7 Challenging Snowshoe Hikes on Cape Breton Island

Snow Covered mountains.  Forests and fields blanketed with fresh layers of snow, your winter adventure just waiting to be explored.  Cape Breton’s hiking trails and scenic routes are like works of art from mother nature’s winter palate.  With glistening, panoramic views of the Bras d’Or Lake, the highlands, and Acadian forests, Cape Breton Island is a world-class snowshoe destination this winter.  These are the places you can go in the snow to challenge your body, stimulate your senses and reward your soul.

1. Franey Mountain

A 7.6 km, 2.5-hour hike, Franey Mountain Trail is one and the most challenging and breath-taking trails on our beautiful Island—and it’s not for the faint of heart! This challenging trail rewards you with a magical panoramic view of the Clyburn Brook canyon and the Atlantic coastline from Cape Smokey to Ingonish.

2. Tenerife Mountain

Blink and you’ll miss the start of the trail to Tenerife. Located between the villages of Cape North and Dingwall.  Known as Theodore Fricker Mountain, this hidden gem takes you up through a beautiful forest then up a steep slope.  You’ll need to take your time in the snow on this one, but it will give you an amazing chance to catch some of the most stunning winter scenery anywhere in the world.

3. Meat Cove Mountain

Meat Cove Mountain is a must-do hike in the winter, there’s something particularly special about this place when the mountainous view is covered in snow.  This hike rewards the courageous winter soul with yet another 360º panorama of northern Cape Breton.

4. Salt Mountain

Located on the First Nations Community of We’koqma’q (Whycocomagh), Salt Mountain is a challenging, but rewarding hike with a 230m summit overlooking the world-famous Bras D’or lakes (Wjinene’n Pitu’Po), and it’s UNESCO recognized Bio-Sphere Reserve.  Described by the Mi’Kma’q as “Head of the Waters”, Salt Mountain will challenge your snowshoe skills and reward your winter courage!

5. Coxheath Hill Wilderness Trail

One of the best new hiking trail additions on Cape Breton Island is the Coxheath Hills Wilderness Trail, which only officially opened in 2010. This multiple loop system is located very close to Sydney yet enjoys a remarkable feeling of remoteness.  This is an ideal trail to really put some real snowy miles on tour snowshoes without leaving the services and amenities of Sydney and the surrounding areas.  A great way for locals and visitors to enjoy winter in Cape Breton.

6. Acadian Trail

The trail explores the mixed Acadian forest, old fields and foundation ruins on a “buttereau” (small hill) overlooking the Chéticamp River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  Imagine the scenery as you snowshoe past an overgrown pasture where snow-kissed trees and shrubs now cover what was once the tilled fields of Acadian farmer from centuries past.  Cape Breton’s past is calling…it’s time to answer.

7. Humes River Falls

This is an exceptionally scenic area of steep 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.  This trail is guaranteed to send into a Cape Breton Winter Wonderland.