Canada
Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Island
Ingonish
Things to do in Ingonish
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
See all things to do

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

See all things to do
See all things to do
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
5
#1 of 18 things to do in Ingonish
National Parks
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Write a review
About
Treasures abound throughout the headlands and rugged cliffs of Cape Breton Highlands with its abundant wildlife, spectacular scenery and human history dating back to the last Ice Age.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Cape Breton Highlands National Park and nearby attractions

See what travellers are saying
  • Sandy S
    Riverside, Connecticut652 contributions
    Don't miss hiking trail
    We hiked the Skyline trail -- amazing views without having to climb too high. Although we were there on a perfect day in peak season, it wasn't unpleasantly crowded, and in any case, everyone was very friendly. Highly recommended!
    Visited August 2022
    Written February 17, 2023
  • lovetotravel846
    Boston, Massachusetts180 contributions
    Long and winding road..
    We started in Ingonish and drove counter clockwise around the loop. This is a long, winding, steep drive at times. If that type of driving or riding bothers you, don’t do it. We came to Cape Breton to enjoy the amazing scenery and hike. Unfortunately due to the wild fires in Halifax, all trails in the park were closed. We were able to drive the loop and visit the beaches. Needless to say this is truly an amazing place, well worth the drive to see the dramatic coastline.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written June 1, 2023
  • Juliusz C
    Toronto, Canada46 contributions
    Beautiful place
    We stayed in the park for 9 days and hiked most of the available trails. Interesting trails lasting from 15 minutes to 3-4 hours. Trail heads very well marked, with the exception of Aspy Mountain.
    Visited July 2023
    Written July 10, 2023
  • GlenMcKenzie1
    Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada171 contributions
    A Lifetime Experience
    We just finished a three-day tour of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The park and the Cabot Trail are a lifetime level of experience. There are campgrounds, trails, and a variety of experiences for the entire family. A not to miss hike is the world-famous Skyline Trail located about 15 minutes from the Cheticamp Visitors Centre. In addition, there are a number of pull-off vistas along the road(Cabot Trail) that offer amazing views across the horizon. We'll definitely be returning. Remember, there are no gas stations or restaurants located within the National Park itself. We made sure our tank was full each day before adventuring out from Cheticamp.
    Visited July 2023
    Written July 21, 2023
  • D D
    Dartmouth, Canada3 contributions
    Unwind
    Amazing trails as always. Just make sure you book the right place to stay for easy access to multiple trails at once without too much driving around. I always go to Ingonish as it's the center of most.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written August 6, 2023
  • Ken D
    Ottawa, Canada127 contributions
    A beautiful, majestic drive
    The drive around the Cabot Trail offers gorgeous scenery and lots of twists and turns, and things to see and do on the way (numerous look-out points, hikes, restaurants, beaches etc.). We drove counter-clockwise from Baddeck so the water was always on our right. We travelled the Cabot Trail on a Tuesday and never felt crowded. We missed out on Skyline Trail hike because capacity was reached, so go earlier in the day if that's on your to do list.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written August 20, 2023
  • Sanjay S
    75 contributions
    Superb landscapes and sites - and not heavily traveled
    We spent 3 days in Cape Breton Highlands National Park and surroundings. Our favorite hikes (in order) were White Point (not in the park itself), Skyline Trail, Broad Cove Mountain, MocIntosh Brook, and Benjies Lake This was traveling with 2 small children. We were based in Cheticamp, and really preferred the stunning views on the drives on the west side of the park. I could easily spend 4-5 days in the park. Cheticampe was a great base between proximity to the views/ hikes we preferred, Coop grocery store, and selection of restaurants.
    Visited August 2023
    Written August 24, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,568 reviews
Excellent
1,318
Very good
199
Average
38
Poor
12
Terrible
1
Francois G
Longueuil, Canada7 contributions
The experience of a lifetime
Aug. 2023 • Family
This is one of the most beautiful Canadian national park. It is a must...at least once on your lifetime. The rugged coastline, the wildlife and sea life will amaze you.
Written September 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice Scott
16 contributions
Cape Breton , Highlands rude in a lot of places
Sep. 2023 • Couples
Several issues
Nova Scotian drivers are very unkind to tourist, they tail gate & dangerously pass in very bad ( foggy) conditions
What’s this about forced tipping when paying restaurant bill, esp in Ingonish. Not good🫤.
Also can’t use public BR any where. Great way to lose business. As soon as we see the sign on business door we walk away.. hopefully other people will too. They are suppose to be so friendly here… not really
Older staff in information Center not nice o helpful at all, quite rude. They need to change the staff
Written September 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie J
Ottawa, Canada7 contributions
Check descriptions of trails to get the best coastal views.
Aug. 2023 • Family
This is a huge park, the Cabot trail (road) goes around the outside of the park, trails are located off this road. There are approx. 30 trails located along the edge of the park, the website gives a brief description of each. We were keen to hike along the trails with coastal views, many only have glimpses of the ocean, the growth of the trees has made some of the trail descriptions out of date. Some trails are also shortened due to erosion, most have this warning on the website. We only explored the Cheticamp side of the park, the area closer to Sydney may have had better views. You need to buy a park pass to use the Cabot trail, approx $80 for the week, $16 a day, from the Park centre. We did not use the weekly pass enough so should have paid the daily rate. The Cabot Trail (road) has some spectacular look outs you pull into to view the coast line, this is also where some of the walks start. You will do a lot of driving to get around the edge of the park.
Written September 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanjay S
New York, New York, United States75 contributions
Superb landscapes and sites - and not heavily traveled
Aug. 2023
We spent 3 days in Cape Breton Highlands National Park and surroundings. Our favorite hikes (in order) were White Point (not in the park itself), Skyline Trail, Broad Cove Mountain, MocIntosh Brook, and Benjies Lake This was traveling with 2 small children.

We were based in Cheticamp, and really preferred the stunning views on the drives on the west side of the park. I could easily spend 4-5 days in the park. Cheticampe was a great base between proximity to the views/ hikes we preferred, Coop grocery store, and selection of restaurants.
Written August 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken D
Ottawa, Canada127 contributions
A beautiful, majestic drive
Aug. 2023 • Couples
The drive around the Cabot Trail offers gorgeous scenery and lots of twists and turns, and things to see and do on the way (numerous look-out points, hikes, restaurants, beaches etc.). We drove counter-clockwise from Baddeck so the water was always on our right. We travelled the Cabot Trail on a Tuesday and never felt crowded. We missed out on Skyline Trail hike because capacity was reached, so go earlier in the day if that's on your to do list.
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D D
Dartmouth, Canada3 contributions
Unwind
Aug. 2023 • Family
Amazing trails as always. Just make sure you book the right place to stay for easy access to multiple trails at once without too much driving around. I always go to Ingonish as it's the center of most.
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GlenMcKenzie1
Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada171 contributions
A Lifetime Experience
Jul. 2023
We just finished a three-day tour of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The park and the Cabot Trail are a lifetime level of experience. There are campgrounds, trails, and a variety of experiences for the entire family.

A not to miss hike is the world-famous Skyline Trail located about 15 minutes from the Cheticamp Visitors Centre. In addition, there are a number of pull-off vistas along the road(Cabot Trail) that offer amazing views across the horizon.

We'll definitely be returning. Remember, there are no gas stations or restaurants located within the National Park itself. We made sure our tank was full each day before adventuring out from Cheticamp.
Written July 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I326TFdavew
Amherst, NH130 contributions
Didn't meet expectations
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Our expectations were very high but we were not as excited as we had hoped. The views along the Cabot Trail were nice but just a lot of trees for most of the way. We did the Skyline trail but it was hot and crowded with the same views you could get at any overlook. Other hiking trails were also just ordinary walks.
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juliusz C
Toronto, Canada46 contributions
Beautiful place
Jul. 2023
We stayed in the park for 9 days and hiked most of the available trails. Interesting trails lasting from 15 minutes to 3-4 hours. Trail heads very well marked, with the exception of Aspy Mountain.
Written July 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharlieinTexas
Austin, TX3,911 contributions
Pretty Setting.
Jul. 2023 • Solo
Nice drive. Park is serene. Great views, water, relax or get active. Helpful fellow at the Park Office. Great scenery. Lots to do.
Written July 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 1,460
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Cape Breton Highlands National Park