Trips in Cape Breton Island in Northern Nova Scotia
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Cape Breton Island
In the north of the province of Nova Scotia at the eastern edge of Canada lies Cape Breton Island, which also contains a national park of the same name. Around its perimeter runs an impressive and famous scenic road called the Cabot Trail.
At the heart of the island lies a large, indented lake named Bras d'Or Lake, which has an opening to the sea and is therefore subject to tidal influences. Rivers also flow into the lake, so its waters have lower salinity than seawater.
The region is also very popular for whale watching cruises during the summer months and early autumn, and is considered one of the most successful in all of Canada.
Arriving in the Area at the Port of Sydney on a Cruise Ship
East of Cape Breton Island and nearby lies the port city of Sydney, Port of Sydney, N.S, where cruise ships arrive. Cruise ship passengers can book one of the following recommended tours to the scenic road called the Cabot Trail or to the impressive Fortress of Louisbourg. Tours include pickup and drop-off at the Port of Sydney.
The Town of Baddeck
The small town of Baddeck, home to about a thousand residents, is located in the center of Cape Breton Island, making it a great base for star-trips around the island.
♦ Book a recommended guided tour of the Cabot Trail from Viator: Cabot Trail Discovery Tour
Telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell was a resident of the town and established his research laboratory here. Located in the town is his museum, the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, which belongs to Parks Canada and National Historic Sites, showcasing the experiments he conducted in various fields: aviation, seamanship, hearing, and telephony.
In Baddeck there is also a nice Boardwalk on the waterfront named after Bell, Alexander Graham Bell Park, featuring a bench with statues of Alexander Bell and his wife, who lived on an estate in the area. Opposite the boardwalk is a small island called Kidston, with a lighthouse at its tip.
From Baddeck, you can embark on a day trip along the famous Cabot Trail and another day trip to the large and fascinating Fortress of Louisbourg, combining a visit to the city of Sydney on the way, which is the largest port city in the area.
It is recommended to stay in Baddeck for at least 3 nights to spend at least one day touring the Cabot Trail and one day at the other attractions. It is important to pick the day with better weather for touring the Cabot Trail.
Recommended Hotels in the Town of Baddeck
The selection and variety of accommodations in Baddeck is quite limited. There are no large hotels, and most options consist of small hotels or B&Bs. During peak tourist season, demand greatly exceeds supply, so booking well in advance is recommended.
♦ The Water's Edge Inn & Gallery – A bed & breakfast overlooking the lake with various room sizes, ranging from double rooms to studio units suitable for up to 4 people. Some rooms have lake views, and some include a kitchenette. Price includes continental breakfast. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Lynwood Inn – A small historic hotel set in a historic 1868 building overlooking the lake. Period-furnished rooms face the lake or gardens. Each room has two double beds. Some feature a balcony. All include a hot tub. On-site restaurant. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Telegraph House Motel – A small hotel near the Bell Museum, where every room is decorated and furnished differently. On-site restaurant. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
Star-Trip Destinations from Baddeck
Touring the Cabot Trail
A spectacular scenic drive that serves as the highlight of any trip to the region.
The route is named after the navigator and world explorer John Cabot, who was the first European known to explore the coast of North America in 1497 under the commission of King Henry VII of England. He was actually born in Italy under the name Giovanni Caboto.
The route circles the northern part of Cape Breton Island and runs through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The loop route starting and ending in Baddeck is approximately 300 km long. It loops around the island from the west through the town of Cheticamp, which serves as a great starting point for exploring the national park and is also famous for its whale watching tours.
Cheticamp:
In Cheticamp, the main street is filled with shops and galleries, along with a large, impressive church named Saint Peter's.
The Cabot Trail heads out from Cheticamp along the coast to the town of Pleasant Bay, where it is worth stopping for a meal (there are very few options in the area), and continues from there to the east coast to Ingonish and south back to Baddeck.
This is a winding yet wide and well-paved driving route set between towering cliffs and forests, focused primarily on scenic viewpoints and nature trails. At least a full day should be dedicated to this drive, and starting early in the morning is advisable.
The Skyline Trail in the western part of the park is the most famous and popular hiking trail in the national park, considered one of the top tourist destinations in Nova Scotia and Eastern Canada overall.
The Skyline Trail is an 8.5-kilometer loop trail, but you can opt for a 5-kilometer linear route (2.5 km each way) that runs mostly through forest. The highlight of the trail is its end, which overlooks views of the ocean and the road winding through the park's mountains. This entire section is built on raised wooden platforms (to protect the vegetation) with numerous viewpoints and benches from which to enjoy the impressive scenery. Many whale watching boats can be seen out in the ocean, and if you are lucky, you might spot whales and dolphins directly from the trail. Walking duration is 2-3 hours.
The route continues from the west coast toward the east coast of the island to the town of Ingonish, near which lies a sandy swimming beach and a modern gondola called the Atlantic Gondola. In winter it functions as a ski resort, while in summer it is well worth riding up to enjoy striking views of the sea, mountains, and towns spread out below, as well as hiking to a lake located at the top of the mountain.
Trip to Fortress of Louisbourg
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is a partially reconstructed national historic fortress.
This is a massive citadel that is much more than a fort—it is a huge open-air museum featuring a reconstructed fortified town with tours and demonstrations, including cannon firing and parades several times a day. Actors in period costume share stories about the 18th-century French and Acadian settlers, their wars, and their way of life.
The site also features a restaurant, café, shop, vegetable gardens, walking trails, and more. It is a massive, impressive venue worthy of at least 3-4 hours.
The fortress is located about a half-hour drive (35 km) southeast of the major port city of Sydney on Cape Breton Island.
The City of Sydney
This is the largest city on these islands, though it is very far in every sense from Sydney, Australia… While it does feature a cruise port in the city center, beyond that it is mainly known for its giant fiddle sculpture, which plays continuously, and the small boardwalk adjacent to the port.
The city was formerly a coal and iron mining town and has transformed into a tourist destination serving as a base for trips around the island.
Preserved in the city is a two-story 18th-century historic building that was the home of a British minister and has been converted into the Cossit House Museum, an open-air historical house.
The city of Sydney is located about an hour's drive (80 km) east of Baddeck.
Miners Museum
In Glace Bay, about a half-hour drive (22 km) east of Sydney, lies the Miners Museum, where visitors can join an underground mine tour.
Weather and Recommended Time to Visit Cape Breton Island
The comfortable season for traveling in Cape Breton Island is mid-June through mid-September.
In July and August, the average maximum temperature is 23 degrees Celsius and the average minimum is 13 degrees.
In June and September, the average maximum temperature is 19 degrees Celsius and the average minimum is 8-9 degrees Celsius.
The months from May through September also see the lowest rainfall of the year (43 to 65 mm per month).
In winter, during January and February, the average maximum temperature is minus 1 degree Celsius and the average minimum is minus 9-10 degrees Celsius. Winter months from November to February are the wettest of the year, with 99-111 mm of rain per month.
Snowfall also occurs between November and April.