|

Nova Scotia – Day 3 – Biking Cape Breton National Park – June 16, 2025

ByMark Brown

Mark and Carl Roberts are biking the popular Cape Breton Trail. Then they will join Lauri for a hike along the well known Skyline Trail in Cape Brenton National Park

Day 2 Itinerary

Cape Breton Bike Trail and Skyline Hiking Trail

  • Breakfast
  • Mark and Carl bike north for 50 miles
  • Lauri joins us for lunch
  • Drive half hour north to Skyline Trail
  • Mark, Carl and Lauri hike the Skyline Trail.
Well…. It didn’t quite work out like the itinerary was planned

A mile into our bike ride heading to Cape Breton’s National Park, Mark’s rear derailleur exploded going up hill. His biking for the day was done! I went back to the house, changed clothes and went for a run along the beach to deflate from the bike crisis. While jogging along the beach I did find some sea glass. The Inverness beach is well known for sea glass washing up and there we lots of other people walking the shore looking for it.

I did run into one more thing. This big frog was sitting on the edge of the ocean catching some sun. I don’t understand why it was sitting there because when I went back to the house and did a little research, I learned that there are no frogs that live in the sea! Their permeable skin can’t handle the sea water.

Below and back to Carl… He continued on our intended bike trip of the day biking North to Cheti-Camp

Map of our Carl’s Biking Trip Today

Yesterday we went South from Inverness. Today Carl biked North toward Cape Breton National Park

Lunch was at the Anchor Cafe where we all had to try Lobster Rolls while looking out over the ocean just outside Cape Breton National Park

Cape Breton Highlands National Park has very different geography than any other area of Nova Scotia. As pretty as the rest of Nova Scotia is, this park is even more beautiful! We drove through the park and looked at the gorgeous view points and then hiked the well known Skyline Trail.

Below picture: Lupine grows wild here and there are fields of it. Back home, it is $20 a pot at Home Depot.

We parked at the Skyline Trailhead and hiked east along the Skyline Trail into Cape Breton Highland National Park

View at the end of the Skyline Trail where it overlooks the ocean.

Lobster fishermen are all over the island and the sea is dotted with lobster trap bouys.

After another great day, we finished with dinner at Route 19 Brewery for local beer, nachos, Haddock, fish tacos, and salad while looking over the ocean.

The northern most part of Cape Breton island is referred to as Acadia.  Acadia is particularly associated with the early French settlements and the Acadian culture, which is still vibrant in the province. When we entered the region there were many Acadian flags flown and every sign was in both French and English.  You can tell there is a strong pride in Acadian history in the region. Below is the old flag of Acadia that you still see flown in the area.

Acadia came under British control after the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, eventually becoming part of Nova Scotia.  The period of the Great Upheaval (1755-1762) saw the deportation of thousands of Acadians by the British.  I get the hint that the few Acadians that are left are a little resentful.

Thoughts for the day :
Lauri :

The stunning images of the coastline are burned into my mind forever.

Mark :

Don’t take old bikes on new adventure trips.

If you go to Nova Scotia, don’t miss Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It is right up there with the majestic aura of Zion Park in Utah and Wiamea Canyou in Hawaii.

Carl Roberts

After a half day of biking and a half day of hiking — Time for bed.

Related Post