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CAPE BRETON ISLAND
CAPE BRETON ISLAND
CAPE BRETON ISLAND
This island is a highlight of Nova Scotia not to be missed. After exploring along its shores and mountains you will understand how this island became known as “Nova Scotia’s Masterpiece”, and has once been rated the most beautiful island in the world. This island has everything and features magnificent mountains, beautiful beaches, historical sites and vast wilderness areas. Enjoy your stay amid the various cultures and join in the many local festivals and activities hosted throughout the island. To begin your journey, you will cross the Canso Causeway. This link to the island was completed in 1955 and is the world’s deepest causeway. The island is divided into several trails, which are indicated on road signs posted frequently along the trails. Cape Breton island is comprised of several distinct trails; easily identified by the road signs.
*When riding the Cabot Trail, please be advised that Supreme gas is difficult to find. We recommend that you gas up in Baddeck (if travelling counterclockwise) or Cheticamp (if travelling clockwise).
See individual trails below map for accommodations in each area
Ceilidh Trail – the western side of the island from the causeway on Rte #19
Cabot Trail – circular route from upper tip to Baddeck & Bras d’Or Lakes area
Bras d”or Lakes Scenic Drive – circling the Bras d’Or Lakes
Metro Cape Breton & Marconi Trail – Sydney, Glace Bay & surrounding area
Fleur de-lis Trail – the eastern side of the island from the causeway on #4 and #327
EASTERN SHORE
CAPE BRETON ISLAND
CAPE BRETON ISLAND
This beautiful ride follows quiet shoreline roads along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. You will travel through seaside villages in a region of unspoiled beaches and pristine wilderness. Enjoy the fresh seafood, festivals and nature’s awesome scenery all along this route.
Attractions are plentiful and include the Shearwater Aviation Museum at CFB Shearwater; Fishermans Cove in Eastern Passage; the Musquodoboit Railway Museum at Musquodoboit Harbour; Memory Lane Heritage Village at Lake Charlotte; the interesting Sherbrooke Village restoration in Sherbrooke; the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Interpretation Centre at Port Bickerton; the annual Stan Rogers Festival in Canso; the waterfront at Guysborough; and the simply amazing beaches and provincial parks at Lawrencetown, Martinique, Taylor Head, Clam Harbour & Tor Bay. This area follows the Marine Trail from the Halifax Metro area to Auld’s Cove, where the Canso Causeway connects the mainland to Cape Breton Island.
FUNDY SHORE EAST
CAPE BRETON ISLAND
FUNDY SHORE AND ANNAPOLIS VALLEY WEST
Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley – East is a very scenic run following the upper Bay of Fundy region where the world’s highest tides have created such unusual phenomena as tidal bores and whirlpools. Unique experiences abound: Take a walk on the ocean floor at low tide, as rivers and bays become high and dry twice a day. Raft the tidal bore at the only place in North America or go hunting for fossils in the sea carved cliffs. You can even enjoy a catered dinner on the ocean floor and kayak around amazing rock formations. Attractions are varied and include: the Avon River Heritage Society Museum & Spirit Shipyard at Avondale; the panoramic views at the Walton Lighthouse; magnificent Burntcoat Head Park, official site of the world’s highest tides – 16.5m (54 ft.); the Heritage Conservation District of Maitland; the Fundy Tidal Bore Observation Deck at South Maitland; the exciting tidal bore rafting along the Shubenacadie River at Urbania; the local racetrack, Atlantic Motorsport Park at Mill Village; the Provincial Wildlife Park at Shubenacadie; Mastodon Ridge at Stewiacke; the Millbrook Culture & Heritage Centre, the Tidal Bore Viewing Park and Victoria Park at Truro; the Debert Military Museum; the Masstown Market complex, complete with a Viewing Tower; the antique stores at Great Village; the Joy Laking Gallery at Portaupique, the Garden of Sorrows Cobequid Veterans Park & Heritage Museum at Bass River; a Dutch cheese farm and a nature park at Upper Economy; the Cobequid Interpretive Centre at Economy; the Five Islands Provincial Park; the Five Islands Lighthouse Park at Lower Five Islands; the charming community of Parrsboro featuring the Ottawa House Museum-by-the-Sea, the Ships Company Theatre built around the ship M.V. Kipawo; FORCE the Fundy Ocean Research Center and the Fundy Geological Museum, displaying Canada’s oldest dinosaurs and fossil discoveries; the Age of Sail Heritage Centre in Port Greville; the Mary Celeste Memorial Cairn at Spencer’s Island; the remote Cape d’Or Lighthouse; the driftwood at Advocate Harbour Beach; the vast Cape Chignecto Provincial Park and legendary Three Sisters; the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site at Joggins Fossil Cliffs; and Springhill with the Tour a Mine Springhill Miner’s Museum and Anne Murray Centre.
FUNDY SHORE AND ANNAPOLIS VALLEY WEST
FUNDY SHORE AND ANNAPOLIS VALLEY WEST
Attractions include the historic town of Digby, port of call for the ferry service to Saint John, New Brunswick. Digby is also the entry point to the Digby Neck & Islands Scenic Drive where you will find some of the best whale watching in Nova Scotia. Ferry services: to the outlying Long Island featuring the Islands Museum with exhibits on Joshua Slocum and the Balancing Rock; and to Brier Island, home to two lighthouses, and a seal colony along a rugged balsalt rock coast.
At Digby view the scallop fleet at the wharf and the Point Prim Lighthouse; enjoy the views at Smith’s Cove; Bear River feaures structures built on stilts to keep above the high tides and the Bear River First Nation Heritage & Cultural Centre; the Cornwallis Military Museum; the rides & attractions at Upper Clements Park; Annapolis Royal is home to the impressive Fort Anne National Historic Site of Canada, the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens and Annapolis Tidal Generating Station at the causeway. More attractions include the Port Royal National Historic Site at Granville Ferry; the petroglyphs at Kijimkujik National Park & National Historic Site (Nova Scotia’s only Dark Sky Preserve) located at Maitland Bridge; the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum; the Oaklawn Farm Zoo at Aylesford; the apple-growing regions from Bridgetown to Berwick; scenic Margaretsville & Harbourville across the North Mountain along the coast; the Agricultural Centre at Kentville; the quaint fishing village of Hall’s Harbour; the LookOff at Canning; remote Scots Bay and Cape Split; Kingsport Park with views of sandstone formations at Medford; the Blomidon Provincial Park; the Robie Tufts Nature Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Wolfville; the Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada; the Fort Edward National Historic Site of Canada and the Howard Dill Farm at Windsor; and the Uniacke Estate Museum Park at Mount Uniacke. This exciting area follows along the Evangeline Trail from the Yarmouth & Acadian Shores area to Windsor, where the Fundy Shore Eastern Area then continues along the Bay of Fundy coastline to Amherst, at the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick border.
Where to Eat, Stay & Play while touring this area
HALIFAX METRO
Halifax Metro is comprised of the two major cities of Halifax and Dartmouth, the large surrounding communities of Bedford and Sackville, and the smaller villages beyond. Experience the excitement of bustling cities; alive with entertainment and activities; all based within a natural harbour setting. From the Halifax Metro area you are only minutes from twisting roads leading inland along the many lakes or more adventures along the ocean coastline. As you approach the Halifax Metro area, attractions include the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum near the airport; Shubie Canal Park near Dartmouth; The Dingle at Sir Sanford Flemming Park and the York Redoubt National Historic Site near Herring Cove. In Halifax attractions include the massive Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada; the Hydrostone District Heritage Site; the Halifax Public Gardens; the Museum of Natural History; the expansive restored Historic Properties along the waterfront; the Pier 21 National Historic Site of Canada and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, featuring exhibits on the Titanic and the Halifax Explosion of 1917. Dartmouth attractions include the Waterfront Park and Peace Pavillion; the Dartmouth Heritage Museum, tours at the Bedford Institute of Oceangraphy and the many parks along the lakes within the city. Note: You can park your ride and take the ferry between the cities across the Halifax Harbour. You will avoid the hassle of finding a place to park and experience awesome views of both cities during the crossing! Parking is available at the Dartmouth terminal. Halifax Metro is accessed by road from the South Shore (Lighthouse Route), from the west; the Eastern Shore (Marine Drive), from the east; and the Fundy Shore and Annapolis Valley, from the north, along both the Evangeline and Glooscap Trails.
Where to Eat, Stay & Play while touring this area
NORTHUMBERLAND SHORE
Beginning at Amherst, near the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick border; this trail boasts rolling green farmlands, towering cliffs and an abundance of sandy beaches with the warmest waters north of the Carolinas.
Scottish heritage and traditions are proudly celebrated through festivals, attractions and museums throughout this region. Enjoy the fresh seafood, blueberries and fine wines this region produces. Attractions are many and include the giant wood carvings throughout historic Amherst; the displays & trails at the Tidnish Information & Interpretive Centre; the giant blueberry at Oxford; the Peace Ground and Thinkers Lodge, a National Historic Site at Pugwash; winery tours at Jost Vineyards in Malagash; 290 million-year-old fossils at the Brule Fossil Centre, and the famed giantess Anna Swan Exhibit at Tatamagouche; the historic Balmoral Grist Mill at Balmoral Falls and the Sutherland Steam Mill at Denmark; the McCulloch Heritage Centre and ship Hector dockside, the Lobster Hatchery and Lighthouse Museum, free tours at Grohmann Knives, and performances at the DeCoste Centre – all in Pictou; the Westray Monument and Sampson Trail in New Glasgow; the impressive Museum of Industry in Stellarton; the rugged coastline, exhibits and lighthouse at Arisaig; the Cape George Point Lighthouse; the Tuna Interpretive Centre at Ballantyne’s Cove; the Hall of the Clans at St. Francis Xavier University, the Highland Games in Antigonish; and the interesting Fraser Mills Fish Hatchery.
You will find beaches almost everywhere, with the larger and more popular at Heather Beach, near Northport, Waterside Beach at Toney River; Melmerby Beach at Little Harbour; Dunn’s & Mahoney beaches near Antigonish and the magnificent dunes at Pomquet.
Seasonal sailings begin May 1, 2019 to Wood Island, Prince Edward Island from Caribou, NS.
Ferry schedule. Just follow and explore the Sunrise Trail along the scenic coast to Auld’s Cove, where the Canso Causeway leads to Cape Breton Island.
SOUTH SHORE
This adventurous shore is best known for it’s seafaring history, historic lighthouses, UFO sightings and the tales of pirates and buried treasure along it’s shores. Visit the many museums & exhibits to explore our exciting privateering legends and attend the festivals, celebrating our unique blend of cultures. Delicious fresh seafood and traditional recipes are just waiting to be enjoyed. Attractions are plentiful and include world famous Peggy’s Cove where the lighthouse sits atop massive granite boulders and features the 1998 Swiss Air Tragedy Memorial and the intricate rock carvings at the E. d’Garthe Memorial Park; the Original Lobster Suppers at the Shore Club in Hubbards; the historic sailing mecca of Chester; the Ross Farm Living Museum of Agriculture at New Ross; the Wild Rose Park offering views of famous Oak Island at Western Shore; historic Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the vast Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and port of the famed Bluenose II schooner; the sea caves at the Ovens Natural Park at Feltzen South; the Railway Museum at Bridgewater; the Fort Saint-Marie-de-Grace National Historic Site at LaHave; the Port Medway Lighthouse Park; Liverpool, the historic port of privateers featuring Fort Point Lighthouse Park and the Hank Snow Country Music Centre; the Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site at Maitland Bridge; the Kejimkujik National Park Seaside Adjunct at Port Mouton; the lighthouses and 5 beaches at Lockeport; historic Shelburne with the Muir-Cox Shipbuilding Interpretive Centre and the Dory Shop Museum; the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre at Birchtown; the Barrington Woolen Mill Museums at Barrington; the Seal Light Museum at Barrington Head; and the Chapel Hill Museum & Observation Tower and Shag Harbour Incident Interpretive Centre at Shag Harbour, with exhibits on the 1967 UFO sighting.
This coastline has many expanses of white sand beaches with the some of the notable found at the Queensland Beach Provincial Park; the Hubbards Beach; the Bayswater Provincial Beach Park, Crescent Beach near West Dublin; the Rissers Beach Provincial Park at Petite Riviere; beaches at White Point; the Summerville Beach Provincial Park; Carter’s Beach at Port Mouton; and Crescent Beach (one of 5) found at Lockeport. The South Shore extends from the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores region to the Halifax Metro area; through many small towns and communities, all sharing the history and heritage of the sea.
Where to Eat, Stay & Play while touring this area
YARMOUTH AND ACADIAN SHORE
Yarmouth is an historical seaport that has welcomed visitors for centuries with a wide array of attractions, shopping and services. Enjoy a lobster supper and join in the fun at festivals and celebrations held throughout the year. Yarmouth is the home port of the high-speed ferry service from Maine, USA, The Cat. There are many museums within the town including the Firefighter’s Museum of Nova Scotia; the W. Lawrence Sweeney Fisheries Museum; Killam Brothers Shipping Office and Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Western Branch. Departing Yarmouth along the Evangeline Trail (to the east), you will ride through 12 French-speaking communities, originally settled in the 1600s by Europeans from France, and then join the Fundy Trail and Annapolis Valley region. Attractions heading east include the Yarmouth Light at Cape Forchu; the world’s smallest wooden lift-bridge in Sandford; the beaches at Port Maitland and Mavillette; the sea caves at Smugglers Cove and magnificent churches at Church Point and St. Bernard. Departing along the Lighthouse Route (southern coast), you will ride through Acadian settlements also from the 1600s, featuring museums and restorations before joining the South Shore region. Attractions heading west include the wind farms in the Pubnicos; Le Village Historique Acadien and Le Musée Acadian & Archives; and the Sport Tuna Fishing Museum at Wedgeport.