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Cape breton hostel

Highlands Hostel

We will be closed from April 27th till June 4th-2025

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, however should your travel dates be during the dates we are closed and you are having difficulty finding alternate accommodations, please send us an email here, and we will send you a list of other accommodations in our area.Or hopefully your travel plans can be adjusted to June 5th on wards.

Your vacation in Canada starts here: Experience Cape Breton Highlands National Park with a Stay at the Highlands Hostel

With all the uncertainty south of the border, why not take a vacation in Canada.

It goes without saying our neighbors to the south of us are always welcome.

Vacation in Canada

If you’re planning a vacation in Canada and seeking a breathtaking, off-the-beaten-path adventure, look no further than Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Nestled on the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, this park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering rugged cliffs, winding trails, and sweeping ocean vistas. To fully immerse yourself in the region’s charm, consider staying at the Highlands Hostel in Cape North—an affordable and welcoming basecamp for exploring this spectacular part of Atlantic Canada.

Discover Cape Breton Highlands National Park

A Canada vacation in Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a nature lover’s dream. Encompassing over 950 square kilometers of pristine wilderness, the park boasts a rich blend of mountains, forests, and coastline. The famous Cabot Trail, which winds through the park, offers some of the most scenic drives in North America, featuring panoramic views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean.

Top Activities in the Park:

  • Hiking: The area offers over 31 hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs. Popular routes include:

    • Skyline Trail: Known for its dramatic coastal views and spectacular sunsets.

    • Franey Trail: A more strenuous hike with rewarding vistas of the Clyburn Valley.

  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for moose, bald eagles, foxes, and whales along the coast.

  • Beaches and Swimming: Visit Ingonish Beach or Black Brook Cove for a refreshing dip.Canada Vacation

  • Camping and Picnicking: The park offers several scenic picnic areas and campgrounds.

Stay at the Highlands Hostel in Cape North

For an authentic and memorable Canada vacation, book your stay at the Highlands Hostel in Cape North, located just minutes from the park entrance. This cozy, family-run hostel is housed in a former church, giving it a unique and welcoming charm.

Why Stay at Highlands Hostel?

  • Budget-Friendly Comfort: The hostel offers affordable accommodations with shared and private room, making it ideal for solo travelers, couples, or groups.

  • Convenient Location: Situated in Cape North, it provides easy access to the Cabot Trail and the park’s top attractions.

  • Friendly Atmosphere: The communal vibe allows you to meet fellow travelers and share stories around the outdoor fire pit.

  • Amenities: Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fully equipped kitchen, and common areas for relaxing after a day of adventure.

Explore Cape North and Beyond

When staying at the Highlands Hostel, take time to explore the charming community of Cape North. Discover local cafes, artisan shops, and hidden beaches. Venture further along the Cabot Trail to visit nearby villages like Pleasant Bay and Meat Cove, where you’ll find dramatic coastal scenery and warm maritime hospitality.

Tenerife Mountain 10  minutes from the hostel

Plan Your Canada Vacation Today

A Canada vacation to Cape Breton Highlands National Park promises awe-inspiring landscapes, outdoor adventures, and genuine hospitality. By staying at the Highlands Hostel in Cape North, you’ll enjoy a comfortable and affordable basecamp with easy access to the region’s natural wonders. Whether you’re hiking scenic trails, spotting wildlife, or simply soaking in the serene beauty of Cape Breton Island, this destination is guaranteed to leave you with unforgettable memories. Let us fill your phone with hikes and other activities, with our Day Planner

✅ Book your stay at the Highlands Hostel today and embark on a Canada vacation filled with adventure, relaxation, and breathtaking scenery.


Finish your day at the nightly fire pit, share your adventures with other guests and plan the next days adventuresVacation in Canada

Check if the dates you are looking for are available, just click on the moose below.

Follow our adventures here

Highlands Hostel

 Phone: 1-902-383-2371

We are open 12 months of the year,so you can take in the summer hiking and swimming, plus The Celtic Colours,the skiing,snowshoeing , plus many other winter activities.

We can accommodate up to 25, so book your group summer and winter getaways now.

Or traveling on your own, enjoy the company of other like minded travelers using Nova Scotia Hostels.

Highlands Hostel
"Remember one night is never enough"
"Book one night and you won't regret it, book 3 or more nights and you won't forget it"

Our favourite quotes from Guests.

Here’s what Gordon wrote

You absolutely need to stay here. This is the best hostel on the planet. Whether you're looking for family-friendly or vagabond skater vibe, the family running this place puts their soul into making it the best experience in so many ways. Being an old church, I was surprised to find it's also THE CLEANEST hostel I had ever been to. I will be coming back no doubt, and I know now why so many do.

ere’s what Chris wrote

Staying with Patricia, Bricin, and the kids was like stopping off to spend a night with family. I was motorcycling the Cabot Trail but what I’ll remember most is the warm welcome, the fun family atmosphere, and the restful sleep. You will wish you had more time to spend with these folks in their beautiful establishment.

Here’s what Sarah wrote

My experiences at the Highland Hostel have been life affirming. Patricia is one of the most compassionate people I have ever met. Add to that her incredible partner Bricin, their adorable and beautifully creative children Billie and Cash, and the best ever Grandpa Peter…and you have the makings of a trip to Cape North, Highlands Hostel, and Cape Breton that you will never forget. The area is unparalleled in beauty world wide and the friendliness of the area is heart warming. You will want to come back…and even consider moving here. Thank you, Highland Hostel and your guardians. I am grateful to you and will be back.

"What an amazing experience at Highlands with Bricin and Patricia. They are just two lovely authentic people who do their absolute best to maintain a beautiful and clean hostel for their many guests. I have stayed in many hostels across the world and this must be one of the best. It feels like home and I can give no higher praise than that! Our family stayed in the family room with my elderly mother and our friend’s young daughter and we all loved the place. Thank you Bricin and Patricia for our wonderful stay with you!"

Read more reviews here

Here’s what Katherine wrote

This is really an amazing place. I was skeptical at first, of being in a large dorm as I like my privacy at night - but it is the nicest dorm I've ever seen, and with 2 large bathrooms and thoughtful layout and guidance for fellow guests, it did not feel difficult to share with others.
I was also skeptical of the price at first ($50 for half a bunk bed?!) but once you see what you are getting for that, you will realize it is a fabulous deal. 3 cheers for the Highland Hostel! I will be back!! Ps make sure to make time to go hang out in a hammock in the bell tower with a 360 degree view of the highlands and ocean :)

full cell coverage

Winter in Cape North at the Hostel

The hostel

Cycling the Trail

Then make us one of your stops

Aiden and Chandler spent the night with us on a 6 day tour of the Cabot Trail. Well rested,fed and entertained and now ready for the hills to Cheticamp.

Cycling friendly hostel

Outdoor Shower

After a hard days hiking , cycle ride over the mountains, or swimming at one of our local beaches, we now have an outdoors shower for you to cool off in, be one with nature.

outdoor shower
outdoor shower

Musically inclined then our Jam room is a must

Jam room

You may be lucky to enjoy one of our movie nights, by the fire pit or inside

Out door movies
Indoor movies

Want some quiet time to reflect and relax then our bell tower or garden hammocks are waiting for you

Bell tower
In the hammock

You want beaches, we are surrounded by them

Cabots landing
Grandpas beach

If you want hiking, we are surrounded by some of the worlds best hiking, just ask Bricin to pin these to your cell phone

Tenneriffe
Family hike

Stress relief - By nature.

We truly mean this, everybody is welcome at our family friendly house, backpackers, hikers, bikers, trail bike riders, it is for everybody looking for that place to stay they will call paradise at our Cabot Trail Hostel - The best pace to stay.

If like many you are trying to find a place to unwind and shed the year of stressful city and corporate life, then this is the place.

If you don't go back rejuvenated after a stay with us then we and the beautiful island we live on clearly have not done their job because there is nothing that comes close to the scenery in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, the mountains are beautiful but what makes it even more majestic is on every turn you see the wide-open Atlantic Ocean. The mountains meet the ocean and along with the sound of the surf, it is breathtaking. There are great walking trails, beautiful sandy beaches (Black Brook is one), kayaking, and an unlimited number of outside activities. The towns and fishing villages along its way are unique and picturesque such as Cheticamp, Neil's Harbour and Ingonish. The Cabot Trail winds in and out of the park and it is a breathtaking drive in the fall when the leaves are changing colours.

So come for a stay and leave with memories that will last a lifetime or until your next visit.

Hotel or Hostel

Why pay for a hotel when a hostel offers you much more, you meet a special group of people, who all have special stories to tell of their travels, you will have memories that will last a lifetime.

Fresh Lobsters or snow crab cookout on our local beach

Fresh Lobster or snow crab (In season) beach boil here in the Cape Breton Highlands!!! These four lobsters were just a snack before we cooked six more for dinner!!!

Can you picture yourself here? On the beach or at our fire pit at the church.

Don't worry we will show you how to cook them and eat them.

When booking your bed ask if Lobster or snow crab are available fresh off the boat, you wont regret it.

COME VISIT!!!

Lobsters on the beach
wood burning fireplace

Our Winter wonderland, on our back door step

Highlands Hostel snowshoeing
snowshoeing
NHN snow shoeing
Grandpas snowshoeing

What do you think of us so far, did you remember to breathe, these pictures really do no justice to the magnitude of the scenery you will see on every corner you take, they will literally take your breath away.

cabot trail hostels

The rich history and breathtaking scenery of the Cabot Trail

The Cabot Trail, named one of the best road trips (185 miles - 298 KM) in the world by Lonely Planet, is a trail that winds through stunning landscapes, along the Margaree River, a Canadian Heritage Salmon River, and through spectacular rugged highlands of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada.

The history of the Cabot Trail is a long and interesting one. The trail was named after Italian explorer John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) who reached our shores in 1497, sailing on a mission for King Henry VII of England. The name also celebrates the meeting of Cabot and the Mi'kmaq people, the original inhabitants of Cape Breton Island, at Aspy Bay over 500 years ago.

The Cabot Trail, completed in 1932, joined previously isolated fishing villages along an approximate 300 kilometre loop. Today the Cabot Trail connects eight major communities with intriguing histories, ranging from the Acadian Region to Irish and Scottish settlements. These vibrant communities are gateways to outdoor adventures and cultural festivals. Allow several days to explore and experience this magnificent area.

Summer
The Cabot Trail comes to life in the summer. Playing a round of golf or splashing in the surf, there is something for everyone. Wander the villages, hike the trails, enjoy the festivals and explore the living tradition that is unique to the communities along the Cabot Trail.

A visit to the Cabot Trail is a multi-day (3-5 days) experience.

Enjoy our culture, our music, and countless outdoor activities. Participate in our festivals, our special musical events, the ceilidhs, and kitchen parties that happen all around the Cabot Trail. To replenish yourself, enjoy fabulous local seafood at our great restaurants.

The Highlands Hostel Song

Two years ago Eric Gudmunsen from Scotland, visited our hostel and promised to pen a song for us, well here it is.

Highlands Hostel Song.mp3

Bricin's longboarding story

Check out more stories here


Cape Breton Cabot trail hostel