Things to Do
Hiking in the Highlands
Both serious and novice hikers will find plenty of trails to suit their abilities and interests. Our trails take you to waterfalls, along highland lakes and streams, to the every edge of the Atlantic Ocean, and up and over highlands to panoramic views of the coastline. There's a trail that goes to a lake where moose feed, and another beside a rushing river that ends at an old gold mine.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park has 27 designated trails of varying length and difficulty. Hiking is free with your park entrance permit. Outside the park other trails lead to beaches, look-offs, mountaintops, waterfalls, and rocky shorelines. You'll need bug repellent in late May and June. In September, the Hike the Highlands Festival draws hiking enthusiasts from all over. Ask your host about their favorite trails. The national park provides a map that outlines the features and locations of hiking trails in the highlands, so be sure to stop by one of the Park kiosks when in the Cape Breton Highlands.
Sea Kayaking
There's nothing like sea kayaking to get you back to nature. It's just you, your kayak and paddle and the elements. And the elements here are grand. Paddle beside a wild and rugged coastline, or scoot up a river estuary to surprise the ducks. Experienced outfitters can provide all you need for a marvelous outdoor experience - gear, instruction, maps and routing. Go by yourself or with an experienced kayaker. Go for an hour or all day. See the highlands from the water. Your hosts can arrange kayaking with professionals. Or call an outfitter when you arrive. There's so much to sea in Nova Scotia.
Birding
Nova Scotia is a birder's paradise. The sea-bound peninsula is on the Atlantic Flyway and gets both Spring and Fall Migration. The province has some 350 breeding species as well as interesting migrants from Europe and the Caribbean. The fall migration brings flocks of shore birds to Cape Breton. In the highlands you'll find species common to the Atlantic shoreline and the Acadian forest -- songbirds, jays, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, gulls, sandpipers, ducks, and more.
Cape Breton Island has a large concentration of bald eagles, which nest along the shores of the Bras d'Or Lake and are here year-round. Eagles are also common along the shores of St. Ann's Harbour and along the coast of the Cabot Trail's North Shore. Off the coast of St. Ann's Bay lie the Bird islands - Hertford and Ciboux, where a colony of Atlantic Puffins nest during summer months. Tour boats to the islands operate from Englishtown daily during the breeding season - mid-June to mid-August.
Whale watching tours in the highlands are also excellent ways to see pelagic species such as sea ducks, gulls and terns. Bring your binoculars and bird book. Your host can advise you on the best birding spots.
There's a lot more information about things to do in the Cape Breton Highlands. Visit the Northeast Highlands Chamber of Commerce website and look under the "Things to Do" section of the site.