27 February, 2025

Cathy’s Trans Canada Trail: Cape Breton Island’s Trails and Sandy Beaches

This is part three in a four-part series following travel writer and Trail adventurer Cathy Donaldson as she explores different sections of the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail on Cape Breton Island.

Catch up on part one here and part two here.

Part three: childhood memories come back to life.

On the third installment of Cathy Donaldson’s Cape Breton Island adventures along the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, she detours off the Trail to visit an exceptional sandy beach, followed by a stop at the famed Red Shoe Pub, owned by Mabou’s very own Rankin Family.

From childhood memories to incredible live music and a jaunt along the Chestico Trail section of the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, follow along with Cathy on her island journey.

Catch up on parts one, two and three of Cathy’s full Cape Breton Island adventure by scrolling through below, or click here to view the StoryMap!

iFrames are not supported on this page.

Check back March 6 for the fourth and final installment of Cathy’s adventures on Cape Breton Island – in which she explores the Mabou Rivers Trailhead, Inverness Shean Trail and more.

Cathy Donaldson is a travel writer and photographer based in Moncton, New Brunswick.