Cape Breton Discovering the Beauty

A visit to Nova Scotia is not complete without visiting Cape Breton Highlands National Park.  Once on this Island you will find the Cabot Trail, one of the most spectacular drives in Canada and probably in the world.  The scenery on a clear day is breath taking as you climb up the mountain roads by vehicle or for the more adventurous hike the many trails. 

We set out one clear morning to drive the Cabot Trail with only the expectation of seeing some magnificent views.   As we approached the base of Smokey mountain we could see a road going up and around.  For me who is a little afraid of heights it looked a bit intimidating.  Once we began climbing it felt like the excitement when you are going up a roller coaster and can only see the sky and the tops of trees.   There are a lot of twists and turns before you get to the top but when you do and you can pull off the road and just admire the blue sky meeting the  deep blue ocean in the horizon,  the trees in all their glorious shades of green you can't help but be mesmerised. The drive down Cape Smokey offer some extraordinary views as well.

One of the Island’s locals had given us a map and highlighted some must see tourist attractions.  One of those stops was for a lunch break in a quaint little fishing village.  We found this restaurant tucked away in a small hamlet known as Neil’s Harbour.  This is the home of Cape Breton’s Chowder House.

The detour into this small fishing village was well worth the extra few minutes it took us.  We saw the Chowder house sign and were sure we could not be in the right place.  The light house was at the top of the hill but on the left was what looked like a little shack.   This shack was brewing up the best crab and corn chowder I have ever tasted.  Not only was the soup delicious but the entire meal.  

Driving up the hill  toward the lighthouse and Chowder House on the right was the best view of the docks.  The fishermen were just coming in from their workday and the smell of fish was quite strong.  It was a picture perfect view and after eating we took a few moments to enjoy the activity and snap a few pictures. 

The detour from the Cabot trail to Neil’s Harbour was one of the best stops along the trail.  This should be a stop for everyone to make when touring Cape Breton.  To miss this view and not have the opportunity to experience lunch or dinner at the Chowder house would be almost like missing the spectacular views from the mountain tops on a rainy foggy day. 

If your driving the Cabot Trail, you can do the drive in half a day but leave yourself lots of times to enjoy everything it has to offer.  The views, restaurants, shops and the many trails that are available to explore will have you planning your next visit back to Cape Breton.  If it doesn't,  then a stay over at Broadwater Inn will have you wanting to extend your visit. Our tour of the trail began from our cabin at Broadwater Inn.  It is just a 10 minute drive  from the beginning of the Cabot Trail and overlooks Bras d'or Lake.  Broadwater is a beautiful historic inn with connections to Alexander Graham Bell.   The Innkeeper is very friendly, knowledgeable and when you meet him you will feel like you have been a friend forever.

We were very sad to leave Cape Breton Island.  The locals are so friendly and I honestly felt as we were driving away that we were leaving family.  A piece of my heart will always be in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island. 

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