Credit: Mountain Pine Adventures
The Cabot Trail is a world-famous tourist destination that turns into a spectacular fall scene as the leaves of old-growth forests turn beautiful colours. Driving the Cabot Trail is very popular with visitors and locals alike during the fall. While you could drive the Cabot Trail in just 8 hours, it is best enjoyed by making 2 to 3 overnight stops along the way.
Be sure to check out the list of 25 things to do along the Cabot Trail this fall.
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1.Celtic Colours International Festival
Celtic Colours International Festival is a unique celebration of Cape Breton’s living traditional culture. The nine-day festival is packed with hundreds of activities and events across Cape Breton. Celtic Colours has grown to be one of Canada’s premiere musical events and cultural highlights, which continues to grow with each passing year. Details
Baddeck
Held around Thanksgiving weekend. (October 11 to 19, 2019)
2. Zipline through awesome colours at Mountain Pine Adventures
Spend a fun fall afternoon zipping through the air high above rivers and treetops at Mountain Pine Adventures. Their high action zipline course has 2 exhilarating 500ft runs that have breathtaking views of the mountains and the ocean. Details
30001 Cabot Trail, Dingwall
3. Wednesday Night Ceilidhs
Head to the Great Hall of the Clans on a Wednesday evening for a lively night of music, songs, dancing and much more. Details
51779 Cabot Trail, Englishtown
Wednesdays at 7:30pm
4. Huckle Buckle Festival
Visit Ingonish to celebrate the splendour of fall during the Annual Huckle Buckle Fall Festival! Guided Hikes, fabulous food, children’s activities, pumpkins, scarecrows and ceilidhs — there is something for everyone! Highlights include Moonlight Pumpkin Walk that will feature spectacular fireworks. Details
Various Venues, Ingonish
October 13-19, 2019
5. Highland Bow & Arrow
Try your hand at archery at this fun roadside attraction. Highland Bow & Arrow is located right on the Cabot Trail. Owner/Instructor Jay offers a 30 minute lesson, followed by 30 minutes of practice with unlimited arrows. Details
43118 Cabot Trail, Skir Dhu
6. Lone Shieling Trail
During the fall, the sugar maple trees showcase the autumn colors along the Lone Shieling Trail. This beautiful trail is one of the most protected areas in the national park. Along the trail, you will find a life-size replica of a Scottish crofter hut.
24543 Cabot Trail, Pleasant Bay
7. Cheticamp Farmers’ Market
Open on Saturdays from late June to late October, the Cheticamp Farmers’ Market delights visitors with a range of fresh produce, yummy rolls, and delectable baked goods. You can also find local crafts like hooked rugs, photography and wood products. Details
15118 Cabot Trail, Chéticamp
Late June to Late October on Saturdays 10am to 1pm
8. Freshwater Lake Look-Off Trail
This trail is steep and short but it rewards you with stunningly beautiful views of Ingonish Beach, Middle Head, Cape Smokey, and Freshwater. If you don’t have time for a longer hike to get a gorgeous fall view, this trail is for you.
Hike #24, Cape Breton Highlands National Park
9. The Dancing Goat Cafe & Bakery.
Stop into the popular roadside café, Dancing Goat Café and Bakery, to have lunch or a sweet treat. They offer artisanal sandwiches and soups, fresh bread, delectable dessert and lattes that would rival any top coffee house. Be sure to buy a package of Goat Cakes (oatcakes) and a Margaree Valley Fog for the road! Details
6289 Cabot Trail, Margaree Valley
10. Pet the Goats at the Groovy Goat Farm & Soap Company
Since Groovy Goat Farm & Soap Company is a family farm, you have the opportunity to meet the friendly goats who produce the milk that is used to create the soap. In the shop, you can pick up handcrafted natural soaps and lotions. Details
36028 Cabot Trail, Ingonish
11. Big Spruce Brewing
If you are a craft beer aficionado, then visiting Big Spruce Brewing is a ‘must-do’ activity for you. They are Atlantic Canada’s only organic, on-farm craft brewery and hop yard that brews only unfiltered and unpasteurized beer. Details
64 Yankee Line Rd, Baddeck
12. Bell Buoy Restaurant & Supper House
Enjoy a scrumptious meal at the Bell Buoy Restaurant & Supper House where all the seafood served is caught in the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean. You can also enjoy hand-cut steaks, pasta, an excellent wine list along with fresh baked bread and desserts, as well as homemade ice cream. Details
536 Chebucto St, Baddeck
13. Hike the Skyline Trail – Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Go for a refreshing hike on the Skyline Trail, which has some of the most iconic and stunning views of Cape Breton and the Atlantic Ocean. The trail follows the cliffs that will take you around the rugged coast. The trail is looped and takes between 2 to 3 hours to complete. It is suitable for all skill levels. Details
19685 Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park
14. Whale Interpretive Centre
If your plans include whale watching while you are in Cape Breton, the Whale Interpretive Centre is a great place where to visit you can learn about these amazing creatures. You will also get to see a life-size model of ‘Hook’, the pilot whale, suspended above a saltwater livestock tank that contains live creatures found in the whale’s environment. Details
104 Harbour Rd, Pleasant Bay
Open Through Oct 15
15. Cape Smokey Provincial Park
If you want to see spectacular coastal views while you are travelling around the Cabot Trail, be sure to stop at Cape Smokey Provincial Park that is located at the top of Smokey Mountain. You can also hike 10 km (6.2 mi) return trail that takes approximately four hours to hike and it also has rest stops. Details
40301 Cabot Trail, Cape Smokey
16. Les Trois Pignons
Les Trois Pignons is a museum that combines the story of the Acadian’s settlement in the area with that of the evolution of hooked rugs. It also houses the Museum of the Hooked Rug and Home Life, which is an Acadian, cultural, genealogical and visitor information centre. Details
15584 Cabot Trail, Chéticamp
17. Meat Cove Chowder Hut
Drop into Meat Cove Campground’s “Chowder Hut Restaurant” for a bowl of scrumptious seafood chowder, mussels, lobster, or one of the many other tasty dishes that they serve up daily. You can also enjoy a cold beer with your meal on their licensed deck. Details
2479 Meat Cove Rd, Capstick
18. Jigging Cove Trail
Birders and nature lovers enjoy hiking this short walking trail as you spot varied wildlife from the trail. The trail connects with the Coastal Trail, and is named for a neighbouring cove where fishermen would jig for cod. Details
33345 Cabot Trail, Cabot Breton Highland National Park
19. Centre de la Mi-Carême
Mi-Carême (Mid-Lent), one of the oldest Acadian traditions, is a celebration involving masks and disguises. The Centre de la Mi-Carême has a unique display of locally crafted masks and interactive exhibits that depict the evolution of “La Mi-Carême”. You can learn more about this traditional celebration by watching a series of short theatre pieces at the Centre. Details
51 Old Cabot Trail Rd, Grand Étang
20. Restaurant 100 Km at Chanterelle County Inn & Cottages
Since opening in 2000, Restaurant 100 has been serving amazing cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes nightly. Flocks of hummingbirds are showed from the verandah. Reservations are required. Details
48678 Cabot Trail, Baddeck.
21. Le Portage Golf Club
Between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Cheticamp Mountain range is the Le Portage Golf Club. Golfers love the challenging 18 hole golf course that has amazing views. If you prefer a shorter game, they also have a wonderful 9-hole course.
15580 Cabot Trail, Chéticamp
22.Wreck Cove General Store
One of the Cabot Trails iconic places where visitors and locals like to stop in for their fresh lobster sandwiches. It is a roll packed with lobster and not much else. You can also pick up colourful Cabot Trail t-shirts and souvenirs at the Wreck Cove General Store. Details
42470 Cabot Trail, Birch Plain
23. Mica Hill Trail
Mica Hill Trail will take you through Acadian mixed forest and to the top of the windswept plateau. The plateau offers a fantastic 360-degree view of the spanning the barrens, coastal villages, and the dramatic Aspy fault. You can find a narrower footpath that will take you to the outcrops of mica and quartz. Details
Paquette Lake Road, Cape Breton Highlands National Park
24. Cape North Farmer’s Market
Head to the Farmers market on the Cabot Trail to do some shopping this fall. This market is the largest market of its kind with almost 50 vendors and it attracts thousands of visitors every year. Details
Cabot Fire Hall, 29428 Cabot Trail, Cape North
25. Celtic Colour Hikes
Join Parks Canada Staff on guided hikes through brilliant fall colours during Celtic Colours International Festival concerts in Chéticamp, Aspy Bay and Ingonish. Details
October 14: Acadian trail
October 15: Corney Brook trail
October 16: Aspy trail
October 17: Franey trail
October 18: Mica Hill trail
Places to Stay along Cabot Trail
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