Directions
There are many ways to get to Chéticamp, no matter what method of transportation you choose, be it by automobile, airplane or even by boat. This page will help you arrive safely from all departure points.
By Automobile
Once you’ve reached the border of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, you must drive 272 km on Trans-Canada Highway 104 until you see the Straight of Canso. Once arrived, cross the Canso causeway, the rotating bridge that links Cape Breton to mainland Nova Scotia, to get to Port Hastings. Now that you’ve made it to Cape Breton, you are faced with a few choices. Select one of the following recommended ways to get to Chéticamp.
1st Method – [Distance = 133 km]
Branch off on Trans-Canada Highway 105 and continue driving until you arrive in Waycobah First Nation. Take a left turn on route 395. Continue straight until you reach a fork in the road in Southwest Margaree. Take a right turn on route 19 towards Margaree Forks. When you come across a second fork, turn left on the Cabot Trail (route 19) and continue straight until you reach Chéticamp.
2nd Method – [Distance = 108 km]
The Ceilidh Trail (pronounced “kay-lee”, a Gaelic word meaning “party”) follows the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence from Port Hastings to Margaree Harbour. You must turn into the rotary in Port Hastings and exit on route 19. Continue straight until you get to Dunvegan. You will then have the option of staying on route 19 until you arrive in Margaree Forks (same as in the first method) and take a left onto the Cabot Trail, or you can turn left onto route 219 to continue the Ceilidh Trail. The Ceilidh Trail will bring you straight to Margaree Harbour, where you will make a left turn onto the Cabot Trail, onto the bridge and continue straight until you reach Chéticamp.
Alternate Methods
There are many possible combinations of roads that you could take to eventually reach the Acadian Region of Chéticamp, although the two methods above depict the fastest ways. If you would rather go up the west side of Cape Breton and pass trough most of the Cabot Trail before arriving in Cheticamp, then you must take the first method, but instead of turning on route 395, keep straight on highway 105. You will then have to turn on route 19, either in Nyanza [Distance = 88 km] or in St. Anne’s Harbour (this way will bring you all around Cape Breton before reaching Chéticamp) [Distance = 200 km]. Both exits will bring you to Chéticamp.
For a more visual interpretation of these directions, click here, to open a new window with a detailed map.
By Airplane
The easiest way for visitors coming from afar is to fly here. You can book your flight to land in Sydney, Cape Breton’s largest city, situated 179 km from Cheticamp. After landing, you turn onto Silver Dart Way, then onto Grand Lake Road, and continue until you reach Highway 125. You will then exit onto Trans-Canada Highway 105 and continue straight. You must exit onto route 19, either in St. Anne’s Harbour (200 km from Cheticamp) or in Nyanza (recommended, 88 km from Cheticamp).
If you prefer, you may land in Halifax at the Robert L. Stanfield International Airport, but you will have a bit farther to drive. After landing, turn right on Highway 102, then turn right on Trans-Canada Highway 104. Continue straight until you reach Cape Breton (See methods by automobile for further instructions).
For a more visual interpretation of these directions, click here, to open a new window with a detailed map.
By Boat
Nova Scotia is almost entirely surrounded by water, and whether they’re traveling in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the Bay of Fundy or the Atlantic Ocean, ferries make it easy for travelers to reach us. Here is a list of ferries in Nova Scotia.
“The Cat” links the city of Yarmouth (south-west Nova Scotia) to the cities of Portland, Maine and Bar Harbour, Maine (on the east coast of the United States). Visit www.catferry.com for more information, or call Bay Ferries Ltd. at 1-888-249-7245 to make a reservation. After arriving in Yarmouth, follow Highway 103 until you reach Highway 102. Follow it until you reach Highway 104 and drive straight to Cape Breton (See methods by car for further instructions).
“The Princess of Acadia” links the city of Digby (south-west Nova Scotia) to the city of Saint John, New Brunswick. Visit www.bayferries.com for more information, or call Bay Ferries Ltd. at 1-888-249-7245 to make a reservation (recommended). After arriving in Digby, follow Highway 101 until you reach Highway 102. Follow it until you reach Highway 104 and drive straight to Cape Breton (See methods by car for further instructions).
The “Confederation” links the town of Caribou (central Nova Scotia) to the town of Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island. Visit www.peiferries.com for more information, or call Northumberland Ferries Ltd. at 1-800-565-0201. After arriving in Caribou, follow Trans-Canada Highway 106 until you reach Trans-Canada Highway 104. Drive straight on Trans-Canada Highway 104 until you reach Cape Breton (See methods by car for further instructions).
The “Leif Ericson”, “Caribou”, “Joseph and Clara Smallwood” and “Atlantic Freighter” link the city of North Sydney (eastern Cape Breton) to the cities of Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland and Argentia, Newfoundland. Visit www.marine-atlantic.ca for more information or call 1-800-341-7981 to make a reservation. After arriving in North Sydney, follow the Trans-Canada Highway 105 until you reach the Cabot Trail (either in St. Anne’s Harbour or in Nyanza)
For a more visual interpretation of these directions, click here, to open a new window with a detailed map.
