Meat Cove to Cheticamp

Important information

Ensure you refuel at “Highland Gas - XTR Energy” before heading to and when returning from Meat Cove to ensure you do not run out of gas.

Cell coverage will be intermittent throughout the Highlands, consult with your carrier’s coverage map for details.

Fees must be paid when entering Cape Breton Highlands National Park (as described below)

Stay alert for Moose and other wildlife on the Cabot Trail!

“7 Meat Cove to Cheticamp”

The World Famous Cabot Trail Continues

Enjoy the easy, mostly paved ride and incredible beauty of the Western half of the Cabot Trail. This 93 kilometre section of mostly pavement will take approximately an hour an a half to complete.

Expect to enjoy twisty, cliff-side riding with breath-taking views of the coast. Your foot-pegs will likely make gentle (or not so gentle) contact with the pavement on some of the sharper switchbacks. Keep an eye out for the numerous look-offs, information centres, hiking trails, campgrounds and picnic parks marked along the way!

Be mindful of the elevation changes and suggested cornering speeds, as some posted speeds are less of a suggestion and more of a necessity. The Cabot Trail is a dangerous place to suffer a brake failure, so ensure you have plenty of life left on your brake pads before proceeding.

Nothing in life is free… (Except this guide of course)

You will be required to pay a daily fee to drive the Cabot Trail as it passes through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This daily fee will also be required if camping at Cheticamp Campground or any of the other locations throughout the National Park.

As of May 2024, the posted fee is $9.00 CAD per person, per day. Planning to be in the National park more than 3 days? A significant discount is available if you purchase a “Seasonal Early Bird” pass prior to June 1st ($22.00 or $43.50 after June 1st).

Camping & Accommodations

Cheticamp is a coastal village of approximately three thousand people with a mostly Acadian population. The town is home a number of restaurants, pubs, grocery and hardware stores.

There are many places to stay in Cheticamp; a quick google search will provide you with lots of options. For the purposes of this guide, we typically spend the night at Cheticamp Campground which depending on the time of year may be busy and crowded. Those who are searching for a more secluded camping experience may be better served by one of the back-country campsites or private campgrounds.