Ready-made plans

Custom planning is temporarily unavailable for this route. Ready-made plans are still available.

Home › Journeys › North America › Cabot Trail

Cabot Trail: Route Guide

Last updated:

The Cabot Trail hugging Cape Breton's highland coast
Photo: Eric Van Lochem · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Set out from Baddeck on a self-drive loop past Ingonish, Cape Breton's highlands and Acadian Chéticamp. The Alexander Graham Bell site, Atlantic viewpoints and a day in the national park anchor the trip; choose any longer hike, wildlife boat trip or music event separately after checking what's open.

Cabot Trail is a 388 km loop (self-drive). It works best as 3–5 days; the plan below is the 4-day version for October, built from 65 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

3–5
days
388km
distance
4
Stops
65
curated stops

View ready-made plans 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Baddeck→ 90 kmIngonish→ 60 kmCape Breton Highlands→ 60 kmChéticamp
The visitor centre at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Baddeck · Day 1

Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Explore exhibits and glimpse Bell's inventive spirit amidst historic settings.

4-day plan →

Photo: Skeezix1000 · CC BY-SA 3.0

What you'll see

Cape Smokey Provincial Park
Capture the island's dramatic, rugged coastline from this scenic spot.
Ingonish
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
You will see rugged coastlines, dense forests, and wildlife along the scenic Cabot Trail.
Cape Breton Highlands
Mi-Carême Centre
Learn about the centuries-old Mi-Carême celebrations and local Acadian culture.
Chéticamp
Black Brook Beach
Relax by a small waterfall and brook at the beach.
Cape Breton Highlands
St. Peter's Beach
Enjoy swimming and sunbathing on this beautiful sandy beach.
Chéticamp
Lone Shieling
Walk among ancient maple trees in quiet forest.
Cape Breton Highlands

Choose your length

3-day plan11 stops · 10.0 h transit3.7 stops/day · 3.3 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan15 stops · 12.2 h transit3.8 stops/day · 3 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan21 stops · 14.0 h transit4.2 stops/day · 2.8 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: June, July, August, September, October

Visitor services are operating, but confirm the Bell site, park facilities, trails, weather and road conditions for the exact date.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

View ready-made plans