Hiking the Skyline Trail

One of the things we really wanted to do on this trip was hike the skyline trail. I had seen pictures of it online and it looked to go to pass up.

Along the Cabot Trail are many different hiking trails of varying length and difficulty, as well as countless lookout points that you need only park in to enjoy the incredible views.

For a while we thought we had missed the Skyline trail because we had driven farther than where we thought it would be. And then we found a parking area that was bursting at the seams and the side of the highway lined with cars for as far as we could see, that’s where the trail starts. I had no idea that this trail was such a tourist draw, but I should have expected it purely based off of the photos I saw.

I wasn’t aware of how long the trail was until the night before we went either and I was surprised to find that it was 7.5 km return and 9 km if you do the full loop. It is suggested that it takes about 2-3 hours to complete.

Once we found our parking spot I put on some extra layers and my walking shoes and we set out. At highway level it was fairly chilly, everyone going in had jackets and scarves, but the people coming out were wearing short sleeves and carrying all the layers they went in with. Most people were dressed for adventure, you could tell they specifically planned to come out and hike, unlike us.

Some parts of the trail were packed gravel and tree lined, other parts were boardwalks and every now and then a clearing would appear and we could look out on the winding Cabot Trail and tiny toy cars or see the ocean stretched out infinitely far before us.

Along the trail you also have to walk through a gated and fenced in area. Parks Canada is working to restore the Boreal Forest in Cape Breton Highlands National Park and we happened to be here while they were planting tiny new trees. Ryan and I each got to plant one and when we come back in 40 years there will be big strong trees.

Eventually we made it to the highlight of this trail and the feature that everyone was there to see. You come out of the trees onto a headland cliff and the world stretches out around you. It’s truly breathtaking.

Stairs and platforms allow all ages and fitness levels to enjoy this place in a safe way, but don’t take away from what surrounds. Ryan and I were both in awe up there. If there was any way this could be better, it would only be because there was a man playing bagpipes on the edge of the cliff, and there was. I do love bagpipes.

We made our way to the lowest platform, sat down and enjoyed. I’m really glad I got pictures of this place, but at the same time, it’s somewhere that should really be viewed with your own eyes instead of through a lense or in a picture.