we are going with my daughter to the Cabot trail in July . We have 12 days in all to visit Nova-Scotia leaving from Montreal. We are wondering if driving from Amherst to the trail is too much in one day? Where should we stop for the night if so? Our real interest is the Cabot trail

Dear Georgeal, the drive from Amherst to the beginning of the trail is approx. 6 to 7 hours you would want to stay in baddeck over night & start your Cabot Trail Tour the next day. If you wanted you could spend a couple of nights each in cheticamp & or Ingonish that way you would not be rushed & you would enjoy what these towns have to offer more. The Cabot Trail fron Baddeck is at least a 8 hour drive straight through so i don't think you would want to do this after a 6 or 7 hour drive. If you wanted you could also stay in Baddeck for a few days also. And while on the island try & see The Fortress of Louisbourg its only a hour & 20 min drive from baddeck Its a must see. I hope i haven't confused you. I hope it helps. Have fun & enjoy the Island

my husband and I also going to Cabot Trail end of July. I would like to know how long is the frive from North Sydney to Ingonish (going thru Cheticamp)? Also how far is from Ingonish to Fortress of Louisburg and from Louisburg to Halifax? Thank you for your repply.

I believe if you go on the Nova Scotia Tourism website there is a distance calculator.

From North Sydney to Ingonish through Cheticamp you would do the trail clockwise. It is shorter to go counterclockwise - North Sydney - Baddeck - Ingonish which would probably be about 2-3 hours (giving time to stop along the trail). The other way would be considerably longer.

Louisbourg to Halifax would take about 5 hours. Louisbourg to Ingonish probably about 4 hours.

capebreton01
Thank's for all the info. It is very helpful.

Dear Sylh, to answer your questions about driving times from North Sydney to Ingonish approx. 2 hrs Ingonish to louisbourg 3 hrs Louisbourg to halifax approx. 6 hrs Please take in consideration that waiting time is not included for the seal Island bridge at this time of year due to construction being done on the bridge waiting time could add 20 to 30 mins on to your time. hope this helps & enjoy the island