When we think of waterfalls, the image that comes to our mind is tropical pools, cascading water, peace and calmness. But come winter, these waterfalls turn into a completely different scene. We have rounded up our favourite winter waterfalls around Cape Breton Island, which will surely delight the explorer in you.

1. Beulach Ban Falls

Once called Horsetail Falls, these spectacular cascades were renamed Beulach Ban Falls, which is Gaelic for ‘White Gorge’. Nestled within the protected borders of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, this short side trip along your journey around the world-famous Cabot Trail is a must-see.

Getting There: From Ingonish, drive north along the Cabot Trail, through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park for about 42.5km, watching for the sign for Beulach Ban Falls. Take the service road on your left for 2.2km to the parking area.

2. Corney Brook Falls

At the Corney Brook Trail, follow a meandering brook through a hardwood forest to the waterfall that marks the end of the trail. You are actually in a box river canyon and there is only one way out! Keep a watch out for wildlife, a variety of birds, snowshoe hare or maybe even a moose. Local Acadians know this brook as “Rivière à Lazare”.

Getting There: From Chéticamp, drive north along the Cabot Trail, through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park for about 15km. The trailhead is across from Corney Brook Campground at 18573 Cabot Trail, Pleasant Bay.

3. Humes River Falls

This is an exceptionally scenic area of steep and humid river canyons, hardwood forests, highland barrens and a 60ft waterfall! It encompasses one of the last relatively large tracts of intact Acadian forests in the Bras d’Or Lake watershed.

Getting There: Highway 105 to Wagmatcook. Take the Humes Rear Rd and park at the end of it near the modern building and baseball field. Start the first 3km of the trail is the continuation of the Humes Rear Rd as it becomes narrower and ultimately an ATV/ snowmobile trail.

4. Uisge Ban Falls

Gaelic for ‘White Water’, Uisge Ban (ish-ka-ban) Falls has a four-kilometre trail that passes through a hardwood forest comprised largely of maple, birch and beech woods; and leads to this 50ft waterfall. Uisge Ban is a section of the longer Falls Brook, which flows into the North Branch Baddeck River and eventually to the Bras d’Or Lake.

Getting There: From Baddeck, take EXIT9 off HWY105 northward onto Margaree Road. Drive 4km along this road then turn right onto West Side Baddeck Road. Follow this road 6.4km and turn left onto North Branch Road. Drive another 3.5km to Uisge Ban Provincial Park.

5. Devil’s Hills Falls

Devil’s Hill Falls is a short hike that leads you past a nice waterfall and good look off view of the New Boston area. The trail is really the old Devil’s Hill Road and is in good walking condition. The falls are only 230 meters into the hike and is the perfect spot for a picnic!

Getting There: From Highway 22 to Catalone. After Crossing Catalone River, turn on New Boston Road. Drive and park at the signs indicating the falls.