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Gooseberry Cove

Coastal Cape Breton 1/5 ????

Activities: •

Gooseberry Cove is one of those places that not too many people know about, but those that do know about it take everyone there to see it. The rolling land that surrounds the cove is home to many different types of berries. Blueberries, cloudberries, fox berries, cranberries, and juniper berries are all found here, the funny thing is, there are no Gooseberries to be seen (please consult your field guide before eating any berries). One of the most interesting things about this cove is that it houses two or three shipwrecks, from as far back as the 1700′s to as resent as the turn of the century.

This cove is one of my favorite places on Cape Breton Island. It is not exactly a hike but more of an adventure. There are many coves, beaches, and inland areas to explore. There are areas that you can light a fire to roast hotdogs and not have to worry about it getting away from you. There are also many places to sit and get away from it all. From rugged coast to spongy marshlands that spring beneath your step, Gooseberry Cove is a collage of textures. The inland areas look like something from the highlands of Scotland, and the coast looks like nothing you have ever seen.

You can spend an hour here or bring a lunch and spend the whole day. Either way I promise you that you will be back. Just remember, next time you go, share it with a friend.

NOTE: The road to Goaseberry Cove is nearly impassable by anything but a 4 wheel drive. Park your car in the clearing across the street and walk in.

From Sydney

  1. Head South on George St/NS-22 S (33.3 km)
  2. Turn left at Louisbourg Main a Dieu Rd (signs for Lorraine) (900 m)
  3. Slight left to stay on Louisbourg Main a Dieu Rd (5.4 km)
  4. Dirt road on Left marked with ribbon

From Canso Causeway

  1. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Trans-Canada Hwy/NS-4 Trunk E
  2. Continue to follow NS-4 Trunk E (6.3 km)
  3. Turn left to stay on NS-4 Trunk E (signs for NS-4 E/NS-104/Saint Peters/Sydney) (1.8 km)
  4. Take the exit toward NS-104 E Continue straight onto NS-4 Trunk E (signs for Nova Scotia 4 Trunk E/Saint Peters/Sydney/Fleur de Lis Trail E) (85.0 km)
  5. Merge onto Peacekeepers Way/NS-125 E via the ramp to Glace Bay/New Waterford/Louisbourg (4.5 km)
  6. Take exit 8 for NS-22 toward Sydney/Louisbourg/George Street
  7. Turn right at NS-22 S (signs for Louisbourg) (30 km)
  8. Turn left at Louisbourg Main a Dieu Rd (signs for Lorraine) (900 m)
  9. Slight left to stay on Louisbourg Main a Dieu Rd (5.4 km)
  10. Dirt road on Left marked with marker tape
From the Sydney Bypass (route 125) take exit 8 toward Louisbourg. Drive about twenty minutes until you come to a sign that directs you to Lorraine, just before the town of Louisbourg (There is a road directly across from the sign, do not take that road. Your turnoff is the next one). After about 3 km of driving you will see a sign on your right for “St. Peter & St. Jude cemetery”. Drive about 2 km more, turn at the third driveway on your right past the cemetery. The driveway was marked with ribbon and an arrow the last time I was there. Continue down this rough dirt road to the end. The road will deposit you directly in front of the cove.

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