Hiking Middle Head Trail In Cape Breton
The Middle Head Trail is a wonderful hiking loop that takes visitors along the narrow peninsula that separates the North and South Ingonish Bays. This hiking trail offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Smokey and Ingonish Island. Its trailhead is just within the Cape Breton Highlands National Park on the east side of the world-famous Cabot Trail.
Whether you’re spending a few nights camping in the national park or making a day trip on the Cabot Trail, this moderate hike offers superb views and a great hiking path through nature.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.5 km (loop)
Suggested Duration: 1.5 hours
Signage: Some signage and markers throughout
Facilities: Parking area
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Key Features Of Middle Head Trail
- Located in Cape Breton Highlands National Park
- Overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Smokey and Ingonish Island
- Offers stunning coastal views and forested landscapes
- Provides opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife sightings
- Accessible from the Keltic Lodge at the Highlands
- Interpretive signs along the trail offer insights into the area’s natural and cultural history
- A relatively short and rewarding hike showcasing the beauty of Cape Breton’s coastline
- Dog friendly (on a leash)
Facilities And Services
- Parking lot
- Near the Keltic Lodge
Before You Start Hiking Middle Head Trail
There are a few things to note before you begin hiking Middle Head Trail.
In order to hike within the Cape Breton Highlands, you will need a park pass. They can be purchased at any of the Parks Canada Visitor Centers.
While this is a relatively short hike, it does feature a few ascends and descends. Hiking poles are not necessary. However, it could be an asset. As this hike takes hikers along the coast, we suggest bringing weather-appropriate gear and some layers for when you reach the look-off.
It is important to keep a distance away from the cliffs. This includes your pets as well. There may be areas of erosion the closer you get to the edge of the cliffs.
Dogs are welcomed on the trail and must be on a leash to avoid aggravating fragile vegetation and to keep away from wildlife. To learn more about wildlife safety in Atlantic Canada, check out our article “Wildlife Safety While Hiking In Atlantic Canada.”
As always, whenever you are out hiking, you should come prepared with a tick removal tool kit (link to view the price on Amazon) and insect repellent. In addition, you should do a periodic tick check on both yourself and your furry friends during the hike and once you return to the parking lot.
Our Experience Hiking Middle Head Trail
Our experience hiking the Middle Head Trail came during one of our mini-vacations to the wonderful island of Cape Breton. Being from mainland Nova Scotia, we frequently visit Cape Breton for hiking and exploring.
It was a bright and sunny September day when we made our way to the Middle Head Trail. We were tenting in the nearby Ingonish Beach Campground. After driving to and setting up at the campsite, we quickly got over to this hiking trail.
Arriving at the trailhead, there was ample parking and an informative sign. These amenities, of course, are standard for the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
The trail starts with a set of stairs and quickly becomes a well-groomed path with a forest canopy. Much of the trail is nice and wide, with no sections requiring bushwalking. Though the occasional exposed tree root crossed the path, the trail is very smooth. What a great way to stretch the legs after our drive!
Before long, we reached the end of the loop portion of the trail, where hikers could continue on to the end of the peninsula or loop back around. Of course, the views we came for were at the far side of the cape, so we continued on.
There were plenty of opportunities to catch views of the ocean and nearby lands along the main trail, but several offshoots offered additional views. The most stunning views were still to be had by simply continuing on the trail.
Here are a few shots on our way to the end of the peninsula:
Canada’s national parks are well planned out and properly maintained. As proof, a few sections of the trail offered front country favours, such as stairs and boardwalks. If we hadn’t stopped so frequently to observe the views, the terrain would have made this 4.5 km hike a fast one.
As we continued hiking the well-maintained trail and taking in the superb views, we soon found ourselves at the headland cliffs that marked the tip of the cape.
While pictures never do the views justice, we did take some pictures. Here are a few of the three distinct look-offs of the Middle Head Trail.
At the north side of the peninsula (overlooking North Bay Ingonish), there is a red Adirondack chair, which reminded us of our climb to the top of the nearby Franey Mountain.
As we made our return, we took the other half of the loop back to the parking lot. Hiking back took no time at all, and before we knew it, we had completed another excellent Cape Breton hike!
Checklists And Recommended Gear
- Water Bottle
- Insect repellent
- Hiking shoes – Women’s // Men’s
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Camera
- Cascade Hiking Poles
- Atlantick Tick Removal Tool Kit
