Cape Breton Chronicles

Cabot Trail - Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Do you crave adventure and want a multi-day experience that you will be talking about for years? Good, you are in the right place then! This 4-day long tour is packed full of adventure with incredible guided hikes, whale watching, sea kayaking, bird islands boat tour or just take time to relax on one of the world’s most beautiful islands – Cape Breton Island; a place commonly referred to as the “crown jewel of Nova Scotia.” 

Driving along the world-famous Cabot Trail is an experience on its own, but we take the opportunity to explore this region on foot. The Skyline Trail which leads to the barren headland provides incredible sweeping views of the highlands and blue waters of the Bay of St Lawerence. The northern part of Cape Breton is also one of the best places in Canada for whale watching. We join an experienced team to spots these friendly giants in their natural habitat. Our partners know these waters better than anyone as they are also lobster fishermen so you’ll learn about the bounty that the sea has provided these coastal communities for centuries. If mother nature welcomes us with lovely weather, the guitars just might make an appearance as we gather around a bonfire on the beach and witness a sunset that will leave you speechless.

Nova Scotia is known as “Canada’s ocean playground”, so playing in the ocean is what we do. From the cockpit of our sea kayaks, we venture out into the South Harbour Lagoon where white gypsum cliffs protrude from the calm waters that lead to a 4-mile sandy beach. Expect captivating stories of shipwrecks, folklore, and a good workout. Back on land, we witness pink granite rock spires rising from the sea on a coastal hike to one of our favorite places on the island. From colorful fishing boats to small coastal cottages and the open sea shaping this headland to near perfection, this place will leave you with a feeling of Zen.

Each day of this 4-day adventure provides awe-inspiring views along the Cabot Trail. As we make our way down to the winding road along Cape Smokey Mountain, we can see in the distance the Bird Islands which is home to the largest puffin colony in Nova Scotia. We get up and close to the islands to witness the “clowns of the sea” and also see numerous other seabirds and seals. Expect to see more bald eagles than you can possibly count. We continue our journey to the lakeside town of Baddeck, where Alexander Graham Bell built his family home – Beinn Bhreagh which means “beautiful mountain” in Scottish Gaelic after the hillside in which it is perched. This small town marks the end of our journey together and you too will see why Alexander Graham Bell fell in love with this wonderful island. Don’t take our word for it, this is what the great inventor had to say about Cape Breton himself:

“I have traveled around the globe. I have seen the Canadian Rockies, the American Rockies, the Andes, and the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland; but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all.”  – Alexander Graham Bell

Cape Breton Chronicles (Summer Itinerary)

Cape Breton Chronicles (Fall Itinerary)

WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY:

Amazing! – “My boyfriend and I took a 4-day trip to Cape Breton with Great E.A.R.T.H. We had an amazing time. I can’t honestly begin to explain how truly incredible the whole experience was. Food, culture, eagles, seals, puffins, whales, mountains, camp fires. A wonderful experience.”

Tamaryn – Stockport, United Kingdom

Wondrous Cape Breton – “Prior to my tour ’round Nova Scotia, I knew nothing of the Maritimes; my journey changed everything. It introduced me to the great Atlantic; biology, geology and, especially, the human history of Nova Scotia, with an intimacy that I could not have anticipated.”

Mark – Toronto, Canada

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  • Moderate Overall Difficulty
  • 4 Days Tour Length
  • 22.0 Km Walking Distance

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About Cabot Trail - Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Cape Breton Island is composed mainly of rocky shores, rolling farmlands, glacial valleys, barren headlands, mountains, mixed forests, and highland plateaus. Geological evidence suggests that at least part of the island was originally joined with present-day Scotland and Norway, now separated by millions of years of continental drift.

The residents of Cape Breton can be grouped into five main cultures; Scottish, Mi’kmaq, Acadian, Irish, and English. English is now the primary spoken language, though Mi’kmaq, French, and Gaelic are still heard. In fact, it is said that a greater percentage (per capita) speak the Gaelic language in Cape Breton than in all of Scotland. The Celtic music and culture of Cape Breton is very much alive today. Cape Breton is well known for its traditional fiddle music and Céilidhs are celebrated across the island.

Though founded on the industries of fishing and mining, Cape Breton has become an international symbol in the tourism industry and for good reason. This island is home to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the world-famous coastal mountain drive, the Cabot Trail. With such natural beauty, various wildlife and lively culture, Cape Breton Island has gained recognition as being one of the most beautiful island destinations in the world.