Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

The Cabot Trail is a 300 km trail (190 miles) that winds through the highlands of Cape Breton, on Canada’s east coast. The trail is named after Italian seafarer Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot), an explorer who is thought to have been the first person to land in North America in 1497. This beautiful scenic trail is carved into the side of mountains and completes a loop around the northern tip of the island, passing along and through the scenic Cape Breton Highlands.

Cape Breton is considered as one of the best Island destinations in the world. As Alexander Graham Bell himself confessed “I have travelled around the globe. I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes, the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all.” Incidentally, Graham Bell was a resident of Cape Brent, which probably explains his intense passion for this place. However, Travel and Leisure magazine also echoes a similar sentiment as it proclaims Cape Breton Island to be the no.1 island to visit in continental North America.

Coming back to the Cabot Trail, the best way to experience it to drive along it in a car or (if you are fitter) cycle along the route. Better still, you could hire a sea kayak and hit the waters below. Be prepared to be blown right off your feet by the amazing vistas that greet your eyes.

The Northern part of the trail takes you through the highlands while the western and eastern sections introduce you to the rugged coastline where it is quite common to come across pods of whales and bald eagles. The southwestern section of the trail will take you through the Margaree River valley and pass along the Bras d’Or Lake. The beautiful combination of the prairies, forests, hills, and the close proximity to the sea makes this one of the most panoramic stretches in the whole of North America.

If you thought that nature walks and hikes are the only things happening along the Cabot Trail, think again. There are all kinds of activities that happen and if you plan your trip well, you can have loads of adventures along your way. In September, you could be part of the Hike the Highlands Festival and watch the Celtic colors come to life. Apart from this there are several other special musical events, and festivals organized around the Cabot Trail, enough to keep your levels of excitement high every night of the week.

You can also experience some fine dining along the way. Yes, don’t be surprised. There are several specialty restaurants you are going to come across on the Cabot Trail and you will get a taste of the local cuisine and some of the greatest lobster preparation on this side of the planet. Finally, for those who just can’t go back without gathering some souvenirs and mementos, local artisans will be more than happy to show you their award winning wares, ranging from leather goods to glass and pewter bric-a-bracs being sold in tiny little sea shanties along the way. Have fun!