Cape Breton & Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary
- adriana hamelin
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
A scenic East Coast adventure from Montreal to the Cabot Trail
If there’s one Canadian road trip that completely surprised us, it was Nova Scotia.
We expected pretty coastal views and good seafood… but what we got was so much more : foggy ferry crossings, colorful fishing towns, gluten-free fish & chips wins (huge moment 😄), thrilling Sea-Doo rides, and hiking at sunset with possible moose sightings.
In August 2021, the four of us packed into an SUV and drove from Montreal toward the East Coast with no strict plan, just a rough route and lots of curiosity.
Here’s exactly how our Cape Breton & Nova Scotia road trip unfolded.
🚗 Stop 1 – Montreal to Saint John (9 hours)
Our trip started with a long but easy driving day.
About 9 hours on the road, plus the usual:
gas stops
coffee breaks
roadside lunches
We arrived in Saint John close to supper, grabbed dinner nearby, and randomly found a fun little arcade bar before heading back to the hotel.
Honestly? We could have stayed another night. The city has that relaxed maritime vibe that makes you want to slow down.
But we had an early ferry to catch…
⛴ Stop 2 – Ferry across the Bay of Fundy to Digby
We took the morning ferry across the Bay of Fundy.
Good to know:
⏱ Crossing time: ~2h15–2h30
🚢 Runs year-round
🗓 Usually 2 sailings daily
I secretly hoped to spot whales… but thick fog had other plans.
Still, there’s something peaceful about being out on the water first thing in the morning.
Why Digby is worth visiting
Digby is known as the “Scallop Capital of the World”, and by pure luck we arrived during the scallop festival.
We stayed two nights at a cozy B&B and fully embraced:
fresh seafood
harbor walks
small-town charm
This is where our trip really slowed down in the best way.
🚘 Scenic Detour – Yarmouth, Lunenburg & Peggy’s Cove
Instead of cutting straight across Nova Scotia (about 2 hours), we decided to take the long scenic coastal drive.
Was it beautiful? Yes. Was it much longer than expected? Yes.
Cape Forchu Lighthouse
Great panoramic views at the tip of the peninsula.
Lunenburg
One of the prettiest towns on the trip.
Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
colorful waterfront
great restaurants
Super charming, but limited accommodations, book early!
Mahone Bay
A personal highlight: GLUTEN-FREE FISH & CHIPS!!! If you’re gluten-free, you know how rare that is. I was ridiculously happy.
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
Quick stop, but classic Nova Scotia. Ocean air, crashing waves, sitting on the rocks: simple and perfect.
⚓ Stop 4 – Halifax
Halifax felt lively after all the small towns.
Our friends did a half-day boat trip, while we rented a Sea-Doo and rode around the bay for an hour.
Seeing the city from the water while jumping waves? SO fun. Slightly chaotic. Zero regrets.
Plus, amazing food options everywhere.
🌲 Stop 5 – Cape Breton Island & the Cabot Trail
Saving the best for last.
We stayed near Cheticamp for a few nights and explored Cape Breton.
A small warning…
If you get car sick , be careful on the Cabot Trail.
The curves are constant. Four adults in an SUV + fast driving = not fun for the back seat.
Beach days & lobster dinners
Crystal clear water, quiet beaches, and takeout lobster back at the Airbnb. Simple East Coast bliss.
Hiking the Skyline Trail (must do!)
Inside Cape Breton Highlands National Park, we hiked the famous Skyline Trail at sunset.
Details:
6–8 km
easy
wooden boardwalk views
LOTS of stairs
We thankfully brought headlamps because it was pitch dark on the way back.
At one point… we saw shadows. Then eyes.
Probably moose.
We walked a little faster after that.
Still, it was one of the most magical hikes of the whole trip.
🦞 Bonus Food Stop – Halls Harbour
About 1.5 hours from Halifax, this spot is famous for extreme tides. Boats literally sit on the ocean floor at low tide, it’s wild to see.
We ate at Hall's Harbour Lobster Pound and had some of the best lobster of the entire trip. Messy hands, melted butter, ocean views. Perfection.
Our Nova Scotia Road Trip Tips
✔ Book Cape Breton accommodations early✔ Bring headlamps for sunset hikes✔ Watch for moose at night✔ Plan shorter driving days than you think✔ If gluten-free, research restaurants ahead✔ Don’t skip the Cabot Trail, it’s the highlight
Final Thoughts
Nova Scotia is quiet, authentic, salty, and wildly beautiful.
It’s the kind of place where:
you slow down
you eat incredible seafood
you hike until sunset
and you come home feeling refreshed
And honestly? Those are always our favorite trips.
Cape Breton completely stole our hearts and we’d go back in a heartbeat.
Comments