Hiking - Coiseachd is Streap
Celtic Shores Coastal Trail - Mabou Rivers Trail Section
The 92-km Celtic Shores Coastal Trail stretches from Port Hastings to Inverness on the west coast of beautiful Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Explore the best of Canada’s seacoast as you journey along the trail where awe-inspiring natural beauty is matched by the vibrant celtic culture of our region. This exceptional trail system meanders along the coast providing first-class trail experiences for bikers, hikers, runners, quadders, skiers, snowmobilers and horse-back riders.
Mabou Rivers Trail Section
"The trail opens up and meanders alongside the South West Mabou River for several kilometres. This section of the trail is very pretty in all seasons, suitable for walking, biking, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling. Some of the meadows that are adjacent to the trail here were once valuable farmland for the numerous homesteads that were found on the upland side of the trail. The combination of river, meadows and woodlands makes for an abundance of wildlife and interesting vegetation. The upper part of this section of the trail is locally referred to as the “landing” as this is where boats used to land cargo in days gone by, before the present village became the main area. Eagles are most common along here." Nadine Hunt
Celtic Shores Coastal Trail Website
Mabou Rivers Trail Section
"The trail opens up and meanders alongside the South West Mabou River for several kilometres. This section of the trail is very pretty in all seasons, suitable for walking, biking, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling. Some of the meadows that are adjacent to the trail here were once valuable farmland for the numerous homesteads that were found on the upland side of the trail. The combination of river, meadows and woodlands makes for an abundance of wildlife and interesting vegetation. The upper part of this section of the trail is locally referred to as the “landing” as this is where boats used to land cargo in days gone by, before the present village became the main area. Eagles are most common along here." Nadine Hunt
Celtic Shores Coastal Trail Website
West Mabou Hiking Trails
a aWest Mabou Beach Provincial Park - Colindale Road, West Mabou.
A natural environment park with public access to a beautiful large sandy beach and dune system at the mouth of Mabou Harbour. The park also consists of old farm fields and marshes,
with several walking and hiking trails and a picnic area. Ample parking along with change houses and pit toilets and a small interpretive site can be found at the beach head. The trails system is developed and maintained by the volunteers of the West Mabou Beach Committee
A natural environment park with public access to a beautiful large sandy beach and dune system at the mouth of Mabou Harbour. The park also consists of old farm fields and marshes,
with several walking and hiking trails and a picnic area. Ample parking along with change houses and pit toilets and a small interpretive site can be found at the beach head. The trails system is developed and maintained by the volunteers of the West Mabou Beach Committee
Cape Mabou Trails
"Using old roads and trails in this area, the Cape Mabou Trail Club, has built a well-maintained and well-marked trail system that offers tremendous views and a considerable variety of terrain, from easy walks to very strenuous hikes, along coastal trails, up and down the many mountains, and through the forest. "
- Victor Maurice Faubert
- Victor Maurice Faubert
MacFarlane Woods Nature Reserve
MacFarlane Woods Nature Reserve protects an excellent example of a rich, old-growth Sugar Maple-Yellow Birch-Beech forest. It also hosts rare plants. It is located in the Mabou Ridge above the Mull River Valley. Hills and valleys, natural landscape. The hardwood forest of MacFarlane Woods is part of a virgin stand. The old-growth forest is surrounded by a variety of early succession stands which are utilized to promote natural history education for visitors. The original 52.5-ha MacFarlane Woods Nature Reserve was designated in 1988 at the generous invitation of the landowner, Mr. James St. Clair, of Mull River. In 2001, Mr St. Clair offered to add more of his land to the nature reserve. Between 2001 and 2004, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia purchased four adjacent properties, and in 2004, these plus Mr. St. Clair’s additional lands were added to the reserve, bringing it to its present size of 132 hectares.
Beaches - Cladach
West Mabou Beach
West Mabou Beach Provincial Park - Colindale Road, West Mabou.
The only public access beach in the Mabou area is part of a natural environment park with a beautiful large sandy beach and dune system at the mouth of Mabou Harbour. The park also consists of old farm fields and marshes, with several walking and hiking trails and a picnic area. Ample parking along with change houses and pit toilets and a small interpretive site can be found at the beach head.
The only public access beach in the Mabou area is part of a natural environment park with a beautiful large sandy beach and dune system at the mouth of Mabou Harbour. The park also consists of old farm fields and marshes, with several walking and hiking trails and a picnic area. Ample parking along with change houses and pit toilets and a small interpretive site can be found at the beach head.
Mabou Sailing Club
The Mabou Sailing Club is excited to be in a position where they can now offer sailing lessons to adults and kids alike. Mabou Sailing is an active member of the Nova Scotia Yacht Association and a registered non-profit society. The club is located at the "The Point" on Mabou Harbour Road on the outskirts of Mabou. For further information please check out the website at www.mabousailing.com
Eagle Watching
"The junction of Route 252 and the Mabou River Trail is locally referred to as the “landing” as this is where boats used to land cargo in days gone by, before the present village became the main area. Eagles are most common along here, and there is a large eagle nest just off the trail to the left in a large tree beside the river, about one kilometre before you reach the final part of this section of the Mabou River Trail." - Nadine Hunt
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in tidal waters and does not require a license There are limits and restrictions on species. Inland fishing does require licensing and it can be purchased at The Brook Village Store. The Inverness South Anglers Association completed 2 major stockings of trout throughout the Mabou watershed in 2004.
Rankin Tuna Charters
An unforgettable experience of tackling the Bluefin tuna in one of the most beautiful scenic areas in the world. Feel the adrenaline rush that happens every time you hook up whether it’s your first time or whether you did it all your life. This area has some of the largest Bluefin tuna ever caught as well as the World’s Record for largest Bluefin tuna weighing 1496 lbs.
The conservation measures that have been taken throughout the past years and the large amount of bait in these waters have led this area to having an abundance of Bluefin tuna.
Reel in a tuna with Captain Andrew Rankin who is an experienced fisherman of 37 years. Andrew is a third generation fisherman from Mabou Harbour who employs his children to continue in the family tradition. He presently fishes lobster, snow crab, herring, mackerel, rock crab along with the Bluefin tuna.
We are taking bookings for the season which runs approximately August 15th to October 31st. This is a day trip which includes food and beverages. Please call us for rates. This is a highly regulated catch-and-release sport fishery.
http://www.rankintunacharters.ca/
Mabou Harbour & Finlay Point (Mabou Coal Mines) Wharves
During the late 19th century and for the 1st half of the 20th century, Mabou's primary economic activity was coal mining. Today Mabou is primarily a fishing port for a small fleet of lobster boats, docked at both the Mabou Harbour and Finlay Point wharves. When the season is open fishermen catch lobster, crab, tuna, herring, mackerel, hake, etc. You will also have an opportunity to taste delicious Mabou oysters farmed in the harbour. Mabou is home to some of the freshest seafood around.
Kayaking
Treat yourself to a self guided tour of Mabou Harbour and the Mabou River. A beautiful setting ideal for beginners or those who just want to get out and enjoy a peaceful morning, afternoon or evening on the water. For the intermediate or expert kayaker a full day of adventure awaits, which entails driving to and launching at Finlay Point Wharf (Mabou Coal Mines).
