| 0 km |
Baddeck is an attractive village that affords
tourists most amenities. There is no shortage of accommodations or eating
establishments in the village. From the Tourist Information Office in the
centre of Baddeck, be sure to leave heading north on Route 205, the road
closest to the water. The "official" Cabot Trail is the busy
Trans Canada Highway (Route 105). Route 205 parallels the TCH for 9 km,
and is a lot nicer for cycling. |
| 1 km |
The Alexander Graham Bell Museum is a
National Historic Site. Alexander Graham Bell arrived in Baddeck with his
family in 1885, and the famous inventor, teacher and humanitarian lived
and worked here for the last 37 years of his life. The museum relates the
story of Bell's life and times, and displays many of the experiments that
he worked on while in Baddeck. |
| 9 km |
Route 205 ends at the Trans Canada Highway (Route 105); a
busy highway with an excellent wide paved shoulder for cycling. |
| 16 km |
Community of South Haven. |
| 18 km |
Cabot Trail turnoff (Exit #11). Although it
might be very tempting (you did, after all, come to ride the Cabot Trail)
to exit the Trans Canada Highway at this point, don't! Instead, proceed on
the TCH for a further 4 km until you arrive at Exit #12 (Route 312). Route
312 (via Englishtown) is both quieter and more interesting and, besides,
it is 9 km shorter this way! (If you wish to visit the Gaelic College
of Celtic Arts and Crafts, however, you will have to follow the Cabot
Trail for a distance of 1 km. In case you are interested, this is the only
Gaelic college in North America). |
| 22 km |
Trans Canada Highway Exit #12. Turn here, and
follow the signs to the Englishtown Ferry (Route 312). Route 312 is
actually the old Cabot Trail. |
| 26 km |
Community of Englishtown (pop. 139). |
| 30 km |
Englishtown Ferry. You are now in for
a short (5-min)
ferry ride. The Ferry leaves approx. every 10-min, and there is no charge
for cyclists. After the ferry, you will have a pleasant 3-km ride along a
narrow spit of land with beaches on either side.
 |
| 37 km |
Route 312 ends at the Cabot Trail. You just saved yourself 9
km! For the next 30 km, you will encounter gently rolling terrain with
pleasant views of the ocean. |
| 67 km |
Start climbing! You are now about to start
the 5 km ascent of Cape Smokey. The first 3 km are not too bad, but the
final 2 km are very steep and quite a struggle with a loaded bike. Best of
luck with your first real climb of the trip. |
| 72 km |
Summit of Cape Smokey (elevation: 366 m)
and Cape Smokey Provincial Picnic Park.
Congratulations - the next 7 km are all downhill! |
| 77 km |
Community of Ingonish Ferry (pop: 50). |
| 80 km |
Community of Ingonish Harbour (pop: 100). |
| 85 km |
Community of Ingonish Beach (pop: 500). |
| 87 km |
Entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
|
|
|
| Distances From Baddeck |
Accommodations
0 km: Baddeck (lots!)
3 km: Broad Water Inn
18 km: St Ann's Motel
42 km: Piper's Guest House (902-929-2233)
77 km: Castle Rock Country Inn
78 km: Knotty Pine Cottages
86 km: Skyline Cabins
86 km: Highland Bungalows
86 km: Island Inn |
Campsites
28 km: Englishtown Ridge Campground
33 km: St. Ann's Bay Campark (905-349-2670)
Excellent waterfront camping!
42 km: Piper's Campsite (902-929-2233). |
|
