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Community Name Type Activity Brief Description Info Actions
Inverness County
Skye River Trail
Destination

It's about the feeling you get when stroll through these woods. The soft rumblings of the river, the warmth of the sun shining through the leaves, the stories that the Mi'kmaq people share around an open fire. This is a special place. One that will leave you with a sense of serenity. You can fish, explore the cool river water, take in the mystery of the "Tree of a Thousand Faces". Whatever you do here, we are sure it will leave you wanting more.

Inverness County
Salmon Pools Trail
Destination

Ideal for a fitness walk or a stroll, this level trail follows the bottom of the Chéticamp River canyon with cliffs almost 400 metres (1,300 ft) high towering above. The First Pool is about 3.6 km up the Chéticamp River. The trail narrows and continues to Chance Pool where polished exposed bedrock makes a great location for a picnic. At the Second Pool the trail narrows to the Third Pool which marks the end of the trail. Watch for Atlantic salmon in the deeper pools. Listen for barred owls at dusk. Bicycles are permitted up to Second Pool.
 
Trailhead: Opposite the Chéticamp Visitor Centre. 
Significant Feature: Ocean and mountain scenery
Length: 8.4 km (5.2 mi) loop
Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours
Elevation: 20 - 365 m (65 - 1200 ft.) 
Steep inclines. Rugged sections. Stream crossings.

Inverness County
Bog Trail
Destination

In keeping with Parks Canada's mandate to protect the natural environment, a boardwalk keeps your feet dry as you walk while preventing you from trampling the fragile life in this highland plateau bog. A self guiding trail, signs explain life here – pitcher plants, delicate orchids, colourful dragonflies, green frogs and gigantic moose.

Length: 0.5 km (0.3 mi) loop
Elevation: 410 m (1,345 ft)
Significant Features: Boreal and taiga forest, highland bog
For your comfort and safety:
- Do not approach, disturb or feed wild animals.
- Take along appropriate clothing
- rapid weather changes often occur on the plateau or along the coast.
- Carry water with you, especially for longer trails, climbs or open barrens.
- Bring insect repellent as black flies and mosquitoes are common all summer.
- Mountain bikes are permitted only where indicated, for public safety and protection of the environment.
- Stay on boardwalks to protect fragile vegetation.
- Do not throw food or scraps along the trails or roads.
- Read "Keep it Wild, Keep it Safe" brochure, available at park visitor centres.

Inverness County
Lake O’Law Provincial Park
Destination

Lake O’Law Provincial Park is an inland park on the shore of Lake O’Law on the Cabot Trail (24 km / 15 mi north of Highway 105) on Cape Breton Island. It's the only provincial park in Inverness County located along the trail. The park features picnic areas in fields and mixed-wood stands and a boat launch – a great location for boating and swimming. Popular with traveling public; especially tour buses as a rest/viewing location.

Inverness County
Le Vieux Chemin du Cap-Rouge Trail
Destination

Follow the route of the old Cabot Trail from Trout Brook as it gently climbs to a ridge midway up Jerome Mountain, offering views of the Atlantic along the entire length of this trail. Traces of Acadian history abound, with the remains of an old school, foundations of the former residents' houses, and the old wharf at La Bloc visible at various points on the journey. Your efforts will be rewarded at the final look-off featuring spectacular views of Presqu'île and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. An exhibit at the look-off provides further information on the families.

Trailhead: On the Cabot Trail across from the Trout Brook picnic area
Significant Features: Acadian history, ocean view
Length: 9 km (5.6 mi) return
Time: 2-3 hours
Elevation: 40 - 110 m (130 - 360 ft)
Long, gentle climb. Suitable for most skill levels.

Inverness County
Fishing Cove Campground
Destination

The Fishing Cove back-country camping area is an 8 km (5 mi) hike down to the rugged coastline cradled at the base of MacKenzie Mountain. A grassy hillside, a cobblestone beach and a river complement this camping spot. Campers are required to register for a back-country permit at either the Chéticamp or Ingonish Visitor Centres, bring a camp stove (no open fires allowed), pack out all garbage (no garbage receptacles) and bring their own drinking water. Potable water is not available on site. A 4 km (2.5 mi) return trail is also available.

Amenities:
 - Pit toilet
- Unserviced
- Open sites

Activities:
- Hiking
- Fishing

Inverness County
Belle Cote Beach
Destination

Belle Cote beach is a scenic 6 km stretch of sand and smooth rounded pebbles.

To get here, t
urn off the Cabot Trail onto Belle Cote Beach Road past the Margaree Harbour Bridge. Foot access is found near the south end of the breakwater.

There are no lifeguards, restrooms, or formal change rooms. Pack-in, pack-out rules apply.

Inverness County
Port Hood Community Playground & Gazebo
Destination

A small, beautifully landscaped community park featuring a children's playground, gazebo with benches, gardens, and open green space. A paved walkway and ornamental lighting create a welcoming setting for families to play, picnic, relax, and gather.

Inverness County
Trout Brook Provincial Park
Destination

Trout Brook Provincial Park in East Lake Ainslie on Cape Breton Island (22.5 km /14 mi south of the junction of Routes 19 and 395) is a picnic park with tables under a mixed-wood forest. Beyond the forested area, visitors will find a beautiful white sandy beach on the shores of Lake Ainslie for both swimming and trout fishing activities.

Inverness County
Sunset Beach
Destination

Sunset beach and breakwater are located at the north end of town.  These two beaches were separated in 1960 when a barrier was constructed creating a link to Port Hood Island.  This breakwater provides protection to Sunset Beach on the south making for calm waters and sandbar; a family friendly experience. Breakwater Beach on the north side is patrolled by the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service to keep swimmers safe from what can be more challenging conditions.  Canteen services and washroom facilities are available, located in between the access point of the two beaches.

Inverness County
We'koqma'q School Playground
Destination

The We’koqma’q School Playground is located in the Mi’kmaw community of We’koqma’q (Waycobah First Nation). The playground features a variety of play structures, along with custom live-edge cedar fencing and sensory elements designed to encourage exploration, touch, balance, and curiosity.

Inverness County
Whycocomagh Provincial Park
Destination

Whycocomagh Provincial Park sits on a scenic hillside overlooking the Skye River Valley and Bras d’Or Lake. It offers a quiet setting for camping, hiking, and enjoying the area’s natural attractions, with spectacular fall colours in October.

The park has 5.4 km of hiking trails leading to four Salt Mountain look-offs with excellent views of Bras d’Or Lake. Eagles are also commonly seen soaring above the lake.

Whycocomagh was Nova Scotia’s first provincial park to offer yurt camping. Yurts include beds, solar lighting, outdoor decks, and propane barbecues.

Campground accommodations include:

  • 37 open/partially wooded overnight sites
    • 10 serviced with water and electrical
    • 25 unserviced, including two walk-in sites
  • Three cabins (2027)

Park amenities include:

  • Washrooms, showers, and accessible facilities
  • Disposal station
  • Playground
  • Lake access and boat launch
  • Fire grills and dishwashing station
  • Laundry station and cooking shelters
  • Multi-purpose building
  • Wood and ice

Wi-Fi is available at the park office. Leashed pets are permitted.

Inverness County
Lawrence's Beach
Destination

Lawrence's beach is fairly easy to access and is miles of sandy coastline with stunning views of both Henry Island and Port Hood Island. 

Inverness County
Le Buttereau Trail
Destination

The self-guiding trail explores mixed Acadian forest, old fields and foundation ruins on a “buttereau” (small hill) overlooking the Chéticamp River and Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Wildflowers, trees and shrubs have invaded these pastures that were once tilled by the Acadian pioneers, making an ideal spot for birds and small mammals. Plaques commemorate former Acadian homesteads.

Trailhead: On the Cabot Trail at the Grande Falaise picnic area.
Significant Feature: Acadian history, ocean
Length: 1.6 km (1 mi) loop.
Hiking Time: 30 - 45 minutes
Elevation: 10 - 55 m (35 - 180 ft.) 
Interpretive loop. Suitable for most skill levels. Short climbs.

Inverness County
Bayview Education Centre Playground
Destination

The Bayview Education Centre school has a playground featuring inclusive, wheelchair-friendly play equipment designed to accommodate children of varying mobility needs, alongside a dedicated pre-primary outdoor space.

Inverness County
Robert Brook Group Campground
Destination

Robert Brook Group Campground is located within the Chéticamp Campground. It consists of large grassy tenting areas, a kitchen shelter, a washroom/shower building and a fire circle. There are 2 large unserviced group sites available to all groups.

Available services include washrooms, showers, water, shelter with woodstove, campfire circles, wood for sale. Hiking trails and Visitor Centre nearby.

Reservations required.

Inverness County
Cape Mabou Highlands Hiking Trails
Destination

There are 3 trailheads:
Mabou Mines - most accessible and popular
Sight Point - not always accessible
Cape Mabou - near the windmill

Trails are open year round but hiking should be restricted to May-Nov. Given the large area and type of terrain, trail maintenance is not assured on all trails. Maps are available for $5 in Mabou and a few other places, including the Inverness County Recreation Department. We rely almost exclusively on private donations. The trails are maintained by the volunteer group, Cape Mabou Trail Club.

Inverness County
West Mabou Beach Provincial Park
Destination

West Mabou Beach Provincial Park is a large sand beach and dune system at the mouth of Mabou Harbour.

Family friendly activities include:
- Birding opportunities
- Hiking trails - Fishing
- Swimming
- Cross county skiiing
- Geocaching

Facilities available:
- Parking
- Washrooms
- Picnic tables

Inverness County
Port Hood Station Provincial Park
Destination

Port Hood Station Provincial Park is a day-use picnic park with a 1km sand and cobble beach. A boardwalk trail leads you around the sand dunes and beside a salt marsh, offering great birding opportunities.

Park amenities include: picnic tables, boardwalk trail, change house, flush toilets, interpretive signage and parking. 

Inverness County
Murphy's Pond Beach
Destination

Murphy’s Pond Beach is next to the community’s fishing wharf. It is the smallest section of Port Hood’s coastline offering calm, protected waters with the occasional ripples created by the boats as they come and go from the wharf.

Inverness County
Inverness Education Centre/Academy Playground
Destination

Inverness Education Centre/Academy outdoor recreation space includes playground equipment suitable for pre-primary to Grade 12 children. The area provides opportunities for active play, physical activity, and outdoor recreation for students and the local community.

Inverness County
Chimney Corner Beach
Destination

This gorgeous, clean beach is cradled in a cove, and offers safe swimming with long shallow water areas and great views.

This is the choice of local folks not only because of its sheer size, but also its privacy from the road. It also offers a clean, shallow, fresh water stream which crosses the beach and empties into the Gulf; kids love playing in and around it. There’s rocky point to be explored, even in bare feet; the path has been worn smooth by generations of curious traffic.

How to get here: Cape Bretoners travel from Baddeck and Sydney to enjoy Chimney Corner’s perfection. The gravel road to the beach is located on the right, at the bottom of a dip (you’ll also see ablue bungalow on the corner, about 8 km. south of Margaree Harbour, just a little south of the Cape Breton Clay shop and pond). At the end of the road, there’s plenty of parking in a grassy lot beside the beach.

Inverness County
Breakwater Beach
Destination

Breakwater Beach is well protected by Port Hood Island and a rock breakwater. Water temperatures vary between 22 and 24 degrees C. The water is very shallow in places due to sandbars, allowing the water to heat up early in the season and stay warm. Lifeguard service provided July and August.

Inverness County
MacIntosh Brook Trail
Destination

Imagine a nice, easy, fairly level stroll along a babbling brook and through a mature hardwood forest with a scenic waterfall at the end. Add to that the songs of forest birds and you have this relaxing trail.

Trailhead: MacIntosh Brook Campground and day use area
Significant Feature: Old growth Acadian forest, waterfall
Length: 1.7 km (1.1 mi) return
Hiking Time: 30 - 45 min
Elevation: 30 - 65 m (100 - 215 ft.)
Suitable for most skill levels.
Uneven trail surface (exposed roots) in some places.

Inverness County
SW Margaree Community Playground
Destination

The South West Margaree Community Playground, located alongside the community ballfield, is a valued gathering place for local families and visitors alike. Together, the playground and ballfield provide a welcoming space where children can play, families can spend time outdoors, and the community can come together through recreation and sport.

Most recently, the playground was enhanced with a Playbox, stocked with a selection of balls and recreational equipment for anyone to use. The initiative was provided by the Municipality of the County of Inverness Recreation and Community Wellness Department, helping make the space even more accessible and enjoyable for children and families.

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