A waterfall at the end of MacIntosh Brook Trail.
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Hiking MacIntosh Brook Trail In Cape Breton

ByHikers Movement

The MacIntosh Brook Trail is a relatively flat and short hike in the wonderful Cape Breton Highlands National Park. With parking just off the Cabot Trail, this 1.8-kilometre loop brings visitors of all ages and fitness levels to one of Nova Scotia’s many beautiful waterfalls.

So whether you’re looking to stretch your legs mid-way through the Cabot Trail or you’re visiting the area for a longer period of time, the MacIntosh Brook Trail offers an easy walk through the woods with a great payoff at its waterfall. The trail is equally superb for hiking and snowshoeing, making it an excellent choice for anyone during any season.

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.8 km (loop)
Suggested Duration: 30 – 45 minutes
Signage: Signage throughout
Facilities: Parking lot, picnic tables, information center, washrooms

trail map

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Key Features Of MacIntosh Brook Trail

  • Located in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park
  • Follows the scenic MacIntosh Brook, leading to waterfalls and pools
  • Offers opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife sightings.
  • Hike through the Acadian forest

Facilities And Services

  • Parking lot
  • Picnic tables
  • Washrooms
  • Kitchen shelter
  • Ten unserviced campsites

Before You Start Hiking MacIntosh Brook Trail

While MacIntosh Brook Trail is not an overly long or strenuous hike, there are a few things to note before you begin hiking.

Just before the trailhead is MacIntosh Brook Campground, which features ten unserviced sites, a kitchen shelter, washrooms and a playground. At the trailhead, you will find a MacIntosh Brook map, coyote safety and additional information regarding the trail.

The entrance sign to MacIntosh Brook Trail.

As for the trail, the terrain is mostly groomed with a few exposed roots and bridges along the way. Hikers should stay on the designated path to protect fragile vegetation.

The pathway along MacIntosh Brook Trail with a wooden bridge to help you cross the brook.

We recommend bringing insect repellent and a tick removal tool kit whenever you are exploring the great outdoors. To learn more about tick prevention, check out our article How To Avoid Ticks When Hiking.

Always remember to leave no trace behind. Pack out everything you pack in, and do not leave any garbage or food along the trail.

Lastly, keep a safe distance from wildlife. If you do come in contact with any wildlife during your hike, do not feed or approach it. To learn more about wildlife safety in Atlantic Canada, check out our article Wildlife Safety While Hiking In Atlantic Canada.

Our Experience Hiking MacIntosh Brook Trail

Our experience hiking MacIntosh Brook Trail was on a mid-July morning during a short vacation to Cape Breton. We were staying nearby in Pleasant Bay and figured this trail would be a perfect hike to start our day out.

We would complete this hike, head to Chéticamp for most of the day, and hike Le Buttereau et Le Chemin du Buttereau before heading back to our accommodation.

Arriving at the parking lot, we laced up and got going on what would be a short but sweet hike.

Being in the highlands, we expected much more elevation gain. However, this particular hike offers a gentle walk through the woods on relatively easy terrain.

Groomed trail and a picnic table off to the side at MacIntosh Brook Trail.

As the name of the trail suggests, we followed the MacIntosh Brook to the eventual waterfall. The trail was nice and wide, allowing us to walk side by side, while the terrain was mixed with groomed and slightly technical sections.

All in all, the flat terrain made a great warm-up hike.

Deeper into the MacIntosh Brook Trail, the trail has a bunch of vines running throughout.

There are several bridges on the hike that allowed us to zigzag back and forth across the brook safely. Here are a few pictures we took:

  • Wooden bridge to help cross the brook.

Toward the far end of the hike, near the waterfall, the trail becomes a bit more technical. To get a great view of the waterfalls, hikers must walk along river rocks.

Of course, we love more technical hiking and made our way to the waterfall. There are a few manageable inclines near the base of the waterfall that hikers can climb to get a better vantage point of the falls.

  • A waterfall at the end of MacIntosh Brook Trail.
  • A close up of the waterfall at MacIntosh Brook Trail.

What a great view to start the day! We love hiking out to waterfalls, and this particular waterfall wasn’t on our radar until the day prior. We’re grateful we got to do this hike and that we’re able to share our experience with you.

On the day we hiked the MacIntosh Brook Trail, the loop portion of the trail was closed. Thus, we did a fast and easy in-and-out hike.

If you’re in the area and want a quick walk in nature, we suggest checking out this trail!

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WATERFALLS IN NOVA SCOTIA

Julia and Arthur are the owners, creators and writers of Hikers Movement, Homestead Fox and owners of Fox Media Tech Inc.. As seasoned hikers, Julia and Arthur don't just write about the great outdoors – they live it. Their firsthand experiences, shared through hiking adventures around the world, reflects their genuine commitment to inspiring a community of outdoor enthusiasts.

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