Visitors to the Cape Breton Highland National Park can learn about the story of how a young Mi’kmaw maiden first discovers and boils sismoqnapui, or maple sap, thanks to five new interpretive panels stationed near the MacIntosh Brook Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

The panels, designed by noted artist Dozay Christmas, were unveiled last week in a ceremony in the national park in an area that could be where the legend actually began.

The panels are located at MacIntosh Brook, the site of old-growth hardwood and sugar maple stands.

Dominated by 350-year-old sugar maple trees, the Grande Anse Valley is one of the largest old-growth hardwood forests in the Maritimes. As one of the most protected areas of the park, access is restricted to this short trail. A replica of a Scottish crofter’s hut is found at the beginning of the trail – find out why it’s here. Keep an eye out for wildlife – moose like it here too.

According to Rinpoche, a stupa traditionally represents the mind of the Buddha and has the power to convey the mind transmission to those who gaze at it. The stupa, he said, is dedicated to world peace, and will become a tourist attraction that will bring many people to the spiritual path. To symbolize the overcoming of aggression, Rinpoche buried weapons in the ground below where the stupa was built, including a World War I rifle donated by a Cape Breton neighbour of the Abbey, and he consecrated the site.

Visit this incredible site and walk the Gampo Abbey trails!

One of Canada’s most enchanting places, where the mountains meet the sea.

As you hug the world-famous Cabot Trail coastline you'll wind through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where lush, forested river canyons carve into the ancient plateau, edged by rust-coloured cliffs. Keep your eyes open for moose and bald eagles. You might even catch a minke or pilot whale breaking waves in the Atlantic, or Gulf of St. Lawrence. And you’re never far from a steaming plate of local lobster fresh from the ocean around you.

A dramatic headland cliff overlooks the rugged coast from the end of this level trail. You can enjoy an eagle's view of the Cabot Trail as it winds its way down the mountain – vehicles look like toys. Watch for whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence from the viewing decks. Moose, bald eagles, bears and numerous boreal birds live in this habitat.

You climb up and up and your reward is at the top! Large flat rocks give you a nice place to sit and enjoy the 360-degree views of the entire Clyburn Brook canyon and the Atlantic coastline from Cape Smokey to Ingonish. Gaze back at the mountains, the sheer rocky face of Franey Mountain, or the river winding through the valley, 425 m below. Keep an eye out for wildlife - moose like this habitat too.

The hike is a well-maintained trail, part of the North River Provincial Park and Wilderness Area.  Offering the highest falls in Nova Scotia at 32 M or 105 feet, the hike is one of the more challenging. It’s a 7-hour hike. Parts of the trail have guardrails, footbridges and benches. Other parts are rocky and rough. The first few KMs are on the easier side and the level of difficulty increases as you head toward the falls. Pack your drinking water and some lunch. Hard to believe when you’re starting out, but this could easily become your favourite hike!

The Egypt Falls (originally Appin Falls) trail offers a quick descend down to the widest waterfall (~60 feet) on Cape Breton Island. The road you park on, is also the road that takes you into Pipers Glen. This is a great 12 km or more addition to this hike to make it even more worth the drive out.

Climb 365 metres above the Chéticamp River for panoramic views of the Acadian coastline, the Chéticamp river valley and the park’s highland interior. Benches along the way let you rest periodically and enjoy the scenery. Watch how the forest changes as you climb steadily to the top and be on the look-out for black bear and moose.

Pleasant Bay Beach is located on Harbor Road.  It is accessible by vehicle with parking on site just at the beaches edge.  A short walk will have you in the sand!  Pleasant Bay Beach can be seen from our beach area and even walked to, if you're up for it!

Perched on the shore of Aspy Bay, this site features scenic vistas of the steep face of the Pollets Cove-Aspy Fault Wilderness Area. Provides access to 3 km beach walk. A National Historic Site cairn commemorates the landing of explorer John Cabot.

The spectacular and beloved Chimney Corner Beach is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This is a locally loved beach, and a visitor's favourite. Truly as special as you can imagine. But what you can't imagine, unless you've seen it yourself, are the sunsets of western Cape Breton. They are absolutely breathtaking, flooding the sky with unimaginable colour - And there is no better place to catch one of these sunsets, than on this very beach.

West Mabou Beach Provincial Park on Cape Breton Island is a natural environment park with a beautiful large sandy beach and dune system at the mouth of Mabou Harbour (off Highway 19). The park also consists of old farm fields and marshes with several walking and hiking trails and a picnic area.

A municipal beach site in town of Inverness, Inverness Beach is the perfect family beach with warm and shallow waters and beautiful, soft sand. Take a walk on the 1.5-km sandy beach or stroll on the boardwalk above the beach and catch sights of golfers playing Cabot Links, and be sure to grab an ice cream at the canteen.

Jump from saltwater at this sand and cobblestone beach to Freshwater Lake with just a few steps across the barachois in between. Surf lifeguards are on duty at the ocean beach during July and August.

Facilities include washrooms, hiking trail, playground, tennis courts, soccer field and picnic area. Canteen concession is open daily in good weather during the summer. Dogs are not permitted in the supervised area of the beach.

Come on down for a dining experience that will be the highlight of your trip to Cape Breton! From the time you set foot in this family-run restaurant and are greeted by its friendly staff, you will love its down-home atmosphere and rustic charm.

North of Smokey's first ever Coffee Shop. Located in the former gift shop building on the Glenghorm property, right on the Cabot Trail.

Cecil & Colleen Dunphy are pleased to announce that the Bean Barn Cafe will open in late May.They Bring 30+ years of experience in the food & beverage industry.

We are most excited to be offering Cecil's delicious homemade cheesecakes as our specialty item.

The Bean Barn will also offer fresh bagels, muffins, cookies, flavoured coffees, cold drinks and a variety of teas.

Oceanside restaurant offering a warm and inviting environment for locals and travellers to enjoy great meals, drinks and views. Don't miss out on their fresh, homemade donuts!

Family owned restaurant at the Top of the Cabot Trail serving home style meals in a recently renovated 100 year old building that was first a general store, telegraph office and much more before becoming a restaurant. Seafood, burgers and licensed!

The Black Spoon Bistro is one of Cape Breton's premier restaurants, located in North Sydney's downtown core.

The Dancing Goat offers a menu of homemade cookies, cakes, soups, sandwiches, and breads, along with hearty breakfasts and what many would describe as the best coffee on the island.

A one stop shop. Where you can shop at leisure while we make you supper. Anything from a cheeseburger platter, to a hot pizza made to your liking!

16 seats, 9 courses, and 1 electric stove: The Bite House is one of North America’s most beautiful and unlikely restaurants. Selling out for the entire year in usually less than an hour, this restaurant is more than unique and fine dining - it's the experience of a lifetime!

The Freight Shed is a waterside bistro and market located on the Baddeck waterfront. Serving up delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner this small bistro has a great atmosphere to sit back and relax while you enjoy your meal. Local ingredients are used throughout the menu and local beverages are also available.

A wide selection of gifts and souvenirs, jams, jellies, maple syrup, salt water taffy and specialty candy.

T-Shirts from infants 3 months to 3XL. Best selection of biker T's on the Trail.

Lapel pins and pin locks, patches, decals and walking stick medallions.

Cape Breton made sea glass and san-dollar jewellery.

Mocassins, pottery, local books and music.

Choose an ice-cream from our selection of 20 mouth-watering flavours served on a sugar cone, waffle cone , traditional cake cone or cup. Try our Waffle Cone Sundaes... They are a delicious treat!!

Visit TImmon's Store, a classic Canadiana General Store. They've got everything, from Ice Cream to Souvenirs; groceries to fireworks! They've got it all!

Funky folk art that include colourful wood carvings, paintings, and painted furniture. Many of Timmon's pieces are featured in our domes!

Flora's Gift Shop, in the Acadian village of Cheticamp on beautiful Cape Breton Island houses a profusion of gift ideas, souvenirs, and local crafts, especially Cheticamp hooked rugs.

Did you know they are North America’s Largest collection of Tartan Scarf’s, Ties and Blankets!?! They have everything you could possibly think of in there...Tartan’s and Treasures also offer year round mail order and worldwide shipping.  So why don’t you stop in and search for  your family tartan!! They have a variety of souvenirs ranging from scarves, barets, glassware, crests etc.  As well as a wide variety of other souvenir items.