Hiking To Pollett’s Cove Hike In Cape Breton
Pollett’s Cove is a challenging overnight hike located in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This demanding trek takes you through a pristine wilderness where steep cliffs meet the roaring Atlantic Ocean, revealing a dramatic lookout that is home to 11 wild horses. This wilderness area is privately owned by a local lottery winner, who graciously made it available for the public to hike and take in all its beauty.
Difficulty: Hard
Length: around 16 km
Suggested Duration: 6 to 8 hours or overnight
Signage: Little to no signage
Facilities: Parking along the side of a dirt road
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Key Features Of Pollett’s Cove
- A challenging and remote hiking trail
- No road access, requiring a hike or boat ride to reach the trailhead
- Offers stunning coastal views and pristine beaches
- Rugged terrain with steep cliffs and forested sections
- Ideal for experienced hikers and those seeking a backcountry adventure
- The chance to spot wildlife and explore a remote wilderness
- Camping is possible at the cove
- Dog-friendly (on a leash)
- Views of Pollett’s Cove Beach, the highlands and the Gulf of St. Lawrence
- Wild horses at the cove
Facilities And Services
- Parking along the side of a dirt road
Before You Start Hiking Pollett’s Cove
There are a few things to note before you begin hiking Pollett’s Cove to help you make the most out of your adventures.
Pollett’s Cove is only accessible by boat or foot. It is located in Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia. There are no signs to direct you, so to reach the trailhead, go to Gampo Abbey, a Western Buddhist monastery. Once here, you will continue down the road until you reach the end, where you will see a trail to Pollett’s Cove and can park along the side of the road.
It is important to note that there is little to no phone service in the area. We recommend downloading a map ahead of time (we use AllTrails) and informing a friend or family member about your hiking plans in case of an emergency.
The hike has challenging inclines and can be done as a day hike or overnight. We would suggest spending at least one night at Pollett’s Cove to enjoy all its beauty. At the Cove, there are a few manmade fences that, if available, you should pitch your tent within. The wild horses are accustomed to people and can sometimes tramble tents while searching for food if you are not around your tent. These barriers help protect your tent and other belongings. If none are available, you can use your hiking poles and rope to make a fence around your tent.
The horses are incredibly beautiful and sweet. Do not feed the houses. This can make horses dependent on unreliable food sources and lead to potential health issues.
Pollett’s Cove is becoming an increasingly popular spot for locals and tourists. We would like to remind you that it is extremely important to keep the wilderness wild. Please pack out all garbage that you bring in and follow the Leave No Trace Principles.
As always, whenever hiking in Nova Scotia, we encourage hikers to carry a tick removal tool. We personally bring our Atlantick Tool Kit on every hike, as well as use the Atlantick Spray. To learn more about tick prevention, check out our article How To Avoid Ticks When Hiking.
Our Experience Hiking Pollett’s Cove
Pollett’s Cove has been on our hiking bucket list for quite some time. Every summer, we plan a trip that tends to get cancelled due to bad weather. But this year, we finally made it!
We downloaded a map before we reached Pleasant Bay, as cell service can be a bit spotty. And we are glad we did! While the trail itself is straightforward and easy to follow, getting to the trailhead was a bit difficult since there was no signage. As mentioned in the Before You Start Hiking section, the trailhead is located at the end of the road past Gampo Abbey.
When we started the hike, it began to rain, but within 20 minutes, it stopped. The trail features a mix of terrain, including a few bushwhacking areas. Despite this, we found no ticks and enjoyed the changing terrains. There were some areas where the trail was quite narrow, and we were walking along the edge of the cliff. Hiking poles came in handy during these areas to avoid slipping and help with stability. Take extra precautions if it is raining or the ground is wet.
The first 1.8 km is a challenging incline that goes up to around 230 metres. After this, there are a few additional inclines, but nothing as hard as the first one. Before you reach the second incline, there is a small river crossing that makes for a great spot to refill your bottles and take a short rest.
Along the way, there are various spots where you can look out onto the Highlands and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Once we reached Pollett’s Cove, we were welcomed by wild horses and one of the most beautiful lookouts we have seen to date. Honestly, photos do not do this view justice.
As we got down to the beach, we found a fenced-in area for our tent and started setting up for the night. Since this was a long weekend, there were numerous other groups camping and enjoying the Cove.
As the sun began to set, the horses made their way from the hill down to the beach. They started surrounding all the fenced-in tents and frolicking around. This was one of the highlights for us to be surrounded by such beautiful creatures and share this space.
Our sleep near the ocean was chilly, but we were prepared with warm layers. We drifted off to the sound of ocean waves and coyote howls (but the coyotes kept their distance).
We woke up just before sunrise and enjoyed the beautiful views of the morning sun before packing up early and starting our hike back to our car. And, just like that, we have another Nova Scotia hike in the books and an unforgettable weekend at Pollett’s Cove!
Checklists And Recommended Gear
Here is a recommended gear list for an overnight hike at Pollett’s Cove.
HIKING GEAR
- Hiking shoes – Women’s / Men’s
- Cascade Hiking Poles
- Water Bottle
- Atlantick Tick Removal Tool Kit
- Atlantick Spray
- Ponchos or rain jackets
- Lamp/Headlight
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Camera
- Insect repellent
SLEEP AND SHELTER
- Tent
- Tarp
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Pillow
- Rope
SAFETY GEAR
- Emergency first aid kit
- Whistle
- Watch
- Knife and/or multi-tool
- Bear spray in a holster
- Repair kit for the tent
- A trip plan left with a friend or family member in case of emergency
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
- Single-burner camping stove
- Fuel for stove
- Pot
- Aeropress Go Travel
- Food
- Cutlery
- Lighter, matches, fire starters
- Water filter or purification tablets
- Dry bag for hanging food at night
PERSONAL ITEMS
- Socks (extra in case of rain)
- Hiking clothes
- Warmer attire for the evenings
- Ecofriendly hygiene products
- Wilderness wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Phone or emergency communication device
- Feminine hygiene items
- Quick-dry towel
- Hand sanitizer
- Ecofriendly body soap
