Cabot Trail in 6 hours - Is it feasible?

[Cruisinforasnoozin]

We are arriving on the CB at 1:00 and ship leaves at 6:00 pm (therefore back on ship at 5:30) The ship is offering a excursion $99.00 pp to Cabot Trail (St. Ann's Lookout) We are four of us that would like to rent a car and get there on our own. I realize it is a tight schedule however if the bus can do it we figure we could too. Just be nice if someone could confirm! Thx

[6rugrats]

I don't know what the "CB" is, but if you arrive at 1:00, and you must be back on the ship at 5:30, that's only 4.5 hours, not six. I would not be comfortable doing this, but I have a low risk tolerance.

[travelbig]

That's true and you would also have to figure in the time to get the car and return it. Take the ship excursion if that is a "must see" for you. It IS really beautiful scenery.

[jean s]

We've done the Cabot Trail a number of times and I really do not think I would chance trying to drive it on my own in that amount of hours. The other issue is that it is very difficult for the driver to see the scenery because the you need to keep your eye on this very windy road. I personally would do the ship's tour for this excursion. The scenery is gorgeous.

[maryann ns]

If you do a search you will find several previous posts about this. Go to the Ports of Call Canada page and look for the search feature near the top (in pink to the right of the blue bar.)

 

The ship's tour only does a small part of the Cabot Trail and probably wastes time with shopping. You really will need to come to Cape Breton on your own to see the trail which is about five hours of driving plus the time to Sydney and back.

 

You can do some of the trail by going on your own and renting a car, but you will need to allow for car breakdowns, etc. To me the best part of the trail is from Ingonish on to Cheticamp and that is too far for you to go.

 

Far better, if you are there between June 1 and Oct. 15 is to rent a car and go to Louisbourg.

 

Or you could rent a car and drive to Baddeck and on to Iona.

[Cruisinforasnoozin]

Thanks everyone! Sorry CB meant CP (Caribbean Princess) and ship arrives at 1:00 and leaves at 6:00 so truly only have 4.5 hours.

''Maryann NS'' this is exactly what I was looking for :)