At Pleasant Bay, the trail crosses the interior plateau, a rugged inland section that leads toward Cape North and the windswept northern tip of the island. From there, the route bends south into Ingonish, where long beaches, coves, and coastal lookouts mark the eastern descent. This side of the trail feels different — softer, more settled, dotted with communities, hiking trailheads, and oceanfront stops.

Whether you enter from Buckwheat Corner, St. Ann’s, or the Englishtown ferry, the Cabot Trail delivers a mix of coastline, mountains, and Acadian and Gaelic communities that make it one of the most iconic drives in Canada.