Solo Hiking the Seawall Trail | Cape Breton | Nova Scotia

*AllTrails Track linked below*

~ Meat Cove to Pleasant Bay ~

If you are from the East Coast or even thinking of travelling to the East Coast and researching 'Best Things To Do on the East Coast' or ' Top 5 Things to Experience on the East Coast' chances are that you have heard of the Cabot Trail through the Cape Breton Highlands in Nova Scotia where you can drive the rugged and mountainous coast and even stop along the way for some fantastic little hikes.

Well did you know... that between Pleasant Bay and Meat Cove lies one of the most amazing and challenging hikes that I have ever experienced!? Its true and it is called The Seawall Trail!

The Seawall Trail is a total of 40km which starts in Meat Cove at a lovely coastal Campground which I stayed at the night prior to the hike (link below). Throughout the hike there are four camping areas. First area being at the Meat Cove Campground, two located in the bushwhack section; one at Sailor Brook and the other at Malcolm Brook. Both along the ocean, and finally a beautiful area at Pollett's Cove right beside the beach and along Pollett's Cove River.

*This trail has very minimal, if any cell reception, so bring a GPS and SOS device*

From Meat Cove the Seawall Trail begins with 10km of the Cape St Lawrence and Lowlands Loop Trail. This trail is an easy hike and even has wild horses and a bull throughout (Please respect the animals and keep your distance, especially the bull). You exit into the woods when you reach and cross the Lowlands Brook where it meets the ocean.

This is where the bushwhacking begins... BE WARNED there is NO TRAIL it can be very intense at times, especially when navigating through the tuckamore trees! This section in about 23km and on the route that I had taken. There are only two camp areas which are suitable for tents and lie at the edge of the ocean. the first is along Sailor Brook. The second along Malcolm Brook. This section involves scrambling up and down steep mountains which reach 430 metres above the Atlantic Ocean, fields of waist deep grass, navigating through muddy/swampy areas, kilometres of bushwhacking through dense tuckamore trees, exceptional and mind blowing views and a large population of Bear and Moose. I myself had a Moose encounter and two Bear encounters, so I suggest carrying bear spray and brushing up on your know how on specific animal encounters so that you are well prepared.

The final stretch begins when you reach the pristine and beautiful beach of Pollett's Cove, where you can camp, relax, swim and enjoy some more horses! Although these ones aren't wild, they are put out to pasture throughout the summer months. This section is a treat after bushwhacking for a few days as there is a trail for the last 7km which leads you towards the trails parking lot at the end of Red River Road and is 6km from Pleasant Bay.

I cannot recommend this trail enough as it is one of Nova Scotia’s true gems and one of my favourite trails the province has to offer!

I hope that this video serves as a trail guide and provides motivation for others to get out and explore the beautiful Seawall Trail or any hikes through the amazing Cape Breton Highlands as there are so many to enjoy and explore!

Happy Hiking 🥾

AllTrails Track - https://www.alltrails.com/explore/rec...
Instagram -   / _hikingthru  
Tiktok -   / hikingthru  

*The Seawall Society is a regestered non profit society and has a proposed trail that they are hoping to develop in the near future which will be a hut based multi-day hiking experience. They are currently looking for support. If you are interested or curious I suggest you checkout their webpage where you can find loads of information and sign up to receive their newsletter, or follow them on their socials **Links Below*

Youtube - ‪@seawalltrail‬
Website - https://www.seawalltrail.com/
Instagram -   / seawalltrail  
Facebook -   / seawalltrail  

Meat Cove Campground - https://meatcovecampground.ca/

Seawall Trail | Cape Breton Highlands | Nova Scotia | Hike Nova Scotia | Solo Hike