Dreamlike round trip - the highlights of Nova Scotia
Round trip through Nova Scotia: Of lighthouses and lobsters
Halifax is the ideal starting point for a round trip through Nova Scotia. From the lively city with its wide range of cultural attractions, many sights and a lively gastronomic scene, you head out into the vast Canadian countryside. The route takes you past fine sandy beaches, fishing villages and lighthouses. On a ten to 14-day round trip from Halifax via Prince Edward Island to Cape Breton, we will show you the most beautiful sides of Atlantic Canada.
From Halifax via Chester to Lunenburg (134 km)
We leave Halifax in the direction of Peggy's Cove with its famous lighthouse and enjoy the view of the sea. From there we continue along the coastal road towards Chester. Are you hungry yet? The charming little town of Hubbards offers plenty of cafés, restaurants and boutiques for a little break in between. Refreshed, continue on to Chester. There, the eight-kilometre Castle Rock Loop offers breathtaking views over the East River, surrounding forests and the coast. The route continues along the coast to Lunenburg, Canada's oldest German settlement. The colourful wooden houses and captain's mansions in the town centre have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Another highlight is the picturesque harbour, which used to be used for smuggling rum.
Side trip to Kejimkujik National Park
Outdoor enthusiasts should definitely take a trip from Lunenburg to Kejimkujik National Park. The nature reserve, which covers over 400 square metres and stretches from forest areas to the coast, is a so-called ‘Dark Sky Preserve’, where light pollution is to be avoided. It is therefore an ideal place for extensive stargazing. Of course, there are also wild animals in the park. In addition to countless hiking trails, cycle paths and lakes for canoeing, you can also discover cultural sites of the indigenous peoples of Canada, including Mi'kmaq petroglyphs. The park is a perfect destination for nature experiences, and a trip to the Annapolis Valley is also worthwhile.
Lunenburg to Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island (419 km)
Prince Edward Island, known as PEI for short by its inhabitants, is the smallest province in Canada, but is of great historical importance and full of sights. The journey across the Confederation Bridge, one of the longest in the world, is an experience in itself. Charlottetown is Canada's oldest capital and a real must-see with its Victorian houses. In the harbour and the popular pedestrian zone Victoria Row, restaurants tempt visitors with freshly caught lobster and other seafood. There is often live music, and if you want even more cultural entertainment, head to the Confederation Centre for the Arts, where you can visit theatres and concerts as well as several art galleries.
Excursion to the north coast of Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island has beautiful coastlines and sandy beaches as well as dozens of lighthouses. From Charlottetown, you can reach the iconic Cape Tryon Lighthouse in the north of the island in just under an hour. From there, continue to Cavendish Beach, part of PEI National Park and an absolute highlight. Here there is a hiking trail over the dunes where you can observe many native plants and birds. The water on the Gulf of St Lawrence is surprisingly warm, thanks to the Gulf Stream. Fans of the hit TV series ‘Anne with an E’ (based on the novel ‘Anne of Green Gables’) can visit Avonlea Village in Cavendish, one of the filming locations. If you want to explore the coast from the water, we recommend a kayak tour, particularly interesting around Rustico Bay.
From Cavendish to Cape Breton Island (340 km, partly by ferry) and Cabot Trail (300 km)
An absolute highlight of any Eastern Canada round trip is the Cabot Trail, a highway that winds for around 300 kilometres along the north coast of Cape Breton Island. It starts in Inverness, a charming town with beautiful beaches and a popular golf course, Cabot Links. The best time to visit the Cabot Trail is from spring to autumn, when whales pass by in the water below, while eagles and other birds can be seen overhead and you have a spectacular view of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Outdoor enthusiasts should plan a hike in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where the Skyline Trail is particularly recommended. If you want to get really close to the whales, book a whale-watching boat tour, but please do so with a high-quality certificate.
Baddeck to Halifax (351 km)
The small town of Baddeck on Bras-d'Or Lake officially marks the beginning and end of the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island. It's worth taking a break here and staying overnight in a hotel. In addition to culinary delights, boutiques and water sports, there is also the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, a museum dedicated to the inventor of the telephone. The round trip through Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada slowly comes to an end with the return journey to Halifax. In Halifax, you can once again enjoy the sights, museums, harbour hopping and the region's diverse gastronomic scene.
Header - Photo by Loren Bedeli
Paragraph 1 - Photo by Loren Bedeli
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