Cape Breton

Aug 29-Sep 2
AC650 YYZ-YQM, AC1501 YQM-YYZ

For my parent’s 60th anniversary, we had considered a number of options to celebrate, including them joining us on our planned Galapagos cruise. Ultimately, we decided to spend the Labour Day weekend together on Cape Breton.

Cape Breton is a favourite location for my parents, and we’ve always enjoyed our time there, so were happy that we could visit as a family for the first time.

Aug 29

After our early morning flight from Moncton, we picked up the rental car and started our drive towards Cape Breton stopping briefly at my sister’s house to pick up my parents and a grab lunch in New Glasgow. After crossing the causeway to Cape Breton, we headed to Port Hood Station Provincial Park for a walk on the beach.

Pausing for a family photo along the beach

Sunset over Pooles Bond from our Airbnb in near Little Narrows

As we always do as a family, we had a lovely dinner together followed by a very competitive card game.

Aug 30

The weather forecast had been a little variable so we hadn’t locked in any plans. After breakfast, we decided that the weather looked nice enough to try to do the Cabot Trail. Although it made for a long day of driving, it would have been tough to visit Cape Breton without doing at least part of the Cabot Trail. As my sister and her wife had been busy preparing for a move, they decided to relax rather than take the long drive.

St. Anne’s Harbour as we started our way along the Cabot Trail

Further along the coast with Ross Beach below

More of the rugged east coast of Cape Breton, as we continued along the trail highway

Hiking to an overlook as we entered the national park near Ingonish

The historic Keltic Lodge at the Highlands hotel and golf course

Some of the dense evergreen bush along the coast

Although we were at the end of the season, there were still some kayaks ready for rental

Continuing north along the coast from Ingonish

Stopping again further along the Cabot Trail at another lookout

Posing with my parents in front of Green Cove

Others enjoying the view at Green Cove

The reward for our hike to 65ft Beulach Ban Falls

Back on the Cabot Trail after our hike to the falls, enjoying the blue skies that far exceeded our expectations for the weather

Stopping for another short hike at Lone Shieling Trail

Lone Shieling, a replica of a Scottish crofter's hut

Our short hike takes us by the Grand Anse River

Looking back on Pleasant Bay as we switchbacked our way up the coastal mountain

Surveying some of the windy Cabot Trail as we stopped at another lookout

Getting a little further form the coast, still scenic views of the mountain valley

Our last stop was Bog Trail, hoping for a Moose sighting that unfortunately wasn’t meant to be

More of the boggy trail

Back along the coast, some of the more iconic coastal Cabot Trail views as we headed south towards Cheticamp

Having completed our loop, we headed inland and back towards our Airbnb, ready for dinner and more games to end the day.

Aug 31

After a full day of driving, we decided to stay closer to our home base, exploring the nearby attractions.

Posing with my sister on a short hike to a waterfall

The trail got a little more complicated as we got closer to the falls

Uisge Ban Falls

Baddeck Bay, from the town of Baddeck

Gilbert H. Grosvenor Hall, a historic Baddeck building

Metal pirate sculpture on Baddeck dock

Kidston Island Lighthouse, located on Kidston Island in the Bras d'Or Lake

Two cormorants perched on a buoy in Bras D’Or Lake

Historic Victoria County Court House, our last stop together with the family before we head back for lunch

Heading out with Tom, we took a brief stop at a war memorial near the town of Iona

Continuing our afternoon drive, we stopped at a scenic cemetery

Rocky outcropping at Plaster Cover Ponds

Sheltered Maskells Harbour off of Bras D’or Lake

Looking towards the larger Bras D’Or Lake

Short hike to Washabuck Falls

Finishing our short hike, we then headed back to the join the family at the Airbnb

Back at the Airbnb, we enjoyed our last evening together with another family meal and games.

Sep 1

Although the rest of the family was eager to get home, we weren’t flying out until the next morning, so decided to spend more time in the Cabot Trail National Park. Aug 31st was the last day of free admission to Canada’s national parks so we knew that it might be busy, and we got out for an early start heading towards the very popular Skyline Trail.

The Skyline trail starts across terrain that has the potential for moose sightings. Unfortunately we had none.

Beautiful view of the Cabot Trail highway from the Skyline

Looking south down the coast

Looking across to the Cabot Trail

Making our way back up the trail to complete our loop

The curves and bends of the trail

Looking up the coast away from the highway as the trail loops back

We may not have caught any moose sightings, but we did find colourful caterpillars

One last nature shot before we completed the loop and drove to my sister’s house

With a brief stop at my sister’s house to exchange supplies, we continued on to Moncton, where we stayed for the night.

Sep 2

We had a very early flight back to Toronto from Moncton. After dropping off the car, we boarded our flight home and were ready to start the workday bright and early on Tuesday.