Cabot Trail

The Cabot Trail is a loop around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. It climbs through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, drops to fishing villages on both coasts and spends long stretches on cliffs high above the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic.

It packs mountain switchbacks, ocean views, Acadian and Gaelic culture and excellent seafood into a ride you can do in one long day — but two days lets you actually stop.

Highlights

• The western highlands climb out of Chéticamp, an Acadian fishing town
• The descent into Pleasant Bay, a base for whale-watching
• MacKenzie and French Mountain switchbacks with Gulf views
• Ingonish and the beaches on the Atlantic side
• Baddeck on the Bras d'Or Lake, the traditional start and finish

Best time to ride

June to mid-October. Late September and early October bring famous fall colors (and more traffic).

The road

Paved, with steep grades and sharp curves through the highlands; surfaces vary after winter. Expect fog and cool temperatures on the high plateau even in summer.

Riding tips

• You need a Parks Canada pass for the national park section.
• Ride clockwise to stay in the inside lane on the most exposed western cliffs, or counterclockwise for the ocean-side view — riders argue about it every year.
• Fuel up in Baddeck, Chéticamp or Ingonish; services are thin in between.