Cabot Trail Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Cabot Trail. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Cabot Trail Discovery Tour

• Shared Cruise Excursion - "Mini" Cabot Trail

• Cabot Trail Bus Tour for Cruise Excursion

• Private Cabot Trail Discovery Tour

• Private Cruise Excursion in Cape Breton

Shorter group tours of the Cabot Trail by bus or Jeep generally start around US$120—prices go up for half- and full-day tours that cover more ground. Private tours offer more personal service and flexibility, but tend to be pricier. They start around US$167, and go up from there.

Natural beauty and Acadian history are the main draws along the 186-mile (298-kilometer) Cabot Trail, a coastal drive that passes through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Some key sites along the way include La Bloc Beach, Cap Rouge, and hiking trails such as the Skyline Trail and Broad Cove Mountain.

Yes, you can go to the Cabot Trail on your own—but it’s tricky to get around unless you have your own car. Remember that while exploring independently, you’ll need to buy a Parks Canada Parks Entry Pass if you want to stop within Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Tours of the Cabot Trail can be as short as four hours long, but more comprehensive itineraries generally take all day. More time translates to additional sightseeing stops. And, a more relaxed pace when pausing to explore charming fishing villages, sweeping beaches, and views across the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

Warm weather from mid-June through mid-September is great for hiking, cycling, and exploring the beaches along the Cabot Trail. If you want to see the area’s famous fall foliage, however, keep in mind that leaves generally start changing color in late September, reaching their peak between October 10 and 23.