Cape Smokey from Middle Head

One of Cape Breton Highlands National Park most popular hiking trail, Middle Head,  attracts annually over 16, 000 hikers. It is a looped 4 km trail that features incredible scenery and look-offs along the way for some great pictures. There are interpretative panels along the way that explain the human history – the Corson House & property before the Keltic Lodge,  and the fishing industry as well flora and fauna of the area. 

Seabirds at the tip of Middle Head hiking trail

At the tip of Middle Head to the left there is a short trail that takes you to a  popular place with sea birds – gulls, cormorants, guillemots and others. Great place to stop for a snack or lunch and watch the birds. 

Spruce Grouse Drumming, Middle Head Hiking Trail

There is an trail that takes you back to the Keltic Lodge and provides views of Ingonish Island, Ingonish Centre & Ingonish.  Lately it has provided some great photo opportunities of spruce grouse and pileated woodpeckers.

Middle Head is one of the hikes offered in this year’s Hike the Highlands Festival , Sept. 10-19, 2010. The festival features 10 days of hiking, 24 guided hikes, evening presentations, opening & closing ceremonies and much more.