Cabot Trail
|
|
The Cabot Trail is a Canadian highway located in the province of Nova Scotia on Cape Breton Island. It is also the name of a provincial government designated Scenic Route.
The route is approximately 300 km (185 mi.) long and completes a loop around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, passing along and through the scenic Cape Breton Highlands. It is named after the explorer John Cabot who in 1540 became the first European explorer to visit the island. Construction of the initial route was completed in 1932, however the quality of the highway has since been considerably improved.
The northern section of the Cabot Trail passes through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The western and eastern sections follow the rugged coastline, providing spectacular views of the ocean. The southwestern section passes through the Margaree River valley before passing along Bras d'Or Lake.
The Cabot Trail is the only trunk secondary highway in Nova Scotia which does not have a numbered route designation. Road signs along the route instead have a unique mountain logo.
Villages along the Cabot Trail include:
- Baddeck, the gateway to the Cabot Trail and the location of the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
- St. Ann's, home of the world famous Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts
- Ingonish, a fishing village and one of the first areas settled on Cape Breton and home to the Keltic Lodge resort, it is the eastern entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park
- Chéticamp, an Acadian fishing village famous for its hooked rugs and fiddle music, it is the western entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Exteranal links
- Cabot Shores, Adventure, lodging and retreat center (http://www.cabotshores.com)