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There's weeks worth of hiking and exploring just in the neighborhood, espeically if you bring a mountain bike or kayak with you.
The nearest beach access is at Archies Brook—just a quarter mile walk from the cabin and the end of the road. A rope helps you up and down the steep part. Looks scary first time but not as hard as you'd think. Bring a picnic for an afternoon of swimming in saltwater, then rinsing off with fresh. The ocean temps reach the 70s in the summertime! Really, it's warm water! If the wind and seas are calm enough in late June, July, Aug, and even early September, it's time for a swim! (guest photo) An
easier beach access is at Red River Beach—either a 2 mile walk
or drive back towards civilization. Park in the little public lot
across from the white house where the road turns along the coast and
walk down the meadow trail. Just before the river crosses the beach
is often a fresh water pool large enough for swimming. (guest photo)
This shot is from inside the National Park along the Skyline Trail, that's Cheticamp Island way off in the SW distance, and the Cabot Trail winding up the French Mountain.
At Pleasant Bay Harbour
you can buy lobster and snow crab or groundfish right off the docks
in season. Catch a whalewatch here, or hire a boatride to Pollet's Cove
or Fishing Cove and hike back. You've not seen Cape Breton until you've
seen it from the water. Ask around, you can sometimes rent kayaks or
mountain bikes here. Or just hangout and explore the harbor and whale
museum, especially if you want to meet some of the local characters.
The cathedral rocks below Kerr's Point are only accessible by kayak, but one of my favorite salt water swimming holes. |
Another
great secluded swimming hole is Red River Falls, about a 4 mile hike
from the cabin. Very cool fresh water, with some big brookies lurking
under those spillways.
Gampo
Abbey's "Stupa of Enlightenment" along the gravel road will
give you a doubletake, especially if you happen along at night and
find it lit up by a hundred tealights.
Pollets Cove is a 6 mile wilderness hike from the cabin where you can overnight if you pack a tent, or you can get there by boat from Pleasant Bay. If just a daytrip, plan on 2+ hrs hiking each way. Pollets Cove has a mile long beach, 2 wild salmon rivers, mountains to climb, canyons to explore, and acres of wild meadows. 100 years ago this was a year-round settlement before the Cabot Trail was built. If you're an especially adventurous hiker, there's a not very well maintained trailhead here going over the highlands to Meat Cove.
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