With fall colours quickly approaching, I wanted to turn my attention to Cape Breton for this blog. Every year, countless hikers make their way to the Highlands to take in the mountains in all of their October Glory.
Meat Cove Mountain is a great hike to add to your fall adventure itinerary – here’s some insight into the trail. And if you have a couple minutes after reading, here’s our vlog from last year’s fall Cape Breton Trip – featuring Meat Cove Mountain at the 15:43 mark!
Finding the Trail
From Bay St. Lawrence Road, turn onto Meat Cove Road. It’s a sharp bend if you’re coming from the Cabot Trail, so keep an eye out as to not drive past it. Once on Meat Cove Road it’s a 20 minute/12km drive to the trail, which will be on your left, just off Meat Cove Road.
Many describe this drive as going to the end of the world. The road is narrow and rough at times, on steep mountain sides bordering the sea. It’s a great adventure on its own.
As you near the trailhead, the mountain will come into view: a great rock pyramid looming over Meat Cove. There is a dirt rough/steep road going up to the trailhead, but most people park on the shoulder of the main road.
The Hike
The climb up is not long distance wise – just under a kilometer through a birch forest to the plateau. It is steep however, especially in the later stages. There are ropes to help pull yourself up in the harder sections.
The first lookoff as you emerge from the trees is a fantastic view down the valley that the mountain borders. The trail splits, with a great rock in the centre that you can rest on and offers an even better view of the valley. From here you have two options: going left will take you higher along the valley wall. Going right will take you to the mountains front, overlooking Meat Cove. Both have great views – plan to do both!
