Cape Breton as a Conclusion

For the last days of our East Canada trip, we felt drawn back to Cape Breton Island. To the place that had captivated us most throughout the journey. This time, we primarily wanted to hike.

So we planned a few tours in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which is known for its rugged coastal landscapes, dense forests, and spectacular viewpoints.

The longest and also most beautiful hiking trail for us was the Skyline Trail. The loop is about 8 kilometers long and initially leads through open landscapes filled with ferns and low vegetation. As you walk along, everything seems remarkably vast and tranquil. Just the wind, nature, and intermittent glimpses towards the coast.

At the end of the trail, the landscape changes. There, a long wooden walkway with stairs begins, gradually descending the slope. It was built to protect the delicate vegetation, as the viewpoint is one of the most popular spots in the entire national park.

And as soon as you stand there, you understand why.

In front of you unfolds a huge view over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while far below, the famous Cabot Trail winds along the coast like a little line. The Skyline Trail is especially known for its sunsets. Allegedly, they are among the most beautiful in all of Nova Scotia. With a bit of luck, you might even spot moose, bald eagles, or sometimes whales in the sea.

However, we had less luck.

Despite many hikes, frequent looks into the forests, and more than enough opportunities for wildlife observation, we still hadn’t seen a single moose, whale, or raccoon. Which was slowly becoming a bit suspicious, as Cape Breton is actually quite famous for its moose.

Although we didn’t see any moose, we quickly found our new favorite spot: Marguerite Boutique et Provisions. A café where you initially just want to grab a quick coffee, and suddenly you find yourself back there the next day. And somehow the day after that too... we were there more than once.

But even without animal encounters, it was the perfect conclusion to our trip: endless fields of ferns, fresh Atlantic air, very good coffee and scones, and views you won't forget anytime soon.