Inverness County is known for great golfing, great music, and the Great Outdoors. Inverness has a distinct look and feel, even to the rest of Cape Breton, and its charm lies in this experience of uniqueness. You’ll find several familiar activities on this list, but they’ll all offer the Inverness flavour and make your time outdoors special. If you’ve never been to Cape Breton, this is a great place to start.
Find Eco-Chic Under the Dome
The way we travel has become more and more varied, and there’s a place for everyone. True North Destinations is the perfect place to go if you value both luxury and ecological responsibility. Their 5-star domes let you stay in perfect comfort and see how far eco-chic has come. You’ve got your pick of where the domes are, from cliff side to the highlands. They’ve got packages for all kinds of groups, and they’re also close to several other natural destinations. Try out dome life in one of the most beautiful parts of Inverness county.
Cost
Address: Pleasant Bay
Phone Number: 1-902-224-3055 or 1-833-223-6637
Website
A Great Day Fishing
The ‘teach a man to fish and you’ll feed him for a lifetime’ proverb is all about physical hunger, but “A Great Day Fishing” also provides food for the mind. Their guided fly fishing days on the river will teach you how to fly fish even if you’re an absolute beginner, and they teach everyone how to fly fish for Wild Atlantic Salmon. There are several places along the Margaree River for fly-fishing, and they provide you with all the equipment you need (besides the license). With a maximum group size of four anglers, this is a great opportunity to learn about the joys of fly-fishing, catch some awesome fish, and get in touch with nature in a sustainable, healthy fashion.
Cost
Address: 299 Bourgeois Road, Petit Etang
Phone Number: 902-224-5957
Website
Climb for the Blueberries
There are several marked trails in Inverness County; you’ll find several on this list. But Blueberry Mountain is a rarer unmarked trail that is well worth the challenge. The trail goes past a river and then up through where the Old Cabot Trail was up to the Skyline trail. You’ll cross a river, climb the mountain, and then arrive at a top covered in wild blueberries (and some cranberries, but there must not be as many otherwise it would be called Blue-Cran-Berry Mountain). Bring a pail and some bells; the first is for the blueberries, and the second is for the moose that tend to wander around the mountain.
Cost: Free
Address: Cap Rouge Lookoff
Website
Golf on the Cliffs
If you love golf and you’re looking for a challenging course, Cabot Cliffs is a must. Built on dramatic cliffs outside of Inverness, this golf course has won worldwide recognition for its beauty and design (it’s actually number 8 on Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, and number 1 in Canada). My dad’s played here, and he told me that you should hire a caddy for the day—in order to minimize signage, the golf course has fewer directional signs, so you need someone to show you the way. He also said that it’s the good kind of challenging and the scenery is one of a kind. Head out and get some golf stories; just remember to bring several golf balls, because it’s gonna be really hard to get your ball out of the ocean.
Cost
Address: 18 Cabot Lane, Inverness
Phone Number: 1-902-258-4653 or 1-855-746-3632
Website
Golf on the Links
Cabot Cliffs has a sister course: Cabot Links. They’re part of the same property (so if you’re staying you can golf at either), but like many sisters they each have their own kind of beauty. Cabot Links was the first authentic links in Canada, and the 18 holes have ocean on one side and the town of Inverness on the other. My dad says that this is more of a “golfer’s golf course”; it looks more traditional and there’s less chance of your ball falling into the mysterious fathoms below. It’s a stunning course, and is a member of the same list of accolades as Cabot Cliffs, so you really can’t go wrong. My dad’s suggestion is to come during “twilight” rate time, because then you could try both out and see which one suits you best.
Cost
Address: 18 Cabot Lane, Inverness
Phone Number: 1-902-258-4653 or 1-855-746-3632
Website
Follow the 17 Trails
Exploring the Cape Mabou Highlands is best done by using their 17 trails. Yes, that many, but don’t worry, there are only three trailheads, so you can’t really get lost. The trails stretch throughout the Highlands and you can explore the coast, the glens, or the plateaus. You can do all seventeen if you’ve got lots of time and energy, but it’s a good idea to plan your route, especially the first time you go, just to make sure that you don’t get super tired and cranky. There are few activities less fun than hiking when you’re already cranky.
Cost: Free
Address: Three trailheads – Sight Point Road from Inverness, from Cape Mabou via Glenora near the windmill, and Mabou Mines
Contact: nhunt861@gmail.com
Trail Map
Whales by the Zodiac
In the case of the Captain Zodiac Whale Cruise, the Zodiac has nothing to do with the constellations. A Zodiac is actually a small boat that’s only a couple feet tall, so you’re very close to the water. As you can imagine, that makes whale-watching an intense experience. They’re dedicated to finding whales to watcg, from pilot to humpbacks, to the point that they start looking for whales at sunrise. If you don’t see whales, you get a full refund (which is unique to this organization), so go out on a boat and keep your eyes sharp!
Cost: 39$ for adults, seniors, and students, 29$ for children
Address: 15407 Cabot Trail, Cheticamp
Phone Number: 1-877-232-2522
Website
Paddle Down the River
Nova Scotia is famous for its ocean activities, but there are beautiful rivers in the province too. Margaree River is one such river, and CB West Paddle Boats is ready to help you enjoy the river to its fullest potential. You can take a 3-4 hour guided tour on either a kayak or a stand-up paddle boat (SUP), and no experience necessary—all you need are clothes you’re okay with getting wet and a great attitude. If you want to go alone, they also provide for self-guided tours that includes getting you to the river. Or, if you just want to set out and see where the day takes you on the river, you can rent either water vehicle for the day and they’ll also provide you with a life jacket and a paddle, which are both essential in their own way.
Cost
Address: 117 East Margaree Crossing Road, Margaree
Phone Number: 902-224-5770
Website
Hike the Trail With Two Names
This trail has two names—it’s officially listed as the Port Hawkesbury Trail, but it’s also known as the Centennial Woodland Trail. Whichever you decide to call it, it’s a very pretty trail through the woods. The terrain is mainly flat, and it’s close to Port Hawkesbury, so it’s a good adventure to start with. However, the signage is a bit spotty, so be sure to bring a navigational aid.
Cost: Free
Address: Crandall Drive, Port Hawkesbury
Website
Have A Quiet Beach Day
When you go to the beach, you don’t always want to deal with a huge crowd. If you’re looking for that, you need to follow the locals, which is where you’ll find Chimney Corner Beach. Settled a privacy-giving distance from the road, this cove offers a beautiful beach. There’s a freshwater stream, the ocean water is shallow for quite a distance, and you can explore the rocks too. If you want a quieter beach day, this is the perfect destination.
Cost: Free
Address: Chimney Corner Road, Margaree
Website
Go “Treading” For Tuna
The Dawn Treader Tuna Charters has nothing to do with the book by C.S. Lewis, but there is adventure to be had! If you’re like me and didn’t know this, bluefin tuna are huge. Like…really huge. If you want to get a chance to catch one, Dawn Treader is happy to take you out, all the equipment included, to fish for tuna in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence with lunch included (I wonder if they serve tuna sandwiches?) They frequently catch tuna that are over 1000 lbs, which sounds nuts but the biggest tuna in the world was caught in these waters and weighed in at 1496 lbs!
Cost
Address: Inverness Harbour
Phone Number: 902-478-3775
Website
An Eagle Eye for Adventure
There are several kinds of outdoor adventures in Inverness, and Eagle Eye Outfitters is ready to guide you on several of them. They have cycling tours, deep sea fishing excursions (including specific ones for bluefin tuna), whale and sea watching trips, and even lobster boils. All of the excursions include fully trained guides, and you can book a private excursion if you’ve got a larger group. Whether by land or by sea, they’ve got a sharp eye for adventure and fun in the wilder parts of Cape Breton.
Cost: Contact for specific packages and tours
Address: 15860 Central Avenue, Inverness
Phone Number: 902-258-5893
Website
Hike and Swim to a Mine
Gypsum is one of those rocks that isn’t talked about much, but it’s crucial to many things—it’s a major component of plaster, chalk, and drywall. The Gypsum Mine outside of Chéticamp is no longer in use, but you can follow the trail to see the quarry. The Gypsum Mine Trail was once a railroad and is now simply a multipurpose trail out to the quarry. You can see from the pictures on the Facebook page how gorgeous the trail is in all seasons, and since it’s a mainly flat 2.6 km one way, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.
Cost: Free
Address: Cabot Trail, Cheticamp
Website
Follow the Fairy Trail
There is a trail that stretches all the way through Inverness County called the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, and it is 92 km of stunning natural beauty. That’s an awful lot to do in one day though, so I’m highlighting a couple sections of it in this article. The first I’ll describe is the Inverness Shean (which is Gaelic for ‘house of the fairies’) Trail, which is 16km from Blackstone to Inverness and is the last leg of the Celtic Shores. The trail is mainly flat, and there are several places to stop along the way. Check out the link below for a detailed list of historical and natural sights you’ll pass, and I’ll just say that even walking a part of this trail will treat you to an incredible look at the various ways humans and nature connect.
Cost: Free
Address: Beach No.1 Road Inverness
Website
Become A Trail Flyer
Judique Flyer Trail is another section of the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, but this one is a little bit longer at 19 km. Judique Flyer starts at a river trestle and goes over ten more, passing by waterways and wetland along the way. You’ll find some beautiful lookoffs, a beach to visit, see active fishing harbours, and you can pay your respects at a pioneer cemetery. If you’re interested in a longer hike or bike ride, this is a great place to go; just make sure you leave some time to explore Judique itself, and maybe even check out one of their twice-weekly Ceilidhs!
Cost: Free
Address: 5930 Highway 19, Judique
Website
Mountain Hiking Challenge
If you’re looking for a challenging hike, you should head for Lewis Mountain Trail. It’s 10km into the woods on an unmaintained road beside a brook. You can go further than 10 km if you want—the road technically goes out to Lake Ansile, but it gets much more difficult past that point, so be prepared. However far you go, you’ll find a challenging and rewarding adventure in the forest.
Cost: Free
Address: Lewis Mountain Road
Website
Come to a Park That’s What It Says On The Tin
Despite having such a small population, Mabou contributes to the natural and cultural beauty of Inverness County in multiple ways. In fact, it has multiple provincial parks. The first one is Mabou Provincial Park (not the most creative name, but it gets the job done), and it’s just 1.5 km north of Mabou. The park is right beside a hill, and you’ll find picnic tables with beautiful views of the Mabou Valley.
Cost: Free
Address: 11925 Highway 19 Mabou
Website
Explore Mabou Beach
West Mabou Beach Provincial Park is the second of Mabou’s Provincial Park, and it’s quite different from the other one. It has a beautiful sandy beach complete with dunes (follow signage about where you can walk, you don’t want to wreck the dunes). Once you’ve gotten your fill of the beach, you can explore the rest of the park, which includes several old farm fields and marshes. Take a walk along the trail, have a picnic, and enjoy your time at this park by the sea.
Cost: Free
Address: 1757 Little Mabou Road, Mabou
Website
See Fish Nurseries
Since fish live underwater and we do not (sadly), you rarely seeing fish being born. One place you can see them is the Margaree Fish Hatchery. This hatchery has been around since 1902, and its essential for maintaining healthy waterways. They release hundreds of thousands of trout and salmon every year, so stop by and see some fishies!
Address: 115 Hatchery Road, Margaree Valley
Phone Number: 902-248-2845
Website
Head for the Harbour
Margaree is a beautiful area of Inverness, and if you can only spend a little bit of time here, Margaree Harbour is the place to go. It’s close by to several places on this list, and the views are just gorgeous. Take a stroll around this beautiful town, and you can even stay here and make it your base of operations for your time in Inverness. No matter how busy your trip might be, it’s good to have a central, quiet base.
Cost: Free
Website
Take it Easy at the Beach
If you’re looking for an easy and relaxing day at the beach, you should check out Port Hood Beach. The water is shallow because of the sandbars, and the water is very calm. It’s also quite warm for most of the summer—up to 24 degrees Celsius, which is way above average for Nova Scotia water. The beach is supervised during July and August, and there’s a canteen, washrooms, and showers, all ingredients for a perfect long beach day.
Cost: Free
Address: 40 Court Street, Port Hood
Website
Pretend to Be A Mountain Goat
Salt Mountain isn’t actually made out of salt, but the trail is still very cool. Right in the heart of Whycocomagh, the trail takes you to the summit, where you can gaze down 230 m to the Bras D’Or Lake. It’s a tricky hike for sure; even over 3.5 km, the elevation goes up very steeply. You can enjoy yourself at the summit and then make your way down, or you can follow the Scout Trail, which would make it a 9.5km trek. It’s not recommended for beginners with the terrain, but if you’re a seasoned adventurer you’ll enjoy this wild ramble.
Cost: Free
Address: Provincial Park Road, Whycocomagh
Website
Find Whales and Sea
If you want to “sea” even more whales, head up to Pleasant Bay and take a ride with Captain Mark’s Whale & Seal Cruise! These tours also happen on Zodiac boats, which are a great way to see whales, as I discussed in the ‘Captain Zodiac’ listing before. Their routes are in different waters, and Captain Mark’s is also focused on seeing seals, which means going closer to shore, so they are different. But if you’re having a hard time deciding between the two…why not both?
Cost
Address: 126 Harbour Road, Pleasant Bay
Phone Number: 1-888-754-5112 or 902-224-1316
Website
Have A Whale of A Time By the Shore
I was unable to find out whether you can always see whales at Whale Cove Beach, but even if you can’t, you can always pretend to be one! It’s a gorgeous beach with a raft to swim out to, and it’s right off the road so you can get back to wherever you’re staying more quickly if it starts to be tantrum—I mean nap o’clock. You’ll see some spectacular views from the beach as well as from the bluff above it, so go get your feet wet!
Cost: Free
Address: Shore Road, Margaree Harbour
Website
Come Park in Whycocomagh
Whycocomagh Provincial Park is a hillside park that overlooks the Skye River Valley and the Bras D’Or Lakes, so you could spend your whole time here just looking at the view. That might get dull after a while though, so explore further into the park! There are hiking trails that lead to different look-offs, there’s lots of wildlife and birds to observe, and you can also fish and kayak within the park. This is also a great place to camp—you can bring your own tents, or if you want to try something a little different, check out their yurts!
Cost: Free
Address: 87 Provincial Park Road, Whycocomagh
Website
By: Adrienne Colborne