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- - CABOT TRAIL (https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/cabot-trail-152189/)

WE WILL BE IN NOVA SCOTIA THE LAST 2 WEEKS IN JULY/WANT TO SPEND ABOUT 5 NIGHTS /6 DAYS EXPLORING CABOT TRAIL. FRIENDS RECOMMENDED THE MARKLAND COASTAL IN BADDECK. WOULD IT BE A GOOD BASE PLACE TO STAY? THANK YOU

5 nights/6 days for the Cabot Trail??? Are you joking? 2 days max. Baddeck is a good place to start.

I assume you'll be doing some hiking and exploring? I think I could spend that time easily! Perhaps ypu could break up your time and stay at 2 different areas. Baddeck would be good for one. There's a hike to a waterfall near Baddeck that we really enjoyed.

If you are using Baddeck as your central point, one day will take you around the trail (unless you want to stop and hike) and another day if you want to do Louisbourg. A few more days would allow you to go into Sydney and take some leisurely drives around the Island. I could spend 5-6 days no problem. You should check out the MacRae House in Baddeck. It is a 3-bedroom, 1.5 old house situated in the heart of Baddeck. We rented it for $169/night last year. Call the Telegraph House in Baddeck to inquire. It is owned privately and not advertised. Wonderful, spotless place with all amenities. While in Baddeck, check out the Loch Breagh tour before you visit the Alexander Graham Bell museum. The captain has many stories and it gives you good background to appreciate the museum more. If you like to golf, Bell Bay has an excellent course right in Baddeck. Hope this helps.

I won't respond about the Markland, because my husband and I stayed at b and bs. But re the comment that 5-6 days is too long for exploring the Cabot Trail, I respectfully disagree. We could spend two weeks or more each visit, easily. Plenty to do: hike, bike, kayak, swim, golf, museums, sail, concerts, etc. I think that it all depends upon your interests.

I have done some research in preparation for my Cape Breton this coming summer/fall. The Markland is not in Baddeck but rather, in Dingwall, which is in the far northern end of Cape Breton. It seems to be a good stopping off point when exploring the Cape Breton Trail, but unlike Baddeck which offers a variety of restaurants and activities, Dingwall is more remote and seemingly offers the accessability to Cape Breton National Park. For what its worth, I am also planning to spend 5 nights /6 days exploring the Cabot Trail, and presently plan opn spending the first 2 nights in Cheticamp, next two nights in Ingonish and last night in Baddeck.

I am obviously missing something here! For Cheticamp I wld. find it hard to spend more than 2 hours there! Rick, what on earth do you have in mind that will cover 2 days? (I am serious...I really do want to know what I missed). As for Ingonish I cld. easily spend 2 nights there @ Keltic Lodge. And, the golf course is spectacular (even if you don't play golf you shd. considering walking it). Baddeck: one night. Again Bell Bay Golf Course is something to see. So, hey, I am now up to 3 nights!

Susan, thanks for your skepticism about my itinerary...maybe you are correct, I really don't know. I will arrive in Cheticamp in the early afternoon (after driving from Halifax), so the first "day" there will consist of picking up some trail maps, maybe a short drive into the national park and then dinner. I want an early start the next morning to hike a few trails (better chance of viewing moose in early A.M.) and Cheticamp is ideally situated to those trails. The next day (day #3)I plan on leisurely driving to Ingonish, stopping along the way at the far northern tip of the Cape and perhaps hiking some trails (especially if rain prevented hiking on day #2). I have trails in mind for hiking on days #4 and #5 out of Ingonish, and have day #6 open at present. Between hiking, nature photography,frequent stops along the way (scenic overlooks,seafood, crafts, small villages, etc) I think the 6 days can be a leisurely and enjoyable nature trip in a relatively compact area without the need totravel ong distances. I especially like the idea of lodging near the trails, so I can start my hikes in the early morning without the need to drive several hours to get to the trailhead. I'll also be spending two days in Halifax before flying home. Susan, do you think this is overkill? I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Rick, I think that your interests very closely mirror those of mine and my husband's. I think that if you love the outdoors and nature, you will wish that you had even more time to spend on the Cabot Trail! We based ourselves in Margaree, Cape North - near Dingwall, I believe, and Margaree. Your itinery sounds great - happy travelling!

Oops - that should read Baddeck, Cape North, anad Margaree.

We stayed at the Markland in Sept of '97 - it's a little remote, but really nice.

You are correct about staying close to the trails in Cheticamp. The Sky Line Trail is close and is awesome. Cheticamp is very french and I love the village! Awesome food - try the local specialities - toutiere and if in season the crab! If you are there on a Saturday and want to expereince the local flavor, head for the tavern/pub where they have fiddlers from across the Island playing. You never know who will show up to play. I would suggest you take a whale watching tour out of Pleasant Bay which is between Cheticamp and Ingonish. Ingonish has an awesome beach you may want to spend some time on.

Hi Linda. We"did" the Cabot Trail last year and checked out the Markland from the exterior only - it looked very desolate to us and very run down,I'm surprised it's actually operating! Someone mentioned staying there about 5 years ago, it could have changed since then.

COULD ANYONE RECOMMEND A PLACE TO STAY FOR ABT 5 NIGHTS THAT WOULD HAVE EASY ACCESS TO CABOT TRAIL/WE WANT TO DO SOME HIKING,ETC. THANK YOU

Linda, I am originally from Cape Breton (as my name implies) and I now vacation there ever summer. The Markland is a nice resort but it is way out of the way. I would stay there one night. The scenery is spectacular. I have never stayed in Cheticamp overnight but it really doesn't look there would be much to do. Baddeck is a great little town! I wouldn't call it "dry" as I have probably a few too any in Baddeck over the years. The establishments may be classified as restaurants but I do't remember being forced to buy any food there when we stopped in for a drink. The Yellow Cello does have great entertainment of a local flavour. That time of year it is on weekdays and weekends and sometimes in the afternoon. I would spend a night or tow in Baddeck. Then 2 or 3 nights in Ingonish (my most favourite place in the world (winter weather, notwithstanding) and then a night a the Markland before leaving the island. If you want to see places like the Miner's Museum, Louisbourg or other things around the Sydney end of the island, you could use Baddeck as your base (about 1.5 hours from Sydney - another half hour to Glace Bay or Louisbourg). If hiking is what you are after, stay in Ingonish. There are tons of hiking trails for various levels of hikers and all offer spectacular views. You will be in or at the edge of a national park and upon entrance you can get the maps of the hiking trails. Ingonish also has some very nice accommodations and a few restaurants. If you want to relax there is the golf course, and lots of nice beaches. Depending on what kind of accommodations you like my recommendations in Ingonish would be: http://ingonish.com/sleepyhollow/ (nicer than it looks on the internet and directly on the beach); http://www.ingonishchalets.com/ (across the street from the beach); http://www.atlanticbeachresort.com/; or the Keltic Lodge (http://www.signatureresorts.com/keltic/). Ingonish Chalets

Just to add my 2 cents! DH and I went to Nova Scotia a few years ago and found it to be absolutely gorgeous. We have been wanting to go back ever since! I love to bike and one morning got up quite early to bike a portion of the Cabot Trail. It was such a beautiful ride. The Atlantic Ocean on my left and sheer rock cliff on my right. The switchbacks made it so amazing and beautiful. Now we have an 18 month old son and wish that we lived closer as it is a far ride for us. Someday we'll go back. My goal is to bike the entire trail!

If I had your time I'd pick 2 or 3 spots to stay around the Trail and explore. Loved Baddeck, Yellow Cello is great, could have spent more than the few hours there. In Ingonish, check Castle Rock Country Inn, nothing fancy but relatively new, nice ocean view from the deck. Near Keltic but less expensive. We didn't have time to do the Cheticamp side but will the next time. The Cabot Trail is more than a highway, get out and walk and enjoy the atmosphere!