Nova Scotia Hiking Along Cape BretonHiking on the Cape Breton trails, has become a must when visiting Nova Scotia. The Cape Breton Highlands National Park has many trails, ranging form short family walks to spectacular hiking expeditions. There are more trails within and around the communities, beach walks are common as well. Remember that you are in the wild, animals live there and it is their home you are visiting. Never underestimate a wild animal. Treat them with respect. The L'Acadien Trail with a length of 9.6 km (6 miles) loop, and a hiking time of 3 to 4 hours, starts at the Cheticamp Information Centre, and after a long climb the trail offers panoramic views of the Acadian coastline and the Cheticamp river valley. Benches along the way let you rest periodically and enjoy the scenery. Keep an eye out for bears, hikers often spot them feasting on the many wild strawberry plants in the beginning of summer.
Corney Brook is a very small, oceanside campground. The Corney Brook Trail is about 8 km (5 miles) long with a hiking time of 2 to 3 hours. Located 15 km from Cheticamp, and part of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park,hiking this Cape Breton trail begins just across the road from the parking lot. Follow a meandering brook through a hardwood forest to a small waterfall that marks the end of the trail. As the trail winds its way up the box canyon keep an eye out for bobcats they are seen quite often on this trail. Because the trail follows a small stream, be on the lookout for Garter snakes, which are harmless, but may also be encountered on the trail. Then there is The Skyline Trail, a 7 km (4.3 miles) loop trail that is the most popular trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which features an extensive boardwalk system that protects the natural terrain. As you hike the Skyline Trail keep an eye out for moose as well as spruce grouse both of which frequent the area. There are benches for sitting and soaking in the scenery that are located at the headland look-off and restrooms are found in the trailhead parking lot. You may notice that the forest seems to be disturbed. This was caused by a forest fire in the 1950's, and by moose eating the spruce in winter. The view at the end of the trail cannot be adequately described. You can peer down on the Cabot Trail, or turn and look for whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Lone Shieling Trail is located in the Cape Breton Highlands at mile 78. While traveling along the Cabot Trail watch for signs for the Lone Shieling. This small walking loop, Length: 0.8 km (0.5 mile), is a nice spot to stop and get a glimpse into the history of the early settlers of Cape Breton. The walking loop, which takes about 20 minutes to go around, winds through beautiful 200 year old sugar maples. This provides you with a wonderful view of many shades of green along the trail in the summer time. You will also find a near by stream along the hiking trail. This trail will take you to the Lone Shieling, a replica of a Scottish Sheep Crofter's Hut. This small hut is made of stonewalls, a thatched straw roof and interior wall dividers made from logs. Keep a watch for the occasional moose sighting.
Just outside the town of Canso, you will find the Chapel Gully Coastal Trail, a 10-km (6-mi) loop trail with a hiking time of about 2 to 3 hours. This trail offers rugged ocean coastline, tidal flats, boreal forest, and a burned area that is replenishing itself in jack pine. Designed as three loops, walkers may choose a length comfortable for them: 1.5km (1mi), 4km (2.5mi), or 5km (3.5mi). Benches are frequent, and there are picnic tables in several locations, including the long 43-m (139-ft) bridge spanning Chapel Gully. And outside the town of Baddeck you will find the Uisge Ban Falls Trail that is approximately 7 km (4.3 miles) in length with a hiking time of 2 ½ hours. Uisge (pronounced "ush-ka") Ban, is Gaelic for white water, and if you walk to thebase of thie 15m (50ft) waterfall after a heavy rain, you will understand why it received that name. After leaving the parking area you come to a fork in the trail, go right and follow the North Branch Baddeck River. There are benches along this trail that offer a place to rest as well as some nice views of the river. The trail turns inland and you eventually reach the bridge crossing the Falls Brook, there is a bench here so you can take a break before continuing on to the falls. April and May are the months of heaviest water flow, and the volume then would startle anyone who has only seen the waterfall in August. On the return route take the other route in the fork, it's a little shorter.
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