Cycling
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Cycle all or part of the Cabot Trail which, according to Lonely Planet, is one of the world's top ten cycling destinations.
...And now we're making it even better! As work proceeds on upgrading the Cabot Trail, we are making every effort possible to provide a paved shoulder for cyclists. Road inclines are marked in steeper areas and bike stands have been installed at several locations.
Road inclines
| - | Elevation | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Smokey Mountain | 366 m / 1,200 ft | 12% to 15% |
| North Mountain | 467 m / 1,460 ft | 12% to 15% |
| MacKenzie Mountain | 370 m / 1,222 ft | 9% to 12% |
| French Mountain | 452 m / 1,492 ft | 9% to 12% |
| Note: Smokey Mountain is located outside the park boundary. French and MacKenzie mountaintops are connected and have a steep incline on either side. |
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Length of the steepest inclines
| Length of the steepest inclines | Distance |
|---|---|
| Bottom to the top of French Mountain | 5.5 km / 3.4 mi |
| Pleasant Bay to top of MacKenzie Mountain | 4.7 km / 2.9 mi |
| Lone Sheiling to top of North Mountain | 4 km / 2.5 mi |
| Bottom to top of North Mountain (from Big Intervale) | 5.5 km / 3.4 mi |
| Bottom to top of Smokey Mountain (from Wreck Cove) | 7.2 km / 4.5 mi |
| Bottom to top of Smokey Mountain (from Ingonish Harbour) | 10 km / 6.2 mi |
Water stops
Here is a list of places you can find potable water along your bike ride. Check at the Ingonish and Chéticamp visitor centres for daily updates for availability of potable water sources.
Most of the locations mentioned are within the boundaries of the park, but we are also including the communities of Chéticamp, Petit Étang, Pleasant Bay, Cape North, Neil’s Harbour, Ingonish and Ingonish Beach, where water can be purchased.
| Potable water | Distance between |
|---|---|
| Chéticamp (community) - Petit Étang (community) | 4.5 km / 2.8 mi |
| Petit Étang (community) - Chéticamp Visitor Centre | 3 km / 1.9 mi |
| Chéticamp Visitor Centre - Chéticamp Campground | 250 m / 820 ft |
| Chéticamp Campground - Corney Brook | 10.7 km / 6.7 mi |
| Corney Brook - Pleasant Bay (community) | 25.4 km / 15.8 mi |
| Pleasant Bay (community) - MacIntosh Brook | 3.2 km / 2 mi |
| MacIntosh Brook - Cape North (community) | 26.2 km / 16.3 mi |
| Cape North (community) - Neil's Harbour (community) | 17.9 km / 11.1 mi |
| Neil's Harbour (community) - Black Brook North washrooms | 6.2 km / 3.6 mi |
| Black Brook North washrooms - Black Brook South washrooms | 1.2 km / 0.7 mi |
| Black Brook South washrooms - Broad Cove Campground | 9.7 km / 6 mi |
| Broad Cove Campground - Ingonish (community) | 2.9 km / 1.8 mi |
| Ingonish (community) - Ingonish Beach Campground | 7.6 km / 4.7 mi |
| Ingonish Beach Campground - Ingonish Beach Day Use Area | 1.2 km / 0.7 mi |
| Ingonish Beach Day Use Area - Ingonish Visitor Centre | 1.3 km / 0.8 mi |
| Ingonish Visitor Centre - Ingonish Beach (community) | 700 m / 0.4 mi |
Distances between the park's campgrounds
| Campgrounds | Distance between |
|---|---|
| Chéticamp - Corney Brook | 17.5 km / 10.8 mi |
| Corney Brook - Fishing Cove* | 14.7 km / 9.1 mi |
| Fishing Cove* - MacIntosh Brook | 14.2 km / 8.8 mi |
| MacIntosh Brook - Big Intervale | 15.2 km / 9.4 mi |
| Big Intervale - Broad Cove | 43.2 km / 26.8 mi |
| Broad Cove - Ingonish Beach | 10.3 km / 6.4 mi |
| * Note: Fishing Cove is a backcountry campground and requires a 6 km walk (one way) to get to the camping area | |
Cycling along the Cabot Trail, one of the world's top ten cycling destinations.
Several tour companies offer supported rides and rentals.
See www.novascotia.com , www.northerncapebreton.com , www.cbisland.com and www.cabottrail.travel .
Cycling on trails
Several park trails are suitable for cycling, including Freshwater Lake, Clyburn Valley, Branch Pond Look-off, Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge, Le chemin du Buttereau, Le Buttereau and Salmon Pools.
All secondary and campground roads are also suitable for cycling. Please use caution on gravel roads and trails, especially after heavy rains.
Please remember that Nova Scotia law requires cyclists of all ages to wear a helmet (on and off-road) and states that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.
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