Coastal & Highlands Explorer: Atlantic Canada Road Trip

Day 1 Halifax to Lunenburg | 145 km/90 mi Head south to Lunenburg, visiting Peggy’s Cove along the way. Peggy’s Cove (45km) is a small village with houses built right into the granite rock and a lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic. Old Town Lunenburg (98km), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a lovingly restored Victorian era town that begs you to wander and explore.

Day 2 Lunenburg to Trout Point Lodge | 193 km/120 mi Leave the colourful charm of Lunenburg behind as you journey westward through Nova Scotia’s scenic countryside. Travel past quiet fishing villages, Acadian farmlands, and forested inland roads on your way to the edge of the Tobeatic Wilderness. Your destination is the remote and luxurious Trout Point Lodge, nestled in the heart of the UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.

Day 3 Trout Point Lodge | Day at Leisure Spend the day immersed in the natural beauty of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, a region of pristine rivers, old-growth Acadian forest, and abundant wildlife. Explore peaceful hiking trails, paddle along calm waterways, or simply breathe in the fresh forest air. This protected wilderness offers a rare opportunity to disconnect, slow down, and experience one of Nova Scotia’s most untouched and ecologically rich landscapes.

Day 4 Trout Point Lodge to Annapolis Royal / Smith’s Cove | 160 km/100 mi Leave the forested tranquility behind as you head south toward Yarmouth, a historic port town with grand sea captain’s homes, a rich shipbuilding legacy, and a picturesque waterfront. From here, follow Coastal Highway 1 along the Evangelina Trail, passing windswept shores, Acadian fishing villages, and rolling farmland. Enjoy views of dramatic headlands, tidal inlets, and centuries-old churches that tell the story of Nova Scotia’s French heritage. Continue through Church Point and Weymouth before arriving in Smith’s Cove, a quiet coastal haven overlooking the Bay of Fundy’s world-famous tides.

Day 5 Smith’s Cove or Annapolis Royal to Saint John | 113 km/70 mi + Ferry Depart Annapolis Royal and drive to Digby to board the ferry to Saint John, world-famous for its Reversing Falls Rapids—the colossal, tidal tug-of-war between the Bay of Fundy and the St. John River. Twice daily at high tide, the powerful Fundy waters roar into the Saint John River. The titanic clash of natural forces causes the river to reverse direction.

Day 6 Saint John to Moncton via Fundy Trail & Hopewell Rocks | 212 km/131 mi Today's drive showcases the dramatic coastline, natural wonders, and rich heritage of southern New Brunswick. Travel through Fundy Trail Parkway with over 20 lookouts and several waterfalls. A recommended visit to the Big Salmon River Interpretive Centre reveals stories of the 19th-century logging era and includes a walk across the 60-metre suspension bridge. Walton Glen Gorge offers a rewarding short hike to a dramatic ravine and waterfall. Fuller Falls, Long Beach, and Cranberry Brook provide additional scenic stops. In Alma, a recommended stop for fresh seafood and views of Shepody Bay precedes your visit to Hopewell Rocks, where the flowerpot sea stacks rise 12 to 21 metres from the ocean floor. At low tide, walk among them; at high tide, consider kayaking. After visiting the rocks, continue toward Moncton. A recommended stop at Magnetic Hill offers a curious optical illusion where vehicles appear to roll uphill. Nearby, the Magnetic Hill Zoo and Magic Mountain Water Park offer additional family-friendly attractions to round out the day.

Day 7 Moncton to Charlottetown | 164 km/101 mi Departing Moncton, make a stop at Magnetic Hill, where you can place your car in neutral and experience the optical illusion of rolling uphill. Continue to Shediac, famously known as the “Lobster Capital of the World,” where you can learn about the town’s rich fishing heritage and see the iconic World’s Largest Lobster sculpture. From here, travel toward the impressive Confederation Bridge, the longest bridge in Canada, stretching 12.9 km across the Northumberland Strait. Enjoy sweeping views as you cross into Prince Edward Island, a scenic gateway to rolling farmland, red-sand beaches, and charming coastal villages.

Day 8 Charlottetown | Exploring Explore Charlottetown, the birthplace of Canada’s confederation. Province House National Historic Site was the scene of meetings that led to the formation of Canada as a country in 1867.

Day 9 Tour PEI - The Land of Anne | 100 km/63 mi Spend the morning exploring Prince Edward Island National Park where the sandstone cliffs, beaches and reddish sand dunes take your breath away. Then take in the beautiful landscapes made famous by novelist Lucy Maud Montgomery in the popular “Anne of Green Gables” series.

Day 10 Charlottetown to Baddeck | 274 km/170 mi + Ferry Depart Charlottetown taking Route 1 to Wood Islands Ferry crossing to Caribou, Nova Scotia. Drive the short distance to Pictou & visit Hector Heritage Quay, where a full scale replica of the Hector has been built using traditional ship building techniques. Depart Pictou and continue to Cape Breton via the Canso Causeway and onto Baddeck. This scenic village overlooks the beautiful Bras d’Or Lakes.

Day 11 Cabot Trail Touring | 296 km/184 mi You’re off to experience one of the most stunningly picturesque drives in North America. The Cabot Trail winds around the rocky splendor of Cape Breton’s northern shore, ascending to the incredible plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Look-offs offer unforgettable vistas of Cape Breton’s rugged coastline so be sure to have your camera on hand.

Day 12 Baddeck to Liscomb Mills via Louisbourg | 423 km/262 mi The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site awaits you today. Words cannot do justice to this reconstruction depicting one-fifth of the settlement of 1744 New France. Roam the streets and chat with authentically costumed guides. Proceed along the shore of the Bras d’Or Lake to Liscomb Mills where you can relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Day 13 Liscomb Mills to Halifax | 170 km/105 mi Journey west from the peaceful riverside retreat of Liscombe Mills along Nova Scotia’s rugged Eastern Shore. Follow winding coastal roads past secluded coves, tidal inlets, and fishing villages where colourful boats line the docks. Stop at Sherbrooke Village, a living history museum of 19th-century life, and Taylor Head Provincial Park for sandy beaches and hiking trails. Pause in Musquodoboit Harbour for fresh seafood before the scenery shifts to rolling farmland en route to Halifax’s historic waterfront and lively urban charm.