Biking The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton: The Cabot Trail is one of the world’s most beautiful bicycle rides, named after the famous explorer John Cabot (an Italian, Giovanni Caboto, who sailed under an English flag). The 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.
Alexander Graham Bell once said: “I have traveled around the globe. I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes, the Alps & the Highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all.”
Pedal & Sea Adventures will show you this splendid place as it should be experienced-on bike! You will start and finish the tour in Baddeck, the place where Alexander Graham Bell wanted to spend the rest of his life. From there you will head clockwise around the trail through the Margaree Valley, Cheticamp, Pleasant Bay, and Ingonish. You will have the opportunity to go whale watching, hike the highlands, or just relax after an incredible day in the saddle. For those of you who wish to get in a round of golf, that can be arranged, too, at the Highland Links golf course, recently ranked as the best golf course in Canada and one of the top 100 courses in the world! (Visit our Cabot Trail Photo Gallery to see more images).
Day one:
A welcome dinner awaits at our historical inn in Baddeck, where you'll
have the chance to feast on fresh lake trout, or maybe Digby scallops,
which we have no qualms about proclaiming 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 a very good museum bearing
his name is located. We will plan on getting there early enough to take
in the sights before dinner. We'll be staying at the Telegraph
House or Auberge Gisele's.
Day two: (42 km, optional 25 km in the afternoon; 1 mile equals 1.6
km)
Leaving our lovely inn, we'll soon cross the one-lane Baddeck Bridge, where
families of bald eagles may be seen showing their young how best to fish.
You'll cycle through the splendid Margaree Valley along Lake O'Law. It's
gorgeous, but don't tarry too long, for we've prepared an old-fashioned
Maritime picnic for lunch. Our ultimate destination is the Normaway
Inn, set upon a beautiful 250 acres. You'll get your first taste of
Cape Breton music in the evening at the Fiddler's Barn, and it's not to
be missed! For cycling enthusiasts, we have an optional 25-kilometer ride
in the afternoon, crisscrossing the Margaree River Valley.
Day three: (50 km)
The Margaree Valley is an angler’s paradise, as salmon are abundant
along the Margaree River. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the
Margaree Salmon Museum this morning as you leave the valley, joining the
coast road to Cheticamp. In Cheticamp, you’ll have your first chance
to go whale watching (additional fee), as well as garnering your first
glimpse of the highlands, where you'll be bicycling over the next two days.
Tonight we're staying at the Acadian Motel.
Day four: (81 km)
Today's ride will soon have you in the Cape Breton Highland's National
Park, which is famous throughout the world. You'll soon see why! The Highlands
encompass almost 1,000 square kilometers of breathtaking highlands that
descend to dramatic rocky shorelines. The Highlands are teaming: Moose,
eagles, foxes, deer, coyotes, lynx, bobcats are plentiful. We're heading
for Dingwall, and the Markland
Coastal Resort will be our home for the next two nights.
Day five: (Optional 46 km)
Today, we're easy. You set the stage, and we'll make it happen. You can
savour the wonderful surroundings near the Markland Resort, and have
a full day. Then again, you might want to cycle out to the fabulous Bay
St. Lawrence, where you can frolic with the whales aboard The Oshan.
Captain Cyril will entertain you with seafaring lore and a dollop of
heartfelt wisdom. The choice is yours, but we know that you'll have a
terrific day!
Day six: (70 km)
You will continue along the Cabot Trail taking the scenic route through
Neil's Harbour on the way to Ingonish. Before lunch, we'll cycle 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. We're staying tonight at either The
Keltic Lodge or The
Castlerock Inn.
Day seven: (42 km)
Continue along the Cabot Trail over Cape Smokey where your descent will
have you gasping with delight. A number of interesting local artisans
are nearby, and you might want to visit a few before having lunch at
the Clucking Hen. After lunch it is off to Englishtown where a cable
ferry will shuttle you across the St. Ann's Bay, where Giant Angus MacAskill —who
stood 7 ft. 9 in — once lived in the 1800s. We will load the bikes
on the van for the trip to Halifax.
Cape Breton's Cabot Trail bike tour
2010 Season
June 20-26 • July 4-10 • July 11-17 • July 18-24 • July 25-31 • August 1-7 • August 8-14 • August 15-21 • August 22-28 • August 29-September 4 • September 5-11 • September 12-18; October 3-9 (Fall Colors Tour)
Custom tours available anytime!
Pedal & Sea Adventures: our annual
sale
1) Is this your second tour with PSA? Let us know, so we can knock
$100 Cdn off the price, and send you a free PSA Jersey ($80 value).
2) If this is your third PSA tour, let us know so we can knock $100 Cdn
off the price, send a free jersey, and cover your bike rental!
For these great incentives, please let our staff know when you book!
Prices
$2199 Cdn based on double occupancy
US prices depend upon
the exchange rate
20 per cent single supplement
Hybrid Bike Rental: $149 Cdn
Road Bike Rental: $189
Shuttle: Halifax to Baddeck (return): $79 Cdn
13 per cent tax (HST) is added to the bill (6.5 percent for US citizens)
Inclusions
• 6 nights'
accommodation
• 5 dinners, 2 lunches, 6 breakfasts
• van support, guides, snacks & refreshments
• maps for the
daily routing, park fees
We also have a self-guided tour of Cape Breton
See also: The Cape Breton Tour Photo Gallery
Nova Scotia Stories: Fortress Louisbourg
Nova Scotia Stories: Cape Breton
Nova Scotia Stories: A Gift of Quiet
in The Cape Breton Highlands
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