Cape Dauphin is steeped in Mi’kmaw legend. Known also as the Fairy Hole, this coastal trail leads to a place said to be the home of Glooscap, a hero figure sent by the Great Spirit to guide the Mi’kmaq. Glooscap once lived here with his Grandmother, and when two women mocked him from the shore, he shattered his canoe in anger. The broken pieces became the Bird Islands—visible offshore today—and the women were turned to stone, standing now as sea-stained pillars guarding the cave entrance.
Now an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA), the trail begins with a gradual descent through old forest, winding down toward the sea. It’s not a difficult hike, but there are spots that require a careful step—over roots, under windfall, and down loose slopes. The path fades near a small river, but you can follow its waters straight to the beach without much trouble.
At the shoreline, you’ll find a cobble beach perfect for a picnic or a swim. At low tide, a rocky passage opens up to a quiet lagoon in front of the cave. The entrance to the cave itself is challenging and not recommended for everyone—slick rocks and tide timing make it risky—but even without venturing inside, the place has a magic to it. A swim in the lagoon, often warmer than the open sea, is a fine way to end the adventure.
If you ever have the chance to visit this area with a Mi’kmaw knowledge keeper, take it. The legends are so much better from the mouths of the people they came from.