YANA'S WANDERLUST

This part of the journey where the wild beauty of the Highlands National Park met the tranquil charm of coastal villages left an unforgettable impression. From epic waterfalls to panoramic ocean views, this part of the Cape Breton road trip was a perfect blend of adventure and serenity. If you haven’t seen Part 1 of this journey, you can find it here. Let me share with you the highlights of this leg.

CAPE BRETON ROAD TRIP ITINERARY – PART 2

• Lone Shieling
• MacIntosh Brook Trail
• Whale Tail at Pleasant Bay
• EaglesPass at SeaSky Cottages
• Chimney Corner Beach
• Whale Cove Beach
• Gypsum Mine Lake
• L’Abri restaurant in Chéticamp
• Skyline Trail
• Egypt Falls
• Inverness Beach

We’ll dive into the highlights from each stop—and why this part of the road completely stole our hearts below. If you’d like to see a cinematic version of this leg of our Cape Breton road trip, watch my YouTube video here

Whether you’re planning your own Cabot Trail adventure or dreaming of Nova Scotia’s wild coastline, this part of the trip showcases breathtaking landscapes, peaceful escapes, and mind-blowing hidden gems.

A Step Back in Time: Lone Shieling

Our exploration began with a short hike to the Lone Shieling, a Scottish-style crofter’s hut — a unique place nestled in the lush forest of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, right on the Cabot Trail. Built in 1942, this stone structure offers a glimpse into the island’s Scottish heritage. The easy 15-minute loop trail winds through old-growth Acadian forest, leading to this peaceful spot that feels like a step back in time.

Waterfall & Wilderness: MacIntosh Brook Trail

Just a short drive away, we went on a lovely hike. The MacIntosh Brook Trail is easy, peaceful and beautiful, but most importantly, it leads to a gorgeous waterfall. It’s a 1.8 km out‑and‑back family-friendly hike through a serene hardwood forest and wooden bridges over the brook. The trail is well-maintained and offers a tranquil escape into nature.  

Coastal Charm: Whale Tail at Pleasant Bay

For this wonderful stop, we took a short detour (2–3 minutes off the Cabot Trail). It’s a truly charming place that combines every piece of coastal charm — a giant whale tail sculpture by the shore, a peaceful marina, and a nearby lighthouse. Later, I was told you could even spot whales here right from the shore. This requires some luck, though.

But everyone can see the giant sculpture. It is easily accessible, with parking available nearby. It’s a super quick detour that’s totally worth it — perfect for a photo, a breath of sea air, and a moment to slow down. There are also fantastic views and a beach here.

A quick tip – this place isn’t far from the famous Skyline trail, so you might want to visit this epic Cabot Trail stop next. But we decided to watch the sunset in a gorgeous cottage that would be our home for the next two nights. We’ll come back to Skyline Trail the next day.

Oceanfront luxury stay: EaglesPass at SeaSky Cottages

After a day of exploration, we checked into the place that took my breath away. Right from the front door, I was stunned by the stunning views. Golden hour magic, endless ocean, and Chimney Corner Beach stretched through the panoramic windows into the sunlit living room. I’ll never forget this heartfelt moment and the emotions that I can’t describe, but I will never forget. It was pure magic.

This unreal feeling continued into the morning with coffee on the deck, an ocean breeze, and eyes on the horizon searching for eagles. We didn’t see any that day, but we were told they gather quite often at the Chimney Corner and can pass by the cottage, which is how it got its name. Please note that we were lucky to stay here for two nights. Typically, all SeaSky cottages can be rented weekly.

Hidden Gem: Chimney Corner Beach

A short 2-minute drive from our stay led us to Chimney Corner Beach. Tucked between towering cliffs, its turquoise waters and golden sands made it feel like a tropical paradise—right here in Nova Scotia. This secluded spot was perfect for unwinding and soaking in the natural beauty.

Overlook & Ocean Views: Whale Cove Beach

Continuing our coastal exploration, we arrived at Whale Cove Beach. A short drive up the hill by Calvin United Church Whale Cove Cemetery provided a panoramic view of the quiet beachfront below. This Cape Breton’s hidden gem offered stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.

Emerald Waters: Gypsum Mine Lake

It was one of the main highlights of this Cape Breton road trip, just a few minutes of the Cabot Trail. A short hike led us to a surreal emerald lake framed by white gypsum cliffs. The vibrant colour of the water against the white cliffs created a breathtaking scene that felt straight out of a dream. The best part was the surreal view from the top at Gypsum Mine Lake, but getting there had its challenges.

Hike info:

• 2.6 km round-trip (1.3 km one-way), a well-maintained dirt path to the lake with a gentle climb, ideal for most skill levels
• + ~100m. to the scenic viewpoint, scramble up the hillside beyond the lake for a steep, rope-assisted climb offering jaw-dropping views

For recent reviews, detailed trail info, and current conditions, check Gypsum Mine Lake hike on AllTrails.

Culinary Delight: L’Abri Restaurant in Chéticamp

After visiting Gypsum Mine Lake, we headed to Chéticamp for a well-deserved meal. We had delicious Fish & Chips at L’Abri Restaurant with a fantastic ocean view.

Sunset Magic: Skyline Trail

As evening approached, we headed to the most famous hike on the Cabot Trail. On our way to Skyline Trail, we spotted something in the water right from the road. It took me a minute to realize that we had just seen several whales. Obviously, I didn’t take out my camera in time to capture this magic, but this picture will be forever printed in my memory.

But let’s get to Cape Breton’s jewel — Skyline Trail. It begins beneath towering spruce, then opens onto vast, windswept highlands. The boardwalk leads to a series of wooden platforms at the cliff’s edge, with wide-open views that stretch out to the horizon — a perfect place to watch the sunset and let the moment linger.

Trail info:

• Distance: 6.5 km out-and-back or longer loop
• Difficulty: Easy — with a gentle uphill return
• Time: 2–3 hours
• Parking: Free and spacious — fills quickly in peak season

Planning to hike? Check Skyline Trail on AllTrails for real-time conditions.

Now, let me share something special with you. I had dreamed of visiting Skyline Trail and watching the sunset there for many years. Although May isn’t the most popular month to visit Cape Breton, I was sure there would be many people. I’ve heard several stories that some visitors just couldn’t get there (mostly in summer) because parking was full. Imagine my surprise when we had this place to ourselves…. It felt absolutely unreal. We’ve met some people who were coming back, but at the boardwalk at the end, we were alone with these mind-blowing views. It felt like pure magic, an unreal and breathtaking experience.

Epic Waterfall: Egypt Falls

We checked out from our stay and headed home. But we weren’t done with Cape Breton adventures yet. We set out to visit one of the most gorgeous waterfalls of Nova Scotia — Egypt Falls.

From a rugged forest trail to a breathtaking 60-foot cascade, this iconic place rewards every step with sheer power and beauty. It’s a challenging hike, but it’s so worth it—Roar of Egypt Falls and unforgettable scenery—a reward that makes every step worthwhile.

For us, the biggest struggle wasn’t the hike, but black flies and mosquitoes that were clearly owning the place. Hiding under the powerful cascade was helpful, though. But even with mosquitoes, I would still do this hike in spring. Egypt Falls are pretty popular, but we had some time to ourselves there. Also, the waterfall was quite powerful this time of year.

Here is some Egypt Falls hike info

• Trailhead and parking off Pipers Glen Road
• The steep descent includes ropes, making the adventure as thrilling as the destination.
• Distance — 2 km out-and-back to the falls, with an optional loop
• Essentials: Water, bug spray, sturdy boots and a sense of adventure

For the trail map, current conditions and recent reviews, check the Egypt Falls on AllTrails.

Oceanside finale: Inverness Beach

Our last stop on this Cape Breton road trip was a breathtaking coastal paradise. Inverness Beach is a stunning West Coast jewel that stretches for miles and leaves you speechless. It offers a wide shoreline with golden sand, stunning views, and a 2 km oceanfront boardwalk. It is located beside Cabot Links Golf Course, and a charming marina is nearby.

Inverness Beach is a perfect place for a walk and a treasure hunt. Bits of sea glass are scattered along the shore, and collecting them is a must-do activity here. Inverness Beach is kind of good for swimming. The water was quite warm even in May. I wanted to jump into the ocean, but strong winds and heavy rain chased us away. Looked like our luck with good weather ran out here, but we are so grateful it was with us for the whole duration of this unforgettable Cape Breton journey!

If you’re still reading — thank you so much! Please share your favourite Cabot Trail stops in the comments below, or let me know which one of the Cape Breton sights mentioned above you’d like to visit first.

🌿 Please respect our beautiful nature and leave no trace. Let’s keep these beautiful spaces clean and enjoyable for everyone.

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Follow me on Instagram for more up-to-date trips. Here are some reels from this part of the Cape Breton road trip ⬇️