Hiking Nova Scotia: Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

At the hotel.

Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will have lectures and presentations by local experts. Parks Canada staff will lead hikes. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel.

We will check out of the hotel, board a motorcoach, and begin our transfer to Baddeck on the Cabot Trail of Cape Breton Island.

At a scenic spot en route, we’ll have box lunches.

We will stop for a field trip to hike along the banks of the North Branch Baddeck River to Uisge Ban Falls (pronounced ISH-ka-ban), Gaelic for "white water". The gorge at these falls is home to an Acadian old growth forest. We will ride on and check in to our hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At the hotel.

We will take a walk to participate in the Baddeck Gathering Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), the Celtic word for a lively social gathering where everyone is welcome to perform something if they wish, such as playing the fiddle or bagpipes, dancing, or telling stories. We are welcome to join in the tradition and tell stories of our own.

At the hotel.

We will gather for a lecture by a local expert that will introduce the history of Cape Breton Island. We'll then set out on a hike in the Whycocomagh Provincial Park going up Salt Mountain and enjoying three spectacular look-out points above Whycocomagh Bay.

At a scenic spot on the trail, we’ll have box lunches.

Next, we will ride to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site and learn about the incredible life of the inventor of the telephone and his work teaching the deaf to communicate. We’ll learn about Bell’s contribution to Canada’s first powered flight, the production of the world’s fastest boat, and marvel at the many giant kites he designed. We will also enjoy a unique presentation with Marion Bell Whitcomb, great granddaughter of Bell. Marion will share insights on what it was like to live and grow with the Bells on Beinn Bhreagh, surrounded by nature. We will hear how his wife Mabel balanced Alex's eccentric habit, the running of the state (an early permaculture experiment), a plethora of grandchildren, distinguished visitors, a world war, the Halifax explosion, relations with the community and other exciting times. Marian will also try to answer any questions you might have about this amazing "perfect marriage"

On own to explore the local fare

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel.

After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach and ride to Chéticamp, a traditional Acadian fishing village between the Cape Breton Island highlands and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We will hike through the spectacular beauty of Cape Breton Highlands National Park with views of canyons, highlands, and seacoasts. The Salmon Pool Trail follows the Chéticamp River to a gorge with deep salmon pools where black bears can sometimes be spotted.

At a scenic spot along the trail, we’ll have box lunches.

Next, we’ll ride to explore Le Vieux Chemin du Cap-Rouge Trail. Led by an expert, we’ll see and learn about the remains of Acadian settlements along the trail where people survived on the rocky terrain for more than a century before their homes were expropriated in order to create the park.

At a restaurant in Chéticamp.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will hop aboard a motorcoach and ride to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. We’ll study the unique landscape as we hike the Skyline Trail to see headland cliffs over the rocky coast, stretches of forest, and the haunting ocean. We’ll look for whales in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence from the available viewing decks. Sightings of moose are common, and keep an eye out for bald eagles and boreal birds.

At a scenic spot along the trail, we’ll have box lunches.

We will ride to Église St-Pierre, learn from a historian about Acadian culture and history, and explore the church. Moving on to Les Trois Pignons cultural center, we’ll have a presentation on traditional rug hooking. We’ll also have time to view the stunning collection of hooked rugs and antiques independently before returning to the hotel.

At a local restaruant, we'll enjoy a traditional East Coast lobster dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel.

We will check out of the hotel, board a motorcoach, and begin our ride to Ingonish. On the way, we’ll hike through a highland plateau bog across a boardwalk and take in the view of orchids, pitcher plants, frogs, and dragonflies. From there, we’ll ride to the Mica Hill Trail and hike through Acadian mixed forests, stunted taiga, and the wind-swept highland plateau. We’ll View the barrens, the Aspy fault, rural coastal villages, and the mountain range reaching the northern tip of Cape Breton from the 360-degree view at the summit. We’ll also examine the outcrops of quartz and mica at Mica Hill.

At a scenic spot along the trail, we’ll have box lunches.

We will continue hiking the Mica Trail, exploring the beautiful scenery and studying the flora and fauna. We’ll then ride on and check in at our hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

From Keltic Lodge within Highland National Park, we’ll set out on a field trip along the Middle Head Trail that ends on the headland cliffs overlooking the mighty Atlantic Ocean. We’ll hike past the rugged terrain of the Middle Head peninsula, past old structural foundations, and a stone hearth.

At a scenic spot along the trail, we’ll have box lunches.

Next, we’ll hike along Fresh Water Lake Trail to experience more of Cape Breton’s beauty. This trail begins astride the ocean and follows the shoreline of a lake that was once an ocean bay. We may catch the unique call of loons while taking in the splendor of the view from the lookout decks. We’ll complete the field trip with a climb to a panoramic view of the lake and Ingonish Beach.

At Keltic Lodge.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel.

We’ll check out of the hotel and board the motorcoach to begin our transfer to Halifax. On the way, we will make a stop to experience Scottish Gaelic culture firsthand at the Highland Village. We’ll explore this 40-acre site dotted with historic buildings and gain an understanding of the daily lives of Scottish settlers from the mid-1700s to the early 1900s. We will learn about their history, settlement, and unique heritage. We’ll hear Gaelic dialects and interact with costumed staff who will provide background on the site and the Gaels, and make a connection to our Gaelic ancestors through visits to some the many artisans specializing in weaving, quilting, blacksmithing, and more.

At a local restaurant.

We’ll complete our transfer to Halifax and check in at the hotel.

At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel. This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!