Inverness County offers different perspectives on the coast and nature: the county’s west coast includes the Cabot Trail, while the 92 km Celtic Shores Coastal Trail runs from Port Hastings to the community of Inverness. The region also features protected wetlands, the headwaters of the Northeast Margaree River, a sandy beach and musical traditions that connect its communities. This combination makes the region an interesting place to explore landscapes through a variety of trails and natural areas.
Coastal Trails and Geographic Orientation
The Celtic Shores Coastal Trail is a 92 km multi-use trail that runs from Port Hastings to the community of Inverness. It has more than 30 trailheads and access points. Two details are particularly useful for orientation: the length describes the trail as a whole, while the access points offer different reference points along the route. This means you can think of the trail as a continuous connection without basing your entire trip plan on its full length.
One notable structure along the trail is the Deepdale Trestle, a former railway bridge. It is about 300 feet long and almost 100 feet high. The two measurements give you a sense of different dimensions of the structure, while its former function as a railway bridge puts it in historical context. So, alongside the multi-use route, the trail also features a structure with a railway past.
Road Connections and a Park on the Cabot Trail
For regional orientation, Highway 105, the Trans-Canada Highway, connects Inverness County and provides a direct route between the Canso Causeway and the Town of Sydney. The Cabot Trail is a different point of reference: it runs along the county’s west coast, and Lake O’ Law is the only provincial park in Inverness County located on the Cabot Trail. The highway and the trail therefore represent different geographic connections: a route between two named endpoints and a coastal route where the provincial park is located.
Wetlands, River Headwaters and Beach
The Black River Bog Nature Reserve is next to Lake Ainslie and includes a rare alkaline fen and a delta wetland. It is home to at least 13 rare plant species. Another protected area focuses on river landscapes: the Margaree River Wilderness Area protects the headwaters of the well-known Northeast Margaree River in Inverness County. These are two distinct natural features: unique wetland types and the headwaters of a named river.
In the Town of Inverness, Inverness Beach is a 1.5 km sandy beach with a boardwalk above the beach. Compared with the 92 km multi-use trail, the beach is a clearly defined coastal spot rather than a long route. The beach and boardwalk describe two aspects of the same place: the sandy beach and the path above it. If you’d like to experience coastal landscapes at different scales, this contrast offers a useful point of reference.
Musical Traditions
The communities of Inverness County are connected by musical traditions. Music is therefore part of the county’s shared cultural character, while the coastal route and natural areas offer other ways to experience the region. If you’d like to include cultural connections alongside the landscape in your travel ideas, this tradition shared across communities offers another point of interest.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Craigmore, Saint Joseph Du Moine, Port Hawkesbury, Margaree Forks, Petit Étang, Margaree Harbour, Port Hastings, Margaree Centre, Chéticamp, Orangedale, Whycocomagh, Grand Étang, Port Hood, Craggie, Troy, Inverness, Judique.
For the regional travel overview: Nova Scotia.
