Cape Breton park ranks as top-10 walking destination with best fall scenery: global poll

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaCape BretonNews Cape Breton park ranks as top-10 walking destination with best fall scenery: global poll One of three Canadian parks offering most vibrant fall colours to reach peak of Europe-based survey's list Author of the article: By Ian Nathanson Published Sep 20, 2026 2 minute read A fall scene from the west side of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, north of Chéticamp. Near this locale is the park's Skyline Trail, noted as a recommended walk as part of the survey's ranking of the national park. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED Article content The fall scenes throughout the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, and in particular along one popular walking trail, have earned high praise from one recent Europe-based survey. Article content Iceland’s flagship airline, Icelandair, has named the Parks Canada-owned northern Cape Breton region as one of Canada’s most colourful autumn destinations — ranking it 10th out of 50 renowned walking destinations worldwide. Article content Article content Article content “Right now, the park’s highlands are transforming into shades of copper, deep red and gold, a display Icelandair’s colour analysts scored 8.77 out of 10 for its vibrancy and how closely it matches classic autumn tones,” the survey noted in its news release. Article content “Sugar maples bring orange and red, yellow birch adds gold, and red oak develops darker russet and copper shades, while evergreen spruce and fir create contrast across the landscape. The park’s exposed coastal rock, grasses and open headlands add softer pink and brown tones that distinguish Cape Breton from more densely forested autumn destinations.” Article content The survey also highlighted the Skyline Trail as the recommended “walk to do” while visiting the national park. Article content Iceland’s flagship airline, Icelandair, has named the Parks Canada-owned northern Cape Breton region as one of Canada’s most colourful autumn destinations — ranking it 10th out of 50 renowned walking destinations worldwide. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED Article content “The Skyline Trail follows a forested route to a dramatic headland overlooking the Cabot Trail and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Visitors can choose a 6.5-kilometre return walk or an 8.2-kilometre loop, with both routes normally taking two to three hours,” the survey noted, adding that parking reservations are…