Bras d'Or Lake
, Cabot Trail
, Canada's Musical Coast
, Cape Breton Highlands National Park
, Cape Breton's South Coast
, Coastal Adventure
, Fall

Why do you Fall for Cape Breton Island?

Story by: Team Destination Cape Breton

Are you looking to visit Cape Breton Island this fall but unsure what to do? Do you want to experience the warm glow of autumn colours as you drive around our beloved Cabot Trail, or feel the cool breeze against your skin as you take your last boat ride of the season? Why not let the experts tell you why they #FallforCapeBreton

Kris Tynski

As a photographer, what makes Cape Breton unique in fall is the vast array of natural color that dominates the landscape as far as the eye can see. Other destinations may have similar forests, but as an Island with rolling hills and gentle mountains, rugged coastlines and the ever-changing weather conditions the photographic opportunities cannot be duplicated anywhere in the world.

Like any adventure on Cape Breton, there is beauty at every turn, and the road lends itself to anticipation like no other. It is the untold photographic story that I most look forward to, perhaps it could be a rare encounter with a wild animal or something as simple as a few rays of light reflecting the fall foliage in a small lake or stream.

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A couple re-runs in anticipation of what will be here in a few weeks…#throwbackthursday #imagesofcanada #explorecanada #fallcolors #visitnovascotia #visitcapebretonisland #visitcapebreton #capebreton #capturenovascotia #igers_novascotia #haligonia #halifaxart #halifaxnoise #sharecangeo #natgeoyourshot #eaglesofinstagram #eagles #eagle #naturesbestphotomagazine #canadiancreatives #offbeat #wildlycreative #nature_brilliance #nature_perfection #jobudesign #canadagram #cangeo #autumn #capebretoncolours #capebretonraw

A post shared by Kris Tynski-Nature Photographr (@tynskiphoto) on Sep 24, 2020 at 3:43am PDT

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Kyler McGregor

Cape Breton hosts some amazing mountainous views, where you can see the fall colours extend for kilometres on end. You have the opportunity to see those colours along the coast as you drive the world-famous Cabot Trail. The high volume of deciduous trees on the island makes it one of the best fall destinations in Canada. Plus, you often have the opportunity to see moose along your travels!

We are most looking forward to sunrise at the top of Franey Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park. As the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean and shines onto the autumn colours of the trees, there’s often fog rolling through the valley below, creating a beautiful landscape. After every sunrise hike, our next destination is always a local café for a delicious, hearty breakfast.

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I dont remember the last time I posted a landscape style shot here, but here we go! The sky went from hailing, to rain, to sunshine, to rainbows then back to hailing 🌦. You never know what you're going to get when visiting the highlands, but it's never once left me disappointed!

A post shared by Kyler Mcgregor (@kyleremcgregor) on Oct 8, 2019 at 1:34pm PDT

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Chuck Wrathall

The rolling hills covered in maples that pop red, birch that turns a nice vibrant yellow-orange all while contrasted on some of the best scenic views, those are just some of the reasons to come to Cape Breton in the fall!

I’ve recently upgraded my camera gear so I’m extremely excited to get out on some mountainous and waterfall hikes to test it out. Cape Breton is a photographer’s paradise year-round, but a total game-changer in the fall!

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As a photographer and woodsman, I’m always stoked for when fall comes along on @visitcapebretonisland. I find myself spending way more time in the wilderness and I can’t complain about that! Anyone got any fall hikes or camping trips planned?! 🍂🍁 @visitcapebretonisland @visitnovascotia @imagesofcanada @canada @explorecanada @folkmagazine #fallforcapebreton #capebretonisland #explorenovascotia #imagesofcanada #bealpha #visitcapebreton #outdoorslife #fallcolors #outdooradventures #explorecanada #landscapephotography #landscapelovers #landscapedesign #longexposureoftheday #travelphotography #autumnadventures #travelguide #travel_drops #natgeolandscape #naturephotography #naturelover #naturegeography #natureseekers #folkmagazine #folkvibes #autumnvibes🍁

A post shared by Chuck Wrathall – Photographer (@chuckwrathall) on Oct 4, 2020 at 6:37am PDT

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Adam Cornick

There are very few places where you have a stunning coastal road winding along the side of mountains that drop down into the ocean. For a few weeks of the year, an already striking view is capped off with all the colour nature can throw at it. It’s a sight to behold and it can be found on Cape Breton Island.

I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced Cape Breton on quite a few different trips, this time I’m excited to check out some new locations. I’ve never been to Isle Madame, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what that corner of the island looks like. I’m also hoping to take in some new sights while along the Cabot Trail, including Meat Cove, which I’ve been hoping to visit for quite a while.

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Nature’s end of season party – I’m looking forward to getting back to the mountains later this month. Cape Breton in all her glory

A post shared by Adam Cornick (@acorn_art_photography) on Oct 5, 2020 at 3:45am PDT

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Davey & Sky

Fall in Cape Breton is like a refreshing wave over the Island after our warm summers. It’s the most photogenic time of the year! It almost feels like something out of a storybook, as the crisp air makes our homes a little cozier and paints our mountains and valleys with the most beautiful autumn colours. When people visit here you know they are going to be treated to the best small-town hospitality and homemade foods you can find, while taking in all the beautiful views. The Cabot Trail is also an awesome unique feature that always sets Cape Breton apart from the rest of Atlantic Canada.

Personally, we can’t wait to explore our way around the Island this fall, from sunrise to sunset! We hope to showcase the stunning colours from all aspects – on top of mountains, on the water, from coastal trails, and looking out of cozy accommodation windows. Our road trip playlist is ready!

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Sweater weather is better together. 🍂 Excited to spend another Thanksgiving with family in Cape Breton this year and can’t wait to get more fall photos with my sisters (thanks David 😂), eat turkey dinner, watch some spooky movies, and just relax at mom and dads. We are all technically born in autumn – End of October, mid November, and early December – so it’s safe to say this is certainly our favourite time of the year (our family’s house mayyy have been decorated weeks ago 🙈🎃). Do you have any thanksgiving traditions in your home?

A post shared by 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 & 𝗦𝗸𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗿 (@daveyandsky) on Oct 5, 2020 at 4:21pm PDT

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Anna Solomon

It is the rolling hills of untouched colour make Cape Breton so unique in Autumn. As a hiker, I love to know there are certain areas that only wildlife can ever explore. It is wonderful that there is still space for hikers like me to enjoy the colours on the trail while knowing that some areas are just for the moose, eagles, deer, coyotes, etc. Fall colours become extra magical when the views are unbroken by infrastructure, as we have so much space and natural landscape here on Cape Breton.

I’m most looking forward to experiencing the unique accommodations around the island. Anyone can stare out their hotel/motel window for a few, pretty fall colours; but to be out near the water in a dome, experiencing the extra reds of our fall Cape Breton sunsets, and waking up to hike in the early morning with Cape Breton hospitality? That’s an experience no other place can offer me.

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A wildly eventful weekend had to come to an end and leave me with a 40 hour drive to Seattle. Fin and I are managing to get lucky with middle-of-nowhere trails and good memories upon which to reflect! Smell That? It's called off season. 😅🙌

A post shared by Anna Eliza 🌱 (@plant_powered_anna) on Oct 16, 2017 at 7:28am PDT

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Ashley MacDonald

Cape Breton in the fall is unique because we have beautiful mountains that drop down into the ocean and turn vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows in the fall. Plus there are tons of trails that end in views where you can enjoy these spectacular views!

I’m most looking forward to going hiking in northern Cape Breton where there are a bunch of great mountain hikes, like Tenerife, Sugarloaf, and Meat Cove Mountain, that all end in awesome views where you can see lots of fall colors!

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fall roads 🍂

A post shared by ASH | ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHER (@lifeofashmac) on Oct 6, 2020 at 3:27am PDT

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Chris van den Berg

What I think is most unique about Cape Breton in the Fall is how the mountains in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park blaze up with red, yellow, and orange every year. Fall in the mountains always takes my breath away.

What I am looking forward to in our upcoming trip on the island is going on a staycation at Iron Mountain Wilderness Cabins to recharge, relax and have a few craft beers at Nova Scotia’s first off-grid pub. I have been wanting to stay here since they opened.

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Had to work over most of the thanksgiving long weekend but was able to take in this beautiful sunrise at Cape Clear this morning #sunrise #clouds #mondaymotivation #thanksgiving #longweekend #optoutside #keepexploring #wanderlust #imagesofcanada #igers_novascotia #fallforcapebreton #capebretonadventure #visitcapebreton #capeclear #CapeBreton

A post shared by Chris van den Berg (@keepexploringcapebreton) on Oct 14, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT

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Tammy Aucoin

To me, Cape Breton in the Fall is the most unique because no matter where you are on the island, you’ll experience our magical autumn colors. From the reds of the Blueberry bushes on Mica Hill to the colourful palette in the Margarees.

What I’m most looking forward to on our upcoming trip is being outside all day admiring our Cape Breton beauty. While hiking Humes River Falls after all this rain that we are forecasted to receive. Then to end our evening with a relaxing drink at Iron Mountain Wilderness Cabins. I enjoy the fact that it is an off-grid pub with minimal impact on our island.

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Since everyone is sharing fall photos… Here we go – – > Up in the Margarees yesterday and the leaves are fully displaying their colours! 🍂🍁 ~ Don't worry, the rest of Cape Breton colours are not at their peak yet so lots more fall colours to come– Yipeee! 🤸 The weekend is coming so hope some can get out and take it all in 🧡 ~ #CapeBreton #capebretonadventure #visitcapebreton #Fallcolors #fallvibes #margaree #visitnovascotia #ExploreCanada #imagesofcanada #igers_novascotia #liveoutdoors #stayandwander #sharecangeo #travelphotography #wanderlust #novascotia #canada #canada_photolovers

A post shared by Tammy 🤸‍♀️ (@capebretonhiker) on Oct 1, 2020 at 6:51am PDT

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A For Adventure

Cape Breton is one of those places that captures your imagination. From mountain top vistas, lakes, rivers and forests, it’s a place to disconnect and reconnect with nature. Every time we go we discover something new to explore, and fall in love with it all over again.

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Have we mentioned how much we love cycling on the rails-to-trails in this province? 🤣 🚴‍♀️ // The Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, early morning at Lake Ainslie, Inverness 📷 @acorn_art_photography

A post shared by A for Adventure (@a.foradventure) on Jul 21, 2020 at 4:29am PDT

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Our team at Destination Cape Breton is always exploring our beautiful Island. We love discovering our hidden gems, working with partners, and putting our Island on the pedestal it deserves!

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