Winter Wellness Walks at Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Date: January 18th 2023 until March 8th 2023

Enjoy the great outdoors this winter, and join us for Winter Wellness Walks (or snowshoes, depending on Mother Nature’s whimsy!) in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Come out and play, reflect, and regenerate in a world of wonder!

• Weather permitting. 
• No registration required. 
• No charge for these hikes. 
• Trails not groomed. 
• Call 902-224-2306 or email interpcb@pc.gc.ca for more information.

***Please bring appropriate attire, extra layers, water, and a snack.  Weather conditions can change quickly and unexpectedly.

Celebrating the Wonder of Winter

January 18th – Corney Brook 10 am

6.5 km return (easy – though in snowshoes, perhaps moderate; distance may be reduced, with an earlier turning point, depending on conditions). Park by Corney Brook Campground, across the road from the trailhead, 10 km north of Chéticamp Visitor Centre. Meet at trailhead. ‘Celebrate the wonders of winter as you follow a meandering brook through a hardwood forest to a small waterfall.’

January 25th – Warren Lake 10 am

5 km loop (moderate). Park and meet on Warren Lake Rd., off the Cabot Trail (base of Mary Ann Falls Rd.), just north of Ingonish, 12 km north of Ingonish Visitor Centre.  We will need to walk a short stretch along the Cabot Trail to the beginning of the trail (that goes from Broad Cove to the lake). Please note, this walk will not follow the official ‘Warren Lake Trail’, but rather loop from the Cabot Trail, near Broad Cove Campground, to the lake, and back along the Warren Lake Road. ‘Welcome the Winter Wonders of Warren Lake!’

Celebrating the Whimsy of Winter Winds

February 15th – Mica Hill – 10 am

8 km return (moderate; distance may be reduced, with an earlier turning point, depending on conditions). Park and meet at the large parking area just off the Cabot Trail at the beginning of Paquette Lake Road (we will walk in the access road and hopefully to the 3rd platform of the trail). On South Mountain, between Neils Harbour and South Harbour. ‘Celebrate the Whimsy of Winter Winds as you walk or snowshoe along the Paquette Lake Rd. and along the first half of the Mica Hill Trail through a variety of forests.’

February 22nd – Benjie’s Lake – 10 am

3 km return (easy).  Park and meet at the trailhead by the Cabot Trail, on top of French Mountain, 21.5 km north of Chéticamp Visitor Centre, 15 km south of Pleasant Bay. ‘Celebrate the Whimsy of Winter Winds on top of the plateau on a short trek through boreal forest to a small lake.’

Celebrating Women and Wellness on International Women’s Day

March 8th – MacIntosh Brook – 10 am

2 km return (easy).  Park at MacIntosh Brook Campground, 3 km west of Pleasant Bay. Meet at trailhead. ‘Celebrate Women and Wellness on International Women’s Day on this stroll along a babbling brook through mature hardwood forest to a small waterfall.’

March 8th – Full Moon Hike at Freshwater Lake – 7 pm (*night hike)

2 km loop (easy). Park at Ingonish Beach Day Use Area parking, meet by the tennis courts. ‘Celebrate Women and Wellness on International Women’s Day, under a full moon, on this moonlit snowshoe / hike along the shoreline of Freshwater Lake.’