Skyline Trail

Amazing trail with pure raw nature! Stay hydrated and take it easy! Recommend good hiking shoes and outfit! Take bug spray for evenings. Totally worth the walk! Expect 3 hours of hike total start to return!

What a fun experience! Even though we did most of the hike in a torrential rain storm (rain started midway through) due to a tight schedule, we loved the hike to the lookout point. While we didn’t witness any larger wildlife, we enjoyed the things we did see along the way. It was quite windy at the lookout when we got there due to the storm, so if it is windy, hold on tight your kids! :)

We did the Skyline Trail during our trip and it was beautiful. The views at the end were absolutely breathtaking. We took the shorter loop with our kids and spent about 2.5 hours total. A bit of a walk but totally worth it. Would definitely recommend!

Great boardwalk! We went on a foggy morning so the ocean was not visible the whole time. If you are doing the loop go right at the fork then you get the boardwalk last. Excellent views and lots of resting spots along the trail.

Very nice scenery for great pictures. It does get windy at the tip of the trail. I would say the right side of the loop is quite boring. Nothing to see but the left side of the loop is BEAUTIFUL. It’s an easy flat hiking trail. Enjoy!

My wife and I did the skyline trail loop yesterday. We went around 4 o’clock in the afternoon and it was very quiet maybe passing a group of people every 15 minutes or so. The loop is very nice hike through the trees and it’s on a great pathway. Once you come out of the trees and start to see the cliffs and the water it is breathtaking. Hiked many mountains and seeing something like this was completely different and my point. There are quite a few stairs to climb once you get down to the bottom, but there is a lot of platforms that you can stop and rest at. This hike is a moderate hike and I can see it difficult for people who don’t do a lot of hiking. From the parking lot it is around 9 km for the loop. Great experience.

We chose the shorter trail, which took us about 2.5houra. The views were absolutely breathtaking—photos really don’t do them justice. Honestly, some of the best scenery I’ve seen on the Cabot Trail! It was also mostly stroller-friendly, which was a huge bonus. Highly recommend.

Beautiful trail, not too difficult for beginner hikers and very family-friendly. The views were like none other.

A straightforward "hike" (more like a walk really) with some nice peeks of the water and a whole lotta greenery throughout. But then the greenery clears at the end, and the view is absolutely beautiful. The wooden steps at Skyline ground you, but the no-hand-rails are what sweep you off your feet. It seems like you're one with the sky, the water and the mountains, as you walk down the steps, wind whipping you ever so slightly, and end up sitting on a bench to pause and take it all in. We came here pretty early so avoided the crowds, and that's the only way to see this trail, that's the only way to take in all its beauty. Will definitely be back to see Skyline in autumn or during sunset. I know it sounds weird to want to go back to such a straightforward trail. But this particular one is not about the journey, it's about that breathtaking end.

The views on this hike are breath taking once you reach the boardwalk! Before and after the boardwalk there isn't much to see except forest, land and shrubs. But once you reach the boardwalk, it opens up to beautiful views of the surrounding hills, cliffs, valleys and of course the ocean. You're elevated a few hundred metres above the ocean on the side of towering hills so it provides a unique, amazing views. Even the drive to the trail is pretty amazing because you're driving on the side of hills right beside the water. You get to see some amazing views near the water which contrasts view from the Skyline Trail which is way above the waters. We came here in one day straight from Halifax so we drive in total of 9 hours (4.5 hours each way). Not sure if it was worth it but this place does have amazing views and something I've never seen before.

It was ok. A lot of hard work. There's 2 options - go straight and turn around and go back the same way; or a loop. We did the straight line trail. So it's amazing going, but coming back it's a monotonous repetition. The loop was a mile longer, but my group, also, did all the add ons, with the straight path, ie, walk a bit extra and climb a high viewing platform, a bunch of other mini side paths for better views, etc. That added more distance. It made it a tiny bit less than the loop path, with the additions. Everything new was fantastic, but retracing all your steps to return Dragged. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and bug-off spray

Beautiful trail and would highly recommend. Worth doing the whole thing if you have time/energy but if not then at least get to the boardwalk overlook area. Can be a little crowded but I see why--it's stunning.

Beautiful! It is a 4 mile total hike but well worth it. Beautiful views and be ready for the stairs and wind.

There are an infinite number of places to visit and things to do on the Cabot Trial. Judging by the number of cars in the parking lot, hiking the Skyline Trail is clearly the most popular attraction. For good reason. It doesn't get better than this. A fantastic hike with a breathtaking ending. Don't miss this one. Keep a look out for the moose. Tip: bathrooms are kind of gross here. Find a better rest stop before you arrive. All the information you need is on the website, copied below for your convenience. From website: "A dramatic headland cliff overlooks the rugged coast from the end of this level trail. You can enjoy an eagle's view of the Cabot Trail as it winds its way down the mountain and vehicles look like toys. Watch for whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence from the viewing decks. Moose, bald eagles, bears and numerous boreal birds live in this habitat. Be cautious with children around the cliffs and give moose a wide berth. The headland plants are very fragile and easily damaged by trampling, so stay on the boardwalk. Dogs are not permitted here as they disturb wildlife, especially moose and bear. Trailhead: On the Cabot Trail on the top of French Mountain Significant Feature: Headland cliff, ocean Length: (return) 7.5 km (4.7 mi), (loop) 9.2 km (5.7 mi) Hiking Time: 2 - 3 hours Elevation: 290 - 405 m (950 - 1330 ft.) Main trail suitable for most skill levels. Boardwalk with steps at headland. Rugged back loop. GPS Co-ordinates for Trailhead (in decimal degrees): Lat: 46.737691 Long: -60.880377 Open from mid-May until mid-October. A park pass is required all year for hiking or use of other services in the park. Check in at the Parks Canada Visitor Centres in Chéticamp (16648 Cabot Trail, situated on the west side of the park) or in Ingonish (37639 Cabot Trail, on the east side of the park) to obtain passes, information on visitor safety and any other information you may need, including a trail location map. For your comfort and safety: - Do not approach, disturb or feed wild animals. - Take along appropriate clothing - rapid weather changes often occur on the plateau or along the coast. - Carry water with you, especially for longer trails, climbs or open barrens. - Bring insect repellent as black flies and mosquitoes are common all summer. - Mountain bikes are permitted only where indicated, for public safety and protection of the environment. - Stay on boardwalks to protect fragile vegetation. - Do not throw food or scraps along the trails or roads. - Read "Keep it Wild, Keep it Safe" brochure, available at park visitor centres.