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

Shane Wilkie

It is no secret that Cape Breton offers beautiful scenery no matter what time of year you are here. That said, there’s just something about the fall months that are truly magical! The pop of fall colours leaves me in awe and is my favourite time of year to take a drive around the Cabot Trail. For fall in Cape Breton this year , I couldn’t be more excited for the Cabot Trail Food Truck Rally! 2 days of delicious food and jaw dropping views to wash it down with. Doesn’t that sound nice? Just add some pumpkin spice!

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Chuck Wrathall

The rolling hills covered in maples that pop red, and 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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Adam Hill

Cape Breton Island absolutely shines in the autumn. This Island makes being a photographer too easy. There’s a great photo just waiting to be taken in every corner of this Island. It’s just all about being in the right place at the right time. I look forward to exploring new areas of the Island this year, areas like Whycocomagh, Mabou and the Bras d’Or Lakes. However, I can’t wait to try and paddle back in Aspy Bay one more time!

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James Forsey

It’s widely agreed, that Cape Breton is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. I always think about fall in Cape Breton like I do my beautiful wife. She’s stunning all year round 24/7, 365. On our wedding day, in that beautiful wedding dress, all done up to the 9’s, she’s never looked so amazing. She wore her finest jewellery, she spent hours on getting her hair done, and that dress; woah. – I can’t help but think about her beauty every day. For me, Cape Breton in the fall is similar to my wife in her wedding dress, as the beauty goes from a 10/10 to an 11/10 for a brief period. The beauty will stop you in your tracks, take your breath away, and leave a lasting memory implanted into your mind.

Fall in Cape Breton is more than just fall colours, it’s the smell in the air, the feeling of the cool refreshing ocean breeze, the sound of nature coming alive while you hike through the fall foliage, and the taste of seasonal Cape Breton beer and wines at the top of mountain vistas after you tackle one of our amazing hikes (personal favourite: Breton Brewing Pumpkin Spice Ale). Falling for Cape Breton will ignite all your senses like never before!

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Sherin Paul and Sheethal Tom, The Nova Hikers

Cape Breton in the fall is a visual feast, with the landscape bursting into vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. The crisp autumn air makes outdoor adventures particularly enjoyable. Our favorite hike during this season is the Franey Trail, where you can soak in stunning views of the colorful foliage and surrounding mountains. It’s a rewarding trek that perfectly captures the beauty of fall. Beyond the scenic hikes, fall in Cape Breton is a time for cozy local festivals, traditional music, and hearty food. The Island’s rich cultural experiences complement its stunning natural beauty, creating a wonderfully immersive and memorable season. Whether you’re exploring the Franey Trail or enjoying community events, Cape Breton in the fall offers a unique and enchanting experience.

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Mike MacInnis

As somebody who spends most of their free time in the outdoors enjoying what Cape Breton has to offer, the fall season is by far my favorite time of year. With the beauty of the changing leaves and the cool autumn air, it’s the most comfortable and enjoyable time of the year for hiking. It’s not too hot, not too cold it’s usually just right with NO mosquitoes! Then, when the colors really start to peak in October with their reds, yellows, and oranges, that’s when exploring Cape Breton becomes truly magical! There is no place in the world like it.

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Ashley George

Why do I fall for fall? Let me tell you, it’s a question that practically answers itself once you’ve laid eyes on the breathtaking beauty of Cape Breton Island during autumn. Picture this: a mesmerizing sea of vivid reds, oranges, and yellows adorning the landscape along the serene Cabot Trail. It’s like nature is painting a masterpiece right before your eyes, with the mighty Atlantic Ocean adding its own enchanting touch.

As the warm days of summer retreat, making way for a leafless winter, fall swoops in with its crisp air and renewed energy. No more swim trunks and sunscreen; it’s time to break out the cozy fall sweaters and wool socks. And let me tell you, there’s something truly magical about hiking along wooded trails while gentle leaves playfully dance around you, encouraging you to pause, soak in the beauty, and just enjoy the moment.

I could go on and on, but you know what? Words can only do so much justice. The real magic lies in experiencing it firsthand. So, why do I fall for fall? Come see for yourself and let Cape Breton Island in the fall cast its spell on you too!

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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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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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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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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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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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Darlin Geldner

As a foreigner who chose Cape Breton Island as my permanent home, I find myself captivated by its allure every year during Fall. Splashes of red, orange, and gold, creating a kaleidoscope of hues that stretch as far as the eye can see. Something so vibrant and mesmerizing, I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life. My favourite thing to do every Fall is to drive around the Cabot Trail and stop at all of the little artisan shops, restaurants and look-offs along the way. No matter where you go, you’ll be surrounded by the vibrant colours. Truly, Fall on Cape Breton Island is an enchanting embrace of nature’s gifts, making me feel even luckier to call this island my home.

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Team Destination Cape Breton

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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