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Celtic Shores Coastal Trail

Record #: MCI0191
Last Modified: 11 Apr 2019
Last Full Update: 07 Mar 2017

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Public Bulletin Inverness County has a unique trail experience for every weekend of your year!

Location

Located In Inverness County
Where To Find Us
Coordinates: 46.2308280, -61.3043830
Areas Served Inverness County

Contact

Social Media Facebook Twitter YouTube
Website www.celticshores.ca
E-Mail CelticShoresTrail@gmail.com
Phone 902 631 1082
Contact Blaise MacEachern

Description & Services

Trail Rating Easy - The trail grade is almost flat with very few slight inclines as prevalent in rail trail.
Information The Celtic Shores Coastal Trail is a 92-km (57 mi) multi-use trail stretching from Port Hastings to the Town of Inverness on the west coast of the spectacular Cape Breton Island, that combines outdoor recreation, local history and culture!  
 
Great for off-road cycling or long distance trekking, the flat trail meanders along the coastline, through picturesque wilderness, skirts streams, and connects several communities and attractions. Along the way you will find active fishing harbours, warm-water beaches in Port Hood, West Mabou, and Inverness, the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique along with five other museums, and many local establishment serving the very best of cuisine. All of this is complimented with a variety of accommodations, restaurants, places to shop, some of the best live Celtic music on the island and a unique living Gaelic culture.  
 
Along the trail you find community kiosks and interpretive panels that will provide you with a glimpse of local history and culture. This trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail and the International Appalachian Trail.  
 
Trailsheads: There are over thirty trailheads and access points along the trail. For location and GPS coordinates visit Celtic Shores Coastal Trail website 
 
Surface: Unpaved but smooth and hard-packed for most of the trail. Upgrading is done early, for information on becoming a volunteer with the trail association, connect with one in your local area:  
 
Ceilidh Trail Association : Canso Canal to Chisholm's Brook, Long Point 
 
Judique Flyer Trail Association : Chisholm's Brook, Long Point to Little Judique Harbour  
 
Chestico Trail Association : Little Judique Harbour to Zupthen Farm SW Mabou River  
 
Mabou Rivers Trail Association : Zupthen Farm SW Mabou to Blackstone 
 
Inverness Shean Trails Association : Blackstone to Inverness 
 
Cycling Speed: 20 km/hr (12 miles/hr)  
 
Hybrid or mountain bikes are best suited for this trail.  
 
Other uses include hiking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ATVing, equestrian & geocaching. 
 
Some highlights from along the trail: 
 
- Beautiful & welcoming communities 
- Provincial Visitor Information Centres (open seasonally May - October) 
- Scenic ocean views 
- Wildlife including a vast array of coastal birds, majestic bald eagles and the occasional pilot whale pops up to take a peek! 
- Community gardens 
- Ice Cream Shops 
- Venues showcasing our island's heritage through song, dance, and spoken word!  
- Museums that make our culture and history come alive 
 
The trail is alive with Celtic experiences in villages along the route through festivals, concerts, square dances and Ceilidh’s, a Gaelic term for a party or gathering.  
 
Plan a trip on the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail and experience the ride of your life!
Eligibility All ages
Dates Open all year around.
Accessibility Partially Wheelchair Accessible - Parking available at Trailhead Kiosks, picnic tables