Le vieux chemin du Cap Rouge hiking trail Opens
Le vieux chemin du Cap Rouge trail interpretive sign. Photo by Gayle Bourgeois
A new hiking trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, “Le vieux chemin du Cap Rouge, ” was officially opened on August 15th, on National Acadian Day, with over 200 people in attendance including former Cap Rouge residents. The ceremonies recognized the people & families who used to live in Cap Rouge before the area became part of a National Park. The day featured music, interpretive talks, storytelling and much more. Laurette (Aucoin) MacGillvary, the last person born at Cap Rouge cut the ribbon to officially open the trail.
This 6 km trail follows the route of the old Cabot Trail from Le Buttereau to Trout Brook. The trail was a joint project of Parks Canada and Conseil Economique de Cheticamp.
Entertainment at opening of Le vieux chemin du Cap Rouge hiking trail. Photo by Gayle Bourgeois
The trail has been described as a pleasant hike along the top of a ridge that offers gentle climb through the woods with the occasional clearing opening onto breathtaking views of the coast . It also includes interpretive signs that will inform visitors about the people who lived there.
Le vieux chemin du Cap Rouge trail will be one of the hikes featured in this year’s 2010 Hike the Highlands Festival , a ten day hiking festival from Sept. 10-19 in Northern Cape Breton along the Cabot Trail. Other new hikes in 2010 include Money Point Light and Polletts Cove.