2.6km Partial Loop

Lighthouse Trail

Coastal, Historic, Woodland Cape Breton 3/5 20m

Activities: •

You will never find a more historical hike then the Lighthouse Trail. The present day Louisbourg lighthouse is actually the fourth to be built on this point, the original being the first built in Canada, in 1734. Lighthouse point was the sight of the English attack on Battery Island which guards the entrance to Louisbourg Harbour. Battery point was a first deference for the Fortress of Louisbourg, the largest historical reconstruction in North America. About one hour down the trail you will find Wolfe’s cove, the actual site where the English landed with their canons. As you walk, think of the English troops dragging six cannons along these cliffs and bogs to the lighthouse.

The trail starts at the Louisbourg lighthouse and is well groomed and maintained for the first kilometer or so to Gun Landing. Here you have the choice of taking the loop back or you can continue on as far as Big Lorraine, located about 6 km away. Lorraine Head, the sight of a 1900′s Irish immigrant shipwreck, the Astrea, is located two hours into the trail. We found that this was far enough to go for the day. But then again it was about 26 degrees that day, with very little shade on the coast. You should be careful on this hike, there are many areas near cliffs and spots where the trail disappears and you are forced to follow the rugged coast.

You will find many quaint coves and knolls on this hike. You will also notice many bogs and sinkholes along the way (careful around these, I sunk up to my knee in one). There are many opportunities to take pictures along the way and you will find much plant life and wildlife to keep you interested. One of the most unusual things about the plant life is the spongy feeling you get underfoot as you walk. These areas are all rock, with very little drainage; the vegetation grows on top of this terrain and therefore forms almost a waterbed affect.

CAUTION: The weather in this area, like most of Cape Breton, can change quickly. The rocks can become very slippery when the weather gets bad.

From Sydney

  1. Head South on George St/NS-22 S (33.3 km)
  2. Turn left at Havenside Rd (600 m)
  3. Keep right to stay on Havenside Rd (2.1 km)

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 Havenside Rd (600 m)
  9. Keep right to stay on Havenside Rd (2.1 km)

From the Sydney Bypass (route 125) take exit 8 toward Louisbourg. Drive about twenty minutes until you come to the town of Louisbourg. Just past the S&L Railway Museum, turn left onto Havenside Road. Follow this road (keeping to the right) until you come to the Louisbourg lighthouse and parking lot. The trail starts on the far side of the parking lot.

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