation. Part of the Appalachian mountain chain, the Cape Breton Plateau reaches approximately 1,148 feet in elevation at its edges but rises to over 1,600 feet at its center. This impressive plateau covers over 70% of the park and contains a series of broad, gently rolling hills. The park’s most impressive, panoramic views can be appreciated from several of these hilltops, including Mica Hill, The Pinnacle, and Broad Cove Mountain.

Due to its coastal location and mountainous terrain, the park boasts a Maritime Boreal climate that is characterized by warm summers and cool winters.

Despite natural barriers, like the Canso Strait and the highlands, making it difficult for some animals to traverse Cape Breton, the park boasts about 40 land mammal species. The park’s diverse topography makes it an ideal habitat for both northern and southern species. This unique assortment of species is not found anywhere else in Canada.

Both temperate and boreal land mammals, including red fox, black bear, bobcat, white-tailed deer, Canada lynx, moose, and snowshoe hare, live in the park. Marine mammals, including pilot whale, minke whale, and white-sided dolphin can also be spotted along the shoreline during warmer months.

Cape Breton is home to a unique blend of craggy coastline and sandy beaches. The park contains five saltwater ocean beaches – Ingonish, North Bay, Broad Cove, Black Brook, and La Block - and two freshwater lakes – Freshwater Lake and Warren Lake – making it a popular destination for both sightseeing and beachcombing.

Major Hikes and Attractions

Cape Breton Highlands National Park encompasses 26 hiking trails ranging from easy footpaths to challenging ascents to panoramic views. A few of the most popular trails include:

The Skyline Trail – A 4.6-mile trail that features a series of steps and boardwalks leading to stunning vistas of the west coast. The Skyline trail is teeming with wildlife and offers one of the most dramatic views of the Cabot Trail highway.

Franey Trail – A 4.5-mle loop near the southeast corner of the park. This trail climbs over 1,000 feet through both Acadian and boreal forest and ends with a spectacular view of Clyburn Brook Canyon.

Middle Head Trail – A 2.4-mile loop that follows a long, narrow peninsula separating two ocean bays. This trek ends on headland cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Smokey, and Ingonish Island.

Broad Cove Mountain – A 1.4-mile trail that climbs 551 feet to the summit of Broad Cove Mountain. Broad Cove offers one of the most impressive views of the craggy Atlantic Coast. A bench at the summit is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy the panoramic views of Middle Head and Cape Smokey.

Major Cities and Resorts

Chéticamp

Chéticamp is a small fishing village that sits at the western entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Home to a variety of facilities and seaside accommodations, Chéticamp is the ideal destination for visitors hoping to hang out at the beach or experience the raw beauty of the nearby national park. Chéticamp hosts a number of whale watching tours, guided excursions, and is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Acadian culture.

Ingonish

Located on the northeast coast of Cape Breton, Ingonish serves as the eastern entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Ingonish sits on the world-famous Cabot Trail and cluster of five small communities, each offering plenty of opportunities for dining, shopping, and exploring. The classic Keltic Lodge is the most iconic lodge in Ingonish and offers visitors plenty of options in terms of both amenities and outdoor recreation.