Day 32- Skyline Trail hike in Cape Breton Highlands

Saturday July 13^th

Today we took advantage of the most perfect weather.  Not a cloud in the sky, and temperatures in mid to high 60’s.  There is one particular trail here in Cape Breton Highlands National Park that everyone says you must do.  The “Skyline Trail”.  It is 5.7 miles along a very high ridge.  We were going to do this hike on a guided tour to see the sunset, but since the day was so perfect, thought it best to see the views in full sunlight.

A view from the top of Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park

This is a hike with “overlooks” but it felt that without heart palpitations and a lot of sweat, we weren't quite deserving of the views. Here one drove to nearly the top, and hiked from there. The groomed  trail was a little boring for the first several miles, but would open up to fabulous views of the twisting road, mountain ridges and ocean below.   Again, as we walked, we encountered few others, nor did we see any animals, either.

We reached the outermost point of the ridge and the view took our breath away! The steep mountain ridges plunged straight into the sea.  One could also watch the cars twisting and turning on the Cabot Trail below us.

Another view from the trail

It was a long hike, at least more than we are used to, and again my feet ( and other parts of my anatomy ) were dragging.  It does not help that my hiking boots weigh 4 pounds as I trudged along.

On the way back we stopped at various lookout points and saw whales  and bald eagles, which is always a treat.

Norm spotted Minke Whales off shore

When we got back to the campground we found about 20 large motorhomes with Florida license plates!  They were a caravan from Great Outdoors RV Resort from Titusville, Fl.

 They will be here for 3 days, then moving on to Newfoundland.  Perhaps they will sight an iceburg.  We heard on the news the other day that there are more iceburgs this year, right now, than there has been in the last 10 years.  We contemplated going over to see them since we are relatively “close” but it would be just too expensive for the off chance that we might see one.