Cabot Trail Nova Scotia Bike Tour

DURATION

6 Day(s)

DAILY BIKING

20 to 48 miles

TRIP DIFFICULTY

4-Intermediate to Advanced

STARTING FROM

$3795

SINGLES ADD FROM

$950

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Trip Overview

Named after the famous explorer John Cabot (an Italian, Giovanni Caboto, who sailed under an English flag), the Cabot Trail is one of the world’s most beautiful bicycle routes. It’s located on splendid Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. The Cabot Trail winds through glorious valleys and along an expansive coast as it traverses the Highlands. Pods of whales can be seen just off the coast, while bald eagles soar on the breezes.

Let us show you this gorgeous place as it should be experienced — by bicycle! You start and finish the tour in Baddeck, the place where Alexander Graham Bell wanted to spend the rest of his life. From there you cycle clockwise around the trail through the Margaree Valley, Chéticamp, Pleasant Bay and Ingonish.

You also have the opportunity to go whale watching (weather permitting), hike the Cape Breton Highlands, dine at a Michelin-Star restaurant and relax after incredible days in the saddle. For those wishing to get in a round of golf, that can be arranged, too: The Highland Links golf course was recently ranked as the best golf course in Canada and one of the top 100 courses in the world.

Itinerary

From start to finish, check out the route.

DAY 1 - Arrival Day | No cycling | Telegraph House Hotel

Meet in Halifax at 10 a.m. There’s a 4-hour shuttle to the first hotel in Baddeck with a box lunch on the way. A welcome dinner awaits you at a historical inn in Baddeck, where you have the chance to feast on fresh lake trout or Digby scallops, arguably the world’s best. This charming hamlet is nestled on the shores of the Bras d’Or Lakes. It's the place where Alexander Graham Bell tinkered, and where an engaging museum bearing his name is located. You get there early enough to take in the sights before dinner.

DAY 2 - Distance: 36 miles, optional 16 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | Normaway Inn

Leaving your lovely inn, cycle across the one-lane Baddeck Bridge, where families of bald eagles may be seen showing their young how best to fish. You bike through the splendid Margaree Valley along Lake O’Law. You have an optional 16-mile bicycle ride in the afternoon, crisscrossing the Margaree River Valley … or possibly a swim at a nearby swimming hole. Your ultimate destination is the Normaway Inn, set upon a beautiful 250 acres. Tonight, you dine at Woodroad Restaurant, which offers a Michelin-Star fine-dining experience in Margaree Harbour. The menu changes frequently and is inspired by the land and the sea. You also get your first taste of foot-stomping Cape Breton music in the evening at the Fiddler’s Barn!

DAY 3 - Distance: 32 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | Silver Lining Inn

Salmon are abundant along the Margaree River making the Margaree Valley an angler’s paradise. You have the opportunity to visit the Margaree Salmon Museum this morning as you leave the valley and join the coast road to Chéticamp. In Chéticamp, you have your first chance to go whale watching, as well as garnering your first glimpse of the Highlands, where you cycle over the next two days.

DAY 4 - Distance: 48 miles | Terrain: Advanced | Silver Lining Inn

Today’s ride has you cycling into Cape Breton Highland’s National Park. The Highlands encompass almost 1,000 square kilometers of breathtaking terrain that descends to dramatic rocky shorelines. The park is teaming with wildlife: moose, eagles, foxes, deer, coyotes, lynx and bobcats are plentiful. You climb French and North mountains and then head back to our relaxing inn.

DAY 5 - Distance: 31 to 48 miles | Terrain: Intermediate | The Markland Resort

You continue cycling along the Cabot Trail taking the scenic route through Neil's Harbour on the way to Ingonish. Before lunch, you bike down to the quaint fishing village of White Point, where whales and seals often frolic just offshore. The world-famous Highland Links Golf Course is located in Ingonish for those who might want to get in a round of golf before dinner.

DAY 6 - Departure Day | Distance: 20 to 26 miles | Terrain: Intermediate

You continue cycling the Cabot Trail over Cape Smokey, where your descent has you gasping with delight. Before lunch at the Clucking Hen, take the opportunity to visit the area’s local artisans. After lunch it’s off to Englishtown … where a cable ferry shuttles you across the St. Ann's Bay, where Giant Angus MacAskill — who stood 7-foot-9 — once lived in the 1800s. Then we load the bicycles on the van for the return trip to Halifax. The plan is to arrive at the Halifax Airport between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

Map

Dates & Pricing

Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.

Start	End	Cost	Availability
Jul 28, 2024	Aug 02, 2024	$3795.00	Date SOLD OUT	Sold Out Sold Out
Sep 08, 2024	Sep 13, 2024	$3795.00	Hurry! Filling up!	Reserve Reserve

What’s Included

5 nights’ accommodation, 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, whale-watching trip (weather permitting), van support, luggage transfers, guides, snacks, route notes, maps, park fees. Use of a hybrid, gravel or e-bike and helmet (or bring your own). Airfare not included.

Dates & Pricing

Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.

Start:	Jul 28, 2024
End:	Aug 02, 2024
Cost:	$3795.00
Availability:	Date SOLD OUT
	Sold Out

Start:	Sep 08, 2024
End:	Sep 13, 2024
Cost:	$3795.00
Availability:	Hurry! Filling up!
	Reserve

What’s Included

Inns

Where you stay along the way.

Telegraph House Hotel

You can unwind in the comfort of the traditional rooms that boast of Victorian period features at this hotel. It is located in a telegraph house that was built in 1861 and situated near the Bras d'Or Lake, offering a perfect blend of history and relaxation. Additionally, there is a room that was once occupied by Alexander Graham Bell.

The Normaway Inn

An avenue of Scotch pines leads to a charming white shingled lodge with a bright dining room. You can enjoy the screened verandas and porch swings that are hidden away on 250 acres of woodlands and fields. The owner takes immense pride in their food and lodgings, so you are in for a real treat when you stay at the inn. You will see fresh vegetables in the Normaway garden. At eight o'clock, the emcee introduces Cape Breton recording stars in the Normaway's converted barn.

Silver Lining Inn

Overlooking Chéticamp Harbour on the Cabot Trail, your stay is located just a stone's throw away from the village center and Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The modern and simple rooms offer everything you need for your stay along the Cabot Trail, including stunning views and a comfortable, airy atmosphere.

The Markland Resort

The Markland Resort is situated on over 60 acres of land at the northernmost point of Cape Breton Island. You can enjoy the mesmerizing ocean views from your cabins or take a walk along the long beach and sandy shore, which is a simply breathtaking stretch of unspoiled and pristine oceanfront. The mountains meet the sea, making nature truly come alive. These inviting surroundings will replenish and nourish your soul.