Highland hikes
From gentle river paths to the famous Skyline boardwalk, trailheads sit within an easy drive, and every one ends at a view.
One island. A thousand reasons to wander.
From your door on Murray Road, Cape Breton opens up in every direction: mountains, ocean, music and some of the warmest people you'll ever meet.
Why Cape Breton
Consistently voted one of the most beautiful islands on earth.
Travel writers have run out of superlatives for this corner of Nova Scotia, and one drive along the coast will tell you why. North River Lodge puts you right at the edge of it all, close enough to chase the sunrise, far enough to sleep in total quiet.
The Cabot Trail
The drive of a lifetime
The Cabot Trail begins outside your door.
298 kilometres of cliff-hugging coastline, highland summits and hidden coves loop around the northern tip of the island, and Murray Road sits right beside it.
Set off after breakfast and you can chase lookouts all day: the Skyline sunset, the plunge into the Cheticamp valley, fishing villages where the boats still come in at dusk. Then it's a short, easy drive back to your room.
Things to do
Pick your kind of perfect day.
Wildlife watching
Moose graze the highlands at dusk, bald eagles ride the thermals, and whales breach off the coast through summer.
Coastal villages
Lighthouses, lobster wharves and white-sand beaches dot the shoreline between the lodge and the open Atlantic.
Local culture
This is the heart of Celtic Cape Breton: fiddle tunes, step-dancing and ceilidhs you'll stumble into without trying.
Dark skies
Far from city light, the stars come out in their thousands. Pull up a deck chair and watch the Milky Way rise.
Photographer's dream
Misty mornings, golden valleys and that legendary autumn colour. Keep the camera close, you'll need it.
Sea kayaking
Paddle into hidden sea caves and remote coves along Cape Breton's wild coastline. Rental outfitters and guided tours are a short drive from the lodge.
Lobster suppers
Church halls and wharfside shacks serve lobster straight off the boat, by the pound. Time your visit right and it becomes the meal you talk about for years.
Salt in the air
A fishing heritage you can taste.
The rivers and the Atlantic have fed these communities for generations. It's woven into the logo over our door: the moose, the river, the leaping salmon.
Time your visit for lobster season and you'll eat it straight off the boat. Cast a line in the North River, watch the fleet head out at first light, or simply savour the fresh catch at a wharfside table down the road.
A day from the lodge
From sunrise coffee to a quiet night's sleep.
01
Slow morning
Coffee in the common room while the valley mist lifts. No rush. The Trail isn't going anywhere.
02
Hit the Trail
Point the car at the coast and let the lookouts pull you along. Pack a picnic; the best tables have no walls.
03
Feet on a trail
With an abundance of hiking trails to choose from in the area, from gentle riverside paths to highland summits, there's a walk for every pace. Stretch your legs, then reward yourself with fresh seafood by the water.
04
Home to the Lodge
Back to your room as the light turns gold. A glass on the deck, the stars overhead, and the deepest sleep you've had in months.
Make it real
Your basecamp for the island awaits.
Stay where the adventure starts. Reach out for dates, rates and our favourite local secrets.