Cape Breton, Nova Scotia is a hikers paradise. There are so many trails to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty, and SO many scenic look-offs! And what’s better than hiking? Hiking with your dog! Below is a complete guide for how to visit Cape Breton with dogs: where to stay, eat, hike, and other important tips.

This guide is specific to the Cabot Trail in Cape Bretons National Park and surrounding areas. If you are unfamiliar with what the the Cabot Trail is, it is essentially a looped road that travels around and through Cape Breton National Park. There are lots of trails to choose from, look-offs, and viewpoints along the Cabot Trail road.

Suggested Reading: The Ultimate Guide for Exploring the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton: what you need to know

1. Dogs are not allowed on the Skyline Trail

One of the most important things to know is that dogs are not allowed on the Skyline Trail. They are allowed on all other trails EXCEPT for the Skyline Trail.

For those that are not familiar, the Skyline Trail is one of the trails located along the Cabot Trail (and in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park) in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. It features the iconic postcard picture at the end of the trail, and is extremely popular.

If you are coming to Cape Breton with your dog, unfortunately they are not allowed on this trail. Honestly, there are plenty of other dog-friendly trails in Cape Breton that offer incredible views. (Franey being my personal favourite).

2. Keep dogs on leash

The safety of your dog is super important when hiking. There are all sorts of animals: moose, black bears, and coyotes. These animals might not hear your dog approaching, so it’s really easy to sneak up and startle them when they are least expecting it! To keep you and your dog safe, it is best to keep it on a leash.

Within the National Park it’s also required to keep dogs on leash.

3. Bring bear and/or coyote spray

Speaking of big animals, it’s always a good idea to be prepared with either bear or coyote spray. These can be purchased at a local Canadian Tire store in Cape Breton or Halifax.

If you don’t have spray, then make lots of noise while hiking to scare off any animals.

4. Know your dog’s limits

When hiking around Cape Breton, it can be easy to overdo it and tire your dog out or go on a hike that is too challenging for them.

Weather can also play a huge part in your dog’s safety! Trails with lots of water sources will be better on hot summer days.

Before you travel to Cape Breton with your dog, research the trails you are interested in to see if it might be too long or difficult for your dog.

5. Bring a dog first Aid kit

A dog first aid kit is definitely a helpful thing to pack while hiking in Cape Breton with dogs. Here are a few things to consider bringing:

• Pain Relief (like Asprin). To help reduce inflammation (check with your vet prior to going on what dose and specific medication is acceptable for your dog).
• Antihistamines (like Benadryl). If your dog has an allergic reaction to anything (eats a bee, for example). Again, check with your vet before going!
• Polysporin. To help with any raw paw pads that may occur.
• Bandages & Tape. Help stop any bleeding. Many things can be used as a bandage, like gauze. And tape to secure it.
• Tick remover. Tick season in Nova Scotia is definitely annoying, and getting bitten by a tick is no fun if you can’t get it off! Ticks can carry Lyme disease too, so it’s important to remove them quickly.
• Water with bowl. To prevent any dehydration, bring extra water for your dog along with a collapsible bowl.

Other things worth mentioning are:

• A dog backpack or hammock to carry your dog in if they get injured or tired.
• Dog booties/shoes to prevent raw paw pads.
• Dog seatbelts to keep your dog safe while driving.
• A dog staircase so that your dog can get on and off the bed easily if they’re sore, have an injury, or small in size.
• The name and phone number of your vet

6. What are the best trails in Cape Breton for dogs?

This all depends on you and your dog’s fitness level and previous hiking experience. The Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a great resource for researching each trail to determine it’s length, and what type of trail it is.

The weather can also play a huge part in which trails are the best to hike with dogs. In the summer, it would be best to stick to trails that have lots of water sources so that your dog can cool down.

The fall is the best time to hike Cape Breton (in my personal opinion) because the weather is cooler, and the fall foliage is absolutely gorgeous.

Here are a few trails to help you get started:

Acadian Trail. This is a longer hike (8.4km), but there are lots of viewpoints along the way, and the terrain isn’t overly challenging to climb. The only difficultly would be the length and the trail is mostly uphill.

Hiking in a counterclockwise direction will start your hike along a river and through a shady forest (pictured below), which would be better in the summer months.

If your dog is unable to walk long distances, then the Chemin-du-Buttereau (4.6km) and Le Buttereau (1.6km) trails are an excellent alternative only a few minutes drive down the road. It is like a mini-version of the Acadian Trail, and has old ruins and pretty ocean views. The two trails meet, so you can do one, or combine both.

Franey Trail

Franey is another challenging hike that is also looped. A counterclockwise direction will start your hike through a trail that is similar to an ATV trail, with one side-trail that leads to a lake (perfect for cooling down in warmer weather).

It’s also easier to reach the summit starting in a counterclockwise direction, but with less viewpoints along the way up.

Most travel the trail in a clockwise direction, which is more challenging with lots of steps to climb up.

Broad Cove Mountain

If you are short on time and want a nice view, then this hike is perfect for that since it takes about an hour. There are no water sources though, and it’s all uphill, but it’s under lots of shady trees!

The top of Broad Cove Mountain overlooks “Warren Lake” which has 4.7km looped trail around the Lake. There is also a beach which offers a great place for your dog to cool off if it’s warm!

Egypt Falls

This waterfall is located outside of the National Park, but is very popular to visit. It is less than 1km long, so it does not take long. But it is steep, and a few ropes are required at the very bottom which may be challenging if you are also holding onto a leash. My dogs didn’t have any trouble, but near the bottom you may need to assist your dog by lifting them down about 3ft.

If you really want to hike to a waterfall with your dog, but the steep hill of Egypt Falls is not possible, then other trails that offer waterfalls are:

• Beulach Ban Falls (the parking lot is literally right next to the waterfall. There are two parking lots, so if you don’t see the waterfalls immediately, then get back into your car and drive to the next parking lot).
• Corney Brook (6.5km return, with falls at the end of the trail)
• MacIntosh Brook (1.7km loop, a leisurely stroll through a forest with the waterfalls at the end.)

Suggested reading: 3 Day Cape Breton Hiking Itinerary

7. Where are dog friendly places to stay along the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton?

Here are a few tried and trued dog friendly places to stay along the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton:

Ingonish Chalets. Located in Ingonish, there are cottages and room suites nestled amongst the trees (so pretty with the autumn foliage), and across the road they have private beach access. It is my personal favourite place to stay in Cape Breton with dogs. It is very close to trails like Franey, and less than a 10 minute drive to a marketplace. It is very popular with dog-owners!

Knotty Pine Cottages. If you are traveling in a Counter-clockwise direction around Cape Breton, then the next recommended place to spend the night is in Ingonish Beach at the Knotty Pine Cottages.

They are dog friendly, clean, and have spectacular views. However their balconies have large gaps in them, so your pet would need to be on leash when sitting outside. The beds are very high too, so if your dog is small then bringing a dog staircase would help prevent any injuries.

Booking.com

8. Where is the best place to eat in Cape Breton with dogs?

When traveling to Cape Breton with your dog, there are a few dog-friendly options. Take out, cooking in your accommodation, having a picnic, or enjoying a dog-friendly patio!

While hiking around Nova Scotia with dogs, the easiest option for eating is to have breakfast in your accommodation, have snacks and sandwiches for lunch on a trail (remember to leave no trace!)), and then get take out from a restaurant to enjoy on a near-by picnic table or in your accommodation. This option will require a cooler to keep food cool-in, and a grocery store run.

If you are limited for space, most restaurants in Nova Scotia will allow dogs on their patio, or will offer take-out so that you can eat it at a picnic table near-by.

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Have you traveled around Cape Breton with dogs? What was your favourite hike, and what would your top tip be? Let me know in the comments below!

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Visiting Nova Scotia in the summer is one of the best times to experience everything that Nova Scotia has to offer. You can spend a couple days or weeks without running out of things to do. If you are visiting Nova Scotia, here are a few top things to do in Nova Scotia in the summer.

Map of Locations

Below is a map showing all of the locations mentioned in this article. Each activity is colour-coded by activity: hiking locations (light green), water activities (dark blue), museums (purple with a M), towns (green), and look-off points (dark purple with a camera).

Visit one of the many beaches

Nova Scotia isn’t called Canada’s ocean playground for nothing! Anywhere you are in Nova Scotia, you are at most a 45 minute drive to a beach. At the very most. Usually it’s about 15 minutes. So go an explore, and visit a beach (or three)!

Here is a link to give you some ideas of what beaches to visit.

Experience the world’s highest tides along the Bay of Fundy

While in Nova Scotia in the summer it would be a crime to not experience the Bay of Fundy and it’s world’s highest tides since it’s unique to Nova Scotia (and ok, New Brunswick too since they are on the other side of the Bay). BUT! It really is incredible, and there are a few ways to experience this.

• Go Tidal Bore Rafting. Ride along the river through the huge waves that are made by the changing tides. A really fun experience and a great way to cool off from the summer heat! The Tidal Bore Rafting Resort also offers overnight accommodations.

• Visit Burntcoat Head Park. Walk along the ocean floor and see the interesting sand formations. Read more about this experience here.

• Visit a town that experiences these tides. Along the Bay of Fundy there are lots of adorable, historic towns to visit or spend the night to also see these tides:
  • Wolfville is a gorgeous University town with lots to do, and also has nearby beaches (like Kingsport) where you can see how fast the tides change.
  • Digby is another town with a fishing culture that has the best clams and chips. Eat along the waterfront and see the boats rise and fall with the tides. Extend your stay by taking a trip down the Digby Neck to Brier Island.
  • Bear River. While you’re in Digby, make a stop in Bear River (only a 15 minute drive away!). A small and beautiful village along the river to drink coffee, eat, and shop.
  • Parrsboro. There are so many things to in Parrsboro like the Fundy Geological Museum where you can see where Canada’s dinosaurs once roamed and hunt for fossils, visit Five Islands Provincial Park and walk the trails and along the ocean floor, go kayaking, and see the Parrsboro lighthouse.

Go on a hike

Nova Scotia has so many hikes that have beautiful views. During the summer, it may be more enjoyable to hike along the coast where it is cooler than on a path that is entirely inland. For a more detailed guide on the best hikes to do read this article below:

Suggested Reading: 8 unique hikes in Nova Scotia

Whale Watching

The best place to go Whale Watching is on Brier Island along the Digby Neck. In fact, visiting the Digby Neck can provide a complete Nova Scotian summer experience all wrapped up into one weekend. Digby has the changing tides, there is a cool hike to see the balancing rock along the Digby Neck, visit the Maud Lewis art house, go on a couple of ferry rides to Brier Island, and of course go whale watching.

If you don’t have enough time to go to whale watching in Digby, then other places to go Whale Watching are in Lunenburg, Halifax, and Cape Breton.

Go Sailing

Since Nova Scotia is Canada’s ocean playground, it also makes sense to also go out onto the ocean.

If you are lucky to be in Nova Scotia while the Bluenose II is in port in Lunenburg then that would be choice #1. It is on the Canadian dime after all! See their schedule here

Other sailing experiences are sunset sail on the Eastern Star in Lunenburg and aboard the Tall Ship Silva in Halifax.

Visit a Lighthouse

Nova Scotia has SO many lighthouses, so there are lots to choose from. The most famous one of them all is at Peggy’s Cove. And for good reason too, the fishing village is absolutely postcard picture worthy. The view from Peggy’s Cove lighthouse is absolutely magnificent and there is a viewing platform installed as of 2021 for those with mobility issues. For hiking, there is near-by Polly’s Cove if you have time for a coastal hike too.

Another lighthouse that doesn’t nearly get the attention it deserves is Fochu Lighthouse in Yarmouth. There is a beautiful walkway around the lighthouse, the ocean view goes on as far as the eye can see, and it isn’t as busy.

Visit a winery

The valley in Nova Scotia is famous for it’s vineyards and wine tours. There’s even a wine bus tour where you can visit up to 5 wineries!

At Luckett’s Vineyards, there is a working red telephone box in their vineyard which provides the perfect Instagram photo.

In the South Shore, the Petite Riviere Vineyards feels like you have been transported to a small village in France. And only a 15 minute drive away there are 3 gorgeous beaches (Risser’s, Crescent and Green Bay) and the Lahave Bakery along the Lahave River.

See a waterfall

Nova Scotia has quite a few waterfalls. The biggest and best waterfalls are located in Cape Breton, Read this detailed guide for the best waterfalls in Cape Breton. But there are also a lot of waterfalls on mainland Nova Scotia as well!

In my opinion the best time to see waterfalls are in the fall, when they aren’t as dried up from the summer heat (for example, Victoria Falls in Truro dries up almost completely in the summer!).

The waterfalls listed below are on mainland Nova Scotia and are amazing to see all year long, even in the drier summer months.

• Indian Falls is located in the South Shore, about 1 hour from Halifax and has walking trails and a picnic spot.

• Liscombe Falls near Liscombe Lodge Resort (2.5 hours Northeast of Halifax) also has gorgeous walking trails and a waterfall.

• Delaps Cove Waterfall is located in the Bay of Fundy area, and has a viewing platform. The trail to access the waterfall is about 2km long.

• Mill Falls in Kejimkujik National Park is impressive to see, and has lots of trails, lakes to go canoeing or swimming, and camping sites.

Experience unique art

There are a few art experiences in Nova Scotia that are very unique. Both of these are located in the South Shore of Nova Scotia, about 2 hours south of Halifax.

Cosby’s Concrete Creations. Located in Liverpool, Nova Scotia there is Cosby’s Garden Centre with concrete sculptures located throughout a path in the forest, surrounded by gardens.

BernArt Maze. About a 5 minute drive outside of Mahone Bay, BernArt maze is an incredible maze that has art murals, sculptures, outdoor games that keeps expanding each year as new art is added.

Get lost in a sunflower maze

In mid-August the sunflowers start to bloom. These fields of sunflowers are beautiful to look at, and it is possible to go through a sunflower maze! A few locations offer sunflower mazes.

Dakeyne Farm. Located in Windsor, just a short drive from either Wolfville or Halifax. There’s a spot to fly kites (provided by the farm!), have a picnic, and take photos of the endless fields of sunflowers, and go throughout the sunflower maze. The sunflowers begin to bloom on August 13. Entrance is by appointment only. Visit their website for more details.

Riverbreeze Farm. Located closer to Truro, the Riverbreeze farm market has a sunflower garden as well. In the fall, it also offers a corn maze!

Visit the Sea Caves at Ovens Natural Park

The sea caves at Ovens Natural Park are very interesting to explore, and are only a 25 minute drive away from Lunenburg (or 1.5 hours from Halifax). The caves are open from May to October, and there is a $12 entrance fee.

You can’t walk freely in the sea caves since that would be dangerous AF, but there are viewing platforms which take you down and in the sea caves. There’s walking trail along the cliffs (about 2km), and a nearby beach where you can pan for gold.

A fun fact is that these sea caves are featured in a few movies and TV shows! Most recently Locke & Key on Netflix.

After a fun afternoon of walking around the sea caves, visit the nearby Hirtle’s Beach. If you’re up for more hiking, keep on walking to the end of the beach to do the Gaff Point hike (about 6km roundtrip). If not, then drive into Lunenburg and have dinner and a drink at the Lightship Brewery with the BEST view of the Lunenburg Harbour.

Go to the Sensea Nordic Spa in Chester

The Sensea Nordic Spa in Chester is a great activity for any time of the year. Overlooking a lake just 45 minutes outside of Halifax, it is a perfect place for a relaxing getaway to soak in the thermal waters.

While you’re in Chester, head over to the Kiwi Cafe or Chester’s Cafe for lunch.

Go on a Roadtrip

Nova Scotia isn’t very well connected by public transport, so it is best to rent a car and drive around. So what could be better than going on a road trip? There are so many options for road trips around Nova Scotia in the summer, but here are a few:

• Drive the Cabot Trail. The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia is best experienced in the summer and fall. Spend at least 3 days driving around this gorgeous part of the province.

• Yarmouth and the French Shore. Yarmouth is a colourful town located on the southern tip of Nova Scotia, and is home to the Forchu Lighthouse. There is a Ferry Service which goes to Maine as well. (The ferry service to Maine is on-again/off-again, so check in advance to see if it’s open). From Yarmouth, drive along the Western part of Nova Scotia called the French Shore. Filled with gorgeous beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see (up to 5km, to be exact), and the tallest church in Nova Scotia, it is a worthwhile place to explore. Read how to do this road trip in detail here.

• Digby Neck. This has already been mentioned in this article, but it is worth mentioning again! Start your road trip in Digby (or extend it from your Yarmouth and French Shore road trip), and see the tides change, eat the best clam and chips, and then make your way along the Digby Neck towards Brier Island.

Walk along the Halifax Boardwalk

The Halifax Boardwalk is an excellent activity to do in Nova Scotia in the summer. In the summer months of July there is the Busker’s Festival along the boardwalk too. Even if you don’t go to the festival, there are lots of places to shop, drink, eat, and relax along the way.

Visit Citadel Hill

A UNESCO heritage site located in downtown Halifax. Go back in time at Citadel Hill. The star-shaped fortress is located right on top of – well, you know – Citadel Hill, so you also have some nice views of Halifax from there! Once you’re inside, learn about what it was like to live in the fort, and life in Halifax.

Kayaking

There are so many places to Kayak in Nova Scotia, each offering a different experience.

• The Bay of Fundy. To experience the tides, kayak to see the 3 Sisters rock formation. The tour begins in Advocate Harbour and goes to Cape Chignecto Provincial Park where the towering cliffs and rock formations are.

• Cape Breton. There are lots of options for where to kayak in Cape Breton as well. From half day tours and full day tours. See wildlife like eagles, admire the beautiful rolling hills of the highlands, and see a seacave!

• Lunenburg. Paddle at sunset, or go on a bioluminescent night tour, or spend half the day kayaking along the Lahave Island are all options with this kayaking company.

Go to a Museum

If you happen to experience a rainy day in Nova Scotia, have no fear. There is a chance it won’t last long. But, if it does, then why not visit a museum?

And, Nova Scotia has SO many museums as well!

Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Located in Lunenburg. At the museum, there is a touch tank for sea creatures, and you can also tour inside a few boats.

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. In downtown Halifax there are boatbuilding exhibits.

Museum of Natural History. Also located in Halifax, see dinosaur statues, learn about the land and ocean and nature exhibits.

Miners Museum. In Glace Bay Cape Breton tour the inside of a mine and see what work was like!

Blue Beach Fossil Museum. A fossil site located along the Bay of Fundy. Guided tours to look at fossils are also available.

Visit a Garden

There is a beautiful rose maze, flower archways, walking trails, and gardens at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.

The Public Gardens in downtown Halifax is also a peaceful spot to visit to have lunch and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens is on the Acadia University property in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. It is small, but very beautiful to look at.

Tangled Garden is also another beautiful garden near Wolfville, with a lovely property to walk around and a shop with preservatives.

Cosby’s Garden Centre in Liverpool can also be enjoyed to walk around and see the concrete sculptures and rare flowers.

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Have you visited Nova Scotia in the summer, or are planning to go? If you have been to Nova Scotia what was your favourite activity? If you are planning to go, let me know what you are looking forward to the most!

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Burntcoat Head in Nova Scotia, Canada is an incredible destination in Nova Scotia to witness the dramatic Bay of Fundy tides. These tides are the highest in the world, so they are a fun and unique experience to have while visiting Nova Scotia. When the tide is low, walk along the ocean floor and walk around the islands. Then when the tide comes in, watch the water levels raise by up to 53ft (16m) high and the ocean floor disappear entirely!

Burntcoat head is one of my favourite places to visit in Nova Scotia. Experiencing the dramatic tides is a must for any first-timer to the province since it is so unique to Nova Scotia. Below I share how to plan your day trip to Burntcoat Head.

Where is Burntcoat Head?

Burntcoat head is located on the Western part of Nova Scotia along the Bay of Fundy. It is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Halifax, and 1 hour from Wolfville.

It is an easy place to visit on a day trip while visiting Nova Scotia or going on a roadtrip.

Burntcoat Head is located in a park that is maintained by seasonal staff. There are washrooms on site (very clean, and with flushable toilets which is a relief for those who don’t like outhouses (i.e: everyone)).

There are also pretty grassy areas throughout the park to have a picnic.

When is the best time to visit Burntcoat Head?

Burntcoat Head Park is closed during the winter, so the best time to visit Burntcoat Head is from mid-May to mid-October.

The park is open from dawn until dusk.

The washrooms and lighthouse on site are open from 10am to 6pm.

It is also important to visit during low tide so that you can access and walk along the ocean floor.

To plan your visit, check the tide times before you go so that you arrive while the tide is going out. If you go during high tide, you won’t be able to to walk along the ocean floor! The tide tides can be found on the Burntcoat Head Park website.

How much does it cost?

The answer to this is nothing! It is free to visit. There is a big parking lot in the park and only a 5 minute walk away from the entrance to the ocean floor, which is also free to use.

How to stay safe

The tides at the Bay of Fundy are very dramatic and the water levels can raise by up to 15ft (16m). Or by 1 inch per minute. That is VERY fast and can be dangerous.

At the park, signs are posted at the entrance to the ocean floor indicating what time you need to be back by. The staff are also there is you have any questions.

If you walk TOO far away from the entrance you could end up in a very dangerous situation if you aren’t back in time.

Tide times vary between locations along the Bay of Fundy, so if you visit another area like Wolfville or Cape Split the low tide may be at a different time. Check out Burntcoat Head’s Park website for their specific times.

Are dog’s allowed at Burntcoat Head?

Yes, dogs are allowed! They must be on a leash though. Bring a towel with you, since they will be muddy and wet after their day of fun.

Tips

Wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty and stained from the sand. Wear shoes that will stay on your feet. Some opt to go barefoot. If you do, watch out for sharp objects like broken seashells and slippery seaweed.

There is a water fountain at the entrance to the ocean floor where you can clean your feet and shoes off.

What else is there to do around Burntcoat Head?

The times between low and high tide are 6 hours, so there is plenty of time to other activities:

Tidal Bore Rafting

Approximately a 30-45 minute drive away from the park, there are various Tidal Bore Rafting locations to experience the tidal bore. What is a tidal bore? Well, this is when the incoming tide forms a wave of water that travels up the river. You can experience this firsthand by going on a fun activity where you can ride in a boat through the 4m high waves caused by the tidal bore, and go mudsliding into the river. Tidal Bore Rafting takes 2-4 hours depending on which tour you choose.

Fundy Interpretative Centre

At the centre you can learn about the tidal bore, and also see it happen from their observation desk! It is possible to visit Burntcoat Head Park at low tide, and then visit the Interpretative Centre and go back to the park to see it at high tide.

The Walton Lighthouse

If you love lighthouses and a good view, then the Walton Lighthouse is only a 20 minute drive away from Burntcoat head. There is a walking trail, gardens, and a lookout spot at the top of the lighthouse.

Where can I eat at Burntcoat head?

There aren’t too many restaurants close to Burntcoat head. The best thing to do is to bring a picnic lunch and eat it at the park.

The closest restaurant is in Walton (20 minutes way) at the Walton Pub and Eatery.

Watch my experience at Burntcoat head

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Have you visited Burntcoat Head, or are planning to visit? Let me know in the comments below!

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