2017 Activity Guide Choose Your Own Big Adventure

1 How To Reach Us Welcome to Special Events 2017 at a glance Cape Breton Highlands Cape Breton Highlands National Park Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia National Park ...where the mountains meet the sea! Canada B0C 1L0

Your adventure awaits in Cape Breton Highlands May Tel: 902-224-2306 27-28 Cabot Trail Relay Race Email: [email protected] National Park! Accessible to all via the famous www.parkscanada.gc.ca/capebreton Cabot Trail, the park protects 950 square June kilometres of majestic plateau, deeply cut river 3 International Trails Day guided hike Franey trail Campground Reservations canyons and spectacular coastal scenery. 4 International Trails Day guided hike Mica Hill trail www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca 3,10,17,24 Seedling Saturdays – Hike a Trail. Skyline trail 1-877-737-3783 Enjoy your visit; don’t forget to pick up a wildlife Plant a Tree. Save a Forest! safety brochure at our visitor centres, entry gates 15-18 Roots to Boots Festival Chéticamp or the mobile kiosk. 24 Festival of Stewards MacIntosh Brook Campground Follow Us 24 Bicycle Rodeo (Rain date Jun. 25) La Rigouèche Day Use Area July CBHNP 1 Canada Day Ingonish & Chéticamp 1-7 KitchenFest! 5 Live! At the Park – concert Chéticamp Visitor Centre ParksCanada 12 Live! At the Park – concert Chéticamp Visitor Centre 15 Parks Day 15 Three Peaks Challenge ParksCanada_NS 15-16 Learn-to-Camp Ingonish Beach Campground 19 Live! At the Park – concert Chéticamp Visitor Centre 26 Live! At the Park – concert Chéticamp Visitor Centre parks.canada August 2 Live! At the Park – concert Chéticamp Visitor Centre ParksCanadaAgency 2-6 Le Festival de l’Escaouette Chéticamp 7-11 Junior Naturalist Day Camp Black Brook Beach Emergency Numbers 9 Live! At the Park – concert Chéticamp Visitor Centre Police, fire, ambulance: 911 11 Coastal Life Discovery Program Chéticamp River estuary Parks Canada visitor safety 12-13 BioBlitz Freshwater Lake emergencies: 1-877-852-3100 12 Coastal Life Discovery Program Freshwater Lake 12 Star-gazing and Meteor Showers La Bloc 13 Star-gazing and Meteor Showers Black Brook Beach 16 Live! At the Park – concert Chéticamp Visitor Centre CONSTRUCTION 23 Live! At the Park – concert Chéticamp Visitor Centre NOTICE 30 Live! At the Park – concert Chéticamp Visitor Centre

September • Expect construction delays in 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Seedling Saturdays – Hike a Trail. Skyline trail Cape Breton Highlands National Plant a Tree. Save a Forest! Chat with us! Park. 8-17 Hike the Highlands Festival Discover Parks Canada! 27 National Tree Day Walk with us! • Check with visitor centres for the construction brochure with 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of Canadian October Explore with us! updates and estimated wait Confederation and we invite you to celebrate with 6-14 International Festival Park interpreters Out and About times. Parks Canada! Take advantage of free admission to 8 Celtic Colours Pumpkin Carving La Rigouèche Day Use Area 8 Celtic Colours Pumpkin Carving Broad Cove Campground • Veterans Monument viewpoint • Look for our Mobile Kiosk national parks, national historic sites and national 9 Celtic Colours Guided Hike Salmon Pools trail • Skyline trail serving you at the Skyline Trail. marine conservation areas for the entire year. 10 Celtic Colours Guided Hike Corney Brook trail • Bog trail • Lone Shieling • Idle-free. Please turn off engines Get curious about Canada’s unique natural treasures, 11 Celtic Colours Guided Hike Aspy trail while you wait. 12 Celtic Colours Guided Hike Middle Head trail • Green Cove hear stories about Indigenous cultures, learn to camp • Lakie’s Head viewpoint 13 Celtic Colours Guided Hike Mica Hill trail and paddle and celebrate the centennial of Canada’s • Ingonish Beach FSC FPO national historic sites with us. Find adventure, fun for Schedule subject to change. For a complete list of local festivals, music, shows and … and at a rich variety of the whole family or a short break from the everyday events, visit park visitor centres, parkscanada.gc.ca/capebreton, cbisland.com, interpretive programming in more than 200 special places across the country. 2 cabottrail.travel, northerncapebreton.com or novascotia.com. (p.4-5, 22-23). 3 LEARN-TO-LOBSTER BOIL There’s More to Explore Cook, crack and enjoy fresh lobster on a beach steeped in history as the sun sets over the Gulf Call before 4 pm to reserve your tickets. YOUR PARK AFTER DARK Seeing in the Dark of St. Lawrence. Share tunes stories, local Cancellation deadline - 2 pm 902-224-2306. Explore the night in a place where it knowledge and more as you dine. Lantern Walk Through Time truly gets dark. Learn tips and tricks Wednesdays, June 21 – August 30 for using your senses to peek under As the darkness creeps in, listen for the haunting June/July – 6:30 pm, August – 6 pm sounds of the night. Step into the past and the cover of night. A symphony of owls, become spellbound by the tales of this place, loons and toads accompanies you on $44 /person brought to life by the call of the loon and the this one-of-a-kind journey into the vibrant crash of the waves. nocturnal world at Warren Lake. Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday | 1.5 – 2 hours Sunday, Monday, Jun / Jul – 9 pm, Aug – 8:30 pm, Sept – 7:30 pm Wednesday, Thursday | 2.5 hours Recommended for visitors 8 years of age and Jun / Jul – 8:30 pm over. Pre-registration required at campground Aug – 8 pm kiosk or visitor centre. Meet in the parking lot Sept – 7 pm at Freshwater Lake trailhead. Space is limited. $14.70 Recommended for visitors 12 years of age and over. Pre-registration required Tickets: 902-285-2535 at campground kiosk or visitor centre. Space is limited. $14.70 Skyline Sunset Hike A RECOGNIZED CANADIAANN SIGNATURE EXPERIENCCEE Tickets: 902-285-2535 Immerse yourself in the splendour of the sunset as the ocean glistens below. A walk through the boreal forest reveals this panoramic view, often graced by bald eagles, whales and moose. Here, the mountains truly meet the sea.

Daily | 2 hours before sunset | 2.5 – 3 hours

Recommended for visitors 12 years of age and over. Pre-registration required at campground kiosk or visitor centre. Space is limited. $14.70 Tickets: 902-224-2306

More on page 22! FREE EXCURSIONS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY LEARN-TO-ADVENTURE

Grab a compass (we’ll lend you one); pack your Salmon Pools Walk sack (we’ll tell you what to bring); and follow us Follow the path of the Cheticamp River Valley, set out into the back country! Awaken your senses as you explore remote waterfalls, tranquil lakes, swooping where Atlantic salmon come to spawn. panoramic views, and river canyons. Daily | 10 am | Meet at the Salmon Pools trailhead Learn skills that will allow you adventure wherever you may be.

Meander to Middle Head Tuesday - Sunday ….and join us for a guided hike that will take your $29.20 half day, $51.10 full day breath away. Be inspired by the beauty of the coastline on a 4 km guided hike along the stunning, rugged Middle Head Peninsula, home of the Keltic Lodge and Highlands Reservations and information: Links golf course. 902-224-2306 or 902-224-4226 Daily | 10 am | 2 hours Meet in the parking lot at Middle Head trail head 4 5 July 1 Canada Day Celebrations! Festivals 2017 Enjoy FREE entry to all Parks Canada places Chéticamp Ingonish Beach 2 pm to 4 pm 8 am until dark Chéticamp Visitor Centre Ingonish Beach Day Use area. Live music, family Area (soccer field), Keltic activities and cake. Lodge, and community Thursday, June 15 locations. Cake, music, – Guided hike on the Salmon Hosted collaboratively 10 am by La Société Saint- and games for the whole Pools trail Pierre and Cape Breton family! Friday, June 16 Highlands National Park. 10 am – Learn-to-Adventure guided hike and picnic on le buttereau à Pépin 10 am – Guided hike on the Salmon pools trail Festival of Stewards FREE June 24 | 1 pm - 6 pm Saturday, June 17 – Hike a Trail. Plant a October 6-14 FREE MacIntosh Brook Campground 10 am - 2 pm Celtic Colours Hikes Tree. Save a Forest! Tree planting on is alive Hike through a vibrant panorama Featuring contemporary artist Ursula Johnson the Skyline trail. with music, energy and with local collaborators in a feast and participatory FREE June 15-18 of autumn leaves as fiddle music 1 pm – Guided hike on the Corney excitement during this nine- resonates within you. Join park staff performance called (re)al-location as a part of the Brook trail day festival. Communities for a guided hike associated with national project LandMarks2017/Repères2017. The third annual Roots to Boots around the island host Celtic Colours International Festival www.landmarks2017.ca Festival will take place in the Sunday, June 18 concerts and events at a concerts in Chéticamp, Aspy Bay and FREE communities of Chéticamp and 10 am – Guided hike on the Salmon time when the fall leaves Ingonish. Louisbourg. Pools trail Junior Naturalist Day Camp FREE are at their most brilliant. For hike details, contact cb.info@ Celtic Colours 9 pm – Campfire with live music at the August 7-11, 10 am to noon | Black Brook Beach www.rootstobootsfestival.ca pc.gc.ca, 902-224-2642 Grande Falaise picnic area www.celtic-colours.com Pumpkin Carving 902-224-2306 October 8 | 10 am Join us for five fun-filled days of nature exploration and adventures, rain or shine. October 9: Salmon Pool trail, 2 pm La Rigouèche and Search for animal signs, explore a jack pine forest, October 10: Corney Brook trail, 2 pm Broad Cove Campground and play awesome games. Ages 6-12. Space is October 11: Aspy trail, 10 am limited. Pre-register by calling 902-285-3004. October 12: Middle Head trail, 10 am

October 13: Mica Hill trail, 10 am Bioblitz August 12-13 | Freshwater Lake FREE Make a real difference. Spend time outside. Connect with nature. You and your family team up with scientists around Freshwater Lake in Ingonish to find as many living creatures as you can. Join our experts on surveys, lake safaris and other fun In partnership with Colaisde na FREE FREE Festival de activities to learn about biodiversity in the Park. An opportunity to see wild creatures Gàidhig, the Gaelic College l’Escaouette up close and support the protection of this special place. Campground Ceilidh August 2-6 | Chéticamp FREE Monday, July 3 | 7 pm - 9 pm Chéticamp’s annual Acadian Star-gazing and Meteor Showers August 12, 8 pm | La Bloc Beach – August 13, 8 pm | Black Brook Beach Enjoy a lively ceilidh in our campground festival. Music, dance and at Broad Cove! Acadian traditions. Meet us Discover the basics of astronomy while you watch for the Perseid meteor shower. there for the party! Bring binoculars and telescopes if you have them and settle in for an evening of star- gazing. For your comfort, wear warm layers and bring blankets, chairs, insect repellent, Piper at Lone Shieling September 8-17 July 15 LEARN-TO-ADVENTURE and a flashlight. rd th Wednesday, July 5 | 1 pm - 3 pm th August 3 & 5 Join us for the 14 annual Teams of four members hike FREE Join a park guide for a hike up la Visit the lone piper at the Lone Shieling to Hike the Highlands Festival, three peaks in one day! This honour and celebrate Cape Breton’s Gaelic montagne à Jérôme. You’ll discover featuring guided hikes within year’s climbs are Aspy trail, Coastal Life Discovery Program roots. the traces of the early Acadian and near the park, evening Tenerife trail, and Coastal trail. Ever wonder what types of creatures live in our coastal settlers of Cap Rouge and learn waters? Come find out! Help Parks Canada staff do activities and presentations, aboutabout their lives.their lives. important research and uncover the things that live in an the hiker distance award, and a Pop-up ceilidhs estuary. Dress for the weather and don’t forget your rubber Be on the look-out for “pop-up ceilidhs” photo contest. Fee applicable. boots or water shoes. Visitors of all ages welcome. around the park between July 2nd and 7th. Chéticamp River estuary | August 11 | 11 am Registration: www.hikethehighlandsfestival.com (Meet at Chéticamp Visitor Centre. Participants will follow guide to beach in their own vehicles.)

6 Please refer to the Special Events at a Glance schedule, p. 3, and visit parkscanada.gc.ca/capebreton for more details. Freshwater Lake | August 12 | 11 am 7 Hiking Staff Picks: Top 10 Trails Love a challenge? Acadian: Breathtaking views; challenging slopes A Hearty Highlands Challenge Franey: Spectacular view of Clyburn Valley Hike our 26 trails in 2017 and win a topographic map. Bring The Bog: Unexpected beauty; fascinating discovery a signed list with trail names and dates or photos of you on The park’s 26 hiking trails range Jack Pine: Ugly-duckling trees; stunning geology each trail to the visitor centre. from easy strolls to challenging Skyline: Where the mountains truly meet the sea 10-Hikes-in-One-Day Challenge Salmon Pools: Rocky river canyon; rushing rapids Sample 10 short trails in one day! If you walk regularly, you climbs with panoramic views of Mica Hill: Phenomenal views; astounding geology can do this at a leisurely pace. Bring a signed list of trails or canyons, highlands and seacoasts. Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge: Acadian history; photos of you on each trail to the visitor centre for a souvenir Challenge spectacular ocean views magnet. The RED CHAIR Broad Cove Mountain: Eagle’s eye view of Ingonish Find your Red Chair moment SUGGESTED TRAILS: Connect with nature. Seek out our red chairs to Middle Head: Inspiring rugged beauty • Le Buttereau • Jack Pine enjoy majestic views, snap a photo and share your • Bog • Green Cove experience. Post your pics and tag our Facebook • Benjie’s Lake • Broad Cove Mountain page – but please don’t reveal the location! • MacIntosh Brook • Freshwater Lake • Lone Shieling • Freshwater Lake Look-off facebook.com/CBHNP #ShareTheChair #TimeToConnect

Good Practice • Hike with friends and a solid walking stick. • If you walk alone, tell someone where you are going. • Do not approach, disturb or feed wild animals. Our trails have been rated for difficulty with the internationally recognized symbols l • Pack in, pack out. Littering attracts wildlife and puts Easy – Family-friendly trails that are suitable for all visitors. you and the animals at risk. n Moderate – Medium-length trails with moderate elevation gain and some short, steep sections. Suitable for most visitors. u Difficult – Longer trails with long, steep sections that are suitable for visitors who have trail experience and are prepared • Dress appropriately – weather may change rapidly (proper equipment and water). on the plateau and along the coast. • Bring water, especially for longer trails, climbs and 1 Acadian open barrens. 2 Salmon Pools Trail 3 Le Chemin du Buttereau Cabot Trail • Bring insect repellent. Black flies and mosquitoes are 4 Le Buttereau Other Roads common all summer. 5 Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge 6 Corney Brook Dingwall • Stay on the trails to protect fragile vegetation. Cape North 7 Skyline • Caution: cell phone coverage within the park is 8 Bog 9 Benjie’s Lake unreliable. 10 Fishing Cove 11 MacIntosh Brook 12 Lone Shieling Pleasant 13 Aspy Bay 14 Mica Hill 14 15 Jack Pine Neil’s 16 Coastal 16 Harbour 11 12 17 Jigging Cove 13 17 18 Green Cove 15 19 Broad Cove Mountain 10 20 Warren Lake 18 Wildlife Safety 21 Branch Pond Look-off 21 22 Franey 7 The black bear, moose and eastern coyote live here. 23 Clyburn Valley 8 9 These animals have been known to cause serious 24 Middle Head 19 25 Freshwater Cape Breton Highlands National Park 20 injury and even death to humans throughout their Lake Look-off range in North America. 6 26 Freshwater Lake Ingonish • Give animals plenty of space and a means 5 of escape. 22 • For your safety and your dog’s, 24 4 23 keep it on a leash at all times. 1 25 26 3 • DO NOT FEED animals directly or Ingonish Beach 2 indirectly (through littering). Animals that have access to our food or garbage lose their fear of people. Chéticamp • Keep your campsite clean. Be informed. Please pick up the “Keep it Wild, 0 5 10 15 Keep it Safe” brochure at our visitor centres. km

8 9 No gear? No problem! Equipped campsites are available in Chéticamp and Ingonish Beach Camping campgrounds. These sites include a 6-person tent, sleeping pads, everything you’ll need to cook outdoors and more! Just bring your bedding, provisions and sense of adventure. $70

Just pick your preference and let the camping fun begin! Choose from remote sites with tent pads in the backcountry, to fully serviced RV and traditional tenting sites, or NEW hassle-free comfort camping. oTENTiks Twenty oTENTiks are available throughout the park at Ingonish Beach, Broad Cove, and Chéticamp campgrounds. oTENTiks offer the ultimate hassle-free camping experience. Unique blend of tent and rustic cabin Corney Brook Campground Equipped with beds, furniture and barbeque Learn-to-Camp Bring your bedding, cooking gear and charcoal, and relax! July 15-16 Frontcountry camping sites start at Sleeps 6 people Ingonish Beach Campground $17.60. Receive a 15% discount by $100 per night New to camping? Join us for a fun-filled camping 7 consecutive nights or more! night of sleeping under the stars, presented Sites at Broad Cove, Ingonish Beach and by Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Chéticamp campgrounds can be reserved partnership with Mountain Equipment Co-op. We’ll show you how to set up a tent, make at www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca a campfire and cook outdoors. Supper and or 1-877-737-3783. breakfast are included. Cocoon at Ingonish Beach Campground, $70. For complete details visit: Call 902-285-2535 to reserve. parkscanada.gc.ca/capebreton Registration required: 902-224-2306

Camping Services oTENTiks Equipped campingFull hook-Fullups hook-upsElectricalTent sitesTent sitesAccessibleKitchen sheltersDrinking waterPlaygroundsFlush toiletsShowers Ocean swimmingTrails Group campingLaundry BackcountryInterpretation

Broad Cove 6 – 34 49 – 53 60  

Chéticamp 10 5 9 15 14 10 59        

Ingonish Beach 4 5 – – – – 51          

Corney Brook – – – – – – 20    

Big Intervale – – – – – 10 –  

MacIntosh Brook – – – – – 10 –    

Fishing Cove – – – – – 8 –  

Fireplace on site Site with no replace 10 11 Just Beachy! Welcome to Ingonish Beach Campground

Your sand-filled family Family Fun camping headquarters! Look for beaver on a family bike ride around Freshwater Lake. Family fun all in one at the Ingonish Beach Join your Parks Campground. Many of our fabulous offers around Grab a tasty snack at the beach canteen. the park can be found in one convenient location. Canada guide Swimming, playing, camping, hiking, biking Take a hike (on one of our nearby trails). Meet Parka on her daily and even learning are great anywhere in the morning campground walkabout. park and at the newly refreshed Ingonish Beach Discover some great reading in our tiny library. Relax with your family at Ingonish Beach. Campground facility they all come together. Explore the natural world with a park guide Explore the natural wonders of the area with a (get up close and personal with fish, insects, Share your #Just Beachy! photos: scavenger hunt. Pick up your checklist at a visitor trees, rocks and more) or participate in Parka’s facebook.com/CBHNP centre or campground kiosk. Fun and Games. Programs offered daily – p. 22. twitter.com/ParksCanada_NS Find shelter from the elements and enjoy a Venture out on a Lantern Walk Through Reserve today for family camping fun! board game in the designated kitchen shelter. Time – p. 4. www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca 1-877-737-3783 Seize those photo ops! Meander to Middle Head – p. 4. Give the new playground a whirl! Join in Just Beachy activities every afternoon – p. 23.

Play a game of tennis, soccer, or ultimate Frisbee at the courts and fields near the beach. Try your hand at geocaching (and help Parka Take a dip in fresh or salt water. find her hat) with “Parka’s Campground Kid Cache”. Have a sandcastle-building competition…

Pick up a Just Beachy! Try out the new oTENTiks or equipped campsites. brochure for more details. Gather around a campfire for songs, stories, …or play some volleyball. s’mores and more. 12 13 Perfect Picnics Step 1: Place your picnic order, prepared from Kids’ Corner a choice of favourites from local restaurants. Step 2: Pick up your meal. The park is a great place for Hassle-free picnics are here with our Step 3: Find your perfect picnic place in kids to explore the outdoors, Cape Breton Highlands National Park and discover the natural world very own twist on “take-out.” Good enjoy! Parks Canada and generally food, great views and perfect picnics. To place your order, grab a picnic menu brochure have fun! Xplorers It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. at our visitor centres or check out our website for more details. Would you like to be a Parks Canada Xplorer? Pick up a Kids’ Top Ten booklet at one of our visitor centres. Complete a variety of fun, hands-on 1 Become a Parks Canada Xplorer activities specifically Find Parka’s Campground Kid Caches (see Geocaching, p. 16) designed for 2 Look for our self- children ages 6 – 11 3 Let loose at the new playground in Ingonish Beach or stamping Xploration and their families. Chéticamp Campground Stations as you Once you have Xplore the park. 4 Discover the stone crofter’s hut at the Lone Shieling accomplished your mission, claim 5 Try the Club Parka activities (children ages 3 to 6) your certificate and 6 Explore the Bog trail prize at a visitor centre. 7 Count the steps on Freshwater Lake Look-off trail 8 Find a Red Chair 9 Hit the beach Construction 10 Join a Discovery Zone delay? Time to play! Parka sometimes has a hard time sitting still in the car, especially when it’s not moving. Can you help her pass the time? Give these a try: Cabot Trail Scavenger Hunt. Pick up a checklist along with colouring and activity pages at a visitor centre or the mobile kiosk. Seated Charades. Using just your upper body, Discover our Hidden Picnic Gems act out your favourite animals. Benjie’s Lake Salmon Pools Bird Calls. Roll down your window and try making bird calls. Do you get an answer? This peaceful location is great for birding, spotting moose. Stop for a picnic by one of the deep pools where Atlantic Can you spot any? An ideal wading ground for kids Salmon gather. Park poem or song. Write a poem about Big Intervale Le Vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge the park, or using a favourite tune come up Tucked at the bottom of North Mountain, on the banks of the A 5-minute climb brings you to a picturesque panorama, with words for a song about your visit to the Aspy River, enjoy a respite in your drive. perfect for a picnic. park. Share your creative #cartunes on our Facebook page or twitter. Broad Cove Mountain Mary Ann Falls Alphabet Animals. Think of an animal for The steep but short climb will whet your appetite for photos as You can settle at the bottom of this impressive falls or view it each letter of the alphabet. well as lunch. from above. Play I spy.

Parka’s Photo Missions. Neil’s Harbour Beach/Coastal Trail Cap-Rouge Look-off Download the app and This serene sandy beach is perfect for swimming, spotting Take some time to savour your lunch along with the view of complete the mission for this park. rocky coast laid out before you. shorebirds and enjoying a quiet picnic. http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/apprend-learn/ parka/app.aspx#app Mica Hill Warren Lake Picnic on a pure quartz boulder in a sea of glittering mica. Birds serenade and mountains surround this picnic paradise.

14 15 Waterfalls Sensational Play in the Park Corney Brook Falls can be Seasons found at the end of a 3 km walk along the Corney Brook trail. Visitors are welcome to explore the park year-round. Some park Geocaching MacIntosh Brook Falls is services and facilities remain open in the winter. Come enjoy Take up the challenge of searching for the park’s many geocaches and nestled in the heart of the old- our magnificent vistas from your discovering its treasures. Begin your quest at a park visitor centre, or visit growth forest of the Grand Anse skis, snowshoes, sleds or on a geocaching.com. Valley at the end of a short trail. quiet drive along the Cabot Trail. Eco-Cache Challenge – 5 caches along 17 km of trails, situated Beulach Ban Falls in the Aspy 1 throughout the park. Earn a trackable geocoin while supplies last. Valley is the highest waterfall in the park and just a few steps Middle Head Multi-Cache – 5 caches hidden along the Middle Head from the parking area at the end 2 Peninsula, an iconic park feature with a rich cultural history. of a 3 km gravel road. Follow the Fishing Cove – a traditional cache in a rolling landscape steeped in Aspy trail on foot to find more 3 adventure and mystery. waterfalls. Forest Keepers Cache – This cache series highlights our Conservation Black Brook Beach’s waterfall and Restoration program. You can discover what we are doing to maintain It’s Your Fault tumbles into the Atlantic Ocean 4 forest health as you tour the Cabot Trail and earn a new geocoin, unique to Discover one of Earth’s breathtaking natural and can be viewed from the this cache series. processes featured in this EarthCache. Accessible beach or Coastal trail. directly from the Cabot Trail. (www.earthcache.org) Parka’s Campground Kid Cache – learn about our native tree species Mary Ann Falls, a splendid at Chéticamp, Broad Cove and Ingonish Beach campgrounds. A great A Collision of Tectonic Proportions sight, with the greatest volume introduction to geocaching. Stop by the Chéticamp Visitor Centre, Broad of all our waterfalls, rewards you 5 Come stand on the site of an awe-inspiring Cove and Ingonish Beach campground kiosks, or the Ingonish Visitor after a 7 km drive up a dirt road juxtaposition of geology at our new EarthCache. Centre to get your starter page. and a short 200 m walk.

Stay & Play Swimming The park is home to a variety of superb beaches. Choose between salt water or fresh water, or enjoy both at one location. Ingonish Beach and Freshwater Lake Black Brook Beach For golfers, the Keltic Lodge and Beaches Jump from salt water to fresh with just a few steps across Take in the ocean views at one of our most popular beaches, Resort and Spa and Highlands the barrachois in between. Dogs are not permitted in the bordered by a gentle waterfall on one end and intersected by a Links offer a memorable supervised area of the beach. Lifeguards on duty, ocean side, freshwater brook. getaway. Highlands Links ranks July and August. Neil’s Harbour Beach among the top 100 courses North Bay Beach A natural gem with sand stretching between the Atlantic and Neils in the world. For more For those seeking a quieter, more secluded beach experience, Brook estuary, from the rugged shores of the Coastal trail to the information: 1-800-441-1118, this long expanse of sandy beach is very inviting. community of Neil’s Harbour. highlandslinksgolf.com or kelticlodge.ca. Broad Cove Beach La Bloc Beach Dip into the Atlantic and rinse off in the neighbouring brook by The wharf reaching into the warm gulf waters reminds us of the this sandy beach at the foot of Broad Cove Campground. Acadians who once lived near this pebbly beach on the west side of the park. Enjoy a walk along the coast, a refreshing dip and Warren Lake spectacular sunsets. Our largest lake, with resident loons and incredible mountain Cycling scenery, warms up quickly in the summer to provide an enjoyable beach adventure for the whole family. CAUTION! Undertow and rip currents can be very Cycle part or all of the Cabot dangerous. Please exercise caution while swimming Trail, one of the world’s top at any ocean beach, especially in turbulent waters or ten cycling destinations after a storm. Undertows at Black Brook, Broad Cove (Lonely Planet). and Ingonish Beach can be particularly strong.

Cycling is permitted on In certain beach areas, pets are not permitted. Salmon Pools, Le Buttereau, Le chemin du Buttereau, Le vieux chemin du Cap- Rouge, Branch Pond Look-off, Clyburn Valley, and Freshwater Lake trails. Also suitable for cycling are all secondary and campground roads.

Nova Scotia law requires helmets on and off road 16 17 Visitor Centres Distance Chart (distances in km) in km) 135 200 170 90 115 90 70 40 Ch Conservation and Restoration é ticamp Parks Canada research shows that our forests have lost their natural balance. The health of the forests is in decline. 175 225 190 125 75 50 30 Pleasant Bay Cape North Even if you already have your free Pleasant Bay Neil’s Harbour Canada 150 Discovery Pass, a stop 210 195 160 125 45 20 Cape North 195 180 145 110 30 Neil’s Harbour Ingonish Beach at one of our two visitor centres Chéticamp Ingonish Beach can enhance your visit: 170 150 115 80 85 110 75 Marconi Get park map and trip planning assistance 140 35 Sydney Sydney Baddeck 170 Louisbourg Learn about local area Louisbourg Canso Causeway Fortress of Louisbourg Register for night hikes and other programs Canso Causeway St. Peters Canal

Canso Islands National Historic Site Tea with an interpreter î

Where did the trees go? Wifi Spruce budworm New growth With no major Since then, Grasslands have Take a little something home: peruse the new of cial Parks Canada infestations are part of of young trees and shrubs natural predator or disease there has been little taken over, changing the Clean washrooms the natural cycle of the boreal provided the perfect food in Cape Breton, the population or no regeneration of landscape of the park and merchandise available at the Ingonish Visitor Centre. t forest. An outbreak in the 1970s for moose. grew to more than four times the the boreal forest. putting species at risk. removed 90% of forest cover amount a healthy balanced forest in some areas. can typically support. Le Nique nature bookstore (with coffee!)

Parks Canada merchandise

Club Parka

Parks Canada Xplorers Program

How do we... Nearby hiking trails

Parks Canada and its partners are: visit: parkscanada.gc.ca/bringbacktheboreal • Planting tens of thousands of trees (42,000 so far) Les Amis du Plein Air du P • Protecting new trees in a large fenced exclosure on the Skyline trail is le is a non-prot association i m n A • Removing moose in a small pilot area on North Mountain to allow natural regeneration working in co-operation A

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e with Cape Breton Highlands r National Park. It operates Le L Want to Help? Learn More Nique, a nature bookstore in • Join planting efforts during the Seedling Saturdays in • Join the Following Fire guided hike at Warren Lake the Chéticamp Visitor Centre, offering a wide variety of books, eld guides, June and September. • Attend the Sparking New Growth or Bring Back the outdoor clothing, gift items and more. • Contribute your photos to our research: visit Boreal! slideshows. Warren Lake, Paquette Lake or the Skyline and follow • Enjoy the Forest Keepers puppet show and other the instructions on the signs. interpretive events. • Post and share our Bring Back the Boreal! videos. • Check out the new Forest Keepers geocache series Look for it on parkscanada.gc.ca/bringbacktheboreal and earn a limited edition geocoin. or on youtube.com/user/ParksCanadaAgency • Stop at our Moose Xploration station at the Skyline trail. Sparking New Growth Species of trees in our mixed Parks Canada is conducting Working Together Acadian forest, like jack pine, small prescribed fires to: We collaborate with UINR (Unama’ki Institute white pine and red oak, benefit • Kickstart regeneration in our of Natural Resources), which is engaged from fire to help their seeds fire-associated species and in forestry, marine science research, sprout. Even our taiga plateau ecosystems, species management, traditional may need fire to stay healthy. Decades of fire suppression have • Learn as much as we can about Mi’kmaq knowledge, water quality altered the natural development the role of fire in the park monitoring, and environmental of forests in the park. partnerships. www.uinr.ca

Cape Breton Highlands National Park is working in partnership with tentree on tree planting initiatives as part of the Bring Back the Boreal Project in 2017. tentree is a Canadian-based clothing company that plants 10 trees for every product sold. www.tentree.com 18 19 Rhodora Natural Wonders Top 10 Flowers Colourful and aromatic owers – tiny and delicate or large and Come explore with us and discover some of our wonders for yourself showy – grace our park from early spring to late autumn

Pitcher plant – Standing Bunchberry (Canada 1water in the pitcher- 3dogwood) – A genuine variety Top 10 Birds shaped leaves of this of dogwood, this species grows insectivore drowns its prey, low to the ground in massive No matter what time of year, you’re in for a treat when it comes to birds allowing it to acquire the colonies; the four-petal white nutrients lacking in the poor ower blooms in the spring, Bald eagle – Common and Merlin – This solitary bird Boreal chickadee – soils where it grows. This resulting in a cluster of small, red Orchids – From dragon’s Golden heather – A 1very noticeable along river 5 of prey can be observed in 8 Common in the coniferous plant is found in abundance berries in the late summer that 7 mouth to lady’s tresses 10 species at risk, this valleys and seacoasts. Try the abandoned elds and cutover forest of the highlands plateau. on the Bog trail. are popular food for wildlife. and adder’s mouth to lady tiny but hardy brilliant-yellow Acadian, Le Buttereau, Skyline areas in an early regrowth stage, Look for it on the Skyline, Indian pipe – This Blue bead lily (Clintonia) – slippers, we have a lovely ower can be seen in the and Broad Cove Mountain trails, in all forest types, and in coastal Benjie’s Lake and Broad Cove 2 unique member of the 4 These tiny, yellow blossoms selection of these stunning early summer on the rocky or on South Mountain. areas. Try the Coastal trail or Mountain trails. heath family lives in the grow a small, round, dark-blue beauties across the park. Just headland of the Skyline remember, if picked they may trail. Excessive trampling Northern gannet – Larger Broad Cove Campground. Black guillemot – Keep dark understory, deriving its fruit that is mildly toxic and energy from the chlorophyll- tastes terrible. They grow in never bloom again. is a constant threat to its 2 than gulls, adults are snow- Black-backed woodpecker 9 an eye open for this bird’s continued existence. white with jet-black wing tips. 6 – You might spot this bird bright red legs in coastal areas producing trees above it. colonies in shady wooded areas Dutchman’s breeches – Look for their torpedo dives in the coniferous forest of with cliffs. Try Middle Head, Clusters of this fascinating with acid soil. 8 A wild version of bleeding anywhere along the coast. the interior plateau or in river Green Cove, Fishing Cove plant are seen at Middle Mayower – The provincial heart, this native of the rich Coral Root Orchid bottomlands. Try Warren Lake and Le Buttereau trails, or on Head and Warren Lake. ower of Nova Scotia, this Acadian forest is propagated Bicknell’s thrush – This 5 by ants. Its intricate owers 3 discreet species at risk is and Fishing Cove trails. Chéticamp Island. Scarce in member of the heath family winter. is one of the rst to show its resemble old-fashioned men’s more often heard than seen, Greater yellow legs – Golden heather breeches. though only in early summer, and 7 Found mostly on the barrens Olive-sided ycatcher fragrant white or pink blooms is found in dense conifer stands and bogs of the plateau during 10 – This little bird’s call – in spring. It is found in shady Fireweed – Known as a close to barren areas. Try a trail the summer, this bird is common “Quick, threeee beers!” – can wooded areas. 9 pioneer species, these tall, on French Mountain. along estuaries with marshes be heard on the highlands Rhodora – Another member purple or pink spires of owers quickly ll in disturbed sites Spruce grouse – This bird during migration. Try Benjie’s plateau, or around lakes, 6 of the heath family, its purple Lake, Freshwater Lake and rivers, bogs, and ponds. owers bloom in mid-spring in where clearing or forest re has 4 is found in the boreal forest opened an area to direct sun. and on the highlands plateau. Branch Pond Look-off trails. Listen for it around French our moist and acidic highland Look for it on the Skyline and Lake, the Chéticamp River, bogs and barrens. and Broad Cove Mountain. Mica Hill trails. Bald eagle

Top 10 Insects Top 10 Geological Gems Thousands of insect species inhabit the park, including these fascinating examples

Short-tailed swallowtail – June bug – Everyone’s Bumblebee – Essential in This rare buttery is found favourite late-spring visitor! propagating many of our 3 6 9 Grande Falaise – A “big Boar’s Back – A narrow only in coastal headland habitats This large beetle of the scarab plants, this small fuzzy bee is cliff” with layers of history. ridge between French and in Northern New Brunswick and family, clumsier in ight than one of a number of important 1 4 MacKenzie mountains with Beulach Ban Falls – A great Cape Breton so try the Skyline on land, often blunders around pollinators in the park. Presqu’île – A pair Cherry-faced steep drops on either side place to take a close look at trail, where it is around most of lights in great numbers. 2 of vertical faults in 7 meadowhawk Boreal rey – Able to crosses two valleys formed sedimentary rocks made from Middle Head the summer. Help the park track the water parallel to the Polyphemus moth – One produce light without heat, largely by river erosion during sediments eroded from what Peninsula – these butteries by letting staff 10 beach separate Pillar 10 of our largest moths, this this small ying beetle captures the melting of glaciers after the were then the highlands and Consisting of 560-million- know if you do spot one and 7 Rock (375-million-year- Spittle bug (froghopper silk moth is associated with the imagination of visitors of all old volcanic basalt) from last Ice Age. deposited in rivers 350 million year-old diorite intruded share your photos. various hardwood trees. Look ages. Around from late May to 1nymph) – This jumping the much older shiny, Oldest rocks in Nova years ago. by 495-million-year- White-spotted sawyer – for a showier but less common early July, reies live close to bug is most commonly metamorphic phyllite in Scotia – More than a Gypsum cliffs – These old granite, this narrow Large, long-legged with member of the same family, the water and feed mainly on slugs 5 noticed as a wad of spit 4 the cliffs along the beach billion-year-old Grenville gneiss 335-million-year-old white peninsula was formed long antennae, wood-boring luna moth. and snails. If you can’t nd them 8 made from foamed plant and the much younger and anorthosite, once part of rocks, a relic from Cape Breton by glaciers and the sawyers are benecial players in in the day, enjoy an evening stroll juices the nymph excretes for Cherry-faced sedimentary layers of the Canadian Shield, can be Island’s time in the tropics, sea over the course forest health, especially post- by the water and look for their protection. meadowhawk – This Presqu’île. spotted along the roadside can be viewed from the Cabot of millions of years. re succession. Parks Canada’s 8 little ashes of light. Ebony jewelwing – One common dragony, striking as you descend the Cabot Trail near the road leading to practice of leaving dead and dying Cap Rouge viewpoint – of a number of brightly and large, is found throughout Trail from North Mountain to Dingwall. 2 trees to lie naturally in the forest 3 The ornamental wall coloured damsely species the park feeding on many contains nice examples of Pleasant Bay. Green Cove – Offers ready permits these essential nutrient types of biting ies, such as that breed in our wetlands; the varied metamorphic Aspy Fault – The park’s access to spectacular cyclers to facilitate plant regrowth. mosquitoes. Larvae breathe 9 this one can be seen near and granitic rocks that form most spectacular fault granites and related cross- Giant water bug – Widely through gills in their rectum, and 6 Warren Lake. Check out the the western Cape Breton extends 40 km from the centre cutting pegmatite dykes, part distributed in freshwater can rapidly propel themselves Bog and Benjie’s Lake trails 5 Highlands. of the highlands to the ocean of the 375-million-year-old ponds and lakes and attracted by suddenly expelling water and see how many different and may be related to the Great Black Brook Granitic Suite to lights, this is one of the largest through the anus. kinds you can spot. Glen Fault in Scotland. Check which underlies much of the insects in North America. An out the view and exhibit on the eastern part of the park. active predator of various smaller North Mountain viewpoint. water organisms, it can give a nasty bite if mishandled. Polyphemus moth

20 21 Weekly Activities Programs and activities may be cancelled due to unforeseeable circumstances including adverse weather conditions. *See pages 4-5 for more program descriptions.

Free with Discovery Pass Additional fee applies Pre-registration required

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Gaelic Milling Frolic Join Gaelic singers Geoffrey and Meander to Middle Head Meander to Middle Head Meander to Middle Head Meander to Middle Head Meander to Middle Head Meander to Middle Head Meander to Middle Head Rebecca-Lynne for an evening of Middle Head Trailhead | 10 am Middle Head Trailhead | 10 am Middle Head Trailhead | 10 am Middle Head Trailhead | 10 am Middle Head Trailhead | 10 am Middle Head Trailhead | 10 am Middle Head Trailhead | 10 am exploring Gaelic culture through song. Just Beachy Activities Following Fire The whole family will be swept away Learn-to-Adventure Ingonish Beach Warren Lake Learn-to-Adventure Learn-to-Adventure by the rhythm of this hands-on “milling Afternoon 5 pm Just Beachy Activities Just Beachy Activities frolic.” 1 hour, $5 Ingonish Beach Ingonish Beach Just Beachy Activities The Beach is Alive Just Beachy Activities Just Beachy Activities Afternoon Just Beachy Activities Afternoon Interpreter’s Pick Ingonish Beach Broad Cove Beach Ingonish Beach Ingonish Beach Ingonish Beach Afternoon 7 pm Afternoon Afternoon Afternoon Our park guides share their favourite natural and cultural wonders. From Seeing in the Dark Seeing in the Dark Seeing in the Dark Seeing in the Dark Lantern Walk Through Time Lantern Walk Through Time Lantern Walk Through Time captivating programs about the flora Warren Lake Warren Lake Warren Lake Warren Lake and fauna of this national park to 8:30 pm June – July 8:30 pm June – July Freshwater Lake 8:30 pm June – July 8:30 pm June – July Freshwater Lake Freshwater Lake 9:00 pm June – July 9:00 pm June – July 9:00 pm June – July nature movies and guest speakers,

Ingonish (East Side) 8:00 pm August 8:00 pm August 8:00 pm August 8:00 pm August come on a journey of discovery with 7:30 pm September 7:30 pm September 8:30 pm August 7:30 pm September 7:30 pm September 8:30 pm August 8:30 pm August people who have a passion for parks. Check with staff for this evening’s pick. Questions / Reservations: 902-285-2535 Broad Cove Campground Ingonish Campground Sparking New Growth Interpreter’s Pick Evening on the Beach Bring Back the Boreal Interpreter’s Pick Campfire Campfire Broad Cove Outdoor Theatre Broad Cove Outdoor Theatre Broad Cove Beach Broad Cove Outdoor Theatre Broad Cove Outdoor Theatre 1-2 hours 8:30 pm 8:30 pm 9 pm July 9 pm July 8 pm 9 pm July 9 pm July 8:30 pm August 8:30 pm August 8:30 pm August 8:30 pm August Just Beachy Activities Join in afternoon fun and games at Free with Discovery Pass Additional fee applies Pre-registration required Ingonish Beach. Park guides will lead activities such as lake safaris, puppet shows, beach bingo, sandcastle SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY building and more. Salmon Pool Walk Salmon Pool Walk Salmon Pool Walk Salmon Pool Walk Salmon Pool Walk Salmon Pool Walk Salmon Pool Walk Salmon Pools trail Salmon Pools trail Salmon Pools trail Salmon Pools trail Salmon Pools trail Salmon Pools trail Salmon Pools trail Live! At the Park 10 am 10 am 10 am 10 am 10 am 10 am 10 am The Chéticamp Visitor Centre comes to life with a variety of special guests Tea Talks Tea Talks from around the island. Drawing on Learn-to-Adventure Chéticamp Visitor Centre Learn-to-Adventure Chéticamp Visitor Centre Learn-to-Adventure the many talents and cultures of Cape Tea Talks Tea Talks 2 pm – 4 pm 2 pm – 4 pm Chéticamp Visitor Centre Chéticamp Visitor Centre Breton, each week will be a new 2 pm - 4 pm 2 pm - 4 pm experience, from fiddles and pipes to Tea Talks Learn-to-Lobster Boil Tea Talks Discovery Zone Tea Talks dancers and drums. 1 hour, $5 Chéticamp Visitor Centre La Bloc Chéticamp Visitor Centre Cooking shelter at La Rigoueche Chéticamp Visitor Centre 2 pm – 4 pm 6:30 pm June – July 2 pm – 4 pm 7 pm 2 pm – 4 pm Sparking New Growth 6 pm August Come discover what we are learning Campground Campfire Acadian Kitchen Party Interpreter’s Pick Live! At The Park Bring Back the Boreal Gaelic Milling Frolic Interpreter’s Pick about how fire actually helps keep a

Chéticamp (West Side) Chéticamp (West Group fire pit Cooking shelter at La Rigouèche Chéticamp Visitor Centre Chéticamp Visitor Centre Chéticamp Visitor Centre Chéticamp Visitor Centre Chéticamp Visitor Centre forest healthy. 1 hour 8:30 pm 7 pm 8:30 pm (French) 8:30 pm 8:30 pm 8:00 pm 8:30 pm (English)

Questions / Reservations: 902-224-2306 Tea Talks Skyline Sunset Hike Skyline Sunset Hike Skyline Sunset Hike Skyline Sunset Hike Skyline Sunset Hike Skyline Sunset Hike Skyline Sunset Hike Steeped conversation. Join a park Skyline Trailhead Skyline Trailhead Skyline Trailhead Skyline Trailhead Skyline Trailhead Skyline Trailhead Skyline Trailhead 2 hours before sunset 2 hours before sunset 2 hours before sunset 2 hours before sunset 2 hours before sunset 2 hours before sunset 2 hours before sunset guide or special guest in our Chéticamp Visitor Centre foyer to chat over a cup of tea. Themes will vary, the welcome will PROGRAMS A-Z An Evening on the Beach Bring Back the Boreal! Campground Campfire Discovery Zone always be warm. Stroll and play on the beach as tales Our boreal forest is changing and Campers, join us around the group Children of all ages and their families will Acadian Kitchen Party of the past spark your imagination. moose have a lot to do with that! campfire to share stories, songs and discover nature and our natural park through The Beach is Alive Join us for a song, a tale, a step or Then, settle in around the campfire and Let us shed some light on what is more in our larger campgrounds. A interactive, hands-on activities and lots of See how natural forces bring Broad a bite of food. We’d love to have relax under the stars. Bring a chair or happening with forest regeneration in park guide will engage the group for fun. 1 hour Cove beach to life as it shifts and you for the party, it’s an Acadian blanket. Musical instruments welcome. the Cape Breton Highlands. 1 hour the first hour; stay and connect with evolves. Meet its residents and Following Fire tradition! 2 hours 2 hours fellow campers into the evening. discover the key roles they play. Fire is an essential part of our forest Program geared to family audience. ecosystems. Come explore a fire-associated pine-oak forest and find out how burning the 1 hour 22 forest can help it grow. 2 hours 23