Celtic Shores Coastal Trail
Length: 90.0 km (56.25 mi) – one way
Type of Trail: Crushed stone, natural surface
Uses (no snow): walking, biking, horseback riding, ATVs
Uses (snow): snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling
Dog Use: on-leash required
Trailhead GPS:
N45º 38.880’ W61º 24.735’ (Start – Canso Causeway), N45º 41.430’ W61º
26.510’ (Cycling Start – Troy Station), N46º 13.780’ W61º 18.600’
(Finish – Inverness)
Three Reasons to hike/bike this trail:
• Superb ocean views
• Ghost Beach causeway walk
• Excellent wildlife spotting and birding potential
One
of the longest off-road sections of the Trans Canada/Great Trail in
Nova Scotia is the 90 km/56.25 mi from the Canso Causeway to Inverness
along the west coast of Cape Breton Island. Five community organizations
combined to develop and manage the former rail-line, which has been
surfaced with crushed stone and is open to a wide variety of uses.
This
is one of the best maintained and signed routes in Atlantic Canada, and
deserves its growing reputation for quality. Motorized and
non-motorized uses seem to co-exist quite well on this route, with the
majority of ATV users adhering to the posted 30 kph/18.75 mph speed
limit.
Each section provides a different experience. The nearly
40 km/25 mi to Port Hood follows the Canso Strait, so coastal views are
common. After there, the trail turns inland and the remainder of the
trip to Inverness followed rivers and passed near lakes. The exposed
strip of land of Ghost Beach, which cannot be biked, makes the first
4.1/2.6 mi a separate and unique adventure.
The Celtic Shore
Coastal Trail can be most easily used by bicycles and motorized
vehicles. Although cyclists can probably complete the full route in one
day, I recommend that hikers commit five days to undertake it. As
camping is not permitted along the trail route, hikers must stay is
B&Bs or campgrounds, which limits their overnight options:
1. Day 1: Canso Causeway to Creignish, 11.1 km/6.9 mi
2. Day 2: Creignish to Judique, 17.1 km/10.1 mi
3. Day 3: Judique to Port Hood, 16 km/10 mi
4. Day 4: Port Hood to Mabou, 20.1 km/12.6 mi
5. Day 5: Mabou to Port Hood, 25.7 km/16.1 mi
Cautionary Notes: Coastal weather. Road crossings. Wildlife.
Ratings
are designated from 1 to 5 indicating suitability for all fitness and
experience levels, with 5 being suitable only for experienced and very
fit outdoor people. Novices should only choose level 1 and 2 hikes, and
work their way up. Level 4 and 5 hikes have indicators associated with
their ratings.
Nearby Experiences
-
Eagle Eye Outfitters – Deep Sea Fishing
Inverness, Nova Scotia -
Admiral Lounge & Café
Port Hood, Nova Scotia -
Interactive Exhibit Room – Celtic Music Interpretive Centre
Judique, Nova Scotia -
Mabou Farmers’ Market
Mabou, Nova Scotia -
Rankin Tuna Charters
Mabou Harbour, Nova Scotia
Places to Stay Nearby
-
The Fiddle and The Sea B&B
Port Hood, Nova Scotia -
Cape Breton Villas
Inverness, Nova Scotia -
Colindale Beach Villas
Port Hood, Nova Scotia -
MacEachern’s Cove Cottage
Mabou Harbour, Nova Scotia -
Skye Lodge
Port Hastings, Nova Scotia