Gypsum Mine Trail: Everything You Need To Know
The Gypsum Mine Trail is a short 2.6-3km hike down a dirt road to a beautiful man-made swimming hole that used to be a mine, operated from 1908 to 1939. It is a short yet refreshing way to break up a Cabot Trail drive or a fun day in the sun that the entire family will enjoy.
The birds-eye view is a photographer’s dream and worth the steep hill climb up. If you are in the Cape Breton Highlands, this is one short stop you do not want to miss!
Difficulty:Â Easy
Length: 2.6km
Suggested Duration:Â 30-40 minutes
Signage:Â Limited signage
Facilities: Parking lot
Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Key Features Of Gypsum Mine Trail
- Well-groomed gravel trail that is used for hiking and ATV’s
- A short hike that leads to a breathtaking view
- A great spot for swimming in the warmer months
- Swim across the swimming home to a cliff jump-off
Before You Start Hiking Gypsum Mine Trail
A big misconception about the Gypsum Mine Trail is that it is a steep hiking trail when it is a relatively short trail with a slight incline. The birds-eye view photo that has swept the internet leaves hikers to believe it is a more strenuous hike than it actually is.
To reach the iconic view (pictured in the cover photo), hikers will need to climb up a steep hill. A rope has been installed to help people ascend and descend.
The entire trail out and back will only take a total of 30-40 minutes to complete. Of course, this does not include any time you wish to spend enjoying the view or swimming (which we highly recommend in the warmer months)!
While we always recommend comfortable shoes for any hiking trail, it is not required for this hike. In fact, we were the other two wearing sneakers on this trail and saw numerous people in sandals along the way.
Seeing as it is in the woods, there were many bugs and very little shade. Therefore, sunscreen, a sunhat hat, insect repellent, and a tick removal tool kit are highly recommended.
In addition, the trail is ATV-friendly. Beware of ATV drivers if you are walking down the center of the trail.
Our Experience Hiking Gypsum Mine Trail
We decided to explore the Gypsum Mine Trail after we finished the Skyline Trail. We were told that this trail was fairly easy and led to a beautiful swimming hole to relax in. This was the perfect thing to do after a hot day hiking and to break up the long Cabot Trail drive.
Arriving a little past noon, the parking lot was quite busy. While we did find a parking spot, there was not much room had we arrived any later.
The trailhead is large and easy to locate. As we began, we walked by multiple groups of people in bathing suits and flip-flops. At that moment, we knew this “trail” was a short walk and nothing too strenuous or challenging.
About .5km in, we reached a fork in the road that led to the Gypsum Mine Trail or an additional trail. Seeing as we were there for the Gypsum Mine Trail, we took that path. Now that we know that this trail is more of a short walk than a hike, we will likely try the other trail first next time before heading to the Gypsum Mine to swim and relax after a long hike.
It was a quick walk to the swimming hole, taking around 15-20 minutes to reach. The sun was beaming down on us. There is little to no shade during the hike or at the swimming hole.
When we arrived at the swimming hole, multiple people were swimming and soaking up the beautiful day. This seemed like a popular spot for both tourists and locals.
Beside the swimming hole is a steep hill that you can climb up to get a stunning birds-eye view of the Gypsum Mine. We chose to do this before swimming so we would have a better grip. The hill is quite slippery and steep. It may be challenging to climb for those with mobility issues or fear of heights. There are ropes tied to the hill to assist with climbing. The ropes are sturdy but can only hold one person at a time.
Once you reach the top, you can relax, photograph, and enjoy the beautiful view. The peak spot is relatively small. Four people make it feel like a crowd when you are up there. If you notice a group of people at the top, you may want to wait until they climb down. There were only two other people at the top when we arrived, and it felt crowded trying to fit the four of us up there, all trying to take the same photo.
You can access another ledge, though there are no ropes to help you reach this part. Climb at your own risk. I chose to sit that part out and enjoy the peak ledge while my partner, Arthur, went to the very top.
Getting down was a bit more difficult as you needed to climb backward with your feet against the wall and your upper body extended outwards, similar to scaling down a rock climbing wall.
By this point, we were warm and excited to jump into the swimming hole. This is a deep mine. Swim at your own risk, as there are no supervisors or lifeguards. There are few spots where you can touch and stand up on larger rocks. These spots are around the edge of the swimming hole.
You can bring floaties or noodles to swim on, and there were many communal ones there when we arrived.
If you feel like swimming across the swimming hole, there is a cliff where you can jump off of into the water. This was very popular!
There are two spots at the cliff offering different challenges and heights to jump off and a rope wall to help you climb up to the top.
You can spend hours here soaking up the sun and swimming!
When we were ready to leave, the short walk was much appreciated as we were soaking wet and slightly tired from all the sun from our hiker prior.
Checklist And Recommended Gear
Although this is a short hike, we do recommend bringing some supplies with you.
- Water bottle
- Comfortable shoes or hiking boots – Women’s // Men’s
- Snacks
- A sunhat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Towel
- Swimwear
- Insect repellent
- Camera/Phone to take photos
- Atlantick Tick Removal Tool Kit
