Cape Breton Trails Assessment

Cape Breton Trail Review and Inventory Draft Report

Prepared for Destination Cape Breton by Cobequid Trails in association with RMA Tourism Ltd. January, 2016

CAPE BRETON TRAIL REVIEW AND INVENTORY 2

Table of Contents

Page Introduction 1 Objectives of the report 2 Background 5 Study Area 5 Trail Classification 7 Trail Use for Tourism 7 Hiking and Walking Trails 8 Citations 9 1. Federal Trails 10 Cape Breton Highland National Park Louisbourg National Historic Site 2. Provincial Park Trails 12 3. Community and Municipal Trails 14 Richmond County 14 Cape Breton Regional Municipality 15 Victoria County 16 Inverness County 17 4. Planned and Proposed Hiking Trails 20 Off-road Cycling Trails 23 Mountain Bike Trails 23 Linear Cycling Trails 23 All-Season Motorized Trails 26 The ATV Market 26 ATV Trails in Cape Breton 26 Richmond Co 28 CBRM 30 Victoria County 32 Inverness County 34 Winter Trails Cross Country Ski Trails 36 Snowmobile Trails 36 Conclusion and Recommendations 38

Appendix A. Listing of non-motorized Trails B. Listing of motorized trail networks C. Citations of hiking and walking trails

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Introduction

This report was commissioned by Destination Cape Breton to provide an inventory of trails on Cape Breton Island. The report covers all major categories of off-road trail corridors including non-motorized and motorized recreational trails.

To meet the demands of the nature inclined tourist, Cape Breton has a wide array of outstanding trails. They allow visitors to fully experience the environment. Trails may be destination products in themselves but more often they are part of a diverse product that is essentially inspired by the landscape. Some trails are local resources that may simply improve the quality of outdoor recreation in urban and rural communities. But on Cape Breton Island, with its impressive coastal landscape (both Atlantic Ocean and Bras d’Or Lake), National and Historic Parks and an active and developed tourism industry, trails are a vital tourism asset.

In 2003, Enterprise Cape Breton requested the Economic Planning Group to prepare a comprehensive trails strategy for Cape Breton Island. The report, almost 200 pages long, reviewed in detail the market for various types of trail users and set priorities and plans for trail development.

This report, completed thirteen years after the EPG study, is intended to be a concise summary of trail product in Cape Breton. It provides a database of trails in Cape Breton as they exist today. This database is provided both as a categorized listing and (in the case of hiking and walking trails) as a geo-referenced table. Both can be updated and expanded to include new developments and new information as it is added. We have attempted to list all existing trails that have tourism potential or value.

Over 140 trails are listed in this report. Within the limited scope of this study, it was not feasible to conduct site assessments of each trail. This report therefore relied on secondary sources of information to create a composite of the trail product including a brief profile of each trail. Trail coordinators in each county were consulted to identify municipal and community trails. Where on-line data was unavailable, specifically in the case of motorized trails, a trail questionnaire was distributed and personal interviews were conducted.

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We focused in this report on land-based trails. Cape Breton has an active water route network especially for cruising boats such as sailing vessels. It also has a number of staging sites for canoes and kayaks. Water routes generally consist of shore-based infrastructure such as yacht clubs and launch sites. While a case could be made that water-routes are classified as trails, this report does not take that position and water routes are not considered trails in this report. For more information on coastal waterways, sea kayak routes and canoe waterways, refer to http://www.trails.gov.ns.ca/.

This report considers the concept of market readiness within the trail inventory. While it was outside the scope of the project to conduct market-readiness assessments of individual trails, the market potential and range of market readiness was generally reviewed for each trail type or grouping. This is important in the context of tourism as market-readiness is an essential condition for trails if they are to make meaningful contributions to the tourism product mix in Cape Breton.

The report is organized as follows:

The report begins with an overview of the study area. It then describes briefly the taxonomy of trails and trail types used in this report. We then provide a profile and description of each type of trail including all-season trails (hiking and walking trails, cycling trails and all-season off- highway vehicle (OHV) trails) and winter trails (Cross country ski and snowmobile). We conclude the report with brief recommendations for further action. Within the appendix of this report is a comprehensive listing of trails covered in this report.

Objectives of the report:

A. Identify and describe major trail types B. Report on the state each category of trail … number of trails, distance, type and range of management and factors that would determine destination appeal. C. Provide a listing of all trails identified in the study by class and management identifying parameters such as distance and user type.

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Study Area

Cape Breton Island is the northeastern region of Nova Scotia with a land area of 10,300 square kilometers. This island divided into four counties, Inverness on the northwest coast of the island, Victoria on the northeast, CBRM including Nova Scotia’s second largest city to the east and Richmond County at the southwest end of the Island.

Cape Breton Island has at least 1500 km. of coastline. The Bras d’Or Lake adds an additional 1,234 km. of inland coastline1. In total, the island has a remarkable 2,700 km. of highly diverse coastline.

Land in Cape Breton is generally divided into federal, provincial, municipal and private. Federal land is largely confined to national parks and historic sites. Cape Breton Island National Park accounts for 948 sq. km, almost 10% of the land area of the Island. The remaining 90% is divided between provincial crown land and private and municipal land.

The Bras d’Or Lake and its watershed (central portion of Cape Breton Island) were designated as a Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program in 2011.

Provincial crown land represents the largest land classification on Cape Breton. For the purpose of this study, provincial crown land is divided into three general categories.  provincial parks  wilderness protected areas

1 Taylor RB, and Shaw J. 2002. Coastal character and coastal barrier evolution in the Bras d’Or Lakes, Nova Scotia in Proceeding of the Nova Scotia Institute of Science, 42: 149-181.

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 all other crown land Crown land that is not protected under the Parks Act or Wilderness Areas legislation is administered by the Department of Natural Resources and may have a range of uses including industrial forestry, other industrial uses, hunting and fishing and outdoor recreation. Crown land is shown in light green on the following map.

Trail Classification

Trails are off-road pathways developed for recreation and travel and include corridors for both non-motorized and motorized activity. In this report trails are classified based on the general type of activity. This taxonomy is a market-related classification that reflects user- patterns and relates to travel motivations and preferences.

Trails generally fall into the following categories:  Trails managed for multi-season use and activities including: o Non-motorized trail use . hiking (including front-country walking trails and wilderness trails) . off-road cycling

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o Trails that accommodate motorized travel, specifically trails for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road motorcycles.  Trails managed for winter use including: o non-motorized winter trail activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing o snowmobile trails

Within the trails data sheets at the end of this report, all-season (non-motorized and motorized) trails are listed sequentially followed by winter trails.

Trail classifications by NS Trails include two additional categories: Shared use, and multi-use. Shared use refers to trails than allow both motorized and non-motorized use. A number of rails-to-trails in Nova Scotia are constructed and maintained to shared-use standards. In addition, most OHV trail organizations refer to their trails as shared-use. Multi-use trails refer to trails that are managed for a mix of non-motorized users.

Trail use for Tourism

Trails are a recreational resource for both residents of Cape Breton Island and visitors. This report is intended to be a resource for tourism planning and therefore focuses on trails that attract and are used by tourists.

The following table shows the level of participation in trail activities in Cape Breton by non- resident (out-of-province) visitors.

Hiking 34% Cycling 3% Cross-country skiing 2% ATV 2% Snowmobiling 4%

Hiking clearly is the most popular trail related activity by tourists (out of province) with over one third (34%) of all visitors participating. It is assumed that most hikers use designated trails. The participation rates for cycling, cross-country skiing, ATV use and snowmobiling are all at less than 5%.

Winter activities such as cross-country skiing (2%) and snowmobiling (4%) are important because they stimulate and create tourism activity in winter when vacancy rates are high and tourism revenues are most valuable.

Visitors who participate in cycling (representing 3% of tourists) may include use of managed trails and/or public roads. Based on this data, we cannot accurately deduce the degree to which cyclists use trails on Cape Breton Island.

Visitors who participate in ATV activities represent 2% of visitors. ATVers may use a combination of managed trails, secondary or commercial roads, roadside, right of ways, etc. However it is assumed that and in most cases, visitors to the Island who engage in ATV recreation at least in part, use managed trails.

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Hiking and Walking Trails

Hiking is one of the most popular activities by out-of-province visitors. 34% of visitors to the province of Cape Breton participate in hiking. Among international visitors, the participation rate is more than 50%.

Hiking and walking trails can be classified as follows:

Urban Trails Urban trails include urban park trails, waterfront boardwalks and greenways.

Front Country Front country trails include day use trails accessible to most users, age groups, etc. This generally includes nature and heritage trails.

Wilderness Trails Wilderness trails include long distance, back-country and overnight trails. They generally have a narrow trail corridor with limited or no built tread.

Linear and multi-use trails Linear trails include footpaths or multi-use trails that connect communities and cover long distances.

The distinction between front–country and wilderness trails must be confirmed through on-site assessment. In this report we classify walking and hiking trails including front country and wilderness trails all within the category “hiking trails”. Linear and urban trails are grouped separately.

This report identified 130 hiking and walking trails on Cape Breton. The complete list is provided in appendix 1. This compilation includes both formal and built trails as well as mixed or shared-use trails. Shared-use trails are listed as hiking trails only where they are recognized as hiking or walking experiences. Generally the listing excludes listed hikes where no formal trail exists.

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Citations by Trail Related Websites and Brochures

Numerous trail websites and some printed brochures identify, list and describe various trails on Cape Breton Island. Travelers looking for trail information on the Island can locate trail experiences using one or more of these sources. In this report these sources were used to identify and corroborate trail and trail locations. We also identified and recorded the number of citations for each trail by websites and trail brochures. Sites reviewed included the following:

Source Type Symbol 1 Trails.com Website T 2 Trail Peak Website TP 3 Destination Cape Breton Trails Website DCB 4 National Geographic Trails Website NG 5 Vic’s Trails Website VT 6 Cape Breton Regional Municipality Trails Brochure CBRM 7 Hike NS Website HNS 8 Trails Nova Scotia Website TNS 9 Mike Haynes Hiking Cape Breton Guide book MH 10 Moosebait Website Mb 11 Victoria County Hiking Trails Brochure VCHT 12 Parks Canada Trails Website PC 13 Hike Cape Breton Website HCB 14 Hike the Highlands Website HtH 15 Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Website BLBRA Association

Recognized trails have a large number of citations. This may be due to unique landscapes, outstanding features, quality of the trail, etc. While this is not a scientific method of evaluating destination appeal or market readiness, it does provide a metric of assessment that in most cases corresponds to destination appeal and market readiness.

Unsurprisingly, trails with the highest number of citations are predominantly trails within Cape Breton Highland National Park. A ranked list of hiking and walking trails (ranked by number of citations) is included in appendix 3.

Please note that while not included in the above listing, Go Riding Magazine cited Cape Breton ATV Trails many times, and also produced a TV show, which gave national and international recognition to its followers, citing the incredible ATVing experiences to be had in Cape Breton.

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Review of Hiking and Walking Trails

Hiking and walking trails within 4 broad management regimes:

1. Federal Parks and Historic Sites 2. Provincial Parks 3. Provincial Wilderness Areas 4. Municipal and Community Trails

1. Federal

This category includes trails within Parks Canada sites including national parks and national historic sites.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park (CBHNP)

There are 26 trails within CBHNP. Trails range from less than half a kilometer to more than 12 kilometers. In total there are approximately 140 kilometers of trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Louisbourg National Historic Site

There are 7 trails within Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site. Most are short trails interpreting important points of historic relevance such as battlefields. In total there are 8.5 kilometers of trail within Louisbourg National Historic Site.

Management of Parks Canada Trails

National Park trails are managed according to clear objectives that focus on visitor experience and are guided by conservation measures. National Parks not only employ programming staff, but also employ conservation specialists. Trail management is guided by scientific conservation measures, a concept that is often lacking in other trail management regimes (note: provincial wilderness areas that have equivalent qualified staff).

Parks Canada trails fall under management, conservation and visitor experience standards generally set by national park policies and management systems. Parks Canada’s mandate comprises three mutually supportive areas:  Protection of heritage resources  Facilitation of opportunities for meaningful visitor experiences  Fostering public appreciation and understanding of Canada’s heritage

Tourism Potential

National parks have national recognition and are key tourism attractions in Nova Scotia. The coastal landscape and orientation of Cape Breton Highlands National Park aligns with tourism brands, strengths and travel motivations that attract visitors to the Province of Nova Scotia. This is supported by Parks Canada’s conservation mandate.

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Similarly, Louisbourg National Historic Site manages a significant conservation area with 7 trails that allow visitors to experience the historic battlefield and landscape.

Market Readiness

Trails within National Parks offer a visitor experience that includes developed and standardized infrastructure, interpretation, guided hikes, and trail maintenance. National Park trails are supported with websites that provide essential information and related mapping, have well designed entry points, navigation tools and interpretation and are supported by a strong conservation program. For example, Skyline trail was evaluated by Atlantic Canada Trails (ACT) in 2011 according to a comprehensive set of destination trail criteria and ranked highly on the evaluation’s scoring matrix. As well, the Skyline Trail Sunset Hike has been designated a “Canadian Signature Experience” by Destination Canada. Clearly, not all trails within the Park are destination trails. However, all meet at least basic market readiness standards. The conclusion and recommendations at the end of this report provide a description of the ACT market readiness program.

Citations

The top 4 most frequently cited trails in Cape Breton are located in Cape Breton National Park. They are:  Middle head Trail  Fishing Cove Trail  Franey Trail  Skyline Trail

Because the trails are within the national park and conform to a well-developed standard of trail infrastructure, they generally have multiple citations. Even when national park trails do not offer extraordinary features or landscapes, they are recognized frequently. Eight of the top most frequently cited trails on Cape Breton are within Cape Breton National Park. (See appendix 3)

Louisbourg National Historic Site (LNHS) has similar standards to National Park trails. Trails within the historic site are components of the heritage experience. They are relatively short and are not typically considered hiking experiences (and therefore are not frequently cited).

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2. Nova Scotia Provincial Park Trails

There are 16 trails or trail networks within Provincial Parks in Cape Breton Island. In total there are approximately 65 kilometers of trails within Provincial Parks on Cape Breton Island. Provincial parks that feature hiking trails include the following:

Battery park St Peters Lennox Richmond Co.

Point Michaud Richmond Co.

Ben Eoin CBRM Barrachois CBRM Mira River CBRM Petersfield Park CBRM Dalem Lake CBRM, Victoria Co

St Ann’s Victoria Co

Uisage Ban Falls Victoria Co

Cape Smokey Victoria Co

Cabot Landing Beach Victoria Co

Lake O'Law Inverness Co

Whycocomagh Provincial Park: (Salt Mountain) Inverness Co

West Mabou Beach Inverness Co

Port Hood Beach Inverness Co

Management of Provincial Park Trails

Provincial Parks are managed so as to conform to the regulations of the Nova Scotia Parks Act. Provincial parks have a similar set of regulatory guidelines to national parks, however, with less resources, their capacity for providing a well-executed trail experience is more limited. The stated purpose of Provincial Parks is as follows:

Provide opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities ranging from relatively high intensity near-urban facilities to low intensity wildland experiences;

Preserve unique, rare, representative or otherwise significant elements of the natural environment and historic resources of Nova Scotia;

Provide opportunities for exploration, understanding and appreciation of Nova Scotia's natural and cultural heritage through interpretation, information and educational programs;

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Provide resident travellers and out-of-Province visitors with opportunities to discover, experience and enjoy Nova Scotia's distinctive outdoor recreational and heritage resources; and

Assemble and maintain, within a system of provincial parks and park reserves, a land base adequate to meet present and future needs of Nova Scotians for outdoor recreation and heritage resource protection.

Tourism Potential

The tourism potential of provincial park trails is variable. Provincial Parks may be managed to meet objectives that are not directly related to tourism or to trail experiences. Provincial park trails have some market recognition as part of the provincial trail network, however they generally don’t have national brand awareness or recognition. Assessment of the tourism potential of Provincial parks must be made on a case-by-case basis.

Market-readiness

In general provincial park trails offer certain amenities at all locations. These include road signs, washrooms, etc. However, trails in provincial parks may not be identified on road signs and are not always clearly identified on the provincial park website.

Citations

Unlike National Parks, there is considerable variability among provincial park trails according to the number of citations. Several of the top-cited trails on Cape Breton Island are within Provincial parks. Uisage Ban Falls and Cape Smokey are frequently cited. Others only have two citations or less (see appendix 3). This suggests that market readiness and or tourism potential of provincial park trails is highly variable and cannot be concisely determined without site assessment.

Provincial Wilderness Areas

Trails within Provincial wilderness areas fall under authority of the Department of Environment. However, the province does not plan, build or maintain trails in wilderness areas. Trails may be planned or managed by community groups and associations under a letter of agreement with the province provided they conform to the Nova Scotia Wilderness Areas Protection Act. They are therefore included in this report under community trails.

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3. Municipal and Community trails

This category includes trails developed and/or managed by local, regional, municipal and non- profit organizations. It also includes trails within protected areas and other trails on crown land managed by local or community organizations. Trails within provincial wilderness areas differ from provincial parks in that they are usually managed by local or community groups. While they are not supported by provincial park staff, they can sometimes access funds and resources that are beyond the limited resources for trail planning and development available to provincial parks.

Community trails have been categorized and grouped within the four municipal regions on Cape Breton Island. In total, we have included 80 community trails in this inventory. For clarification, this includes only those trails outside of national and provincial parks and national historic site landownership and management. We also have attempted to exclude hikes where there is no official trail. For example, there are a number of access routes to the many smaller waterfalls that have not been included as trails in this report because they lack any developed trail concept. See appendix 1 for the complete listing of trails referred to below.

Richmond Co Little River Reservoir Lower River 10.5 km

Pringle Mountain Dundee area 13.5 km Ten hiking trails were identified Cape George Dundee 2 km managed by non-profit groups or municipalities or unmanaged. The Delorier Island Ile Madame 9 km Isle total distance of the identified Cape Auguet Madame 9 km hiking trails in Richmond County is Leif Ericson Trail Cape Forchu 1 km approximately 90 km. Richmond St Peters Coastal Trail Co. 10 km Framboise River Falls Trail Framboise 3 km

Framboise Beach Framboise 8 km

Capelin Cove Framboise 16 km Fox Cove Gabarus 7 km

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Cape Breton County Urban North Munroe Park Sydney 0.6 km Thirty three (33) hiking and North Indian Beach Sydney walking trails, unmanaged or 0.5 km Sydney Boardwalk managed by non-profit groups or Sydney 2.2 km Wentworth Park municipalities were identified. Sydney 1 km Open Hearth Park Sydney 1.2 km This includes 11 urban trails and Whitney Pier Sydney 1.7 km 22 nature and wilderness trails. New The total distance of the Bill Davis Trail Waterford 2 km John Bernard Croak Glace Bay 1.3 km identified hiking trails in Cape New Breton County is approximately Scotchtown Summit Park Waterford n/a 153 km. In some cases (for Baille Ard Trails Sydney 3 km example, the Cowboy Trail and Renwick Park Walking Path Glace Bay 1.6 km the Old Branch Road), the list Other includes shared use trails that Winging Point, Gull Cove, Belfry Gut Gabarus 21 km are frequently used for Kennington Cove Louisbourg 8 km motorized vehicles as well as Devils Hill falls Louisbourg walking and hiking. Louisbourg Lighthouse Louisbourg 5 km Big Lorraine Harbour Lorraine Gooseberry Cove Lorraine 7.5 km Cape Breton trail Lorraine 14 km Two Rivers Wildlife Park Mira 4.5 km Main a dieu boardwalk Main a dieu 0.5 km Moque Head Main a dieu 3 km Cape South Head trail Morien 3 km Cape Perce Glace Bay 8.5 km Schooner Pond Cove Glace Bay 10 km Coxheath Trail Coxheath 9.5 km Island View Falls/MacIntosh Falls Eskasoni 2 km East Bay Hills Trail East Bay 3 km Goat Island Trail Eskasoni 2.5 km Cowbay Road Trail Sydney 8 km Barrachois Mountain Gorge Barrachois 10 km Old Branch Road N Sydney 7 km Greenlink Trails Sydney 3 km Frenchvale Brook Walking Trail Frenchvale 1.4 km

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Victoria Co

Thirteen (13) hiking trails and trail systems were identified; unmanaged or managed by community or non-profit groups. The total distance of the identified hiking trails in Victoria County (not including CBHNP) is approximately 90 kilometers.

Seal Island Kelly’s mountain Trail Bridge 6 km

Ross Ferry Trail Big Harbour 0.5 km

Blackhead Road Englishtown 8 km

Cape Dauphin Englishtown 5.5 km

Kidston Island Baddeck 2 km

Bald Mountain Baddeck 18 km

Red Island St Ann’s Bay 4 km

Boiler Trail Baddeck n/a

North River Falls Trails Victoria Co 19 km

White Point White Point 6 km

Sugarloaf Trail Aspy Bay 3.5 km Capstick/Bay Money Point Trails St Lawrence 13.5 km

Tenerife Mountain Aspy Bay 4 km

Note:

 North River Trails include the North River Little Falls Trail and North River Big Falls Trail.

 Money Point Trails include the Money Point Gulch Trail and the Money Point Light Trail.

 A trail through the Humes River Wilderness area from Wagmatcook to Aberdeen has high tourism potential and is in the planning stage. The trail is included in section 4 -“proposed trails”.

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Inverness Co

Twenty-four (24) hiking trails and trail networks were identified, unmanaged or managed by non-profit groups or municipalities. The total distance of the identified hiking trails in Inverness County (not including CBHNP) is approximately 240 km.

Port Port Hawkesbury Community Trail Hawkesbury 9km Meat Cove Look-off, Cape St Lawrence, Lowlands Cove Meat Cove 17km

Little Grassy Trail Meat Cove 1.5 km

Meat Cove Mountain Meat Cove 5 km

Pollett’s Cove Red River 16 km

Roberts Mountain Pleasant Bay 3.5 km

Gypsum Mine Cheticamp 10 km

Doyles Bridge Trail Margaree 3 km

Eagles nest Trail Margaree 1.5 km

Big Interval Trail Portree 5 km

Inverness beach boardwalk Inverness 2 km

Broad Cove Chapel Inverness 12 km

Egypt Falls Scotsville 13.5 km Cape Mabou Highlands Hiking Trails Mabou 30 km

Port Hood Boardwalk Port Hood 1 km

MacFarlane Woods Inverness Co n/a

Marble Marble Mountain Mountain 3 km

Lewis Mountain Trail Aberdeen 8 km

Logans Glen Falls Whycocomagh 0.5 km

Denys River Melford 9 km

Port Ghost Beach Hawkesbury 7.5 km Celtic Shores Trail 92 km

Note:

At the time of this report, the “Pollett’s Cove trail” was an undesignated trail within the Pollett’s Cove Aspy Fault Wilderness Protected area. A proposal for the “Seawall Trail” (see section 4 below) significantly expands this trail concept and has high tourism potential.

The Cape Mabou Hiking Trail is an interconnected system of 17 trails with high tourist value, managed by the Mabou Highlands Hiking Club.

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Management of Community Hiking and Walking Trails

Unlike National Park trails, community trails have no consistent management framework. Some trails are intensively managed by non-profit organizations and many are supported by municipalities. Some are managed by autonomous but resourceful local groups and organizations. Still others are essentially unmanaged. Some unmanaged trails overlap with woods roads and trails used by motorized traffic. In the case of intensively managed shared- use trails, where hiking is considered a primary or priority activity, overlapping use will not negatively impact the experience for walkers and hikers. The Celtic Shores Trail is exemplary in this respect (see below). In other cases where trails are not purposely managed for both non-motorized and motorized use, product standards often fail to meet tourism criteria for hiking and walking trails.

In general, excepting on roadways and access roads, national and provincial parks do not permit motorized vehicles. Vehicles use is also prohibited in nature reserves (ecological sites) designated under the Special Places Protection Act, and is generally prohibited in provincially- designated wilderness areas, but can be authorized in newer wilderness areas on essential connecting trails, provided the trail is managed under agreement with Nova Scotia Environment.

Generally, community trails that are managed for hiking or other self-propelled use are not designed for motorized use. On the other hand, unmanaged walking trails may be used for both motorized and non-motorized recreation. In addition, trails managed for ATV use permit foot traffic.

Tourism Potential

In the same way that management of community trails is variable, tourism potential is highly variable. As a general rule, in Nova Scotia, trails with the highest tourism potential are those that allow the visitor to experience a coastal landscape. Similarly, trails that offer outstanding view-scapes also have high tourism potential. Other trails (not coastal) that provide an authentic nature experience can be tourist attractions if they are well designed (although they usually tend to attract more of a local market).

Market-readiness

Urban trails generally are intensively managed and may include amenities such as parking, benches, interpretation, etc. Market-readiness of other community trails is contingent on the capacity and effort of the managing group. Market readiness also depends on trail design and whether they are effectively promoted. It is assumed that (with some notable exceptions) the degree of market readiness of most community trails will range from low to moderate. Within the scope of this study, we cannot provide a clear measure of market readiness of any particular trail. However, the ranking and analysis of citations included in this report (appendix 2) is an indication of market recognition and market readiness.

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Citations

The following trails were determined to have more than 5 citations and are assumed to be good examples of community managed trails that have significant value for tourism.  North River Falls (Victoria Co.)  Celtic Shores Trail, Port Hastings to Inverness (see below under bicycle trails)  White Point Trail (Victoria Co.)  Money Point Trails, (Victoria Co.)  Sugarloaf Trail (Aspy Bay)  Meat Cove/Lowlands Cove Trail/ Cape St Lawrence (Meat Cove)  Roberts Mountain (Pleasant Bay)  Cape Mabou Highlands Hiking Trails (Mabou)

As indicated earlier, this ranking provides only a preliminary reference relating to trail potential and should not exclude other trails without further assessment. Trails under development may have high potential for tourism but because they are not yet open, they may not appear on the above list. See the following section (section 4) for key trails under development.

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4. Planned or Proposed Hiking or Multi-use Trails

A number of trails on the drawing board have potential to become important elements of the trail product in Cape Breton. These include the following: 1. The proposed Trans Canada Trail (Cape Breton section), 2. The proposed Seawall Trail, 3. The proposed Bras d’Or Lakes circumferential trail: “Walking Around the Bras d’Or” 4. A proposed trail within the Gabarus wilderness area 5. Proposed trail to Hume River Falls 6. International Appalachian Trail, chapter in NS. It is the intention to extend to the highlands. 7. Proposed multi-day hiking trail on the old Cabot Trail (CBHNP). This may be able to link up in the future with the Seawall Trail.

These proposals are intended for walking, hiking and other non-motorized types of travel. However, the Trans Canada Trail is a shared use trail that allows for summer and winter off-road vehicles.

Trans Canada Trail (shared use)

The Cape Breton section of the Trans Canada trail is a linear trail corridor that will extend from Port Hastings to North Sydney. It is still under development, but with the inclusion of a water route section, it will be a continuous corridor for off-road travel. The first leg of the Trans Canada trail from Port Hastings to Inverness, the Celtic Shores Trail, is fully developed and is a distinct and market ready trail in its own right (see cycling). The next leg from Inverness to Whycocomagh is under development with completion planned for 2017. There will be a water corridor from Whycocomagh to North Sydney until a land route can be developed. Staging sites for the water route may include Baddeck, Ross Ferry, Whycocomagh, Waycobah, and North Sydney among others.

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Seawall Trail

The proposed Seawall Trail will be an overnight wilderness-hiking trail through the Pollett’s Cove- Aspy Fault Wilderness Area in Northern Cape Breton Island. The proposed alignment will be a three to five day wilderness experience encompassing 50-75 kilometers of trail.

Once completed this trail could potentially be one of the most important destination trails in Atlantic Canada. The trail represents a unique product opportunity. It will provide a true wilderness hiking experience across a large expanse of undeveloped coastline, featuring cliffs canyons and barrens atop stunningly high headlands.

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Bras d’Or Lakes Circumferential Trail: “Walking Around the Bras d’Or”

The project is an initiative of the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve. At this early development stage the BLBRA has identified recreational trails within the watershed and is working with community groups to identify new and connecting trails. The long term vision is to connect communities within the watershed and promote sustainable economic development while celebrating and conserving natural ecosystems and assets. Please note: community consultation occurred during the winter of 2014.

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Humes River Trail

The proposed Humes River trail is located in Victoria County south of Baddeck and will traverse the Humes River Wilderness Area. This protected area encompasses one of the last relatively large tracts of intact Acadian forests in the Bras d’Or Lake watershed. The proposed trail will be 15 kilometers, beginning at Wagmatcook First Nation and continuing westward to Aberdeen. It will include two waterfalls – the 25 foot McNaughton Brook Falls and the 60 Ft Humes River Falls.

Gabarus Coastal Trails

The Gabarus Wilderness area is a large coastal protected area on Cape Breton’s east coast south of Louisbourg. It is one of Nova Scotia’s original wilderness protected areas (designated in 2008) and is a stunning expanse of undeveloped coastline. Informal trails currently exist in this area, however a formal coastal trail has been proposed and is in early stages of planning.

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Off-road Bicycle Trails

Recreational cycling often takes advantage of paved public roads wherever possible in low traffic areas. These are the preferred routes for guided national and international cycling tours. However there is a demand for off-road cycling as well.

Off-road cycling falls into two categories, 1. Mountain biking 2. Off-road linear bicycle touring routes

Mountain Bike Trails

There are two dedicated cycling routes identified in trails.com:  Lake of Islands (Neil’s Harbour)  Pembroke Lake (Cheticamp)

The CBHNP traditionally allows cyclists on trails, including: Salmon Pools, Le Chemin du Buttereau, Le Buttereau, Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge, Branch Pond Look-off, Clyburn Valley, and Freshwater Lake.

The listing of hiking trails provided in this inventory indicates that there are also a number of hiking trails that accommodate cyclists (see appendix 1). These include the following three trails in CBHNP.  Salmon Pools  Branch Pond Look-out  Mica Hill No other mountain bike trails were found within Cape Breton during this compilation, however Bicycle Nova Scotia may be a source for further information. (Please note: the Across the Highlands Mountain Bike rights have been transferred to Velo Club Cheticamp per Velo Cape Breton).

Linear Trails

The Celtic Shores Trail (CST) is a shared use trail with a focus on cycling that also accommodates hikers; ATVs; and in the winter, snowmobiles. Trails for touring cyclists require a smooth surface constructed of packed fine gravel or asphalt and the Celtic Shores trail is one of the few shared use trails that is groomed and maintained to this standard.

The CST is market-ready and a good example of a destination trail. The trail is 92 km with significant coastal orientation and linking a number of coastal communities in western Cape Breton. It has a strong brand, an excellent tourism focused web site, well developed way- finding, entry points, and interpretation. In 2015 it was evaluated using the ACT destination trail assessment tool and rated as one of the top market ready cycling trails in Atlantic Canada comparing favorably with the Confederation Trail in PEI.

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Information on The Blue Route provincial network, connecting Nova Scotia’s communities through designated cycling routes on secondary highways with paved shoulders, low traffic volume roads, hard surfaced trails, and city streets, can be found in appendix 7.

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Motorized All-season Trails

The ATV market

ATV activity has changed over the last two decades. ATVs have become an accepted, law- abiding form of outdoor recreation. Clubs stress their intention to offer legitimate travel corridors that have permission for use on private and public land. Off highway vehicles have also changed. Side by side ATVs have become the norm. Today ATVs are designed for a wider market, can accommodate older age divisions and are suitable as touring vehicles.

The ATV market has been seen to be growing, however there is still a lack of reliable data on the market. Little is known about how many people bring ATVs into the province and there is limited information on how many come to the area to participate in ATV recreation. What is known is that ATV recreation involves a sense of community. ATV recreationists tend to use the trails in groups. As a result, ATV tourism is often event driven. ATV rallies are a major motivator for ATV tourism. As a result, there are considerable requests for guides from ATV clubs, and as such, these requests are not quantified for citation purposes. Overall, ATV recreation appears (at least at present) to be a niche market.

ATVs may provide opportunities for outdoor recreationist who are not physically capable of participating in hiking, cycling etc. (including the “disabled). Research on the OHV market is needed to determine the potential for developing this market.

While the development of ATV networks in Cape Breton has been ongoing, for the purpose of tourism, they are still in early stages of development. Maintained and clearly defined trail corridors with established entry points and clear signage are still being developed. In the case of ATV events, the lack of signage and clearly marked routes may not be a major deterrent. Local ATV riders are often available to guide out of town participants. However, if the product is to appeal to independent visitors and the broader tourism market, then a more tourism focused approach is essential.

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ATV trails in Cape Breton

OHV trails in Cape Breton make extensive use of crown land and active or former forestry roads. In some areas mapping is becoming available, but often a designated route is not clearly defined and therefore trail distances are not always determined for each trail network in this report.

For the most part the network of ATV trails is linked throughout the island of Cape Breton. However, one or more local clubs manages the trails in each region, therefore it was considered appropriate to categorize trails by region in this inventory.

ATV trails in Cape Breton are mapped and/or managed by 10 regional ATV clubs. They include a mix of built trail, existing and discontinued forestry, K-class road, and a mix of ownership.

ATV use is regulated by the Nova Scotia OHV act.

The Off-Highway Vehicles Act regulates drivers of off road vehicles that are not registered under the Motor Vehicle Act. These include • snowmobiles and other snow vehicles • ATVs or all-terrain vehicles • off-road motorcycles • mini bikes • dirt bikes • four-wheel-drive or low-tire-pressure vehicles • dune buggies • other vehicle or class of vehicle designed as an off-highway vehicle by regulation

OHV riders are permitted to ride on and access the following:

 Forest access roads controlled by the Department of Natural Resources  K-class roads* controlled by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal  Private roads that are designed to be accessible, or are accessible to the public for OHV use where the landowner has given written permission*  Ditches of highways under these conditions • in daylight, either with or against the flow of traffic • at night*, in the same direction as the traffic on the same side of the road • a road or highway outside a city, town, or village that is impassable because it is covered with snow AND it is not normally cleared o Please note: changes to current regulations will likely happen soon permitting travel to and from GPS point to GPS point for ATV activities

Crown Land ATVS have permission to ride on Crown land where there is no restriction. However, in all cases, this use must be shared with other people using the trail—doing things like walking, cycling, horseback riding, skiing. When Crown land is used for forestry, mining, and harvesting, trail users are required to check with the Department of Natural Resources and the organization that is using the land.

Private land OHV riders may drive on private land that is designed to be accessible or is accessible to the public for OHV use as long as the landowner has given written permission. OHV riders are assumed to have “written permission” to use trails on private or public land • If they were able to ride on that land before April 1, 2006 • Unless there is a sign that says OHV users cannot ride there

Abandoned rail lines ATVs are permitted to use abandoned rails lines subject to trail-head signs indicate whether OHV traffic is permitted. If there is no sign, OHVs are allowed. Rail-trail corridors are shared-use trails that are developed and maintained by authorized trail associations. Trails uses are required to observe posted speed limits.

Trail permits On designated trails that go over private or public land. • A trail permit is required from an authorized OHV club.

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• The permit must be displayed on the OHV when in use. The permit may be a sticker, label, or other tag. There may be conditions of use. These trails are marked with designated trail signs.

Under regulations of the Act, excepting highways and certain roads, ATV recreationists are permitted to ride anywhere unless they are specifically excluded. Areas of exclusion include national and provincial parks, nature reserves, provincial wilderness areas (except on connecting trails that are designated and managed under agreement with NS Environment), municipal areas where the municipality has decided to limit or prohibit off highway vehicle travel, and private property where the owner has posted signs to limit or exclude ATV travel.

Given the extent of crown land on Cape Breton Island and forest access and class K roads, this provides a vast and extensive network of routes for ATV travel. The following map intended for the snowmobiles) demonstrates the extent of this network (crown land is shown in green).

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ATV/OHV trail networks

Richmond County  West Richmond Abandoned Trail Line  L’Ardoise ATV Club  Ile Madame ATV club

Cape Breton County  Ile Royale ATV Club  Marconi Trail Blazers ATV Club

Victoria Co  Baddeck ATV Club

Inverness Co  Margaree ATV and Snowmobile Clubs  Highland ATV Club  Celtic Shores Rail Trail

Richmond Co.

1. Grand Anse to River Tillard Trail

The East Richmond ATV Club working under a letter of Authority with DNR manages the 15 km Grand Anse to River Tillard abandoned rail line as a shared use trail. (The rail line is owned by the province of NS). The corridor is a good travel corridor between communities but has minimal signage and while it has some compatibility with other users, the tread does not meet minimum shared use standards.

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2. L’Ardoise ATV Club

The L’Ardoise ATV Club manages 75 km of trails as well as crown and private land. Trail use agreements with land-owners are informal (verbal or handshake). The group is volunteer driven and sustainability is not certain. According to the Richmond Trail Strategy, the group has a strong base of volunteers with local knowledge of area and terrain but no management plan, no formal map and no formal entry point. The trail network supports traditional uses and the Club hosts organized events. The capacity for other users is unknown. The L’Ardoise network appears to largely serve local users.

3. Isle Madame ATV club

The Isle Madame ATV Club volunteer organization (150 members) manages 46 km of trails. The network is a loop system connecting communities on Isle Madame. The trail has a well-established system of infrastructure. Like other OHV trails in the area, use by locals is the primary function of these trails. The current standard of trail tread does not meet front- country standards indicating limited capability for other users

Tourism Potential of Richmond County OHV Trails

OHV trails in Richmond County appear to function primarily as local off-road transportation corridors linking rural sites and communities. Their function as tourism products appears to be secondary. For example, a primary tourism asset in Richmond County is the coastal landscape. While there are some sections of coastal trail, most of the network is inland. As is the case with other clubs, rallies and group events draw visitors.

The trails in Richmond County are potentially part of a linked corridor that could allow OHV travelers to travel into and across Cape Breton Island. However we do not have any indication of whether there is a demand for this type of tourism experience.

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Ile Royale and Marconi Trail Networks

The Isle Royal ATV Club has jurisdiction over ATV trail activity on the west side of CBRM. At the time of this report, the Club had 135 members and charged a membership fee of $30 (includes membership to ATVANS). The Marconi Trail Blazers ATV Club has jurisdiction over ATV trail activity on the east side of CBRM (membership fee: $25).

Management of ATV Trails within CBRM

The Isle Royale and Marconi Trail Blazers ATV clubs manage adjacent networks generally comprising of a larger overall system that extends from New Waterford, outwards to Glace Bay and beyond to Loch Lomond and continuing back to Sydney through Big Pond, Ben Eoin, East Bay and Sydney River. Trail assessments were conducted (Pathways of Cape Breton) prior to development of the networks, outlining the work required and costs associated with the development and maintenance of a trail system. It is proposed that these trails connect to the adjacent network under the management of the L'Ardoise ATV Club.

Both ATV Clubs are registered under the provincial Societies Act. Funding from club activities is used to development Infrastructure and for maintenance. Bridge repairs, trimming and cutting and maintenance of the right-of-way are ongoing requirements and volunteers do their utmost to assist where possible.

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Tourism potential

Ile Royale and Marconi are expanding OHV trail networks that provide for ATV tourists, a developing trail product. Key assets are industrial history, coastal views and look-offs. Work is ongoing to create a continuous trail corridor. The club’s presidents indicated their interest in offering regional tours for cruise ship passengers. ATV tours to industrial heritage sites is a product concept with considerable potential. Further development of ATV tourism product opportunities will unfold through on going work and discussion of all parties. Information submitted by Isle Royale ATV Club President, Dan Fraser on tourism product potential for the Isle Royale ATV Club trails and adjacent trail networks is included in Appendix 5.

Tourism market readiness

Were unable to conduct detailed site visits and cannot assess touristic value of the trails in CBRM. In addition, we lack marketing data to adequately assess current or potential visitation and value as a tourism product.

The group has invested significant effort on trail infrastructure. Yet, the Isle Royale and Marconi trails are in their early stages of development. At a minimum, product will require website development and related consumer information, development of entry point locations, way-finding etc. and probably interpretive programming to become market ready. In addition a developing ATV tourism product typically requires access to services, and there is limited access within communities in CBRM.

Contact Information

Ile Royale ATV Club Dan Fraser ([email protected]) (902) 567-0622

Web site: http://www. Isle royaleatv.club/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/182141575165681/

Marconi Trail Blazers

Allister MacLean ([email protected])

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marconi.trail?fref=nf

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Baddeck and Area Trails

The Baddeck and Area ATV Club covers Victoria County from Whycocomagh in the south to Cape Breton Highlands National Park in the North.

Management of ATV Trails in Victoria Co

The Baddeck Club makes extensive use of existing and discontinued forestry roads of the region in which they have jurisdiction. Eighty percent of the trail network utilizes Class K or logging roads. Active roads are maintained (presumably by crown or industry). The Club has mapped the trails and route options (see below) however GPS enabled mapping was not provided in the preparation of this report. The network that the club utilizes includes 405 kilometers of trail, largely on crown land but also including trail on private land. The Club indicates that this is “managed trail” and maintains trails as needed with funds from membership. Membership fees are $40.00 annually.

Tourism Potential

The Baddeck Club has positioned itself by featuring key cultural tourism attractions such as the Gaelic College and the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and landscape features such as North River falls. These are legitimate claims when promoting the area to the niche ATV market within Nova

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Scotia. For the broad tourism market and non-residents in particular who may be interested in ATV recreation, the unique selling feature could be access to the highlands (outside of the National Park).

Market readiness

Like the Cape Breton County trails, the Baddeck network is in an early stage of development as a tourism product. Website, way-finding and trail design would all have to be improved if the goal is to accommodate the non-resident market. Some type of vehicle rental or guiding service will also be needed to broaden the market beyond group events.

Contact Information

Baddeck and Area trails Ray Astaph ([email protected]) Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeinnScalpie/

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Inverness County North Margaree ATV Association and Highland ATV Club

These two clubs have jurisdiction of a similar trail network to the Baddeck club except that it originates and is largely contained within the western side of Cape Breton and the western highlands. It is assumed that the Baddeck and the Margaree networks utilize common areas of the Cape Breton Highlands.

Management

The Margaree Club utilizes the Snowmobile trail system to access the system of forestry roads on the highlands as far as Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Similarly, the club probably relies on snowmobile signage and way-finding. However authorization for use of private land that has been granted to snowmobiles often does not extend to OHVs and the network is discontinuous in some areas.

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Tourism Potential

Like the Baddeck network, the Margaree and Highland networks provide access to the highlands. A number of businesses in Margaree cater to OHV visitors, stimulated by the busy snowmobile winter market. In addition, access to communities such as Cheticamp and Margaree appears to be permitted. Access to communities is a major factor in creating an OHV friendly region.

Market Readiness

Market readiness issues are similar to other regions. Good tourism focused web information, mapping, way-finding, trail design and continuity are all issues. These short-comings are not an issue for group events, but for the broader tourism market they are significant. To support or create a tourism targeted OHV product, a guided tour/rental service could be effective (especially in the absence of trail infrastructure components). Laurie Cranton in Margaree proposes doing exactly that. This business model would require significant investment and planning, but could result in an interesting new product.

Contact Information

Margaree ATV Ass Laurie Cranton ([email protected]) Highland ATV Club Rickey Harris ([email protected])

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Winter Trails.

1. Non-motorized winter trails Cross country skiing/snowshoe

Cross country ski opportunities exist throughout Cape Breton. This report includes formal (groomed) trail systems. The eastern highlands has a cluster of well-developed ski trails which represent a significant tourism opportunity.

Ski Tuonela – St Ann’s Bay A private business managing 18 kms of trails. This is a market ready product.

North Highland Ski trails- North Cape A community managed network of 11.5 km of groomed trails. The club is operated on a volunteer basis. A small trail fee is charged with seasonal memberships encouraged.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park The CBHNP no longer offers groomed trails, though many of their trails are available for non- trackset skiing. Exclusions include: Bog, Fishing Cove, Green Cove, Broad Cove Mountain, Freshwater Lake Look-off. All remaining are deemed skiable, but are not groomed: l'Acadien, Salmon Pool, Le chemin du Buttereau, Le Buttereau, Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge, Corney Brook, Skyline, Benjie’s Lake, MacIntosh Brook, Lone Shieling, Aspy, Mica Hill, Coastal, Jigging Cove, Jack Pine, Warren Lake, Branch Pond Look-off, Franey, Clyburn Valley, Middle Head, and Freshwater Lake.

Ben Eoin – Ski Resort, Ingonish Ben Eoin is a recreational resort facility centered around the Ben Eoin downhill ski hill. The facility offers over 10 kms of groomed country ski trails. Trail Lengths are: 3km, 2.2km, 1km, 3km, & 1.5km

2. Snowmobile

The snowmobile market is an important outdoor winter product in Cape Breton. The product provides off-season revenues to selected rural communities. While ATVs are discouraged to ride on groomed trails, ATVs with tracks are permitted.

Management

There are 400-500 km of groomed trails on the island. Snowmobile visitors can travel from Canso and other points on the mainland across the Cape Breton Island into the highland region. (SANS Zone 1 Route 104, 105). Out of province visitors can purchase trail passes from the Snowmobile Association of Nova Scotia (SANS). Residents can purchase permits from local businesses or snowmobile clubs.

Market Potential

We did not obtain traffic data for snowmobile trails, however visitor exit survey data shows that 4% of out of province visitors to Cape Breton are interested or participate in

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CAPE BRETON TRAIL REVIEW AND INVENTORY 38 snowmobiling. The data indicates that most are overseas visitors and are visiting friends and relatives.

Margaree and the highlands north and south are within a snow belt and have become a popular destination for snowmobile recreationists. The snow conditions are exceptional, even in low snow years. In years when there is less snow in other parts of the province, snowmobile traffic in central Cape Breton increases as much as 150%. Visitor traffic in Margaree is as high in winter as it is in the summer.

Market readiness

Snowmobile product is mature in Cape Breton. The trail system is well maintained, groomed and signed. Hubs for snowmobile tourism appear to be Margaree, Whycocomagh and Baddeck. Several businesses in these communities provide customized service to snowmobile customers. Mapping is available on the website.

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Conclusion and Recommendations

Cape Breton Island offers a tremendous scope of land-based trail opportunities, both for physical outdoor activities such as walking, hiking and cycling, and for motorized off-road recreation. This report provides an inventory of these activities and briefly reviews their potential and market-readiness as tourism products.

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National Park trails are largely market ready. They have an established mandate to provide trail experiences and standardized guidelines that guide their development and management. This does not suggest that these trails don’t have any shortcomings. However, they have, over time, planned and developed services, facilities, infrastructure and way-finding in order to serve the visitor or tourism market.

Outside the national parks, the tourism potential and market-readiness of trails is highly variable. Hiking trails are promoted in numerous web sites and brochures and usually, the visitor can find out enough information to decide whether the experience is one that they are seeking. However, for tourism agencies, there is no market-readiness metric for these trails.

Market Readiness

In 2010, the Atlantic Canada Trails project developed a market readiness matrix for non- motorized trails. The matrix is intended to assess the capability of trails as “destination products” and therefore it provides an evaluation of all attributes that contribute to a destination trail. As such it prioritizes consumer or market factors. The matrix is valuable as a developmental tool for all types of trails that are intended to have touristic value by identifying trail development, enhancement and remediation priorities, and should be used as a tool to standardize and form their own ACT that could be used by all clubs toward preparing their trails for market-readiness.

The ACT trail assessment tool (ACTTA) evaluates the complete scope of factors that determine whether a trail is market ready. In summary it evaluates the following:

 Scope and effectiveness of the web site  Tools for locating the trail  Sense of arrival and entry point  Navigation  Trail conditions  Trail design  Safety  Conservation  Theme/branding  Trail features and experience  Trail infrastructure  Amenities  Tourism services  Customer feedback

It is recommended that the ACT trail assessment tool be employed with trails that are considered potential tourism products. The citation assessment in this report can assist in identifying these trails. The ACCTA can be used to identify or determine development priorities and to assess market-readiness as a precursor or condition for promoting trails, especially to the inbound tourism market.

The Celtic Shores Trail used the ACT assessment to review and enhance its tourism market readiness as a cycling trail. As a result of this assessment, the trail made significant improvements to its brand, web site and infrastructure and ultimately has become a star tourism attraction in Nova Scotia.

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For the OHV market, market readiness is a significant issue if OHV trails are to be successful tourism products. This is particularly true if OHV trails are to develop a tourism market outside of club events such as rallies and fund-raising events. Market readiness tools (similar to the ACT market readiness assessment tool for non-motorized trails) have been developed in New Brunswick for emerging OHV trail products.

The exception is the snowmobile market. The snow-mobile market has developed approved routes and way-finding, web site tools and complete mapping including on line digital gps route information.

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Appendices

Appendix 1: Data-base of non-motorized trails on Cape Breton Island

Appendix 2: ATV clubs, trails and trail networks in Cape Breton

Appendix 3: Detailed maps: Isle Royal and Marconi Trails

Appendix 4: Detailed maps: Baddeck and area ATV trail network

Appendix 5: Stakeholder comments on ATV product potential

Appendix 6: Hiking trails ranked by the number of citations

Appendix 7: Information on The Blue Route

(Please note the following as it pertains to the map found in appendix 7: The Blue Route Planning Status Map presents the latest version of Blue Route network plans prepared by Bicycle Nova Scotia and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. The map illustrates the status of plans for the Blue Route, primarily on Provincial roads and trails on Crown Land. Plans for routes outside of provincial jurisdiction will be added, as they are determined through consultation with municipalities. Gaps between the routes shown on the map will be closed, once plans for local areas have been completed.

“Blue Route Open” indicates routes that have been officially opened with signs along road and trail.

“Proposed Blue Route (On Road)” indicates the proposed Blue Route on the road network.

“Potential Trail Links” indicates existing or proposed trails that are being considered as candidates for the Blue Route network. Agreements with trail associations and trail managers are required before designation and signing.

“Routes Under Review” indicates routes that are still being evaluated. More information is required to determine preferred routing for these areas.)

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Index:

Abbreviation Meaning h Hiking s Snowshoeing b Biking x Cross-county skiing u Unknown

Cape Breton Trail Inventory

Hiking and Walking Trails

Federal

Dist. Entry Wash- Prev # of Location (km) Features Coastal Management point* rooms interpretation Duration Users Citations inventory Lat Long citations

Cape Breton Highlands National Park Ocean and mountain Parks PC, HCB, MH, Mb, TP, Acadian CBNP 8.4 scenery - Canada yes yes yes 3h H, S TNS, VT, DCB EPG 46.645326, -60.946281 7 Parks H,B,X, PC, HCB, MH, Tp, TNS, - Salmon Pools CBNP 12.2 River Canyon - Canada yes no no 4h S NG, VT, DCB, T EPG 46.64488407 60.94606642 9 Coastal views, Parks H, B, - Le Chemin du Buttereau CBNP 4.6 Acadian history - Canada yes - yes 1.5h X, S PC, TNS, DCB, VT EPG 46.65556 60.948357 4 Coastal views, Parks H, B, X, PC, HCB,MH, TNS, HtH, - Le Buttereau CBNP 1.6 Acadian history yes Canada yes - yes 0.7h S VT EPG 46.692866516, 60.95657979 6 Coastal views, Parks HB, X, - Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge CBNP 9 Acadian history yes Canada yes - yes 3h S PC, HCB, MH, VT, DCB - 46.7198526, 60.92975779 5 Parks PC, TNS, , EBS, VT, DCB, - Corney Brook CBNP 6.5 Canyon, waterfall - Canada yes no no 2 h HX, S T, TP EPG 46.725580 60.924757 6 Parks PC, HCB, MH, Mb, TNS, - Skyline CBNP 9.2 Headland cliff, ocean yes Canada yes yes yes 2.5h H,X, S HtH, VT, DCB, T, TP EPG 46.7374173, 60.87904235 10 Parks - Bog CBNP 0.5 Highland bog - Canada yes yes yes 0.25h H, S PC, TNS, VT, DCB, TP EPG 46.742037 60.827493 5 Parks - Benjie's Lake CBNP 3 Boreal forest, lake - Canada yes - - 1.5h H,X, S PC, TNS, VT, DCB, TP EPG 46.747348 60.821458 5 Ocean cove, Parks PC, HCB, MH, Mb, TNS, Fishing Cove CBNP 12 headlands yes Canada yes yes - 5h H, S HtH, ENS, VT, DCB, T, TP EPG 46.761500764, -60.8342637 11 Parks PC, TNS, HtH, ENS, VT, - MacIntosh Brook CBNP 1.7 Waterfall - Canada yes yes - 1h H, X, S DCB EPG 46.811806 60.767669 6 Parks - Lone Shieling CBNP 0.6 Old growth - Canada yes - yes 0.25h HX, S PC, Mb, ENS, VT, DCB - 46.809804 60.733019 5 Parks H, B, X, PC, HCB, MH, TNS, DCB, Aspy CBNP 9.6 Forest/river/fault - Canada yes - - 2.3h S VT,HtH, ENS, TP - 46.814778, -60.626494 9 Parks - Mica Hill CBNP 7.9 Upland taiga - Canada yes - - 3.5h H, X, S PC, VCHC, HtH, VT, DCB - 46.834629 60.434124 5 Parks PC, MH, VCHT, TNS, - Jack Pine CBNP 2.3 Coastline yes Canada yes no yes 1h H,X, S HtH, VT, DCB EPG 46.778569 60.332248 7 Coastal views, Parks PC, HCB, MH, VCHT, - Coastal CBNP 11.3 headlands yes Canada yes yes - 4.5h H, X, S TNS, VT, DCB, T EPG 46.778375646, 60.33211408 8 Parks PC, VCHT, TNS, HtH, VT, - Jigging Cove CBNP 2.4 Lake yes Canada yes no - 2.5h H, X, S DCB EPG 46.787754 60.346626 6 Parks - Green Cove CBNP 0.2 coastline yes Canada yes - yes 0.25h H PC, VCHT, VT, DCB - 46.750779 60.324785 4 Ocean and mountain Parks PC, VCHT, TNS, HtH, VT, - Broad Cove Mountain CBNP 2.3 scenery - Canada yes - yes 1h H, S DCB - 46.715114: 60.370568 6 Parks H,X, B, PC, HCB, VCHT, Mb, - Warren Lake CBNP 4.7 Lake - Canada yes yes - 1.3h S TNS, HtH, VT, DCB, T EPG 46.712958085, 60.38424969 9 Parks H,B, X, PC, MH, VCHT, TNS, - Branch Pond Look-off CBNP 8.1 Mountain scenery - Canada yes - - 4.5h S HtH, VT, DCB, T EPG 46.75301 60.364957 8 PC, HCB, MH, VCHT, Ocean and mountain Parks H, B, X, Mb, TNS, HtH, VT, DCB, ,- Franey CBNP 7.4 scenery - Canada yes No - 3.5h S T, TP EPG 46.6611204 60.4228403 11 Ocean and mountain scenery, old gold Parks H, B, X, PC, HCB, VCHT, TNS, - Clyburn Valley CBNP 8.5 mine - Canada yes no - 2h S NG, VT, DCB, T, TP EPG 46.6584041, 60.40653253 9 PC, HCB, MH, VCHT, Parks Mb, TNS, HtH, VT, DCB, ,- Middle Head CBNP 3.8 Coastal headland yes Canada yes - - 1.5h H, S, X NG, T, TP EPG 46.6553319 60.3721126 12 Parks - Freshwater Lake Look-off CBNP 0.3 Coastal views no Canada yes - - 0.5h H, S PC, VCHT, TNS, VT, DCB EPG 46.64601 60.402759 5 Parks H, B, X, PC, VCHT, TNS, HtH, VT, - Freshwater Lake CBNP 1.7 Coastal views yes Canada yes yes - 0.6h S DCB, TP EPG 46.650291 60.390789 7 Total National Park trails (kms) 139.8

Dist. Number Entry Wash- Prev of Location (km) Features Coastal Management point* rooms interpretation Duration Users Citations inventory Lat Long citations

Louisbourg National Historic site Coastal views and views of Fortress Parks Old Town trail Louisbourg 2.25 Louisbourg yes Canada yes - yes n/a H PC - n/a n/a 1 Coastal Connections Coastal Trail views and Association, views of license of occupation Fortress with Parks Lighthouse Trail Louisbourg 5 Louisbourg yes Canada yes - yes n/a H PC, Mb - n/a n/a 2 Mi'kmaw Parks Mi'kmaw Trail Louisbourg 0.35 heritage yes Canada yes - yes n/a H PC, HNS, VT ECB n/a n/a 3 eighteenth C Parks Royal Battery Trail Louisbourg 0.7 fortification yes Canada - - yes n/a H PC - n/a n/a 1 Parks Wolfs Redoubt Trail Louisbourg 0.1 " yes Canada - - yes n/a H PC - n/a n/a 1 Coastal views and views of Louisbourg Parks Simon Point Trail Louisbourg 0.8 battlefield yes Canada - - - n/a H PC, Mb, VT ECB n/a n/a 3 eighteenth C Parks Ruins Walk Louisbourg 2.3 town ruins yes Canada yes - yes n/a H PC - n/a n/a 1

Total Louisbourg trails (kms) 11.5

Provincial (provincial park trails) Dist. Entry Wash- Prev # of Location (km) Features Coastal Management point* rooms interpretation Duration Users Citations inventory Lat Long citations

Coastal views and historic 60 52 Battery park St Peters 1.5 fortifications yes NS DNR yes yes yes n/a H NSP, MH, VT ECB 45 39 25.28 0.35 3 Richmond 45 61 Lennox Co. 4 Coastal scenery yes NS DNR u yes u n/a H VT ECB 35.145 01.378 1 Richmond 60 Point Michaud Co. 12 Coastal scenery yes NS DNR u yes u 3.5h H HCB. MH, VT, T ECB 45 35.533 40.805 4 Views of Bras 61 Ben Eoin CBRM 1.5 d’Or Lake yes NS DNR u yes u n/a H Mb, TNS, VT, TP ECB 46 00.191 31.797 4 Views of Bras 60 Barrachois CBRM 2 d’Or Lake - NS DNR u yes u n/a H CBRM, Mb ECB 46 08.551 26.658 2 60°2' Mira River CBRM 2 Lake/river - NS DNR u yes u n/a H VT ECB 46°1' 33.62" 14.76" 1 Views of 60 Petersfield Park CBRM 7 Sydney Harbour - NS DNR u yes u n/a H Mb, TNS, VT ECB 46 08.632 13.439 3 CBRM, 60 Dalem Lake Victoria Co 2.2 Lake - NS DNR u yes u n/a H CBRM, TNS, VT - 46 15.000 25.236 3 Views of St 60 St Ann's Victoria Co 0.5 Ann's Harbour - NS DNR u yes u n/a H - - 46 12.488 37.358 - HCB, MH, VCHT, Mb, TNS, 60 Uisage Ban Falls Victoria Co 1.5 Waterfall - NS DNR u yes u 1.2h H ENS, VT, T, TP - 46 12.181 46.580 9 HCB, MH, VCHT, Mb, TNH, 60 Cape Smokey Victoria Co 10 Ocean views yes NS DNR u yes u 3.5h H HtH, VT, T, TP - 46 35.687 22.779 9 Coastal scenery, historic 60 Cabot Landing Beach Victoria Co 4 marker yes NS DNR u yes u 1.5 h H VCHT, HtH, VT - 46 56.635 28.007 3 Inverness Lake O'Law Co u u - u u n/a H VT EPG - - 1

Whycocomagh Provincial Inverness Views of Bras Mb, TNS, DCB, 61°6' Park: Salt Mountain Trail Co 2.2 d’Or Lake - NS DNR u yes u n/a H VT, T, TP - 45°58' 5.14" 35.67" 6 Inverness 46 West Mabou Beach Co 15 Beach dunes - NS DNR u yes u n/a H - EPG 46 04.333 04.333 - Inverness 61 Port Hood Beach Co Coastal scenery yes NS DNR u yes u n/a H - - 46 00.191 31.797 -

Total provincial park trails (kms) 65.4

Community and Municipal Hiking Trails

Dist. Entry Wash- Prev # of Location (km) Features Coastal Management point* rooms interpretation Duration Users Citations inventory Lat Long citations

Richmond Co (community and municipal trails) Woodlands, stream (includes MH, Port Stora woodlands TNS, VT, Port Hawkesbury Community Trail Hawkesbury 9 Trails) - u u u u 3-4 h X T - 45.38399 61.2041 4

Little River Reservoir Lower River 10.5 Woodlands - u u u u 2-3h H,B MH, VT EPG n/a n/a 2 Dundee HCB, Pringle Mountain area 13.5 Lakes/hills - u u u u 4 h Mb, VT EPG 45.7494683 60.965023 3 Cape George Dundee 2 Lake scenery - u u u u 1 hr B,A VT EPG n/a n/a 1

Delorier Island Ile Madame 9 Coastal scenery yes u u u u VT EPG n/a n/a 1 HCB, Isle Ile Madame Mb, Cape Auguet Madame 9 Coastal scenery yes dev. u u yes NST, TP EPG 46.1653315 -61.4347764 4 HCB, Richmond TNH. VT, St Peters Coastal Trail Co. 10 Coastal scenery yes u u yes yes 2h BH T EPG 45.65566055 60.87338116 4 Framboise River Falls Trail Framboise 3 Waterfall yes u u u u H TP - n/a n/a Framboise Beach Framboise 8 Coastal scenery yes u u u u 2-3h H,A MH, T - 45.70501 -60.328252 2 HCB, MH, VT, Capelin Cove Framboise 16 Coastal scenery yes u u u u 4-6 h H,A T, TP EPG 45.695329 -60.343956 4 Fox Cove Gabarus u Coastal scenery yes u u u u H Mb, VT - n/a n/a 2

Total Richmond Co. 90

Cape Breton Co (community and municipal trails)

Dist. Entry Wash- Prev # of Location (km) Features Coastal Management point* rooms interpretation Duration Users Citations inventory Lat Long citations Urban

Munroe Park N Sydney 0.6 Harbour views yes CBRM u u u n/a H CBRM - n/a n/a 1

Indian Beach N Sydney 0.5 Harbour views yes CBRM u u u n/a H CBRM - n/a n/a 1

Frenchvale Brook Trail Frenchvale Woodland - CBRM u u u n/a H CBRM, VT - n/a n/a 2

Sydney Boardwalk Sydney 2.2 Urban waterfront yes CBRM u u u n/a H CBRM - n/a n/a 1

Wentworth Park Sydney 1 Urban park - CBRM u u u 0.5 h H CBRM - n/a n/a 1

Open Hearth Park Sydney 1.2 Industrial history - CBRM u u u 0.5 h H CBRM - n/a n/a 1

Whitney Pier Sydney 1.7 Industrial history yes CBRM u u u n/a H CBRM, VT EPG n/a n/a 2

Bill Davis Trail N Waterford 2 Industrial history - CBRM u u u 0.5h H CBRM - n/a n/a 1

John Bernard Croak Glace Bay 1.3 Urban park - CBRM u u u n/a H CBRM - n/a n/a 1

Scotchtown Summit Park N Waterford n/a Industrial history - CBRM u u u n/a H CBRM - n/a n/a 1

Renwick Park Walking Path Glace Bay 1.6 Urban park - CBRM u u u n/a H CBRM - n/a n/a 1

Cape Breton Co (community and municipal trails) Entry point Wash- interpre Prev # of Location Dist. (km) Features Coastal Management * rooms tation Duration Users Citations inventory Lat Long citations Nature Trails and other MH, Mb, Winging Point, Gull Cove, Belfry Coastal TNS, VT, T, Gut Gabarus 21 scenery/headlands yes u u u u 7-8 h H, A TP EPG 45.827946 60.1371762 6 Coastal scenery and historic Kennington Cove Louisburg 8 battlefield yes u u u u 2 h H, B, X HCB,NST, VT EPG 45.875624, 60.064427 3 Devils Hill falls Louisburg stream/waterfall u u u u n/a H Mb, VT - n/a n/a 2 HCB ,NST, Coastal MH, VT, T, Louisburg Lighthouse Louisburg 13 scenery/headlands yes u u u u 3-4h H TP EPG 45.9067218 59.9573407 6 Big Lorraine Harbour Lorraine u u u u H VT - n/a n/a 1 Coastal Gooseberry Cove Lorraine 7.5 scenery/headlands yes u u u u 2.5h H HCB, Mb, VT EPG 45.9396776 59.8992616 3 Coastal Cape Breton trail Lorraine 14.5 scenery/headlands yes u u u u 2.5h H,A,Sm MH, NST, VT EPG 45.954838 59.829215 3 Community/Prov ye Two Rivers Wildlife Park Mira 4.5 Woodlands/lake ince s yes 5h H,X MH, NST, VT EPG 45.55493 69.17536 3 Main a dieu boardwalk Main a dieu 0.5 Coastal scenery yes u u u u n/a H VT EPG n/a n/a 1 Moque Head Main a dieu 3 Coastal scenery yes u u u u 1 h H Mb, VT, TP EPG n/a n/a 3 South Head trail C Morien 3 Coastal scenery Yes u u u u 1 h H VT EPG n/a n/a 1 Cape Perce Glace Bay 8.5 Coastal scenery yes u u u u n/a H Mb, VT EPG 46.1787463 59.8385264 1 Schooner Pond Cove Glace Bay 10 Coastal scenery yes u u u u n/a H, I VT EPG n/a n/a 1 Leif Ericson Trail C Forchu 1 Coastal scenery yes u u u u n/a H - n/a n/a Baille Ard Trails Sydney 3 Brooks/woodlands u u u u n/a H, X Mb, VT EPG n/a n/a 3 CBRM, MH, Mb, NG, VT, Coxheath Trail Coxheath 9.5 Woodland scenery Coxheath Hills WRA u u u 3h H,B T - 46.0762284 60.2987 6 Island View Falls/MacIntosh Falls Eskasoni 2 Waterfall u u u u 1-2h H Mb, VT - n/a n/a 2 CBRM, Mb, East Bay Hills Trail East Bay 3 Woodland u u u u 2 h H TNS, VT - n/a n/a 4 Goat Island Trail Eskasoni 2.5 Heritage Trail Yes Yes 2 h H CBRM - n/a n/a 1 Woodland, abandoned Cowbay Road Trail Sydney 8 farmland u u u u n/a H, B,X,A,Sm VT, TNS - n/a n/a 2 Barrachois Mountain Gorge Barrachois 10 Woodland, stream u u u u 2.5h H,A HCB, VT, Mb - 46.1338561 60.4440845 3 Old Branch Road N Sydney 7 Rail Trail u u u u n/a H,B,A NG, VT EPG n/a n/a 2 Frenchvale and Area Community Frenchvale Brook Walking Trail Balls Creek 1.4 Woodland Brook Endeavours u u u n/a H VT - n/a n/a 1 Total Cape Breton Co (municipal and community trails) 153

Dist. Manage Entry Wash- interpret Prev # of Location (km) Features Coastal ment point* rooms ation Duration Users Citations inventory Lat Long citations

Victoria Co (community trails) 46.2298666 -60.50799 Seal Island Kelly’s mountain Trail Bridge 6 Lake Scenery - u u u u 2.4h H HCB, TNS, VT - 3

Ross Ferry Trail Big Harbour 0.5 Historic ferry site - u u u u 0.35h H VCHT - n/a n/a 1

Blackhead Road Englishtown 8 Coastal Scenery yes u u u u 2-3h H HCB - 46.296837 60.5202871 1 Cave/coastal Scenery (NS protected Cape Dauphin Englishtown 5.5 wilderness area) yes u u u u 2h H HCB, VCHT, Mb, VT, TP EPG 46.3418003 -60.4202741 5 Kidston Island Baddeck 2 Lake Scenery - u u u u n/a H - n/a n/a Mountain Bald Mountain Baddeck 18 scenery - u u u u 5h H HCB, VCHT, Mb, VT - 46.199698 60.716427 4

Red Island St Ann’s Bay 4 Coastal Scenery yes u u u u 1.5h H,A HCB, MH, HtH, VT, T - 46.3485962 60.5360815 5 Historic site of Boiler Trail Baddeck mill and boiler - u u u u n/a H, A,Sm VCHT - n/a n/a 1 North River Falls NR Waterfall (NS Little Falls, NR Big protected HCB, MH, VCHT, Mb, Falls) Victoria Co 20 wilderness area) - u u u u 6h H TNS, TP, ENS, VT, T EPG 46.3182212 60.6612715 9 MH, VCHT, Mb, TNS, White Point White Point 6 Coastal Scenery yes u u u u 1.5h H DCB, VT, T, TP EPG 46.8761693 60.3523163 8 HCB, MH, Mb, VT, T, Sugarloaf Trail Aspy Bay 3.5 Coastal Scenery - u u u u 2h H TP EPG 46.95344317 60.46114961 6

Coastal Money Point Trails Capstick/Bay headlands and HCB,MH, VCHT, HtH, 47.00284261 (MPt Gulch, MP Light) St Lawrence 13.5 scenery yes u u u u 5.5h H,B, A,X,Sm NG, VT, T, TP EPG 2, 60.45605658 8 Mountain and Tenerife Mountain Aspy Bay 4 coastal scenery - u u u u 2-3 h H TP, VCHT, HtH, VT - n/a n/a 4

Total Victoria Co 91

Dist. Entry Wash- Prev # of Location (km) Features Coastal Management point* rooms interpretation Duration Users Citations inventory Lat Long citations

Inverness Co (community and municipal) Coastal Meat Cove Look-off, Cape St headlands and DCB, Hth, ENS, MH, Lawrence, Lowlands Cove Meat Cove 17 scenery yes u u u u 5-6 h B,H,A,Sm,X VT, T, TP EPG 47 01 35.2 68 33 33.3 6 Brook/ coastal Meat Cove Boardwalk Meat Cove 0.5 scenery yes u yes u u n/a H Little Grassy Trail Meat Cove 1.5 Coastal scenery yes u u u u 1h H Mb, VT - 47 01.573 60 33.620 2 Coastal/mountain VCHC, Mb, DCB, VT, Meat Cove Mountain Meat Cove 4 scenery, - u u u u 1.5h H TP - 47.0195707 60.5624361 5 Coastal headlands and Pollett’s Cove Red River 16 scenery yes u u u u 6-8h H MH, HtH, NG, T, TP - 46.87268011 60.74326694 5 Coastal/mountain HCB, MH, Mb, HtH, Roberts Mountain Pleasant Bay 3.5 scenery, - u u u u 2.2h H VT, T - 46.83441204 60.78919817 6

Gypsum Mine Cheticamp 10 Old mine site - u u u u n/a H,B,X,A,Sm Mb, TP, VT - n/a n/a 3 Doyles Bridge Trail Margaree 3 River, woodlands - u u u u n/a H -

Private (Browns Bed and Eagles nest Trail Margaree 1.5 River, woodlands - Breakfast) u u u n/a H TNS, VT - n/a n/a 2 Big Interval Trail Portree 5 River, woodlands - u u u u n/a H VT - n/a n/a 1 Inverness beach boardwalk Inverness 2 Coastal scenery yes u u u u n/a H VT - n/a n/a 1

Broad Cove Chapel Inverness 12 Coastal scenery - u u u u 3h B,H,A,Sm HCB, MH, VT EPG 46.255635 61.268226 2

Egypt Falls Scotsville 13.5 Waterfall. - u u u u 4h H,B,A,X,Sm HCB, Mb, ENS, VT, T EPG 46.19615 61.1237748 5 Cape Mabou Highlands Hiking Trails (17 hiking trails within the BH network; see Coastal/mountain Cape Mabou HCB, MH, Mb, NG, VT, notes) Mabou 30 scenery, yes Hiking Club u u u n/a H,B,A,X,Sm T EPG 46 08 31.6 61 26 48.2 6 Port Hood Boardwalk Port Hood 1 Coastal scenery yes u u u u n/a H EPG n/a n/a Province of NS and Nature MacFarlane Woods Inverness Co Conservancy - u u u u n/a H VT - n/a n/a 1 Mable Marble Mountain Mountain 3 Lake views - u u u u n/a H VT EPG n/a n/a 1 Lewis Mountain Trail Aberdeen 8 Stream/woodlands - u u u u 4-5h H,A,Sm Mb, NG, T - n/a n/a 3 Whycocomag Logans Glen Falls h 0.5 Waterfall. - u u u u 1 h H VT - n/a n/a 3

Denys River Melford 9 Mountain scenery - u u u u 2.5h B,H,A,X,Sn MH, NG, T EPG n/a n/a 1 Port Ghost Beach Hawkesbury 7.5 Coastal scenery yes u u u u 2-3 h H,A T - 45 38 53.4 61 24 46.0 1 HCB, MH, Mb, TNS, Celtic Shores Trail 92 Inverness Trails yes u u u u n/a B,H,A,X,Sn ENS, VT, DCB, T, NG EPG n/a n/a 9

Total Inverness Co. 240.5

Cycling Trails

Dist. Entry Wash- Prev # of Location (km) Features Coastal Management point* rooms interpretation Duration Users Citations inventory Lat Long citations

Mountain Bike Trails 28 Hills and CBHNP woodland Lake of Islands km scenery - u u u u n/a B n/a - n/a n/a u 30 Hills and CBHNP woodland Pembroke Lake km scenery - u u u u n/a B n/a EPG n/a n/a u River Salmon Pools CBHNP Parks - 12.2 Canyon - Canada yes yes yes n/a H,B,X n/a EPG 46.64488407 60.94606642 u Mountain - Branch Pond Look-out CBHNP Parks 8.1 Scenery - Canada yes n/a H,B n/a EPG 46.75301 60.364957 u

Linear Trails Inverness Celtic Shores Trail 92 Trails yes u u u u n/a B,H,A,X,Sn n/a EPG n/a n/a u

Cross Country Ski Trails Ski Tuonela Ski Tuonela St Ann’s 25 Woodlands - Resort u u u n/a n/a - - n/a n/a n/a North Cape Highland Ski North Highland Nordic Ski Trails North 11.75 Woodlands - Club u u u n/a n/a - EPG 46 53 06.7 60 29 32.2 n/a Ben Coastal Ben Eoin Ski Ben Eoin Eoin 11.5 scenery - Resort yes yes - n/a n/a - - n/a n/a n/a Black Brook CBHNP n/a Wildlands CBHNP u u u n/a n/a - n/a n/a n/a Mountain - Warren Lake CBHNP 4.7 scenery CBHNP yes yes u n/a n/a - 46.712958085, 60.38424969 n/a Mountain - Broad Cove CBHNP 2.3 scenery CBHNP yes yes u n/a n/a EPG 46.715114: 60.370568 n/a Mountain - Clyburn River Valley CBHNP 8.5 scenery CBHNP yes - u n/a n/a EPG 46.6584041, 60.40653253 n/a

Total Groomed x-country 63.75

Cape Breton Trail Inventory ATV Clubs

Trail network Club Location Trail description Contacts email phone Club name location

Isle Royale ATV Club Linked to Marconi, CBRM CBRM west crown and private Dan Fraser [email protected] Fraser White [email protected]

Marconi Trailblazers Linked to Ile Royale, [email protected] Glace bay CBRM East crown and private Allister MacLean

[email protected]

Links to highlands, Baddeck ATV Club extensive system of

Baddeck Victoria Co forestry roads Gram Menzies [email protected] 902 295-2922

Ray Asaph [email protected] 902-304-2397

Margaree ATV Club Partial use of snowmobile network,

Inverness links to highlands Laurie Cranton [email protected] 902 248-2726 Highland ATV Club Cheticamp Rickey Harris [email protected] 902-224-1889 David MacKinnon [email protected] Managed shared use, rail trail (TCT), Celtic Shores Trail large sections of coastal Jeff Stan [email protected] Blaise MacEachern [email protected]

Well-developed Isle Madame ATV Club system connecting Richmond communities, Isle Madame Co primarily local use Tony Pierce [email protected] 902-631-0825

East Richmond ATV Club Rail trail section, St Peters shared use Ann Carter [email protected] 902-535-2283 Some coastal trail L'Ardoise ATV Club with more extensive system inland, local L'Ardoise use Ewan MacDonald [email protected] 902-587-2986 Greg Samson [email protected] 902-227-8672

Snowmobile Trails

All of Cape Inverness Links causeway to Stan Slack, Mike SANS Zone 1 and Victoria highlands, scenic, Breton Co snow belt Eddy

Cabot Snowmobile Club Sydney Richard Joseph

Crowdis Mountain Baddeck Darren Baker Cape Clear Snowmobile Port Club Hawkesbury Richard Jamieson Highland Trail Groomers Cheticamp Glen Aucoin

Margaree Highlanders Margaree Darrell Taylor Dale McLean, David Inverness Capes Inverness McLean

Alpine Snowmobile Club :Port Hood Leonard Toby

Appendix 3: Ile Royale and Marconi Trails

Appendix 4

January 19, 2016

Cape Breton Trail Review and Inventory-Draft Report Dated January 2016

Market Readiness

In reviewing the Market Readiness of trails, the consultants highlight Snowmobile Tourism as being mature in Cape Breton. Of course, this relates to the Highlands area with connections to communities such as Margaree, Whycocomagh, and Baddeck. In reality, Cheticamp, North River, and other communities with any ties to the Highlands can also be considered in relation to this sport and it’s potential.

What seems to be missing is the reality that all or most of the trails used by Snowmobilers in the winter months are shared and used by ATV’s as soon as the snow is gone or no longer suitable for snowmobilers and not used by snowmobilers until the snow is again plentiful often in January.

These shared trails are then available to ATV Riders to enjoy and explore the Highlands which provides a totally different perspective of these areas. The maps produced by the Snowmobile organization are for the most part, equally adapted for ATV Riders.

The one issue that would have to be addressed is the signage situation where the Snowmobilers remove them in the summer and return them in late fall. The reason for such action is to protect the signs from those who might steal them or damage them. There are ways to work this out between the two groups and in particular since many Snowmobilers also ride ATV’s.

In like manner, the consultants, due to costs and time constraints were not able to actually visit ATV Trails in the Industrial Area and could only take a quick look at a couple of Trail Heads and discuss the shortfalls of local trails. One of the biggest shortfalls being the lack of signage. Maps are under production and for sure, all of the GIS information is available at the Club level but, not at the moment available to others. That will change as we move forward.

However, in spite of the foregoing, there are opportunities now for attracting ATV Riders to Cape Breton to spend time ATVing in some fantastic areas. As noted on the GO Riding Video, great scenery, great people, great opportunities to take in other attractions during an ATV Riding vacation.

Possibilities could be as follows:

Offering a package for ATV Riders that would include

First night of accommodations in the Nyanza area or Baddeck or Saint Ann’s

Next morning leave for Wreck Cove, tour the Highlands including the flowage sites, Cape Clear and travel over the mountain into Margaree. Stay a night at the Normaway or Cranton’s Cottages,

Next morning leave Margaree and travel to Cheticamp, tour this area and see lots of sites with tremendous views and depart area back to Wreck Cove.

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From Wreck Cove, visitors would again stay overnight in the area or, perhaps leave and go to other locations to visit Graham Bell Museum, head towards Sydney and on to Louisbourg etc.

Costs would include, accommodations, food, fuel, Trail Guide (highly recommended in the Highlands)

Such a package would require at least three nights of accommodations. But, it is possible to offer shorter trips with fewer nights or a variety of alternate trails such as from Middle River into the Highlands or over to Lake Ainsley and then into the Highlands for either a one or two-day trip. It all depends on what is the most attractive for visitors.

Similar trips can easily be organized in the CBRM on the trails, once again, signage is an issue at this time. But soon the maps will be available that will assist greatly for visitors who wish to take an ATV vacation.

Other possibilities could include starting out at the Normaway Inn or Cranton Cottages and one day go into Cheticamp and return and another day, up into the Highlands on a second day and back to the Normaway or Cranton Cottages. Meals at these facilities, fuel, box lunches plus directions and a guide could easily be arranged.

The foregoing is just a sample of what is possible in relation to ATV Vacations in Cape Breton. Guides are available, accommodations are also in place as is fuel, food and lots of great scenery and experiences.

The only thing required is for someone or several someone’s to organize these events.

We frequently receive emails or phone calls seeking information about ATV travel especially in the Highlands. When we host ATV Runs into this area and we send out information to other ATV Clubs in the province, it is not uncommon to have ATV enthusiasts join in the fun.

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Type Location Name Citations (see report) National PC, HCB, MH, VCHT, Mb, TNS, HtH, Park CBHNP Middle Head VT, DCB, NG, T, TP 12 PC, HCB, MH, Mb, TNS, HtH, ENS, " CBHNP Fishing Cove VT, DCB, T, TP 11 PC, HCB, MH, VCHT, Mb, TNS, HtH, " CBHNP Franey VT, DCB, T, TP 11 PC, HCB, MH, Mb, TNS, HtH, VT, " CBHNP Skyline DCB, T, TP 10 PC, HCB, MH, Tp, TNS, NG, VT, " CBHNP Salmon Pools DCB, T 9 PC, HCB, MH, TNS, DCB, VT,HtH, " CBHNP Aspy ENS, TP 9 PC, HCB, VCHT, Mb, TNS, HtH, VT, " CBHNP Warren Lake DCB, T 9 PC, HCB, VCHT, TNS, NG, VT, DCB, " CBHNP Clyburn Valley T, TP 9 Uisage Ban HCB, MH, VCHT, Mb, TNS, ENS, VT, NSPP Falls T, TP 9 Cape HCB, MH, VCHT, Mb, TNH, HtH, VT, " Smokey T, TP 9 HCB, MH, VCHT, Mb, TNS, TP, ENS, Community VC North River Falls VT, T 9 HCB, MH, Mb, TNS, ENS, VT, DCB, " IC Celtic Shores Trail T, NG 9 National PC, HCB, MH, VCHT, TNS, VT, DCB, Park CBHNP Coastal T 8 PC, MH, VCHT, TNS, HtH, VT, DCB, " CBHNP Branch Pond Look-off T 8 Community VC White Point MH, VCHT, Mb, TNS, DCB, VT, T, TP 8 " VC Money Point HCB,MH, VCHT, HtH, NG, VT, T, TP 8 National PC, HCB, MH, Mb, TP, TNS, VT, Park CBHNP Acadian DCB 7 " CBHNP Jack Pine PC, MH, VCHT, TNS, HtH, VT, DCB 7 " CBHNP Freshwater Lake PC, VCHT, TNS, HtH, VT, DCB, TP 7 " CBHNP Le Buttereau PC, HCB,MH, TNS, HtH, VT 6 " CBHNP Corney Brook PC, TNS, , EBS, VT, DCB, T, TP 6 " CBHNP MacIntosh Brook PC, TNS, HtH, ENS, VT, DCB 6 " CBHNP Jigging Cove PC, VCHT, TNS, HtH, VT, DCB 6 " CBHNP Broad Cove Mountain PC, VCHT, TNS, HtH, VT, DCB 6 NSPP Whycocomagh Provincial Park: Salt Mountain Trail Mb, TNS, DCB, VT, T, TP 6 Community CBRM Winging Point, Gull Cove, Belfry Gut MH, Mb, TNS, VT, T, TP 6 " CBRM Louisbourg Lighthouse HCB ,NST, MH, VT, T, TP 6 " CBRM Coxheath Trail CBRM, MH, Mb, NG, VT, T 6 " VC Sugarloaf Trail HCB, MH, Mb, VT, T, TP 6 " IC Meat Cove/Lowlands Cove DCB, Hth, ENS, MH, VT, T, TP 6 " IC Roberts Mountain HCB, MH, Mb, HtH, VT, T 6

" IC Cape Mabou Highlands HCB, MH, Mb, NG, VT, T 6 National Park CBHNP Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge PC, HCB, MH, VT, DCB 5 " CBHNP Bog PC, TNS, VT, DCB, TP 5 " CBHNP Benjie's Lake PC, TNS, VT, DCB, TP 5 " CBHNP Lone Shieling PC, Mb, ENS, VT, DCB 5 " CBHNP Glasgow Lakes Extension PC, VCHC, HtH, VT, DCB 5 CBHNP Freshwater Lake Look-off PC, VCHT, TNS, VT, DCB 5 Community VC Cape Dauphin HCB, VCHT, Mb, VT, TP 5 " VC Red Island HCB, MH, HtH, VT, T 5 " IC Meat Cove Mountain VCHC, Mb, DCB, VT, TP 5 " IC Pollett’s Cove MH, HtH, NG, T, TP 5 " IC Egypt Falls HCB, Mb, ENS, VT, T 5 National Park CBHNP Le Chemin du Buttereau PC, TNS, DCB, VT 4 " CBHNP Green Cove PC, VCHT, VT, DCB 4 Point NSPP Michaud HCB. MH, VT, T 4 NSPP Ben Eoin Mb, TNS, VT, TP 4 Community RC Port Hawkesbury Community Trail MH, TNS, VT, T 4 " RC St Peters Coastal Trail HCB, TNH. VT, T 4 " RC Cape Auguet HCB, Mb, NST, TP 4 " RC Capelin Cove HCB, MH, VT, T, TP 4 " CBRM East Bay Hills Trail CBRM, Mb, TNS, VT 4 " VC Bald Mountain HCB, VCHT, Mb, VT 4 " VC Tenerife Mountain TP, VCHT, HtH, VT 4 " CBHNP Mica Hill HCB, VCHT, TNS 3 " LNHS Mi'kmaw Trail PC, HNS, VT 3 : LNHS Simon Point Trail PC, Mb, VT 3 NSPP Battery park NSP, MH, VT 3 Petersfield NSPP Park Mb, TNS, VT 3 NSPP Dalem Lake CBRM, TNS, VT 3 NSPP Cabot Landing Beach VCHT, HtH, VT 3 Community RC Pringle Mountain HCB, Mb, VT 3 " CBRM Kennington Cove HCB,NST, VT 3 " CBRM Gooseberry Cove HCB, Mb, VT 3 " CBRM Cape Breton trail MH, NST, VT 3 " CBRM Two Rivers Wildlife Park MH, NST, VT 3 " CBRM Moque Head Mb, VT, TP 3 " CBRM Barrachois Mountain Gorge HCB, VT, Mb 3 " VC Kelly’s mountain Trail HCB, TNS, VT 3 " IC Gypsum Mine Mb, TP, VT 3 " IC Lewis Mountain Trail Mb, NG, T 3 " IC Two Rivers Wildlife Park Trail MH, TNS, VT 3 " IC Denys River MH, NG, T 3 " LNHS Lighthouse Trail PC, Mb 2 NSPP Barrachois CBRM, Mb 2 NSPP Plaster Provincial Park TNS, VT 2 Community RC Framboise Beach MH, T 2 " RC Little River Reservoir MH, VT 2 " RC Fox Cove Mb, VT 2 " CBRM Frenchvale Brook Trail CBRM, VT 2 " CBRM Whitney Pier CBRM, VT 2 " CBRM Devils Hill falls Mb, VT 2 " CBRM Baille Ard Trails Mb, VT 2 " CBRM Island View Falls/MacIntosh Falls Mb, VT 2 " CBRM Cowbay Road Trail VT, TNS 2 " CBRM Old Branch Road NG, VT 2 " VC St Anne Bay Trail NST, VT 2 " VC Devil's Hills Falls MB, VT 2 " IC Little Grassy Trail Mb, VT 2 " IC Eagles nest Trail TNS, VT 2 " IC Broad Cove Chapel MH, VT 2 " LNHS Old Town trail PC 1 " LNHS Royal Battery Trail PC 1 " LNHS Wolfs Redoubt Trail PC 1 " LNHS Ruins Walk PC 1 NSPP Lennox VT 1 NSPP Mira River VT 1 NSPP Lake O'Law VT 1 Community RC Delorier Island VT 1 " RC Cape George VT 1 " CBRM Munroe Park CBRM 1 " CBRM Indian Beach CBRM 1 " CBRM Sydney Boardwalk CBRM 1 " CBRM Wentworth Park CBRM 1 " CBRM Open Hearth Park CBRM 1 " CBRM Bill Davis Trail CBRM 1 " CBRM John Bernard Croak CBRM 1 " CBRM Scotchtown Summit Park CBRM 1 " CBRM Renwick Park Walking Path CBRM 1 " CBRM Big Lorraine Harbour VT 1 " CBRM Main-a-Dieu boardwalk VT 1 " CBRM South Head trail VT 1 " CBRM Cape Perce Mb, VT 1 " CBRM Schooner Pond Cove VT 1 " CBRM Goat Island Trail CBRM 1 " VC Frenchvale Brook Walking Trail VT 1 " VC Ross Ferry Trail VCHT 1 : VC Blackhead Road HCB 1 " VC Boiler Trail VCHT 1 " IC Cheticamp River Beach VT 1 " IC Big Interval Trail VT 1 " IC Inverness beach VT 1 " IC MacFarlane Woods VT 1 " IC Chestico VT 1 " IC Marble Mountain VT 1 " IC Logans Glen Falls VT 1 " IC Campbells Mountain Look-off VT 1 " IC Ghost Beach T 1

BLUE ROUTE VISION

The Blue Route is a province-wide bicycling network that connects communities in all 18 counties and links local Active Transportation networks

~3000km of connected bicycle routes designated on road, streets, and trails If 10% of Canadians moved more, Canada could save $2.5B in healthcare costs, and inject $7.5B into the national economy by 2040

Average ownership and operating costs of personal vehicles is $10,000/yr

Cycling in Halifax, Agricola St. Active Transportation facilities improve quality of life and make communities more attractive Property next to AT greenways consistently sells for more

Halifax Urban Greenway Outdoor enthusiasts spend $110 more per day on average in Nova Scotia

La Route Verte generates $134M annually and supports 200 jobs

Cycling in Halifax, Rocky Lake Rd. Bicycling accounts for 74% of the $2.7M generated annually by PEI’s Confederation Trail

In Greenville, SC, businesses adjacent to the Swamp Rabbit Trail reported 10-85% sales increases 3 years after the trial opened

Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, Inverness Cape Breton GAINING MOMENTUM

o 2007, Quebec launches the Route Verte

o 2007, NS Bike Summit asks why not here?

o 2009, BNS begins feasibility studies and consultations

o 2013, Blue Route included in Sustainable Transportation Strategy + TIR takes lead in government

o 2015, 1st Blue Route Segment

opens in Nova Scotia

Cycling the Cabot Trail FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIP

o The Blue Route currently is being funded through existing programs

o Since 2009, BNS has brought together resources to advance the Blue Route

o Application pending at ACOA, for $800,000 - largest ask to-date

o BNS seeks to align the Blue Route with other initiatives, i.e. TCT, municipal projects, Destination Trails.

Guysborough Waterfront MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

blueroute.ca BLUE ROUTE CONCEPT PLAN (DRAFT)

Trails Trails 15% 15% Paved Shoulders Paved Shoulders 41% 41%

Low Traffic Routes Low Traffic Routes 44% 44% ROUTE TYPES o PAVED SHOULDERS o AADT is greater than 1000 vehicles/day o Width depends on traffic volume and speed; range from 1 - 1.75m

Image showing temporary sign ROUTE TYPES o SHARED ROADWAYS o AADT is less than 1000 vehicles/day o Low truck volume o Primarily rural areas

Image showing temporary sign ROUTE TYPES o TRAILS o Shared use and/or Greenways o Compact surfaces adequate for touring bicycle o Surfaces and widths appropriate for context and user mix

Image showing temporary sign ROUTE TYPES o BIKE LANES AND LOCAL STREET ROUTES o Standard bike lane should be 1.5m-1.8m wide o Local street routes are low speed and low traffic volume, may include traffic calming and/or diversion strategies

Image showing temporary sign ROUTE DESIGNATION

Working Process

o Designation determined by the Blue Route Team - through collaborative planning process

o Implementation is the responsibility of the local authority - province, municipality, or non-profit

o Funded through existing programs

BLUE ROUTE SIGN, INSTALLED BY TIR Blue Route Implementation Project: Pictou - Truro (East Mountian/Bible Hill) Jitney Trail - Route 376 - Trunk 4

J rail itn ey T

76 3 e t u o R

Tr unk 4

Trunk 4 Exit 16

ROUTES ROUTE DESCIPTION

Blue Route On Provincial Road Trunk 4, Truro - Exit 19: Provincial Highway, no paved shoulders, AADT <1000 Lenght: 32km Blue Route On Jitney Trail Trunk 4, Exit 19 - Route 376: Provincial Highway, paved shoulders, AADT >1000 Length: 5km Route 376: Provincial Highway, paved shoulders, AADT >1000 Length: 16km

Bicycle Nova Scotia Jitney Trail: Shared Use Trai, hard surface - paved and unpaved Length 3.3km ROUTE OPENING AUGUST 6TH 2015! NEXT STEPS

ROUTING o Stakeholder input, especially on trails and through municipalities o Define and document the decision making process

PLANNING FOR FUTURE PIECES o TIR Capital Repaving Plan – identify links requiring upgrades o On repaving contracts, not maintenance paving o Finding links for next 2-3 years (routes near readiness) www.blueroute.ca