Explore The Ceilidh Trail, Cape Breton

Looking for a less crowded & shorter trail in Cape Breton? Look no further than the Ceilidh Trail. Perfect for a weekend drive in Nova Scotia.

You’ve probably heard of the Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail, but the Ceilidh Trail is also amazing and worth a drive while you’re visiting the island! You’ll get to visit some of the lesser known spots on Cape Breton Island, while still experiencing the views and hospitality that the Island is famous for.

General Advice For Visiting Cape Breton

Weather wise, you’ll likely want to visit between mid May and mid October. July and August are normally the best months for warm weather and beach days. To see the leaves changing colours, you’ll want to visit around the first or second week of October.

Note that most businesses shut down around mid October, so things may be closed if you visit after Canadian Thanksgiving. Definitely check before you plan anything!

Always watch for wildlife when you are driving and hiking, Cape Breton is home to deer, moose, bears, coyotes and more. Plan to carry a stick and/or bear spray while hiking, and be especially careful driving at night, wildlife may wander into the roads.

Ceilidh Trail Map

Here’s a handy map of our destinations!

Celtic Shores Coastal Trail

The Celtic Shores Coastal Trail is a 92km long multi-use trail that you could take all the way from Port Hastings to Inverness. Of course you don’t have to do the whole thing!

You can walk, bike, run, ski, quad (4-wheel), horseback ride, snowshoe, or snowmobile your way, taking in all of the beautiful scenery along the way. It’s well marked with interpretive panels along the way.

Stops On The Ceilidh Trail

You’ll be following Route 19 from the Canso Causeway to Inverness. It should be pretty easy to navigate but you may want to have a GPS, cell service may be spotty in some places!

Port Hastings

The first community once you cross the Canso Causeway is Port Hastings. Although there isn’t too much to do in the area, it’s a great place to start your journey and get your bearings. There is a visitor information centre, and you can visit the Strait Area Museum, which has free admission (and an ice-cream barn!). Visit the Balache Point Lighthouse, and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see the Canso Causeway in action, swinging open to let boats through.

Judique

Our next stop is home to the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre… which is likely why it’s called the Ceilidh Trail! A Ceilidh is a traditional Scottish and Irish social get together with music, dancing and yes, usually drinking. The Interpretive Centre will take you through the history of Celtic Culture in the area, and if you’re lucky there will be a Ceilidh happening!

I highly recommend staying at Archer’s Edge Luxury Camping Domes in Judique. We had such an amazing stay, and it’s very central on the Ceilidh Trail!

Port Hood

When I was little the only reason we would go to Port Hood was for hockey tournaments… but there’s so much more than an arena (although it is the birthplace of hockey legend Al MacInnis!)

Port Hood has several amazing beaches, and the water tends to be warmer than the rest of Nova Scotia, so you can actually go swimming!

Cold or rainy day? Check out the Chestico Museum and learn all about the history of the area.

Mabou

Our next community is home to the Rankin Family who formed a family band known as The Rankins, and achieved National success. You can visit Rankin family owned Red Shoe Pub and enjoy live music 7 days a week.

I highly recommend visiting the Mabou Farmers’ Market on Sundays. I picked up this great mug from vendor Fire and Stone Coffee and I love it so much!

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Glenora Falls

Just north of Mabou, Glenora Falls isn’t really a community, but you can find a pretty great waterfall if you look for it! Just a quick little stop to stretch your legs

Another 7 minute drive North and you can stop at Glenora Inn and Distillery. Guided distillery tours and tastings are available, or you could have dinner and a drink in their restaurant. Glenora makes North America’s first Single Malt Whisky (can’t call it Scotch because it’s not made in Scotland!). It’s worth a stop on your drive through!

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Inverness

Welcome to Inverness (no, you haven’t traveled all the way to Scotland). If you enjoy golf, then you’ll be happy to know that Cabot Cliffs golf course is rated #1 in Canada by Score Golf Canada and Cabot Links Golf Course is rated #5!

Inverness beach is Nova Scotia’s first wheelchair accessible beach, offering the use of Mobi-chairs and Mobi-mats to provide access to the beach and water

Hungry (or thirsty)? Check out Route 19 Brewing for a bite to eat and some local beers.

How Long To Complete The Trail?

The whole trail from Port Hastings to Inverness would only take you an hour if you drove straight through, which means you only really need 2 days to complete the whole trail while stopping! Of course more time is better, especially if you plan on golfing and taking in all the sights.