Father John Angus Rankin Cultural Centre
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Glendale
Local archives, with material dating back to 1800s; [email protected] site (public access to Internet and e-mail); kitchen ceilidhs; Gaelic resource centr...
Length: 9.5 km (5.9 mi) return
Hiking Time: 3+hr
Type of Trail: natural surface
Uses (no snow): walking
Uses (snow): snowshoeing
Facilities: outhouses, water, picnic tables, benches, camping, firewood, cooking shelters, interpretive panels, garbage canns
Dog Uses: on-leash required
Gov’t Topo Map: 11F14 (Whycocomagh)
Rating (1-5): 4 [steepness, rugged terrain, navigation]]
Trailhead GPS Reference: N 45 57 59.0 W 61 06 18.2
Access Information: From the Canso Causeway, drive 50 km (31 mi) toward Sydney on Highway 105. Turn left onto Provincial Park Road. The trailhead is just after the campground entrance, about 500m/yd, opposite the Department of Natural Resources district office.
Introduction: Meaning “Head of the Waters,” Whycocomagh is the Mi’kmaq word for the area surrounding Salt Mountain, and a large First Nations community lives across the bay from the park. Settled in 1812 by Highland Scots, the new community retained its Whycocomagh name despite the colonists nostalgic fondness for reminders of their past, as Cape Breton place-names such as Glencoe, Skir Dhu, and Loch Lomond suggest.
The Salt Mountain Trail is a short, but challenging, walk, for the summit is 230 m (750 ft) above Bras d’Or Lake, requiring a steep climb indeed. This trail’s proximity to Highway 105 makes it a pleasant diversion for those passing by who want to stretch their legs and enjoy a marvelous view. Hiking just the Highlander and Salt Mountain trails is about 3.5 km (2.2 mi): tough but worthwhile.
Adding the Scout Trail more than doubles the distance, and because of the rugged, hilly terrain, more than doubles the effort required. This section is not recommended for novices.
Cautionary Notes: Wildlife. Steep climbs. Cliffs. Rugged terrain. Ticks.
Ratings are designated from 1 to 5 indicating suitability for all fitness and experience levels, with 5 being suitable only for experienced and very fit outdoor people. Novices should only choose level 1 and 2 hikes, and work their way up. Level 4 and 5 hikes have indicators associated with their ratings.
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Glendale
Local archives, with material dating back to 1800s; [email protected] site (public access to Internet and e-mail); kitchen ceilidhs; Gaelic resource centr...
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: River Denys
Overlooking the Bras d’Or Lake, Eileanan Brèagha (pronouced AY-len-an BREE-ah) is Cape Breton’s first and only estate winery. Scottish ...
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Baddeck
Crispy Fried Chicken ( Regular / Spicy), Zinger Burgers with homemade sauce, Homemade Grilled Chicken Burgers, Fish & Chips, Chicken Bir...
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Grand Narrows
Cape Breton Island boasts some of the best boating in the world. It is located in Grand Narrows at the Barra Strait Bridge. The Barra Strait...
Region: Bras d’Or Lake
Community: River Denys
Length: 9 km (5.6 mi) return Hiking Time: 2+hrs Type of Trail: compacted earth Uses (no snow): walking, biking, horseback riding, ATVs Uses ...
Regions: Cabot Trail, Bras d’Or Lake
Community: Baddeck
In the spring of 1979, a dairy barn ceased operation at the beginning of the Cabot Trail ( 2 Cabot Trail ) and was converted to a small 600 ...
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