Cruising the Cabot Trail
For an exhilarating and unforgettable summer experience, take to Cape Breton Island on your motorcycle
There’s a reason Nova Scotia’s famed Cabot Trail is billed as one of North America’s premier motorcycling touring routes. There are few open roads in the world that feature breathtaking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean while winding through traditional fishing villages and offering stunning lookouts that practically plead with you to stop in and enjoy the view.
Serious motorcycle enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to the 300-km coastal highway every year just to experience the thrill of twisting and turning along the coast.
Scheduling your ride
Nova Scotian motorcycling experts advise riders take two full days on the Cabot Trail. “The trail is a loop, and a true trail blazer will ride the loop clockwise and counterclockwise,” writes Antigonish, NS resident Daniel Ross aka the ‘Cabot Trail Biker’. “The second key thing about riding the trail twice is that you can stay in the same spot two nights in a row.”
Where to stay
Cape Breton Highlands National Park is located smack in the middle of the trail, allowing riders full access to the Cabot Trail plus the 949 km of gorgeous back country, including a freshwater lake and sandy ocean beaches. There are also plenty of roadside motels, inns, cottages and a number of short-term rental accommodations in the area.
Motorcycling events
Want to ride with a group? Plan your trip around a motorcycling event. Here are two popular ones in the area:
- Cape Breton Bike Rally, August 3-6, 2018: Celebrate the motorcycling lifestyle with other enthusiasts, enjoy vendors, bikes on display and a number of activities.
- Storm the Fortress, August 5, 2018: Ride your bike through the Fortress of Louisbourg, a National Historic Site.
Do your research to help you narrow down the many motorcycling choices. Here are some resources to get you started: