Distance - 58.3 kms.
Start - Little Narrows Community Centre, Route 223.
(Turn right off the Little Narrows Ferry and go down the road 1 km)

Cyclists will enjoy this challenging route that takes you around Central Cape Breton along Bras d'Or Lakes. You begin the route by taking a right after leaving the Little Narrows Community Centre, Only 0.8 km away is the Little Narrows Community Beach where there are picnic tables and changing rooms.

You will pass through the communities of Estmere and Ottawa Brook before heading into some challenging hills. From the crests of these hills you can look over the trees to the Bras d'Or Lakes below. At 10. 3 km you will pass Ottawa Brook and see the train bridge to your right. MacKinnon's Harbour will be your next community on this route. There is a good cross country ski trail and hiking trail nearby at Highland Hill (Take a left at Barra Glen Road).

At 21 km you will pass the Highland Heights Inn and the Nova Scotia Highland Village, the only Scottish Outdoor Museum of its kind in Nova Scotia. The Village takes you through the different designs of buildings used by the Scottish Settlers in chronological order. As you come into Iona you will see the Iona/Grand Narrows Bridge and pass by the Iona Post Office, the first Post Office in Cape Breton to have a Gaelic sign.

At 23.1 km you will come to an intersection before the bridge and turn left. You will pass St. Columba Church and the Rankin Memorial School (P-12) on your left.

At 24 km you will come to MacCormack's Provincial Park, a beautiful picnic park that overlooks the Bras d'Or Lakes. Grass Cove and Gillis Point are your next communities. At 30.9 km you will be going over several hills and will be able to look out over Maskill's Harbour. After the bridge there are several big hills and at 35.1 km you will start to go downhill. This section of the road is very windy and the last turn is severe. At 37.9 km you will come to an intersection and proceed to see Washabuck Beach. Turn left at the intersection and proceed into upper Washabuck. At 46.6 km you will pass over the Washabuck Bridge and will see St. Columba Road and Cains Mountain Road. Follow the highway to the right. Turn left at the intersection at 52 km you will be in Hazeldale.

You will pass Little Narrows Gypsum Plant, Matheson's Store and the Little Narrows Ferry before finishing the tour at Little Narrows Community Centre, 6 km away.
 
 

Distance - 18.7 kms
Start - Churches at Middle River. Take exit 7 off the Trans Canada - 10 km.

Cyclists will enjoy this scenic route that takes you through the farming community of Middle River (pop,300). Middle River was established in 1806, and hosts several sporting events throughout the year in cross country skiing, mountain biking, softball, and running.

You begin the route by taking a left at the Churches and proceeding on to the Westside Middle River. After crossing the bridge you will come to a Y at 2 km you will come to Middle River Community Ballfield and playground area.

At 4km, you will pass the Parsons' stonehouse on the right, one of the few stone houses in Victoria County. A kilometre from the house you will come to another Y-intersection - take a left.

At 6.2 km, you pass on you left the Aikman's stonehouse, a provincial heritage property. You should see some Highland cattle grazing on their lands. During this route you will pass the Glanders mountains on you left and Crowdis Mountains on your right.

At 11.5 km you come to the end of Westside Middle River Road. Take a right and proceed on to the Cabot Trail. At 15.5 km you will pass by the Middle River Community Hall. The route ends at the churches 3.2 km away from the hall.
 
 

Distance - 10.0 kms
Start - Churches in Middle River; Take Exit 7 off Trans Canada - 10 km.

This short scenic route starts on the Westside Middle River Road. Riders take a left at the churches and proceed over the bridge. There are 2 Y intersections along this route and you veer to the right at each intersection. The second intersection will connect you to MacLellan's Cross Road. Before this intersection you will pass by the Parsons' Stonehouse, one of the few stone houses in Victoria County.

Cyclists will enjoy the mountains and valley scenery along this route. Near the end of the MacLellan's Cross Road you will pass by one of the old school houses in Middle River. It is now a craft shop. At the end of this road, turn right onto the Cabot Trail and finish back at the churches.

Distance - 23 kms.
Start/Finish -Baddeck Welcome Centre (Tourist Bureau).

Cyclists will leave Baddeck via the Margaree Road, cross over the Baddeck Overpass and continue straight where you will enter the scenic rural area known as Big Baddeck. Flanked by the Cape Breton Highlands, riders will encompass the picturesque Baddeck River. Traveling through the Baddeck Valley, tourers will cross over several bridges allowing for spectacular viewing of the local waterways.

Four kilometres into the ride you will cross the Red Bridge. Here you may find people enjoying their leisure time swimming, sport fishing, or just relaxing alongside the peaceful waters of the Baddeck River. You may also discover farm animals grazing nearby pastures since farming has always been a traditional way of life in this area.

When you have reached the St. Andrews United Church at Baddeck Forks you are basically half way through the trail. St. Andrews was constructed in 1865 and has recently been recognized as a Municipal Heritage property. Alongside St. Andrews is Baddeck Valley Community Hall, which was once a school house (circa1907) for the residents of the area.

You then cross the Forks Bridge and travel alongside the Baddeck Forks Golf Course. This scenic 9 hole course will provide hours of entertainment for golf enthusiasts of all ages. Cameron's Hill will provide a formidable challenge as cyclists near the end of this splendid tour. You will take a left at the intersection and go over to overpass into the village of Baddeck back to the Baddeck Welcome Centre.

Distance - 23.5 kms
Start - Baddeck Welcome Centre (Tourist Bureau)

The tour begins in the resort Village of Baddeck, home of the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. This museum is one of the finest in Canada. It attracts visitors form all over the world. Cyclists will leave the Welcome Centre and take a left and proceed down the Shore Road (2.5km) until they reach Exit 8 at the Trans Canada Highway.

Take a right onto the highway where you begin an immediate climb. The highway section of this route is approximately 11 km. There are a few challenging hills along the way but the views of the Bras d'Or Lakes and Baddeck Bay are well worth it. Stop at the Baddeck Bay Look-off.

Cyclists will turn right at Exit 10 and begin their journey back to the Village along the scenic Baddeck Bay. The Bras d'Or Lake is the site of the Bras d'Or Yacht Club Regatta, held annually in the first week of August.

Upon entering Baddeck, cyclists will take a left at Yellow Cello Pizza Shop and proceed down Water Street. Here you get to see the waterfront and park. Take a walk on the wharf to see the many sailboats tied up and moored nearby. The tour ends at the Welcome Centre, the end of Water Street.

Distance - 10.4 kms.
Start - Turn off for Big Harbour on Trans Canada Highway 105 just past Baddeck heading towards Sydney.

A short ride that takes you through the small community of Big Harbour located along the Bras d'Or Lakes. At the end of the road you can see the ferry wharf. A ferry service operated between Ross Ferry and Big Harbour until 1961 and was the only route to Sydney. The Seal Island Bridge has replaced the ferry service. Traffic is light on this road.

Distance - 45 kms.
Start - Gaelic College, St. Ann's Exit 11 off Trans Canada Highway.

This scenic tour begins and ends at the Gaelic College.The Gaelic College was founded in 1938 by Rev. A.W.R. MacKenzie as a school devoted to the study and preservation of the Gaelic language and celtic arts and culture.

The only institution of its kind in North America, the Gaelic College is situated in the heart of the earliest Scottish settlement in Cape Breton. Located on 350 acres of wooded slopes overlooking the picturesque surroundings of the Cape Breton Highlands, students of all ages and ability levels from many countries, states and provinces converge here to study with top calibre instructors in piping, fiddling, gaelic language, step-dancing and much more. The college hosts annually the Nova Scotia Gaelic Mod and St. Ann's Highland Gathering and is the venue for Cape Breton Fiddler's festival in August. Don't miss their summer ceilidh series.

One kilometre past the College is the St. Ann's Provincial Day Park, an ideal location for a picnic or rest stop. As cyclists ride through communities such as Goose Cove, North River, and Tarbot, they may choose to visit one of the fine craft shops & studios along the way.

At North River, there is a Provincial Park, that has an 18 km return hiking trail to the highest waterfalls in Nova Scotia (104 ft.), along with being a great location for salmon & trout fishing enthusiasts. You can rent sea kayaks and take ½ or full day tours in North River as well go horseback riding. As you travel along to the Barrachois Bridge you exit on route to the Englishtown Ferry. You will cycle 5 km through the communities of River Bennett and Jersey Cove to the Englishtown Ferry. Jersey Cove plays host to the St. Ann's Fishing Boat races held annually in August attracting thousands of people. There is a campground here.

Englishtown Ferry is one of the few remaining cable ferries in Nova Scotia. As you come off the ferry you will be visiting the community of Englishtown, home of the Giant MacAskill Museum. Englishtown is a scenic fishing village located on the beautiful St. Ann's Bay/Harbour. This community hosts a number of festivals & events annually as well has 2 stores, a pewter craft shop, a post office, a take-out, a boat tour business and a campground. Cyclists will encounter several challenging hills upon leaving Englishtown on route to the Trans Canada Highway 6 km away.

Upon reaching the Trans Canada Highway cyclists turn right and ride the final 4.2km downhill section along the St. Ann's Harbour to the St. Ann's Turnoff (exit 11). The St. Ann's Motel, Marie's Take Out and the Lobster Galley Restaurant are situated here only 1km form the Gaelic College, the starting point of the tour.

Distance - 27.0 kms
Start - Mini-Dipper Restaurant, second building on the left after taking the Ross Ferry Exit #13 off Trans Canada Highway.

A one way route that takes you through the communities of Boulardarie and Ross Ferry. You will see the Bras d'Or Lakes and Kelly's Mountain to your right on you way to Ross Ferry.

Around 13.5km you will come to a road on your right which takes you down to the water and where the Ross Ferry Wharf use to be located. A ferry service operated between here and Big Harbour until 1961. This way the only route to get to Sydney then. Stop here for a swim or lunch break.

Just past this road is the Ross Ferry Volunteer Fire Department and Community Hall where many community events take place including there world famous pork chop barbecue & family day held annually in August.

You turn around at the Fire Dept. Hall and head back to the start area . The terrain for this route allows for an enjoyable ride. There is a Bed & Breakfast in Ross Ferry.

Distance - 1.6 kms
Start - Creek Road Turnoff (just past the Skyline Cabins).

This is a very short route that offers spectacular views of Ingonish Harbour, Middle Head (Keltic Lodge), Ingonish Beach, Fresh Water Lake, Cape Smokey, Mountain and Keltic Cape Smokey Ski Hill. This is not a loop, and you return via the same road.

Distance - 5 kms.
Start - Turn off for Keltic Lodge and Ingonish Beach off Cabot Trail.

This is a scenic route which offers spectacular views of Cape Smokey Mountain and Ski Cape Smokey Ski Hill along with the majestic Keltic Lodge.

About ½ km in, take a right and proceed to the beach and tennis courts located in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Once back to the intersection take a right and head towards the Keltic Lodge. About ½ km down the road you will come to a look off. This is where you will see the spectacular view of Cape Smokey Mountain, the Ski Hill and Ingonish Beach.

Just past the look off you will come to the Cape Breton Highlands Link Club House and Golf Course, one of the world's top golf courses. You will pass the coffee shop and White Birch Inn and then come upon the Keltic Lodge and head back to the turnoff at the Cabot Trail.

Distance - 31.3 kms
Start - Big Bras d'Or Turnoff Exit #14 off Trans Canada Highway.

This route begins at the turnoff and heads towards the fishing community of Big Bras d'Or.

After cycling 8 km you will come to the Factory Road sign. Take a left here and head down to the wharf and see the fishing boats of this community. Back on the main road and a short distance away is the Mountain View by the Sea Campground and Bird Island Tours(2&1/2 hour cruise) there are 4 tours daily from May to September where visitors can see Atlantic Puffins, razor billed auk, black quillemonts, cormorants and seagulls nest off the cliff sides.

Our next destination is Black Rock Lighthouse approximately 5 km away. Cyclists take a left at Black Rock road sign and head down the road about 2.2 km until the pavement ends.

Take a left on the gravel road and proceed down to the end where you will see the Black Rock Lighthouse. This is the entrance of the Bras d'Or Lakes from the Atlantic Ocean. From the lighthouse we head back to the main road and take a left at the end of Black Brook Road.

The main road ends at Millville 4.7km. Cyclists will take a right at this intersection and proceed on the shoulder of the Trans Canada Highway to St. James Road (6.6km away). Take a right a St. James Road and go down this road about 1 km to the Dalem Lake Provincial Day Park. This park has a nice sandy beach and a hiking trail around the Lake.

After leaving the park take a left and head down the St. James Road. At the end of St. James Road, take a left onto the main road where this route ends at the Big Bras d'Or turnoff 4.7km away.

Distance - 9.0 kms
Start - Dingwall Turnoff, Cabot Trail

The short scenic route takes you to the Dingwall, a small fishing community that once mined gypsum. About 3.5 km in you come to a convenience store where to the left you will see the Dingwall harbour and Sugarloaf Mountain (the pointed one) in the background. Below that mountain is the Cabot Landing Provincial park, the site believed to be where John Cabot landed in 1497. A km past the store is a resort well worth the drive for the view and its food. Cyclists return to Dingwall turn-off via the same road. Dingwall has a post office.

Distance - 22 kms
Start - Pioneer Restaurant, Cape North

This is a short scenic route that offers the cyclist some spectacular views of North Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain. This is not a loop and riders will turn around at Big Intervale and cycle back on the same route. There are a few hills but lots of downhills. You will pass a craft store and just past it around a corner to the right you will see a spectacular view of Sugarloaf and North Mountains' and Sunrise Valley. Stop and take this site in and by all means take a picture. Big Intervale is at the entrance to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park from Cape North. At the left of the entrance is the Beulach Ban Falls and Aspy Hiking Trail - about 2.5 km in on a gravel road. There is a small campground to your right at the entrance. Cyclists will turn here and continue back to the Pioneer Restaurant (Excellent meals are served here with their speciality being seafood) in Cape North. On your way back to Cape North, there are three hills facing you. Take time to visit the North Highlands Community Museum and Forge next door to the restaurant. Cape North has a convenience store, a grocery store, a service station and a takeout.

Distance - 35.8 kms.
Start - Morrison's Pioneer Restaurant, Cape North.

This route is one of the top three scenic cycling routes in Victoria County with an incredible view of the North and Sugarloaf Mountains.

The route begins at the Pioneer restaurant and heads towards Bay St. Lawrence. There is a Y- intersection at the restaurant. Take a right. After cycling 10.3 km you will arrive at Cabot Landing Provincial Park, Take a drive in and see the cairns and monuments of the explorer, John Cabot, acknowledging his visit to the area and the first Nova Scotia - Newfoundland telegraph cable. There is a nice long sandy beach at this park. A great place to stop for lunch and swim. Continuing on, 6 km from the park on the main road you will enter the community of St. Margaret's Village where you will see a beautiful view of the Harbour at Bay St. Lawrence.

At Bay St. Lawrence, there are whale cruises, sport fishing and sailing tours at the wharf available from June to September. There is a convenience store, a co-op grocery store, a number of bed & breakfasts, a motel and a campground in this community. Turn here and head back to Cape North just past the Aspy Bridge (17.9km).

At the end of the ride visit the North Highlands Community Museum, next door to the Pioneer Restaurant, Cape North.

Distance - 33 kms
Start - Buchanan Memorial Hospital, Neil's Harbour.

This cycling route is often described as a shorter version of the Cabot Trail, having many breath taking views. It has been used in the Tour Du Cape Breton and is part of the Metric (100km) Century Ride. You begin the ride by taking a left at the Y-intersection past the hospital. Be prepared for some long gradual climbs. After cycling 9 km you will reach the top of South Mountain where you will see an incredible view of Sunrise Valley and the community of Cape North. To your east is the Sugarloaf and North Mountains.

The first leg of this route ends at 13.2km with two good downhills to the turnoff at Effies Brook/White Point turnoff. Take a right at this intersection. Two kilometres (15km) from the turnoff you will face your first four hills with the last one being the toughest.

During the first half of the ride, you will see some incredible scenery and pass by the fishing communities of South Harbour, Smelt Brook and White Point. At Smelt Brook, there is a bicycle rental, repair & tour business shop and pottery studio. We encourage you to take the time to visit White Point - 3 km side trip, the view is well worth the climb going back to the loop. There is a short hiking trail to the Two Tittles and a whale watching tour at White Point. Once back on the route you will travel over rolling terrain with some nice downhills before entering the communities of New Haven & Neil's Harbour with many of the residents' ancestors coming from Newfoundland. It has a pharmacy, a doctor's office, a co-op grocery store, a take out, a restaurant, a convenience store , a nursing home, and a hospital. Good seafood is available at the restaurant and takeout. The Neil's Harbour/New Haven Vol. Fire Dept. host annually the Linger by the Sea Festival in August, one of Victoria County's top festivals. The route ends by passing through Neil's Harbour and taking a left at the Y-intersection to head back to the hospital.

It has been described as one of the most scenic routes in the world with breathtaking scenery. The Cabot Trail averages over 1,000 cyclists a year, making it one of Canada's top outdoor adventures. The Cabot Trail is 300km long or 180 miles.

Cycling the Cabot Trail requires a touring bike or mountain bike with 21 gears or more in good working condition especially the brakes. You should be in good physical condition and capable of cycling 100km a day.

It is recommended that you allow a minimum of 3 days to cycle the Cabot Trail. The longer your stay, the less kilometers you have to cycle each day, and the more activities you can do on your visit. Five days is ideal. The route begins and ends in Baddeck. There are no bike shops along the Cabot Trail, however, there are several hardware stores if you need tools.

Popular destinations locations along the Cabot Trail for overnight stays are Baddeck, Ingonish Beach & Ingonish area, Cape North/Dingwall area, Pleasant Bay, Cheticamp and Margaree area. Other areas & communities will be highlighted in the route information.

Option 1:

Day 1 Baddeck to Ingonish Beach (87km)
Day 2 Ingonish Beach to Cheticamp (133km a tough day with 3 mountains to climb)
Day 3 Cheticamp to Baddeck (88km)

Day 1 Baddeck to Cape North/Dingwall area(131km)
Day 2 Cape North to Cheticamp (70km)
Day 3 Cheticamp to Baddeck (88km)

Day 1 Baddeck to Ingonish Beach (87km)
Day 2 Ingonish Beach to Cape North (44km)
Day 3 Cape North to Cheticamp (70km)
Day 4 Cheticamp to Baddeck (88km)

Day 1 Baddeck to Ingonish Beach (87km)
Day 2 Ingonish Beach to Cape North (44km)
Day 3 Cape North to Pleasant Bay (35km)
Day 4 Pleasant Bay to Cheticamp (35km)
Day 5 Cheticamp to Baddeck (88km)

Day 1 Baddeck to Ingonish Beach (87km)
Day 2 Ingonish Beach to Cape North (44km)
Day 3 Cape North to Cheticamp (70km)
Day 4 Cheticamp to Margaree Valley (45km)
Day 5 Margaree Valley to Baddeck (40km)

There are two ways to do the Cabot Trail - Clockwise or counterclockwise. Clockwise is the favoured route because of the prevailing winds are at our back. Other people have cycled the Cabot Trail counter clockwise and never experience head winds at all. There are also more downhills counter clockwise. It is your choice! However, the route described in this publication will be counter clockwise.

You leave Baddeck and continue east along the Bay Road (past Bell Museum) to the Trans Canada 105 Highway (9km). To your right, you will see the Bell Estate and Baddeck Bay. Turn right on to the Trans Canada 105 km Highway and head for St. Ann's (10km). There is a good paved shoulder for you to cycle on. At St. Ann's you have two choices:

-1) cycle around St. Ann's, North River and Tarbotvale and continue on the Cabot Trail (30km to River Bennett turnoff) or
2). Go to Englishtown via Trans Canada 105 Highway and Route 312 and cross the ferry (15km to River Bennett).

If you decide to take option 1, you will cycle past the communities of St. Ann's, Goose Cove, North River. There are also many craft shops and studios to visit along the way where you can stop in and browse during a little break.

Option 2 - Cycling to Englishtown, you continue on the Trans Canada Highway #105 from St. Ann's to the Englishtown turnoff (4.2km) Take a left here. Be careful you are crossing a major highway. You are now on route #312. You will cycle about 6 km to the Englishtown Ferry. Most of this will be downhill. Along the way you will pass the Giant MacAskill Museum and the local wharf. You can take a boat tour (3 hrs. return) to Bird ISlands from this wharf. Well worth the trip to Bird ISlands where you see Puffins and Eagles and so much more.  You will notice the St. Ann's Mountains to your left at the ferry. After crossing the ferry you will continue on Route #312 for about 5km to the River Bennett turnoff. Go straight through this intersection and you are now on the Cabot Trail. Englishtown & Route 312 was the old Cabot Trail.

About 3km down the road in Indian Brook you will pass a restaurant, store and campground along with a pizza shop (good pizza's here). Just down the road are fine art and craft shops and a cafe. After Indian Brook, you will pass through the communities of North Shore, Little River, Breton Cove and Skir Dhu. There is a Fisheries & Hertiage Museum at Little River, a short 1 km off Cabot Trail. The North Shore area hosts annually the Feis Chladaich a Tuath, North Shore's Gaelic Festival in September where you can learn more about the gaelic language, gaelic songs, milling frolics and much more. It is geared towards beginners and up; visitors are welcome.  At Wreck Cove there is a general store which is quite famous for its lobster sandwiches, will be worth a stop here. From Wreck Cove you will cycle to Cape Smokey Mountain approximately 8-9 km away. Many people consider the climb up Cape Smokey the toughest on the Cabot Trail. It is at least 4 km up with no breaks. There is a picnic park to your right on top of the mountain, as well a nice hiking trail (9km return) with an incredible view of Ingonish & Area in the background, don't forget to take your camera. From Cape Smokey, you enjoy the downhills and flat terrain to Ingonish Beach. You will pass through the communities of Ingonish Ferry and Ingonish Harbour. There are three whale watching cruises from these communities,  an Open Air Concert venue featuring entertainment, a seafood takeout and  the Ski Cape Smokey Ski Resort on your left which has been the venue of several national events. It is open in the summer for chairlift rides.

At Ingonish Beach, there are several activities and attractions for you to enjoy. It is home of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the Keltic Lodge. Make sure you stop in at the Park Information Centre to get maps, brochures and information on the Park and surrounding areas. Some activities available to you in the Ingonish area are : Hiking in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, tennis, golfing at the world famous Highlands Links Golf course, swimming at Ingonish Beach or North Bay Beach, mountain biking, and much more. The Ingonish area has a bank, a liquor store, several takeouts, restaurants, motels, campgrounds, cabins etc.

Things to do:

1) Hike the Franey Hiking Trail
2) Golf at Highland Links
3) Swim at North Bay Resort or Ingonish Beach
4) Hike the Middle Head Trail at Keltic Lodge
5) Go whale watching

The route begins by leaving Ingonish Beach and passing through the communities of Ingonish Centre and Ingonish. At the Ingonish Centre you will see Ingonish Island and Middle Head. Down the road there is a convenience store. At Ingonish, there are a number of resorts, cottages, chalets, a grocery store, a hardware and sporting goods store, garages and gift shops. About 10 km from Ingonish Beach is North Bay. Here, you will have a great view of the Ingonish area and the North Bay wharf. It is an excellent place to take a picture. About 1 km past the wharf, you will be entering the Cape Breton Highland National Park again..

The ride to Neil's Harbour, the next community is quite enjoyable with a number of look-offs for you to stop and enjoy. Neil's Harbour is about 26 km from Ingonish Beach.

About 3 km before Neil's Harbour, you will come to an area called Black Brook, There is a nice picnic area here on the rocks. Just down the road is Black Brook Beach and a number of hiking trails. If you have time (about an hour), hike the Jack Pine Trail. It is one of the Park's best trails and is only 2.8 km long.

There are a few downhills before you reach Neil's Harbour so enjoy them. At the last downhill to your left is Halfway Brook. A number of locals swim at this brook just a short walk in form the parking lot.

Neil's Harbour is located off the Cabot Trail and well worth a visit. Often described as another Peggy's Cove, this fishing community offers the photographer a number of great shots. Nearby is the fishing community of New Haven. These two communities combine forces to stage the "Linger By The Sea Festival" in early August each year. Neil's Harbour is also the service centre for North of Smokey. Its has a pharmacy, a grocery store, a doctor's office, a convenience store, a garage, a takeout and restaurant both featuring seafood. .

At Neil's Harbour, you have a choice of two routes to continue your journey around the Cabot Trail. One is to stay on the Cabot Trail and Head to Cape North (18 km). The other is to take the Alternate Scenic Route, option # 2, which passes through the communities of Neil's Harbour, New Haven, White Point, Smelt Brook and South Harbour and hooks back on the Cabot Trail at Effie's Brook. It is a little longer but well worth the views (23 km to Cape North).

If you decide on option #1 and stay on the Cabot Trail, be prepared for some long gradual climbs at the beginning. About 9 km from Neil's Harbour you will have reached the top of the South Mountain. Here you will see an incredible view of Sunrise Valley and the community of Cape North. To the east is the Sugarloaf and North Mountains. You will have two nice downhills to enjoy from here. They will be fast so be careful. At the end of the last downhill you will come to the Effie's Brook intersection. This is where the Alternate Scenic Route comes out to the Cabot Trail. . Cape North is about 3 km from Effie's Brook.

The Alternate Scenic Route, Option #2, features some hard climbs but has incredible scenery at White Point, Smelt Brook and South Harbour. The route begins with a tough climb leaving New Haven. You will then have some rolling terrain before coming to Smelt Brook and White Point (about 9 km). White Point is off the main route (3 km return). Take a right at the sign. You will have a nice downhill all the way down but a tough climb to get back up to the main route. However, the scenery is well worth the extra effort. We strongly recommend taking a picture here. About 2/3 up the hill to the main route is a great spot to take a picture of the whole community. There is a bed and breakfast, hiking trail and whale watching at White Point.

Back on the main route you will be heading to Smelt Brook. Smelt Brook has a bicycle rental/repair and tour business, pottery shop and takeout. You will have a few climbs here but the route provides you with breathtaking views of Aspy Bay. Your next community will be South Habour before coming to the Cabot Trail Turnoff, at Effies's Brook. The community of Cape North is just a short distance from here.

Cape North is the most northerly part of the Cabot Trail. It has several stores along with a takeout, a pioneer restaurant, a motel, a museum and nearby is a bed and breakfast. The North Highlands Community Museum is well worth a visit. Just before Cape North is the community of Dingwall, a fishing community that once mined gypsum. It is a short drive in (9 km return) with great views of the Harbour and Sugarloaf and North Mountains. There are boat tours available in Dingwall that include whale watching. Inquire locally for times and costs.

Another side trip from Cape North is Bay St. Lawrence (35 km). This route is rated in the top three cycling routes in Victoria County for its scenery. At Cabot Landing Provincial Day Park, you will see the cairns and monuments of John Cabot acknowledging his visit to the area and the first Nova Scotia and Newfoundland telegraph cable. There is a nice long sandy beach at this park. At Bay St. Lawrence you will enjoy the view of the Harbour. Whale watching cruises, sport fishing and sailing tours are available at the wharf here from June to September. There is a co-op grocery store in the area as well a number of bed & breakfasts, a motel and a convenience store.

The route begins by taking a left at the Pioneer Restaurant at Cape North. You will proceed to Big Intervale, 11 km away. The terrain is a bit rolling with some nice downhills.. At Big Interval there is a small campground and the Beulach Ban Falls. After crossing the bridge at Big Interval it will not be long before you tackle North mountain. It will be 4.2 km long, however, it does not have some breaks along the way. If you get tired climbing there are several look-offs to pull off to. Remember...what must come up must go down. You will enjoy a downhill of 4.0 km beginning at the low gear sign.

This can be a very fast downhill. Cycle down in control and use your brakes accordingly. At the bottom of the downhill is the Lone Sheiling - an early settler's house - worth a visit. About 3 km away is the MacIntosh Brook Campground and hiking trail. A nice place to stop for lunch and a break. A short ride away is the community of Pleasant Bay. This village has a variety of visitor services including accommodations, restaurants, gift shops and boat tours. Pleasant Bay is approximately halfway to Cheticamp - you have gone 35 km.

Leaving Pleasant Bay you will experience the longest climb of the Cabot Trail - MacKenzie Mountain, 4.3 km. It has many switchbacks. Two kilometres after you reach the top is Fishing Cove Look-Off - well worth a stop to read the interpretative display and enjoy the scenery. There is a hiking trail to Fishing Cove with primitive campsites (18 km return). After leaving Fishing Cove, you will pass by another look-off, the Fishing Cove Hiking Trail parking lot (3 km), Benjies Lake Hiking Trail (2 km ) and the Bog (1 km). At the Bog, you are about 3 km from French Mountain. At French Mountain, you will experience probably the longest downhill in your life - 6.8 km.

It is windy and you can pick up incredible speed. Once again cycle in control and use your brakes accordingly. You may want to check your brakes before going down this mountain. The downhill ends at Corney Brook campground. You will pass the Skyline hiking trail, and the Cap Rouge Look-off. The Cap Rouge area is the picture that most people and photographers take of the Cabot Trail.

Just past Corney Brook Campground be prepared for some hard hills until you pass by Trout River picnic area. Just a short distance away is another downhill - its fast, 1 km long and straight. You will go through some rolling terrain next, another hill and a downhill before reaching Cheticamp Campground (National Park). Less than a kilometre away is the Cheticamp Visitor Centre. This visitor centre is a major attraction with a nature bookstore located inside this facility. The Community of Cheticamp is located about 5 km from the Visitor Center. It offers a variety of services for visitors including a bank, grocery stores, a liquor store, craft shops, museum, a golf course, whale watching, deep sea fishing, a hospital, many beaches, etc.

You are now on the home stretch. You will pass through several small Acadian communities before coming to Margaree Harbour. There are plenty of stores along the way to stop. The first community is St. Joseph-Du-Moine. Take time to visit their Folk Art shops and the scenic look- off. Before the next community, Cap Le Moine, you will come across a rather unique scarecrow museum. Well worth a visit. The next two communities will be Terre Noire and Bell Cote. You have cycled about 29 km when arrived in Margaree Harbour. At Margaree Harbour you can visit the Marion Elizabeth Schooner Museum and the Happy Adventure. There is a nice beach here, a short drive down the road to the right.

Your next community (5km away) will be East Margaree. The Margaree Bicentennial Museum located here. Seven kilometers away is Margaree Forks. This community offers a wide variety of visitors services including a tourist bureau.

Leaving Margaree Forks, you will pass by the communities of East Margaree, Lake O'Law before reaching Middle River - 21 km away. This is relatively easy section of cycling. Don't forget to stop at the Margaree Salmon Museum, well worth a visit. At Lake O'Law there is a restaurant and a provincial picnic park.

At Middle River, there is a bakery, takeout craft shop and store. You will pass by mountains on you left and right. It is a very scenic drive through this area. You are now 22.5 km away from Baddeck. Leaving Middle River you will come to your last mountain climb on the Cabot Trail. Hunter's Mountain is approximately 2.8 km climb up with a 3.0 km downhill.

At the intersection at Cabotland (Red Barn Store), turn left on to the Trans Canada 105 highway. There is a good shoulder to cycle on to Baddeck 10 km away. Please be careful as there is a lot of traffic on this highway. Take the first exit into Baddeck and travel along the shore road to Baddeck. Congratulations, you have just cycled the Cabot Trail.

While in Baddeck, enjoy dining at one of the many restaurants, stay at one of the many accommodations places IE. Inns, motels, bed & breakfasts, cottages etc., visit the waterfront, enjoy a sailing or boat tour, sport fish, visit the Alexander Graham Bell museum, take in a ceilidh at St. Michael's Parish Hall.

Sea Spray Cycle Center
Kristopher or Dennis Doyon, Smelt Brook,
R.R. # 2 Dingwall, NS BOC 1GO .

Mountain and Hybrid Bicycle Rentals. On-and off road tours. Guided backcountry explorations. Daily Coastal tours. Full parts & repair department. Mechanic on duty. Emergency pickup of stranded cyclists. Bicycle Sales. Cyclist "Courtesies" (water bottle fill-up, trail advice, trip planning etc.) Open May - November. Visa /Mastercard
Phone & fax (902)383-2732

More information can be obtained from:

Victoria County Recreation & Tourism Dept.,

P.O. Box 370,
Baddeck, N.S.
B0E 1B0
Phone: (902) 295-3231
Fax: (902) 295-3331

vcrdt@auracom.com