Cape Breton Travel Guide: Cabot Trail & Highlands 🇨🇦

In this video, we continue our road trip through the Canadian Maritimes, this time visiting Cape Breton, a large island in Nova Scotia that is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Canso. During our visit, we stayed in a converted barn, hiked the trails of the Cape Breton Highlands, and drove around 300 kilometres on the world-famous Cabot Trail that borders the island.

Our first day kicked off early with a drive up to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. We spent 2 days hiking the various trails and searching for the elusive moose. The funniest moment of that hike: there were signs with bear warnings throughout the park so I think that was on the back of everyone’s mind, and of course Togo was walking upfront because he insists on leading the pack. Well, there was a group of hikers coming from the opposite direction and when Togo was the first one to round the bend all by his lonesome self, the hikers saw his black furry face and thought he was a bear! Poor Togo looked really confused - he just wanted to greet the group of hikers.

Of course, no trip to Cape Breton would have been complete without driving the world-famous Cabot Trail, which is named after John Cabot, or Giovanni Caboto, an Italian navigator and explorer, who was one of the first Europeans of modern times to reach North America in 1497. Cabot had been denied support for his expedition in Spain and Portugal, so he went to England, where he received financial support from Henry the Seventh. Cabot's plan was to reach Asia by sailing west along the North Atlantic and he estimated that this route could be shorter and faster than the one recently discovered by Columbus. The exact location of his arrival in North America is unknown, but today the route that borders Cape Breton is named after him.

During our trip to Cape Breton, we also visited the Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site in Baddeck. Alexander Graham Bell is best known as the inventor of the telephone, but he also invented the photophone, the metal detector, the hydrofoil, and he designed the Silver Dart which made the first aircraft flight in Canada. Perhaps more interesting is that apart from all these great inventions, Bell devoted most of his life to teaching the deaf, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. We really enjoyed this museum and would highly recommend it if you’re in the area.

That's a little taste of our trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia! We hope you enjoyed this video and we'll see you in the next episode where we continue our road trip through the Canadian Maritimes. Next up: Prince Edward Island!

🌲🚗 Exploring Cape Breton Island: The Cabot Trail Road Trip Adventure! | Nova Scotia Travel Vlog

🚗 Arrival in Cape Breton | The Journey Begins

We continue our Canadian Maritimes road trip with an epic adventure to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. After a long drive from New Brunswick, our multi-generational crew (including our parents and Togo the dog) sets up base in a cozy converted barn. The stage is set for three days of hiking, wildlife spotting, and scenic drives along the world-famous Cabot Trail.

⛰️ Cape Breton Highlands National Park | Hiking & Hidden History

Our first full day kicks off with a hike in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, entering from the west side near Chéticamp. We choose the LeButu Trail, hoping for a moose encounter! 🦌 Along the trail, we discover the fascinating history of five pioneering families who once called this remote forest home.

🦌 Moose Tracking at Benji’s Lake | Wildlife Wins

Next stop: Benji’s Lake Trail, where the swampy terrain is perfect for moose. We find fresh tracks, heightening our excitement. And finally—success! We spot a massive, elusive Canadian moose for the very first time, quietly moving through the trees. A true highlight of the trip, captured on camera!

🛣️ Day Two: The Cabot Trail Complete Loop

With Tim Hortons in hand, we set out to drive the east side of the island and complete the entire 300+ km Cabot Trail loop—one of the top scenic drives in the world! Our first stop is Baddeck, home to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site.

The interactive museum is a must for history buffs and families alike!

🏞️ Beaches, Lakes, & Picnic Breaks

We take advantage of perfect weather to explore stunning lakes (like Warren Lake), red-sand beaches, and quiet picnic spots. Togo enjoys swims at every stop, gaining confidence as a water dog! Our lighter picnic lunch is a break from last night’s feast.

🥾 Jack Pine Trail Hike & Pink Rock Coastlines

Our drive includes a hike on the Jack Pine Trail, offering dramatic coastal views, pink rocks, and hidden coves. The peacefulness of the park continues to amaze us—at times we have entire trails to ourselves, with only the sounds of waves and birds.

Cape Breton Travel Guide | Cabot Trail Road Trip in Nova Scotia, Canada: