Skyline
Statistics
| Total Distance: |
9.0 km (return) |
| Estimated Time: |
2.5 hours |
| Average Grade: |
4.4% |
| Structure: |
Loop - Complete |
|
|
Elevation Loss:
|
-200 m |
| Start Elevation: |
400 m |
| Min Elevation: |
200 m |
|
Directions
From Cheticamp, follow the Cabot Trail into the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, trailhead parking is 15km past the Cheticamp Visitor Centre on the left.
Details
The Skyline Trail is one of the most popular day walks inside Cape Breton Highlands National Park, a 8.7 km (5 mi) round trip that leads to a steep headland cliff overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence. From the parking lot the path is wide and well graded. After about 500m there is a "Y" junction. Take the left fork to take the trail a little over a kilometer to the viewpoint. The viewpoint trail drops in elevation along the cliff with the trail using boardwalks and stairs at times. After you've enjoyed the views athe viewpoint climb back up the hill and take the less travelled trail to your left. This trail is the back half of the Skyline loop.
Many tourists only go out to the viewpoint and back, but including the back half of the skyline loop is well worth it. The trail goes through semi-open moose pasture. If you walk slowly and quietly, you are bound to see a moose. Look closely into the groves of trees - the moose like to nap here on hot afternoons. Don't get too close though - moose can be very unpredictable.
The back half of the loop meets up with the main trail at the "Y" junction. From there it is an easy 500m back to the trailhead.
GPS Waypoints
This entry does not have any waypoints available for it.