Cape Breton has so many incredible waterfalls. However if you are short on time, and want to see a waterfall without having to hike for hours, then this list of 5 beautiful waterfalls in Cape Breton is for you.
These 5 waterfalls in Cape Breton take at most an hour to see, require minimal hiking, and the majority are very easy to get to. They are ranked from easiest to hardest to help you decide which ones are right for you.
Beulach Ban Falls
Out of all of the waterfalls in this list, Beulach Ban Falls is the most accessible waterfall in Cape Breton. The falls are a 1 minute walk from the parking lot, so no hiking is required.
The waterfalls are a 2.3km drive from the main road. The first thing you will see when you turn off the main road is a big, paved parking lot, but don’t park here! Continue down the gravel road to the second parking lot which is right next to the waterfalls. Although, keep in mind that campervans aren’t allowed to access the second parking lot and will need to park in the big, paved parking lot.
Mary Ann Falls
Mary Ann falls is a 15 minute drive from the main road. Next to the parking lot is a short walk (about 400m) down a flat, gravel road. At the end of the road are picnic tables and a washroom, and a staircase to go down and see the waterfalls.
MacIntosh Brook Falls
This waterfall is at the end of the MacIntosh Brook Trail. The path is short, flat and well-groomed with only a few exposed roots. It takes at most an 1 hour to complete (1.7km long). There is also a picnic area at the beginning of this trail.
Uisge Ban Falls (pronounced Ish-Ka Ban)
20 minutes from Baddeck, the trail begins as gravel covered pathway. Near the end of the trail, closer to the falls, the gravel trail ends. It it not too difficult near the end, but it becomes more uneven and covered in roots. There are no steep inclines on this trail.
The hike in total takes about 1 hour, and is about 3km long. There are a series of trails currently under construction (as of 2020) which will provide more places to walk.
Don’t be discouraged if it is rainy when you hike this trail. It is located between the bottom of two mountains, which creates so many other waterfalls!
Egypt Falls
By no means is this an easy waterfall to hike to, but if you are short on time it only takes an hour at the most to visit. The hike to and from the waterfall is 15 minutes each way. It is VERY steep and has ropes and stairs to help you down.
To find the entrance to the trailhead, drive to Pipers Glen Rd. (google maps will be your friend here). Look for orange tape and a stake on the righthand side of the road to indicate the trailhead.
It is usually quite popular in the middle of the day, so there will probably be other cars parked on the side of the road too. We arrived at 5:30pm (one hour before dark), and were the only ones there!
Tips for Visiting these Waterfalls in Cape Breton
Wear walking shoes. In this list, the hikes to each waterfall range from 2 minutes to 1 hour, but for the longer hikes good walking shoes will help you to not trip on loose rocks or roots!
Come prepared with water, sunscreen, and snacks. A few waterfalls have picnic areas, so bring a snack or lunch to enjoy next to a waterfall.
The Alltrails App is useful for planning trips. It is helpful to read reviews from other travelers so that you can make a decision on if it fits your abilities. The app indicates how long their hike was too.
Check out my 3 days in Cape Breton Itinerary for when to fit these waterfalls in your schedule, and other activities to do!
Map for where to find waterfalls in Cape Breton.
Have you been to Cape Breton and visited these waterfalls? Are there any waterfalls that you would recommend visiting? Let me know in the comments below!
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