Ingonish

Ingonish, Ingonish Beach, Ingonish Ferry, Ingonish Centre and South Ingonish Harbour are five small tourist settlements on the northwestern corner of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, next to Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

The town is on the Cabot Trail, a scenic highway on Cape Breton Island.

Understand

Visitor information

• 1 Ingonish Visitor Centre, cnr Cabot Trail and Park Headquarters Lane. A visitor centre that opened its doors in 2014 that has information about the nearby Cape Breton Highlands National Park. (updated Apr 2023)

Get in

Ingonish is 110 km from North Sydney, and 74 km from the Trans-Canada Highway. From the junction between Highways 30 and 105 near St Anns, continue up north for 74 km until you're at Ingonish.

See

• 1 Cape Smokey Provincial Park. Not a particularly large provincial park by any means, but this small roadside provincial park offers some good photo opportunities of the island's rugged coastline. (updated Apr 2023)
• 2 Freshwater Lake Look-off (opposite visitor centre). (updated Apr 2023)

Eat

• 1 Stevenson & Son Family Kitchen, 25 Patti’s Lane, ☏ +1 902 418-6909. W 3–7PM; Th–Su 11AM–7PM (closed M Tu). (updated Apr 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Castle Rock Country Inn, 39339 Cabot Trail, toll-free: +1-888-884-7625, castlerock@ns.sympatico.ca. Spacious, comfortable, non-smoking rooms with satellite TVs and queen-sized beds. Small licensed dining room and lounge with excellent food and Nova Scotian wines. Large patio in back has beautiful views of the bay - eagles and other wildlife can often be seen. Friendly hosts and cute-yet-inconspicuous pets. $89-148. (Packages also available). 
• 2 Keltic Lodge, 383 Keltic In Road, Middle Head Peninsula, toll-free: +1-800-565-0444. This resort and spa is on the spectacular Middle Head peninsula. There are views of the sea to both sides. Just behind the main lodge is the start of the hiking trail to the tip of Middle Head. Double room $190 in high season, $290 including gourmet dinner and breakfast for two. The dresscode is casual smart.  
• 3 The Island Inn, 37706 Cabot Trail (Ingonish Beach), ☏ +1-902-285-2404, toll-free: +1-800-533-7015. B&B with 10 guest rooms. Double from $159. (updated Jul 2023)