The best walks and hikes around Inverness, Subd. A

The Grande Anse River runs through the valley of the same name, surrounded by the old-growth maples that make this stretch of forest so distinctive and beautiful. It’s this river-carved valley that gives the area its sheltered microclimate, allowing trees here to grow much older than those in the wind-battered highlands surrounding it. Autumn is an especially memorable time to visit this area, when the valley’s maples turn brilliant shades of red and gold.

Lone Shieling Trail is a short, easy loop of just over ½ kilometre, starting at the base of North Mountain along the Cabot Trail. It winds through the Grande Anse Valley, one of the largest old-growth hardwood forests in the Maritimes, with sugar maples here estimated at 350 to 400 years old. It’s one of the most protected corners of the park, which is why access is limited to this short trail. Moose are sometimes spotted here too, so it’s worth keeping an eye out as you walk.

The Lone Shieling is a small stone hut with a timber and thatch roof, built in 1942 as a replica of a traditional Scottish shieling on the Isle of Skye. It was built at the request of Professor Donald S. MacIntosh, who willed 100 acres of his family’s land to Nova Scotia for the park on the condition that a cabin be built here in that same style, honouring his Highland Scottish roots. The hut gets its name from “The Lone Shieling,” a poem describing Scottish emigrants from the Highland Clearances who settled on Cape Breton Island, and today, it’s recognized as a Federal Heritage Building for its historical and architectural significance.

The Meat Cove Mountain Trail is a steep, rugged route that climbs quickly from the area near Meat Cove Campground into the surrounding highlands. The path is narrow and rooty with loose rock in places, making trekking poles and proper footwear useful on both the ascent and descent. Once you break out of the forest, the views open immediately toward the ocean and cliffs below. Because the upper section is exposed, it’s important to attempt the trail only in suitable weather, as wind and fog can roll in fast along the coast.

Meat Cove Mountain stands above the northern tip of Cape Breton and offers one of the most dramatic open viewpoints in the region. From the summit you get wide, sweeping views over the cliffs, highlands, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The upper slopes are exposed and conditions can change quickly, so the mountain is best visited in appropriate weather with proper footwear and trekking poles if you prefer extra stability on the uneven ground.

Pollett's Cove – Aspy Fault Wilderness Area is a large protected wilderness zone on the north-western edge of Cape Breton Island, recognized for its rugged highland barrens, coastal cliffs, deep valleys and old-growth forest. It encompasses the terrain around Pollett’s Cove and the Aspy Fault geological corridor, protecting more than 20 km of wild coastline and barrier beaches along Aspy Bay. The area is remote, undeveloped, and requires self-sufficient outdoor skills.

Pollett’s Cove is a secluded coastal bay at the terminus of the trail, where forested slopes meet a sandy-gravel beach and ocean waters. The valley opens into a meadow and streams that flow into the cove, with steep cliffs rising behind and woodland enveloping the sides. Access is only by foot or boat, which adds to its remote character. Camping is possible and wild horses are sometimes seen near the meadow.

The Trail to Pollett’s Cove is a remote hiking corridor on Cape Breton Island, beginning near Pleasant Bay and winding approximately 8 km one-way toward the coast of the Polletts Cove valley. The path moves through forest, rises over ridgelines, and descends to the ocean, requiring good fitness and navigation as signage is minimal. The terrain varies from gentle slopes to steeper sections, with exposed bedrock and roots underfoot, so it’s suited for experienced hikers rather than casual walkers.