Cape Breton Highlands National Park

ARTICLE CONTENTS:  |  Links to Other Sites
Cape Breton Highlands National Park (established 1936) stretches across the northern tip of CAPE BRETON ISLAND, occupying 948 km2 of a high plateau covered with bogs and forest and dotted with ponds.

Natural History

Around the seaward edge of the park are 300 m cliffs, sheltered coves and rocky beaches, all under constant attack from the Atlantic Ocean. Vegetation is varied: hardwood forests of maple, beech and yellow birch contrast with muskeg, heath barrens and orchid-dotted bogs. Wildlife species include moose, white-tailed deer, BLACK BEAR, snowshoe hare, bobcat, lynx and, possibly, cougar. The rock vole, Gaspé and pygmy shrews and marten, all considered rare in Canada, inhabit the park. Over 230 species of birds have been recorded.

Human History

This is one of the places claimed as the site of John CABOT's landfall in 1497. MICMAC were living in the area at the time. Portuguese fishermen were the first Europeans to settle, followed by French and Scottish immigrants. Tradition is strong in fishing villages near the park. French is the first language of many residents, reflecting their ACADIAN heritage, while the use of Gaelic reflects a Highland heritage.

Facilities

The 298 km Cabot Trail, a modern scenic highway, is one way to experience the park's beauty. There are 6 vehicle-accessible, fully serviced campgrounds, as well as backcountry sites.
Cape Breton Island, Coast
Cape Breton Island, Coast
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia (photo by J.A. Kraulis).
Beech Forest
Beech Forest
A beech forest in the Clyburn Valley of Cape Breton Highlands National Park (courtesy Parks Canada).

Author MAXWELL W. FINKELSTEIN


Links to Other Sites
Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada
This illustrated Parks Canada website describes the ecology, geography, and history of Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada.

Nova Scotia's Natural History
An online guide to the natural history of various regions in Nova Scotia. From the website for the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History.

Ingonish
A tourism website for the Ingonish region, located in is actually a cluster of five small communities in the Cape Breton Highlands.

National Parks Project
A close-up virtual tour of Canada's superb National Parks. Based on the National Parks Project TV series at Discovery World HD online.

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