Is Hiking the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Worth it?
Are you considering hiking the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton and wondering if it is worth it? The answer is a resounding YES! It’s DEFINITELY worth it!
During our recent trip to Nova Scotia, one of our bucket list items was hiking the Skyline Trail. We couldn’t wait to experience the incredible views that it offered.
I can pretty much guarantee that you have seen photos of this iconic hike on countless Nova Scotia tourism ads and websites.
The boardwalk with sweeping views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Cape Breton coastline is unmistakable.
Trust me when I tell you, the jaw-dropping scenery will literally stop you in your tracks.
With some of the best views in Eastern Canada, even if you are not a serious hiker, the Skyline Trail should be added to your Cape Breton itinerary.
Where is the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton?
The Skyline Trail is located in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia. You’ll find it on the western side of the Cabot Trail, about 22.6 km east of Chéticamp or 20.3 km west of Pleasant Bay.
As the hike is pretty popular, the trailhead is well-marked, so you won’t have trouble finding it. Just be aware, that you will need to pay to get into the National Park to use the trail (more on that later in the post).
How Long is the Skyline Trail?
The Skyline Trail is an 8.7 km (5.4 miles) loop. However, you can also hike it as an out-and-back, which would make it approximately 7 km (4.3 miles).
How Difficult is the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton?
While the trail is listed as easy to moderate, we didn’t find it very difficult. In fact, we came across both very young children as well as elderly people enjoying the trail.
With an elevation gain of only 290 – 405 m (950 – 1,330 ft), we really didn’t notice the incline during our hike in.
The Skyline Trail consists of packed gravel for the first section, making it stroller-accessible for families with small children. However, I would like to add, that further into the trail I did notice that it became a little more rocky.
The final section of the trail consists of a wooden boardwalk. At this point, you will need to leave the strollers behind as there are several sets of steps leading down to the viewing platforms.
The stairs are probably the most difficult part of the hike, and totally optional. You can most certainly enjoy the views from the top.
How Long Does it Take to Hike the Skyline Trail?
You can typically complete the Skyline Trail in 2-3 hours at a leisurely pace.
Of course, it might take a bit longer if you’re like me and stop to photograph and enjoy the incredible views along the way.
This is good to keep in mind if you plan to hike the trail at sunset. Make sure that you have a flashlight or headlamp to guide you on your way back!
Hiking the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton
The Skyline Trail is all about jaw-dropping views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the gorgeous Cape Breton coastline. The trail is well-marked and not too strenuous, making it accessible for hikers of all skill levels.
Skyline Trail
Distance: 8.7 km (5.4-mile) loop or 7 km (4.3 miles) out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Elevation Gain: 290 – 405 m (950 – 1,330 ft)
Parking
When you arrive at the Skyline Trail, the first thing that you will notice is the size of the parking lot. It’s massive! This will give you an idea of just how popular the trail is.
We chose to hike earlier in the day, and mid-week, so we did not find the trails overly crowded. But to be quite honest, the trail and main lookout points are large enough to accommodate quite a few people.
We also noticed that the second lot, furthest from the trailhead, was being used for RV and camper parking. That is great for people like us, who like to hike but often travel with our Teardrop camper.
You will also find some vault toilets in the parking area, just before the trailhead. These were the only facilities, so it’s a good idea to use them before you head out.
The Trail
Once you enter the trailhead, you’ll follow a well-maintained gravel path through the forest. At about the one-kilometre mark, you will reach a fork in the trail.
This is where you have the option to head right (to hike counter-clockwise) and do the full loop, or head left and do the out-and-back.
While we had full intentions of hiking the entire loop, the day we visited the Skyline Trail, that part of the path was closed due to bears being sighted on the trail!
The trail takes you through lush Boreal forests, pine forests, and meadows. You will even come across a couple of smaller lookout points with benches, which were perfect for a quick snack and water break for the kids.
The trail stays pretty level too. As we mentioned earlier, there is a slight incline on the way in, but honestly, I barely noticed it.
You will also come across a gated section of the trail. This was definitely something I had never seen on a hike before!
The gated and fenced area is actually a Moose Exclosure. It protects an area of recently planted seedlings from moose so that they have a fighting chance to grow.
Inside the fenced-in area, you will find a small lookout tower. While the views are decent, they are nothing compared to what you will see on the boardwalk.
There are several benches at the tower, so it’s still a great place to sit and have a sip of water.
You will need to walk through the enclosure to continue to the boardwalk. Just make sure that you secure the gates behind you!
And while the kids were disappointed that we didn’t see any moose or other wildlife on the trail, we heard other hikers talking about the moose they had seen earlier in the morning.
Eventually, the trail will lead you to a wooden boardwalk. There are a few interpretive plaques posted at this point which provide some interesting insights to the area.
At this point, the forest opens up and you are treated to that iconic view of the water and the boardwalk below.
The jaw-dropping views of the Cabot Trail, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the town of Chéticamp in the distance definitely make this a worthwhile hike.
The Boardwalk
As we mentioned earlier, the boardwalk is probably the most challenging part of the hike. It was pretty easy on the way down, but don’t let that fool you!
There are actually 263 stairs leading down to the headlands and the main viewing platform. So rest assured, there was a little bit more effort needed on the way up!
The good news is, that there are several platforms, each with a couple of benches where you can stop to rest and enjoy the views. There are no handrails, so you will need to keep an eye on the younger kids.
And while it may seem tempting, you need to stay on the boardwalk at all times. The surrounding slope is steep. Not to mention, that you don’t want to damage the surrounding ecosystems.
Of course, you really don’t have to descend the stairs to appreciate the wonderful scenery. We saw plenty of people enjoying the epic views from the top.
During our visit, it was quite windy on the boardwalk. The kids needed to take their hats off to prevent them from being blown away!
We could also feel the wind pushing us along on the stairs. It definitely made going back up the stairs a little more challenging!
Heading back, we just retraced our steps as the one section of the hike was still closed.
If you are able to hike the full trail, you will need to head back to the beginning of the boardwalk, where the loop will continue to circle you back to the parking lot.
Take a Guided Tour of the Skyline Trail
If you are new to hiking or just want to learn more about Cape Breton Highlands National Park, taking a guided hike is the perfect option.
Parks Canada offers a 3-hour guided Skyline Sunset Hike which is pretty amazing. The hike is recommended for ages 12 and up and is offered from mid-June to the beginning of October.
Your experienced guide will talk to you about the area’s biodiversity, the challenges facing Cape Breton’s boreal forest, as well as the effects the moose population is having on the park.
You can book your tour by calling Parks Canada, or reserve it in person at the Visitor’s Centre or at the campground kiosks. Cost is $29.70 per person.
Tips for Hiking the Skyline Trail
The Skyline Trail in Cape Breton is a pretty epic hike. But there are a few things to keep in mind to optimize your experience:
- Timing is Everything: Early morning or late afternoon hikes are when you will find the smallest crowds.
- Layers, Layers, Layers: Cape Breton’s weather can be unpredictable. Dress in layers, or pack some extra clothing in case the temperature changes.
- Bug Repellent is a Good Idea: A summer hike means tons of mosquitos and black flies. Be sure to apply the repellent before heading out.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: This goes without saying when you are going for a hike. Shoes should be sturdy, supportive, and have good traction.
- Stay on the Boardwalk: To protect the sensitive ecosystem, please stay on the designated paths and boardwalks.
- Don’t Forget to Hydrate: You will need to bring your own water for this hike (especially in the summer), as there isn’t anywhere on the trail to fill your water bottles.
- Be Sure to Check-in: You will need a Day Pass in order to hike the trail. Passes can be purchased at the Parks Canada visitor centres in Chéticamp (16 Visitor Centre Rd., located on the west side of the park) or in Ingonish (37637 Cabot Trail, on the east side of the park).
- Children are Welcome: The Skyline Trail is very family-friendly. Just be sure to keep an eye on younger kids, as there are some pretty steep drop-offs located on the trail.
- Dogs are Not Allowed: Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the Skyline Trail. While they are welcome in other parts of the park, they cannot be on the trail system.
- Don’t Forget Your Camera: Between the possibility of wildlife sightings and the jaw-dropping views, you will want to have your camera at the ready!
Where to Stay Near the Skyline Trail
If you’re looking to stay close to the Skyline Trail, you can find campgrounds within Cape Breton Highlands National Park. There are several to choose from, with everything from backcountry camping to full-service electric sites, and even oTENTiks.
We actually tent-camped at the Ingonish Beach Campground, which was pretty far from the Skyline Trail, but beautiful all the same. Other campgrounds, like Chéticamp which is 10 minutes away, are much closer and more convenient to the hike.
If you are not interested in camping, there are some charming accommodations in Chéticamp or Pleasant Bay. We also noticed several cozy cabin or cottage rentals in the area, as we drove along the Cabot Trail.
We would recommend reserving in advance during the busy season, as things tend to book up pretty fast.
How to Get to the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton
If you are flying in, the closest international airport is the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. From Halifax, it’s about a 4-hour drive to the Chéticamp entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
In fact, it’s only about a 15-minute drive from the Visitor’s Centre in Chéticamp. From there, just follow the signs to the Skyline Trail parking area, and you’re all set.
While we did notice a few buses on Cape Breton Island, in my opinion, you are better off having your own vehicle to get around. The roads are well-marked and in good shape, so driving around the island is pretty easy.
When is the Best Time to Hike the Skyline Trail
As we have mentioned, the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton is extremely popular. As such, you can expect pretty big crowds during the high season.
If you are planning to hike the trail in the summer, the best time to avoid the largest crowds is during the early morning or early evening. Weekdays are also better than weekends.
Of course, the shoulder seasons are also a great time to avoid the crowds. Fall is a spectacular time to hike the Skyline Trail, and while it will still be busy, you won’t find nearly as many people crowding the pathway.
Sunset hikes are also the perfect time to enjoy the Skyline Trail. If you leave the parking lot a couple of hours before the sun goes down, you will arrive in plenty of time to enjoy the incredible sunset over the Cape Breton coastline.
The actual viewing platforms on the boardwalk may be a little busy at this time. But it is definitely worth it, and the hike back will be quieter as well. Just make sure that you have a flashlight with you!
Final Thoughts on Hiking the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton
Hiking the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton was an unforgettable experience for our family, and the views were worth every step.
With its accessibility and absolutely jaw-dropping views, it’s an adventure that should be on your Nova Scotia bucket list.
So grab your hiking boots and hit the trail – we guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
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