HEALTHY AT HOME
The Splendour of
Cape George Heritage Trail STORY AND PHOTOS BY TRISH JOUDREY
I
’m always on the lookout for a lightly trafficked trail with exceptional beauty. So, when three phrases kept popping up to describe one particular trail—spectacular views, wilderness, and old-growth forest—my interest was piqued. The Cape George Heritage Trail proved true on every point and provided an unexpected adventure. “We call it a wilderness trail because of the isolated nature of the forest paths,” says Velma MacEachern, a member of the Cape George Trail Committee. “It’s special: the only spot in Nova Scotia where there’s a panoramic view of the Northumberland Strait and St. George’s Bay together.” The Cape George Trail, sometimes known as the Mini Cabot Trail, is a three-section system of 33-kilometre looped trails of various difficulty on an isolated headland jutting out on the North Eastern coastline about 15 kilometres north of Antigonish. It’s part of the Cape-to-Cape trail system linking two exceptional lookoffs, Cape George and Cape Chignecto. Armed with a map designed by local trail builder Peter Jackson, water, tick spray, and snacks, I set out to walk the northern loop from Trail Head #2 to Trail Head #3, ending close to the dramatic Cape George Lighthouse. My goal was to sit at the first look-off bench, about halfway around the loop, have a picnic, and admire the views. “There’s a splendid view at the top,” says John Cornell, a local resident who stopped to chat. “You can see Livingston Cove and P.E.I. Haven’t been up there for a few years, but it’s a view I always love.” Gesturing with his hand he cautions, “Take a left up ahead. The right’s a dead end. Just want to save you time.” “Thanks for the tip, John,” I replied. He was the last person we saw for the next six hours.
Local resident and hiker, John Cornell.
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ah! Fall 2021
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