Sunrise Trail from New Glasgow to Antigonish – sometimes called the Mini Cabot this is a scenic drive with a few interesting stops along the way. This is one of my favorite views, seen right from the highway.
Big Island is the
first stop on this drive. It is a long stretch of rocky beach with some sandy
areas. There isn’t any parking for this beach except for where you can squeeze
in beside the road. You have to climb the rock barrier to reach the beach but
it is worth it if you are looking for solitude. I enjoy this spot much more in
the winter time because of the ice build-up and seeing the occasional seal (these are pictures from earlier in the year).
Next stop, Lismore
Warf. This is a picturesque spot. We usually don’t stay here for very long,
just long enough to take in the views.
There is a look off
just before you reach the next stop, Arisag. On the other side of the road, before you reach the Provincial Park is a distillery called, Steinhart Distillery. One of their specialties is Maple Vodka.
Here is a couple of pics from the distillery.
Here is a couple of pics from the distillery.
And this is the view from the look off.
Arisag is a picnic park and beach area with a couple of walking trails.
When driving in there is a lot of deadfall, brush piles and debris laying around which makes it seem very unwelcoming and unattractive but once you get by this it is much better. Here is the best picnic spot, overlooking the warf.
We took the trail down to the beach area. It is a long trail and not very well maintained, there are some narrow spots and some steep parts with loose gravel. Note that it could be challenging for young children, strollers and the elderly.
They have been doing some work though:
The beach is primarily a rock beach with a view of the Arisag Warf in one direction and rock cliff in the other.
If you want to see a fossil, this is one of the places to go, you can find them in the shale of the cliff and in the rocks underfoot.
Arisag is a picnic park and beach area with a couple of walking trails.
When driving in there is a lot of deadfall, brush piles and debris laying around which makes it seem very unwelcoming and unattractive but once you get by this it is much better. Here is the best picnic spot, overlooking the warf.
We took the trail down to the beach area. It is a long trail and not very well maintained, there are some narrow spots and some steep parts with loose gravel. Note that it could be challenging for young children, strollers and the elderly.
They have been doing some work though:
The beach is primarily a rock beach with a view of the Arisag Warf in one direction and rock cliff in the other.
If you want to see a fossil, this is one of the places to go, you can find them in the shale of the cliff and in the rocks underfoot.
There are so many interesting rocks to check out.
There is a small waterfall which is quite beautiful.
There are also a couple of holes in the cliff, this one reminds me of an elephant. I had my picture taken inside and then I looked back and thought, that could have easily fallen on my head at any moment.
This is a great place to explore, have a picnic and stick your feet in the water. I’ve also seen a lot of kayakers here as well.
This is a picture of the interpretive area where you can learn about the fossils you find and there are bathrooms (of a sort) in the area as well.
Here are a few more pictures, just for fun.
Next stop – Arisag
Warf.
We love to get ice cream here at the lighthouse and sit and watch the waves beat in on the rocks. This day was relatively calm but we have been here on days when the waves were crashing in and looked quite stunning.
There is also a café here which is quite. We haven’t tried it yet but it is on our list of things to check out. They have a beautiful patio view of the rock cliffs and the boats in the warf. At the end of the street there is this beautiful church.
We love to get ice cream here at the lighthouse and sit and watch the waves beat in on the rocks. This day was relatively calm but we have been here on days when the waves were crashing in and looked quite stunning.
There is also a café here which is quite. We haven’t tried it yet but it is on our list of things to check out. They have a beautiful patio view of the rock cliffs and the boats in the warf. At the end of the street there is this beautiful church.
Next is Maligant
Warf but we missed it somehow this trip around – I’m not sure how. There is another warf at Livingstone Cove with
another beautiful view.
Then there is the
Cape George lighthouse.
When you first enter the park there is a small parking area and short trail to a small picnic area, on up the hill is the lighthouse, a few benches and more picnic tables. Some of the picnic tables are in need of maintenance.
This is high up on the hill and the views are stunning. I don’t think I’ve ever been here that I haven’t seen some type of boat going by.
Something to note: the road up to the lighthouse is very narrow – I didn’t want to meet anyone in our small car let alone a larger vehicle. You cannot get over on one side of the road due to the steep incline and the other side would put you into a ravine. If you have a camper or any sort of large vehicle, leave it at the bottom of the hill.
When you first enter the park there is a small parking area and short trail to a small picnic area, on up the hill is the lighthouse, a few benches and more picnic tables. Some of the picnic tables are in need of maintenance.
This is high up on the hill and the views are stunning. I don’t think I’ve ever been here that I haven’t seen some type of boat going by.
Something to note: the road up to the lighthouse is very narrow – I didn’t want to meet anyone in our small car let alone a larger vehicle. You cannot get over on one side of the road due to the steep incline and the other side would put you into a ravine. If you have a camper or any sort of large vehicle, leave it at the bottom of the hill.
Next stop is an old
schoolhouse museum. The entrance fee is by donation but the draw here is the
walking trails.
There is a short walking trail to the side of the building
which is quite steep and wouldn’t be good for young children or the elderly but
it is a beautiful forest trail which leads to the water. From here, depending
on the tide, you can see the remains of a sunken ship and read about it. The
other trails starts in front of the schoolhouse, crosses the road and then you
have a couple of options which direction you want to go. We have only spent a
bit of time on these trails and will have to explore them further at another
time. There are maps and a sign near the schoolhouse for you to follow.
From here the next
stop is Ballantyne Cove. Gorgeous!
There is an interpretive centre here,
a canteen called Fish and Ships,
and a stretch of beach which you have to climb the rock barrier to reach. This beach is very popular with the locals. I personally come for the views.
Just past this cove is a look-off which is starting to grow up but we always stop there anyway.
There is an interpretive centre here,
a canteen called Fish and Ships,
and a stretch of beach which you have to climb the rock barrier to reach. This beach is very popular with the locals. I personally come for the views.
Just past this cove is a look-off which is starting to grow up but we always stop there anyway.
The last stop on
this loop is Mahoneys beach. There is very limited parking here and it is quite
rocky but you can go for a nice walk here and the locals love it.
From here you can
enjoy farmland and glimpses of the ocean on the rest of the way to Antigonish.
We usually have a meal here before heading back up the highway. There are several restaurants in downtown
Antigonish. If you still don’t want to end your day you can stop at Beaver Park
– a provincial park located up the road behind the race track. This is a
beautiful picnic park with forest trails. We have walked many of them before
and they are very nice. One of the trails has a wheelchair accessible boardwalk.
The highway from Antigonish is beautiful as well with the hills on either side,
especially so in the fall. I will leave off with some of the scenic views from the drive.
Check this out to see my day trip from Pictou to Tatamagouch on the Sunrise Trail http://shyopinionated.blogspot.ca/2017/08/day-trip-on-sunrise-trail.html
