Canada
Cape Breton Highlands National Park occupies the northern third of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia — a 949-square-kilometer wilderness of boreal plateau, river canyons, and Atlantic coastline that the travel writer Alexander Graham Bell (who maintained a summer estate nearby) called "the most beautiful island in the world." The park straddles the highland plateau at elevations exceeding 500 meters, where stunted spruce and fir give way to barrens of lichen, blueberry, and sphagnum moss that create a landscape reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands — a resemblance that is no coincidence, as many of the island's first European settlers were displaced Gaels from the Highland Clearances.
The Cabot Trail, the 298-kilometer scenic highway that loops through and around the park, is consistently ranked among the most spectacular drives in North America. The road climbs from sea level to the highland plateau and back in a series of switchbacks that reveal panoramic views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Atlantic Ocean, and forested valleys that blaze with color during the October foliage season. The trail passes through Acadian, Scottish, and Mi'kmaq communities, each with its own musical tradition, dialect, and culinary heritage — a cultural diversity compressed into a single island loop that is uniquely Maritime Canadian.
The cuisine of Cape Breton reflects its Scottish, Acadian, and Mi'kmaq roots with a warmth that mirrors its communities. Lobster, harvested from the cold Atlantic waters surrounding the island, is the undisputed star — served boiled with drawn butter at church hall suppers and roadside shacks alike. Oatcakes, a Scottish legacy, accompany every meal, while Acadian meat pies and rappie pie (a grated-potato casserole with chicken or clams) satisfy hearty appetites. The island's craft brewing and distilling scene has grown impressively, with small producers creating spirits and ales that draw on local ingredients. A traditional céilidh (kitchen party) — featuring fiddle music, step dancing, and more food than any table should hold — remains the quintessential Cape Breton social experience.
The park's trail system offers hiking for every ability level. The Skyline Trail, the most popular, traverses a headland high above the Gulf of St. Lawrence with views that stretch to the curved horizon of the ocean, the trail often dotted with moose browsing in the surrounding spruce forest. The Franey Trail climbs steeply to a summit lookout over the Atlantic coast, while the Fishing Cove Trail descends through old-growth forest to a wild, rocky beach accessible only on foot. Whale watching — for pilot whales, minke whales, and the occasional humpback — is excellent from the park's western coast, particularly around Pleasant Bay.
Tauck includes Cape Breton Highlands National Park on its Atlantic Canada itineraries, typically combining the park with visits to Halifax, Peggy's Cove, and Prince Edward Island. The Cabot Trail excursion is a full-day experience that combines dramatic coastal driving with short hikes and cultural stops. The best time to visit is June through October: summer brings the warmest weather and whale-watching season, while October delivers the legendary fall foliage that transforms the park into a panorama of crimson, amber, and gold.