Patti_lovestravel

We will be coming in Sept to Nova Scotia and driving the Cabot Trail. We'll be staying in Cheticamp and plan to head out in the morning to take the Skyline Trail to start with. We'll just take the more common 1/2 of the trail probably d/t time factor. We'll drive the rest of the Cabot Trail and end up at our B&B in Baddeck. We want to make some stops along the way and end up at our B&B by about 5 or 6 pm to check in. That gives us a full day to drive the trail and explore. We're thinking of stopping in White Point, since read that has gorgeous ocean views from cliffs and only a short drive off main trail. What is the difficulty of that trail and how long does it take? We are looking for easier, shorter trails, nothing too long and diffiucult.

What other stops would you recommend? Ingonish maybe for lunch? other recommendations? Maybe after lunch go to Chutes Mary Ann Falls. I read it is only 10min drive off main trail + 10 min hike. Is that an easy hike? Worth the stop?

Would appreciate any ideas and input. Thank you

Patti_lovestravel

So after further research I narrowed it down to these hikes which seem to be easy level: Skyline, White Point, Middle Head (off Ingonish Beach peninsula) and Chutes Mary Ann Falls. Would love any input on how long they take in total (to/from) and which would be best. Won't have time for all of them.
I read that Skyline takes 2-3 hrs but if only doing the more popular french side how long w/that take. Thank you.

LibraLeo

We did the Skyline Trail and the Middle Head Trail on our trip to Cape Breton last August. I would highly recommend both of them. The Skyline full loop trail takes a good 3 hours, half is fairly rough (rocks, etc.) but not strenuous and half is level/easy. We saw a moose in the rougher section, which was neat. The lookout on the ocean is wonderful and worth every step. (I'm not sure what you mean by the "more popular french side".)

Middle Head is a shorter hike, about 2 hours out and back. Fairly easy, but definitely has some climbs/rougher patches. I loved this hike. The views are spectacular here too when you get to the ocean. You will want to sit and drink it all in for a while before hiking out.

We also stayed in Baddeck, it's a great little village.

Hope you have a great trip, I loved every second of our travels in Nova Scotia last year and would do it again in a second.

Patti_lovestravel

Thank you LibraLeo for your input on the timelines. Sounds like we'll make Skyline and Middle Head a priority then.