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3 Day Hiking Itinerary on the Cabot Trail: How to see EPIC fall foliage

November 4, 2023October 27, 2021 by Natalie

One of my favourite fall activities is to visit Cape Breton to go hiking. The fall is the perfect time to visit for hiking because the weather is cooler, and the foliage is gorgeous to look at. Below is a 3 day hiking itinerary for how to see the fall foliage around the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Tip: Are you interested in visiting Sydney, Nova Scotia too while you are in Cape Breton? If so, then read this post here: 3 day Cape Breton Itinerary.

Important to know before you go

Cape Breton is a 3 hour drive from Halifax, Nova Scotia. To maximize your time in Cape Breton, it is suggested that you drive to Cape Breton the night before.

The Cabot Trail is a loop, so you can do this itinerary in either direction. Read everything you need to know about the Cabot Trail here.

Check the time it gets dark and plan your day accordingly. On this itinerary it got dark at around 6pm. This allowed for enough time to do one big hike (7-10km), and one shorter hike (4-5km).

The best time to visit Cape Breton for fall foliage

The best time to visit Cape Breton for the foliage depends on the weather, but anytime between the 2nd or 3rd week in October. The photos from this trip are from October 21 to October 23rd. But I have gone in the 1st week of October and the leaves were still very beautiful then.

Summary: 3 Day Hiking Itinerary around the Cabot Trail

Day 1: Drive from Baddeck to the National Park. Hikes: Freshwater lake look-off (less than 1km), Franey Trail (approx. 8.5km) and Middlehead Hike (approx. 4.5km) OR Smokey Mountain Gondola. Overnight in Ingonish.

Day 2: Broad Cove Mountain Trail (2.5km), Mary Ann Falls (0.5km), Theodore Fricker Hike (3.5km) OR Skyline Trail & MacIntosh Brook Trail; Beulach Ban Falls (0km). Overnight in Cheticamp.

Day 3: Gypsum Mine Lake (2.5km), Acadian Trail (9.5km), and Egypt Falls (1km). Overnight in Port Hood or Mabou

Day 4: Drive back home to Halifax (or to your next destination).

Day 1 in Cape Breton

3 day hiking itinerary cabot trail for day 1

9:30AM: We start off our 3 day hiking itinerary around the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton by driving 1 hour from Baddeck to the entrance of the National Park. The views are very pretty along the way, and there are LOTS of spots to pull over.

10:30AM: Freshwater Lake Look-off (0.3km)

This is a short and steep hike which only takes about 15 minutes total. If you want a beautiful view to see the fall foliage without committing to a long hike, then THIS is the one to do!

11:00AM: Franey hike (approx 8km)

The second trail of the day is Franey, a personal favourite of mine. It’s a looped trail, and challenging, but the views make it all worthwhile. The reasons why it is challenging is because of the length and the steepness. There are a few staircases – but nothing too crazy!

Bring your lunch snacks so that you can eat when you get to the top!

Go in a counter-clockwise direction if you want it to be less steep on the way up, and more steep on the way down. If you go in this direction, the way up will be an old ATV path with no viewpoints. But, there is a short path that will lead you off the trail to Warren Lake (it isn’t marked, so use the AllTrails App so you don’t miss it). But, it will be more steep on the way down and hard on the knees.

Go in a clockwise direction if you want it to be more steep on the way up, and less steep on the way down. In this direction there are more look-offs and views. You will start the trail by going through wooded pathways with staircases. Most people complete the trail in this direction.

4:00PM: Middle Head Hiking Trail (3.8km) OR Smokey Mountain Gondola

The Middle Head Hiking trail is conveniently located only 8 minutes away from Franey. It goes along the peninsula overlooking the ocean, with a backdrop of mountains.

TIP: If you are too tired to hike after Franey, then an alternative to see the fall foliage from above is by going up the Gondola at Smokey Mountain. The fee is $45 for an adult.

6:00PM: Dinner

Make your way back to your accommodation for the night in Ingonish. A lot of places close early, so I recommend bringing food to make in your hotel.

Day 2 in Cape Breton

3 day hiking itinerary cabot trail for day 2

10:30AM: Broad Cove Mountain Hike (2.6km)

After breakfast, begin your day of hiking at Broad Cove Mountain. This is a short and steep hike. It isn’t TOO strenuous because of the short length, but there are a few stairs. There are a couple of look-offs along the way, and a great panoramic view at the end. If you are short on time but want a good view, this is also another great choice.

11:30AM: Mary Ann Falls (0.8km)

Drive 15 minutes down the road from Broad Cove Mountain (your GPS will show you the way!). This is a short walk to the waterfall from the parking lot, and there are two viewpoints to see it.

2:30PM: Theodore Fricker Mountain Hike (3.7 km) *OR* Skyline (8km) and MacIntosh Brook (1.8km) trail.

There are two options for how to continue your day: The Theodore Fricker Mountain Trail OR the Skyline and MacIntosh Brook trails.

Option #1: The Theodore Fricker Mountain Trail (aka: the Peak at Tenerife Mountain)

The reason why there are two options is because the Theodore Fricker mountain trail is VERY steep and challenging. The first 70% of the hike has a gentle incline. But this changes fast and the remaining 30% is all very steep and uphill.

There are no switchbacks, because it’s just straight up! There is a section near the top that is more rocky and almost like a scramble.

But the view from the top has the most beautiful view of all hikes, especially in the fall.

I did this with my two dogs, but they are athletic and experienced hikers. We kept them on leash the entire time. Keep this in mind if you decide to hike this trail. You can always turn around if it seems like it will be too difficult!

Drone photo of the peak at Tenerife Mountain (Theodore Fricker Mountain Hike) – can you see us?

Option #2: The Skyline and MacIntosh Brook Trails.

If you decide NOT hike the Theodore Fricker Mountain Trail, then there are other hikes to add to your 3 day hiking itinerary around the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton. The good news is that there are SO many options, for all lengths and fitness levels.

If you have not been to Cape Breton before, then I recommend the Skyline Trail (8km) and Macintosh Brook Trail (1.8km).

The MacIntosh Brook Trail is a short, family friendly trail with a waterfall at the end.

The Skyline is THE Cape Breton trail that you see in all of the advertisements of Cape Breton. It is great for first-timers because of the view, it is long but easy to complete, and very well-maintained. I recommend doing it as an out-and-back since there isn’t much to see as a loop. This is also the only trail where dogs are not allowed. It is also VERY busy.

4:30PM: Beulach Ban Falls.

If you have completed the Theodore Fricker Mountain Trail, then the next stop will be Beulach Ban Falls. You can practically see the waterfalls from the parking lot, so it’s a very short walk.

If you choose option 2 and hiking the Skyline and MacIntosh Brook Trail, then you will visit this waterfall first.

6:30PM: Arrive in Cheticamp.

You will see A LOT of spots to pull-over to admire the view while you drive to Cheticamp. Take your time driving while the sun sets. A bonus is that the fall foliage will look like it’s glowing thanks to golden hour.

Grab a bite to eat in Cheticamp (listen to live fiddle music at the Doryman Pub & Grill). Or, cook dinner in your accommodation.

Day 3 in Cape Breton

3 day hiking itinerary cabot trail road trip itinerary for day 3.

10:30AM: Gypsum Mine Lake (2.6km)

This is a busy trail. But it’s short and easy, and has a lake that is great for swimming in the summer, and has a beautiful look-off that is popular on Instagram.

We arrived at 10:00AM and the parking lot was almost full. So if you want to be able to get your photograph from the look-off point without waiting in a line (literally), then get there early.

12:00PM: Acadian Trail (9km)

This is a looped trail which is so beautiful in the fall. It is rated moderate in difficulty because of the length and you are going uphill (although, the trail is definitely NOT as steep as Franey).

I recommend going in a counter-clockwise direction because then you will start your trail by going up a gentle incline throughout the forest and along a brook. There are no viewpoints during this half of the trail, and the trail is more uneven, but the forest and brook are really beautiful.

At the top of the trail there are panoramic views of Cape Breton, and then as you descend the mountain you will be able to see all of the look-offs on your way down. The trail is more even on the way down too.

5:00PM: Egypt Falls

A short and yet another steep hike to a HUGE waterfall. Follow the GPS directions, and then look for the orange pylon on the side of the road to find your entrance. There are ropes to assist you down, but it only takes 10 minutes to reach the waterfall.

6:00PM Dinner and drive to overnight accommodation

Spend your final night in Port Hood or Mabou before driving back to Halifax the next day.

I hope that you find this 3 day hiking itinerary helpful for planning your trip to hike in Cabot Trail in Cape Breton to see beautiful fall foliage. Have you visited Cape Breton, or hiked any of these trails? Let me know which trail is your favourite (or that you would like to do) in the comments below!

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3 Days in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia: Amazing Places To See Along The Cabot Trail.

November 4, 2023October 16, 2020 by Natalie

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia is one of the top places to travel in Nova Scotia. If you are visiting Nova Scotia, it is worthwhile to take a few days to explore this incredibly scenic destination. Below is an itinerary (and map!) for what to do for 3 days in Cape Breton, and amazing places to see along the Cabot Trail!

What is the Cabot Trail?

The Cabot Trail is a scenic roadway located within the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. To enter the National Park, you will need to pay a fee of $7.50 per day. Once paid, you will have access to all of the trails located within the park (the Skyline Trail, Franey Trail, etc.). You will be given a white receipt to put on the dash of your car to prove that you paid, and how many days you have access to the park.

When to visit Cape Breton

The summer and fall months (June-October) are the best times to visit Cape Breton. The winter months are cold, it gets dark early, and most places are closed. Also, the roads along the Cabot Trail have lots of turns and twists so it would be much more difficult to drive there in the winter.

Visiting for 3 days in Cape Breton in the fall is incredibly scenic with the fall foliage. The best time to visit is mid-October around Thanksgiving when the leaves are at their peak.

A view from the Cabot Trail. Trees with autumn foliage — The Cabot Trail in the fall

Should I drive clockwise or counter-clockwise on the Cabot Trail?

The answer to this is: either direction! I have driven both. Counter-clockwise is the most popular direction to take. If you drive counter-clockwise, for the majority of the trail you are on the outside lane closest to the ocean.

How many days should I spend on the Cabot Trail?

2 full days (and 3 nights) driving on the Cabot Trail is the minimum amount of time to visit. There is SO much to do during 3 days in Cape Breton that you will wish you spent more time there.

What to do for 3 days in Cape Breton

Hiking, visiting waterfalls, kayaking, whale watching and going to a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) – a musical session with fiddle music – are all activities that can be done in Cape Breton along the Cabot Trail.

For a complete list of hikes along the Cabot Trail, click here.

a road surrounded by trees with autumn foliage. — Driving along the Cabot Trail

Where to stay during your 3 days in Cape Breton

Night 1: Baddeck. The beginning of the Cabot Trail (if driving counter-clockwise around the trail). It is an hour from Sydney which is convenient for doing day trips to the area. It is also close to Usige Ban Provincial Park and North River Kayaking Tours.

Night 2: Ingonish. The entrance to the trailhead for Franey is only a 10 minute drive away, and it is a great mid-way point along the trail.

Night 3: Cheticamp or Inverness. These towns are close to the Skyline Trail and Gypsum Mine. This is also near the entrance to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and a convenient place to either start or end your roadtrip around the Cabot Trail.

Booking.com

3 Day Itinerary for Cape Breton

Getting to Cape Breton from Halifax it is about a 3 hour drive, so the majority of the day will be spent driving to Cape Breton. Depending on how late in the day you arrive, there are a few options for what you can do when you arrive in Cape Breton.

Option 1: Spend the afternoon in Sydney, Cape Breton’s largest city. Visit the giant fiddle, see St. Patrick’s Church, have supper and explore some of the sites. If you have a full day in Sydney, it is worthwhile to check out the Glace Bay Miner’s Museum (30 minute drive from Sydney), or the Fortress of Louisbourg (40 minute drive away from Sydney).

The giant fiddle in Sydney Cape Breton — The Giant Fiddle in Sydney

Option 2: Drive straight to Baddeck (the town considered the start of the Cabot Trail), and go on a hike at Usige Ban Provincial Park Falls (a 20 minute drive from Baddeck). The complete hike takes about 1.5 hours on a maintained pathway, and leads you to a tall waterfall. In the rain, it looks like a scene out of Twilight or Jurassic Park, with water cascading off of the mountains surrounding you.

Where to Eat in Sydney: The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse offers gluten-free options, and the best wings you will ever have!

Where to Eat in Baddeck: The Telegraph House in Baddeck offers a gluten free menu. Check their hours before you go, since they sometimes are only open in the evenings.

Where to stay night 1: Baddeck is a good option to stay your first night in Cape Breton. It is considered the entrance to the Cabot Trail, so it is the perfect place to start or end your journey. It is a small town with plenty of history, restaurants, shops, and museums. It is also close to hiking trails and kayaking adventures!

Within the town of Baddeck, there are lots of great options to stay as well.

Day 1 in Cape Breton

Morning: Kayak to a waterfall, see eagles soaring above, the admire the scenery from the water with North River Kayak Tours. They offer half day tours (3 hours long), or full day tours (6 hours long). Snacks are provided, and no experience necessary. Tours start at 9am and 1pm.

Afternoon: Drive along the Cabot Trail to the Franey trail, located in Ingonish. This hike takes about 2 – 2.5 hours to complete, so make sure you start the hike before it gets dark.

The Franey trail can be done as an out-and-back or a loop. The first half of the loop is very challenging with lots of steep hills and stairs. There are scenic lookouts that overlook the valley and river. If you do the loop, the way back is an old service road and much easier to descend.

It is recommended to do the trail as an out-and-back since it is more scenic and takes less time than the loop. However, either way you go the view from the top is worth it!

Where to Stay Night 2: Ingonish is the town closest to the Franey trail, and a good mid-way point along the Cabot Trail.

The Knotty Pine Cottages and Ingonish Chalets both have beautiful views, and offer pet-friendly accommodations.

Look out point on Franey trail. — Franey hike

Day 2 in Cape Breton

Morning: Spend the morning driving along the Cabot Trail to the Skyline Trail. This will take the majority of the morning. It is gorgeous, so take your time!

Stops to make along the way: Mary Ann Falls (currently undergoing construction in 2023, so check before you go), Lone Shieling Trail, and all of the look-out stops along the way.

The Skyline Trail is the most popular trail in Cape Breton, and is featured on all of the advertisements you may see. It can either be completed as a loop or an out-and-back. I have done both, and prefer it as an out-and-back since the loop isn’t as scenic and takes longer to do.

The Skyline Trail is the only trail in the National park that does not allow dogs. If you have dogs with you, a nearby option with similar views is Blueberry Hill.

The Skyline trail in Cape Breton — Skyline Trail

Afternoon: After the skyline trail, drive about 20 minutes to Cheticamp for lunch. Cheticamp is along the ocean with lots of restaurants so it will be easy to find somewhere to eat.

After lunch, The Gypsum Quarry Mine is only 15 minutes away from Cheticamp, and takes about an hour to visit. It’s a lake surrounded by hills , and a look-off point overlooking the lake. It’s very scenic and a popular place for Instagram photos.

Where to eat in Cheticamp: Every Saturday from 2pm-6pm The Doryman Pub and Grill has live fiddle music. Cheticamp is small, but filled with restaurants so it will be easy to find a spot.

Where to stay night 3: It is recommended to spend the night in Cheticamp. If you don’t have time to hike to the the Gypsum Quarry Mine that day, you can easily visit the next morning since it is only 15 minutes away.

Booking.com

Gypsum Quarry Mine Lake lookout point in Cape Breton. A lake surrounded by tall, tree covered hills. — Gypsum Quarry Mine

Day 3 in Cape Breton

The last day in Cape Breton will mostly consist of driving back home. In the morning, it is worth to check out Egypt Falls. It is a 15 minute walk to the falls, but very steep. There are ropes and stairs to help you along the way, but be careful since it can get slippery with leaves and mud.

This trail is not within the National Park, so the entrance isn’t as well marked. The entrance to the trailhead is marked with an orange stake in the ground. It is also quite popular, so going in the morning will help beat the crowds.

Other places to see on the 3rd day in Cape Breton:

The Glenora Inn & Distillery for a tour and tasting.
The Celtic Music Interpretive Centre for lunch and live fiddle music! Ceilidhs are from 11:30 to 3pm from Mondays to Saturdays, and at 12pm on Sundays.

Egypt Falls in Cape Breton. A wide waterfall surrounded by trees — Egypt Falls

Top Tips for visiting Cape Breton

You won’t be able to see everything! There are SO many hikes to do along the trail. Depending on how long your visit is, you will unfortunately have to pick and choose what you want to do.

A good rule of thumb for hiking in Cape Breton is 2 hikes per day. This will give you enough time to hike before it gets dark, have lunch and take your time driving along the Cabot Trail for photo stops.

Dogs unfortunately are not allowed on the Skyline trail. (Read this post about how to travel around Cape Breton with dogs)

It doesn’t matter which direction you drive on the trail. Both are scenic in either direction.

Bring lots of snacks! We saved money (and time!) by bringing breakfasts to eat in the morning, and snacks for hiking. This allowed us to eat out in a restaurant once a day.

Be careful of the wild life. There are bears, coyote and moose, so it is best to hike with others, and bring either coyote or bear spray with you (can be purchased at Canadian Tire or on Amazon). There are signs at every trail head which will tell you what to do if you encounter an animal.

The AllTrails app is extremely useful for planning hikes. It provides a map of the trail, and will show where you are on the trail. Other people who have completed the trail will share their advice, tips, photos and time it took them to hike.

If you aren’t bringing your own car, then it is recommended to rent a car (or RV!) while traveling around Nova Scotia. If you are beginning your road trip in Halifax, there are 4 rental companies located at the Halifax Airport to choose from.

View of the Cabot Trail from one of the look out points. Ocean, hills and forest.

Have you been to Cape Breton and driven the Cabot Trail? What was your favourite place to see? Let me know in the comments below! 🙂

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How to visit Iceland in 5 days without a car!

April 2, 2021February 25, 2018 by Natalie

Lava fields, black sand beaches, waterfalls, hot lagoons and endless stretches of gorgeous scenery. How do you choose what to do if you only have 5 days in Iceland without a car?

Below is my itinerary for how to explore Iceland in 5 days without a car, and the recommended day trips to take. Even if you are renting a car while you are there, this will also give you a good idea of what you can see during your 5 days in Iceland!

5 day itinerary for iceland - tips for what to see and do

Should I spend 5 days in Iceland without a car?

Renting a car during your 5 days in Iceland is more expensive, but it gives you A LOT more freedom. You are able to stop any time you see something, for as long as you want. After 2020, this is also the safest option.

Day trips take the stress away from navigating in a new country. Especially if you are not used to driving on the right hand side of the road, or in unpredictable weather conditions.

Your budget is also something to consider. The price of small group tours during my 5 days in Iceland without a car was much cheaper compared to renting a car.

For more information on whether to rent a car in Iceland or not read this post here.

How to get to Reykjavik (and the Blue Lagoon!) from the Airport

To get to Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon from the airport, you can book bus vouchers either when you purchase your Blue Lagoon ticket, or through Reykjavik Excursions.

Reykjavik Excursions is a coach bus, and there is free Wi-Fi on board! They will drop you off at your hotel. If you stay in an AirBnB you will need to walk from the closest hotel.

If you want to go to the Blue Lagoon before checking into your hotel, the bus will stop at Blue Lagoon. Your ticket will be valid from the Airport, with a Blue lagoon stopover, and until you reach your hotel. This makes it convenient stop before or after the airport, or during a layover.

Day 1: Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

Morning day 1

Most flights arrive in Iceland REALLY early (like 4:30AM early). This is too early to check to a hotel. There are early morning walking tours available in Reykjavik if you prefer, or you can visit the Blue Lagoon.

The first bus to the Blue Lagoon is at 7:30AM. This will give you time to eat breakfast in the Airport. We chose to have bacon, eggs, toast, beans and coffee at Bergsson Mathus.

The Blue Lagoon is a great place to go either before or after a flight. There are barely any other people in the Lagoon early in the morning. We were there for FOUR hours – so relaxing after a long flight!

For a small fee, there is a storage place for your luggage.

Suggested Reading: A First-timer’s Guide to the Blue Lagoon

Evening day 1

During your 5 days in Iceland without a car, you will want to go somewhere really dark to see the Northern Lights. Booking a Northern Lights Tour is a great way to do this.

We booked our tour with GeoIceland.

TIP: If you book a Northern Lights tour early in your trip and you don’t see them, you can go on another tour later in your trip for free!

Even if you are staying in downtown Reykjavik, you will still be able to see the Northern Lights! We were lucky and saw the Northern Lights in Reykjavik as we were waiting for our tour bus. We saw them again on the tour. It was an incredible experience!

Northern Lights tour - what to do in Iceland for 5 day itinerary — The Northern Lights in downtown Reykjavik

Day 2: Reykjanes Peninsula Tour and Exploring Reykjavik

I highly recommend this tour – it was one of my favourite day trips during my 5 days in Iceland without a car. We saw lava fields, a geothermal area, we walked up a cliff to see some incredible views of the ocean, and got to walk between two tectonic plates.

We booked this tour through Gateway To Iceland

walking through geothermal area in iceland

This tour offers the option to be dropped off at the Blue Lagoon. If you do not visit the Blue Lagoon on day one, this is a good alternative. You will be responsible for your own travel back to your hotel.

We opted to be returned back to Reykjavik at around 5pm. This gave us TONS of time to explore the town of Reykjavik!

Evening day 2

If you didn’t choose the option to stay at the Blue Lagoon after the Reykjanes Day Tour, you will have time to explore Reykjavik in the evening.

Places to visit in Reykjavik: Go inside Harpa, walk along the harbour, visit the Sun Voyager sculpture, go to the top of Hallgrimskikja church to see the views of Reykjavik, and visit the shops on the main shopping street.

view from Hallgrimskikja church — View from the top of Hallgrimskikja church

Dinner: We ate at Café Loki, which gave us a great view of the church and the opportunity to try local dishes (fermented shark is def. not my favourite, but the lamb is AMAAAAZING).

Added Bonus – we saw the Northern Lights as we were walking back to our AirBnB!!

Day 3: Hot Golden Circle Tour

The Golden Circle takes you to Þingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss Waterfall, and a Geysir that erupts every 5 minutes. On this tour, we also went swimming in the Secret Lagoon! This Lagoon has a little Geysir that bubbles hot water into the Lagoon.

We booked this tour through Gateway to Iceland

When we arrived back in Reykjavik we still had more time to explore the city and eat supper. We tried the local hotdog (with everything on it) from a street vendor, and they were delicious.

Day 4: South Coast Tour

Our fourth day in Iceland we explored the South Coast. We saw two waterfalls (Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss), the black sand beach, and walked right up to the edge of a glacier! We went as far as the town of Vik, before heading back to Reykjavik.

This tour was booked through GeoIceland Day Tours

This tour was the longest, and we arrived back in Reykjavik at around 7:30pm. This gave us time to shop and eat supper. We also walked down to the Sun Voyager statue so that we could watch the Northern Lights – and they were spectacular!

Day 5: Last Day (free day with many options)

This day was originally intended as a free day to explore Reykjavik. Since we were able to explore Reykjavik in the evenings during our 5 days in Iceland without a car, we went back to the Blue Lagoon!

This was booked last minute, which I don’t recommend doing since time slots get booked far in advance.

We were lucky that were was an opening (at 8:00am). It was just as nice the second time, and a great way to relax before the flight home!

If you have some free time on your last day, there are other options that you can do in 5 days in Iceland without a car:

Ride an Icelandic Horse. We saw these all over the country, and they SO cute, and are truly special.
Go inside a Volcano. This is a very expensive, but you can do this in half a day.
Visit a Museum. A Penis Museum is one of them! Check the hours in advance since most close at 5pm.
Shopping in Reykjavik. Some shops close at 5, so spend the afternoon buying new souvenirs!

Have you been to Iceland, or are planning a trip there? What was your favourite thing to do? Let me know in the comments below!