Autumn settles over the northern Highlands this week with peak-season colour still blazing across the ridgelines, and the calendar delivers a satisfying mix of outdoor adventure and Celtic Colours community spirit — capped by a Celtic Colours International Festival Community Experience: Pumpkin Carving inside Cape Breton Highlands National Park on Sunday morning.
Guided mountain bike rides run Monday mornings at 10:00 from August through November, meeting at the Mary Ann Falls trailhead parking off the Cabot Trail in Ingonish. The intermediate to advanced route climbs to Mary Ann Falls with a stop for swimming and short hikes, taking 2 to 3 hours total. Non-members pay a one-time $12 fee; rides are free for Velo Cape Breton members. Contact Evan Ferguson at [email protected] or 902-682-7896 for details.
Guided mountain bike rides run Thursdays at 10 a.m. from September 3 to November at the Clyburn trailhead parking off the Cabot Trail in Ingonish Centre. The 2-hour ride follows the Clyburn River on terrain suitable for beginner to intermediate cyclists, though some sections are challenging due to washouts; riders can turn back at Salmon Pools or continue to Gold Mines (advanced skills required beyond Salmon Pools). Non-Velo members pay a one-time $12 membership fee, rides are free for members. Contact Evan Ferguson at [email protected] or 902-682-7896.
Library staff lead a weekly story time and craft activity for preschool-age children and their caregivers on Friday mornings at 10am.
Drop-in Lego building activity for children 4 and up, held Friday afternoons at Ingonish Library. Children 8 and younger need a parent, guardian, or caregiver present in the library.
Seasonal pumpkin carving activity where pumpkins and tools are provided. Takes place Sunday, October 11, 2026 from 10 am to 12 pm at La Rigouèche near the Chéticamp Visitor Centre.
A week on the Cabot Trail in early October rewards visitors with quieter roads, flame-coloured hardwoods, and a programme that suits everyone from serious cyclists to toddlers with a thing for pumpkins. Start Monday right by arriving at the Mary Ann Falls trailhead in Ingonish for the Guided Mountain Bike Rides – Mary Ann Falls, departing at 10:00 a.m. The guided format makes the outing accessible whether guests know the trail or not. Fuel up beforehand — or decompress after — at Salty Rose's & The Periwinkle Café in Ingonish, where locally sourced coffee and handmade teas pair well with garden views.
Midweek, Thursday's Guided Mountain Bike Rides – Clyburn Trail picks up at 10:00 a.m. near Ingonish Centre for another morning in the saddle on one of the Highlands' most celebrated trails. After the ride, the clifftop tables at The Chowder House in Neils Harbour are worth the short detour north — fresh local seafood with the Atlantic laid out below is hard to argue with.
Friday is built for families. The Ingonish Library hosts Story Time / Craft for Tots at 10:00 a.m. for pre-schoolers and their caregivers, then flips to Lego Fun Fridays at 2:00 p.m. for children four and older. In between, lunch at Seagull Restaurant on the Cabot Trail in Ingonish delivers homemade seafood and ocean views from the deck — a reliable mid-day anchor for the whole group.
Saturday invites independent exploration. Drive or walk out to White Point Lookout north of South Harbour for end-of-road Atlantic drama, or detour to Salmon River Beach where the river meets the Gulf in a quiet pebble cove. Those chasing elevation should set aside a few hours for the Meat Cove Mountain Trail, a steep climb that pays off with panoramic Cape Breton summit views. Meat Cove Campground at the island's northernmost tip offers cabins and an on-site seafood food truck for anyone making a night of it among the cliffs and bald eagles.
Sunday morning belongs to Celtic Colours. The Celtic Colours International Festival Community Experience: Pumpkin Carving runs from 10:00 a.m. to noon at La Rigouèche inside Cape Breton Highlands National Park — a cheerful, hands-on community event that captures the festival's spirit of bringing people together. Before heading out, stop at the Clucking Hen Café & Bakery on the North Shore stretch of the Cabot Trail, where breakfast and homemade baked goods make for an excellent start to the final day of the week.
The Cabot Trail loops around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, French Acadian villages, Mi'kmaq communities, and over six mountain passes. Allow at least two days to drive it properly — three is better.
A short but lung-burning trail that climbs from the Meat Cove campground area to a ridge above the village, with sweeping views over the Gulf, the cliffs of Cape St. Lawrence, and on a clear day to Newfoundland in the distance.
The path is steep, rooty, and unrelenting. Around 200 metres of vertical gain on a route just over a kilometre to the summit. The descent is the same way you came up.
A quiet headland at the northeast tip of Cape Breton with one of the most overlooked views on the island. The drive in passes Smelt Brook and South Harbour and ends in a small parking area on the bare cliffs.
A small, sheltered beach a few kilometres before Meat Cove village. The Salmon River drops out of the Highlands here and meets the Gulf in a calm cove that's good for a wade on a hot day. Hardly anyone stops, which is part of the charm.
Mostly smooth round stones, with patches of sand near the river mouth. The water near the river is brackish and a touch warmer than the open Gulf.
The Chowder House is a hidden gem on the Cabot Trail. Located at the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean, with spectacular scenery. It is a place where visitors and locals alike can dine on the freshest of seafood. From the freshly caught local lobster, crab, and mussels, to steamy bowls of chowder, a treat for all. With the terrific service and friendly atmosphere, it is the place to visit on your next trip to Neil’s Harbour.
Foodies and nature lovers know Salty Rose’s & the Periwinkle Café is a must-visit destination for a unique and delicious dining experience. This cozy café, situated on the scenic Cabot Trail, offers a diverse menu featuring fresh, locally sourced coffee, handmade teas, specialty lemonades that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Your dining experience is a feast for the eyes as well, with indoor and outdoor seating, garden views, and light and welcoming environment. Still wanting more? They offer unique features, such as on-site gift shop, handmade jewellery and features local artists and artisans. The also host live music and specialty dining events, making Salty Rose’s & the Periwinkle Café the perfect spot for a brunch, a date night, or a fun night out with friends. Salty Rose’s & the Periwinkle Café now offers overnight accommodations with beautiful and bright flower themed rooms! Don’t miss out on this hidden gem and book your next stay or dining experience today for a mouth-watering culinary adventure amidst stunning natural beauty.
Located on the Cabot Trail in Ingonish, Seagull Restaurant boasts fabulous views of the ocean. Specializing in home cooked meals and family dining Seagull Restaurant is a popular choice for locals and visitors alike. Come sit on our deck and enjoy our Spectacular View of the ocean. Stop in to Enjoy our Seafood & Pasta Dishes; New Healthier Choice Menu, along with our Kids Menu and well known Homemade Deserts. Eat in or take out. “Great Food, Great Service”
Meat Cove, the most northern tip of Cape Breton Island, is surrounded by jagged cliffs, valleys of connected mountains where bald eagles soar above. Here, you will find yourself surrounded by magnificent views from each of our 30 unserviced campsites that come with a picnic table, fire pit, and grill along with space available for the RV traveler. Campsites are on a “first come, first served” basis – call ahead to check if we have availability, day of. Amenities at the campground include: washrooms with flush toilets and hot showers WiFi access to fresh drinking water kayak rentals hiking and biking trails firewood food truck Wilderness Cabins We also have six wilderness camp cabins, each with one single and one double bed (bring own bedding/pillows). There is solar power in the cabins for charging your devices. Washroom and shower facilities are located nearby. Miles From Nowhere Chalet Guesthouse Book your stay in Meat Cove Campground’s cottage, Miles From Nowhere, a three bedroom, one bathroom chalet guesthouse comes complete with a full kitchen, bathroom, and laundry facilities along with a private patio and hot tub offering up those amazing ocean views. On-site Food Truck Don’t miss a seafood feast at our Lawless Lobster Seafood Trailer in the campground. Serving up favourites including mussels, lobster rolls, fish & chips, and seafood chowder and more, be sure to bring your appetite!
Located half way between Baddeck and Ingonish. Open daily from mid May until the end of October. Serving Breakfast, lunch and Dinner, licensed serving beer, wine, and lots of homemade baked goodies.
A great small town pizza shop. Pizza, Custom Subs, Wings, Donairs, Poutine, Fries, Wraps, Salads, Pizza Burgers, Cold Drinks, Mozza Sticks, Panko Onion Rings.
October on the Cabot Trail is a rare window — the summer crowds have eased, the maples are on fire, and the calendar still has plenty to offer. Point the car north and let the week unfold.
Around Cape Breton
More news →
