Parks Canada ~ Parcs Canada
Cape Breton ~ Le Cap-Breton

CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA (N.S.)

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Location and Directions

The Park stretches across the northern tip of Cape Breton Island between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. Entrances to the Park are located on the Cabot Trail north of Cheticamp (west side of the Island) and at Ingonish Beach (east).

If travelling from the Canso Causeway, you can either take Trans Canada Highway 105 to just outside Baddeck and follow the Cabot Trail north to Margaree Forks and Cheticamp. Or follow Route 19 (the Ceilidh Trail) along the west coast of Cape Breton Island to Margaree Forks. Then follow the Cabot Trail to Cheticamp. Driving time for either route is 2.5 hours.

If driving from Sydney, take Route 125 to TransCanada Highway 105. Then take the Cabot Trail at the Englishtown ferry or at South Gut St. Ann's to Ingonish Beach. Driving time is two hours.

Recommended Visiting Time

You could spend weeks exploring rugged northern Cape Breton; we recommend four days and nights. Minimum recommended visit: two full days with one overnight.

How To Make the Most of Your Visit

We recommend you tour the Park in a clockwise direction (entering from Cheticamp) to make full use of the Cheticamp Information Centre's extensive services.

If you're driving from the Newfoundland ferries or Sydney, you'll find it shorter to visit the Park in a counterclockwise direction, entering at Ingonish. Plan to stop at the Ingonish Information Centre.

At the Cheticamp Information Centre:

* Buy permits for vehicles entry, camping, backpacking and fishing.

* See a bald eagle and coyote close up in the exhibit.

* Make rabbit and bear tracks in the family corner.

* View the slide show.

* Browse through Atlantic Canada's largest nature bookshop.

* Purchase the Cabot Trail Tour Tape, detailing the Parks's history and features. (English or French).