Day 1 Halifax to Lunenburg | 145 km/90 mi
Depart Halifax and travel along Nova Scotia’s scenic Lighthouse Route, beginning with a stop at Peggy’s Cove, one of the province’s most iconic coastal villages. Colourful houses sit against wave-worn granite, while the famous lighthouse looks out over the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its beautifully preserved waterfront, colourful architecture and rich seafaring heritage. Spend time wandering the historic streets, exploring the harbourfront and enjoying the charm of one of Canada’s most distinctive coastal towns.
Day 2 Lunenburg to Trout Point Lodge | 193 km/120 mi
Leave Lunenburg and follow Nova Scotia’s Lighthouse Route southwest, where coves, beaches, fishing communities and heritage towns reveal the quiet beauty of the South Shore. Time permitting, pause for ocean views at Hirtle’s Beach, explore the cliff lookouts and sea caves at Ovens Natural Park, or cross the LaHave River by ferry for a stop at the beloved LaHave Bakery. Farther west, coastal highlights may include Crescent Beach, Rissers Beach, Green Bay, Broad Cove, Port Medway, Summerville Beach and the Caribbean-hued sands of Carter’s Beach.
Continue toward the remote interior landscapes of southwestern Nova Scotia, where spruce forest, dark lakes and quiet wilderness surround Trout Point Lodge near the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. Set within the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, the lodge offers a peaceful retreat with dark skies, guided nature experiences and forest-to-table dining.
Day 3 Trout Point Lodge | Day at Leisure
Spend the day surrounded by the natural beauty of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, a protected region of pristine rivers, old-growth Acadian forest and abundant wildlife. Explore peaceful hiking trails, paddle calm waterways, join a guided nature outing, or simply slow down and enjoy the fresh forest air. This remote wilderness setting offers a rare opportunity to disconnect and experience one of Nova Scotia’s most untouched and ecologically rich landscapes.
Day 4 Trout Point Lodge to Annapolis Royal or Smith’s Cove | 160 km/100 mi to Smith’s Cove or approx. 200 km/124 mi to Annapolis Royal
Leave the forested tranquillity of Trout Point Lodge and travel southwest toward Yarmouth, a historic port town known for its grand sea captains’ homes, shipbuilding heritage and waterfront character. From here, follow the Evangeline Trail along Nova Scotia’s Acadian Shore, where windswept coastline, tidal inlets, fishing villages and rolling farmland tell the story of the province’s French heritage. Travel through communities such as Church Point and Weymouth before arriving in Smith’s Cove, a peaceful coastal haven overlooking the Bay of Fundy’s world-famous tides, or continuing onward to Annapolis Royal, one of Nova Scotia’s most historic communities.
Day 5 Smith’s Cove or Annapolis Royal to Saint John | approx. 40 km/25 mi + Ferry
Depart the Annapolis Royal area and travel to Digby to board the ferry across the Bay of Fundy to Saint John, New Brunswick. This scenic crossing offers a relaxed way to experience the vast waters of the Bay of Fundy before arriving on New Brunswick’s southern coast. Saint John is famous for the Reversing Falls Rapids, where the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy meet the Saint John River, creating a dramatic natural tug-of-war that changes direction with the tide. Spend time exploring the waterfront, historic streets and coastal character of Canada’s first incorporated city.
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 maritime heritage of southern New Brunswick. Travel through the Fundy Trail Parkway, where coastal lookouts, waterfalls, forest trails and rugged Bay of Fundy scenery create one of the province’s most rewarding drives. Recommended stops include the Big Salmon River area, Walton Glen Gorge, Fuller Falls, Long Beach and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Fundy coastline.
Continue through Fundy National Park and the village of Alma, a great place to enjoy fresh seafood and views of Shepody Bay, before visiting Hopewell Rocks. Here, massive flowerpot sea stacks rise from the ocean floor, offering a remarkable look at the power of the world-famous Fundy tides. After visiting the rocks, continue toward Moncton. If time permits, stop at Magnetic Hill, where a curious optical illusion makes vehicles appear to roll uphill.
Day 7 Moncton to Charlottetown | 164 km/101 mi
Depart Moncton and travel toward Prince Edward Island, with the option to stop in Shediac, known as the “Lobster Capital of the World.” Learn about the town’s fishing heritage, enjoy its coastal atmosphere and see the iconic World’s Largest Lobster sculpture before continuing toward the Confederation Bridge. This impressive 12.9 km bridge spans the Northumberland Strait and provides a memorable gateway to Prince Edward Island. Arrive on PEI and continue through rolling farmland, red earth, coastal views and small island communities to Charlottetown, the charming capital of Prince Edward Island.
Day 8 Charlottetown | Exploring
Spend the day exploring Charlottetown, a graceful small city known for its historic streets, harbourfront setting and important role in Canadian history. This is the birthplace of Confederation, where meetings held in 1864 helped lead to the formation of Canada in 1867. The city’s Confederation story can be explored through heritage interpretation, cultural attractions and historic streets. Take time to stroll the waterfront, browse local shops and enjoy the welcoming island atmosphere.
Day 9 Tour PEI - The Land of Anne | 100 km/63 mi
Explore the gentle landscapes of Prince Edward Island’s north shore, where red cliffs, white sand beaches, rolling farmland and green fields create one of Canada’s most distinctive island settings. Travel to Prince Edward Island National Park for views of dunes, shoreline and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, then continue to Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish. This beloved literary landmark celebrates L.M. Montgomery and the landscapes that inspired Anne of Green Gables, a story loved by readers around the world.
Day 10 Charlottetown to Baddeck | 274 km/170 mi + Ferry
Depart Charlottetown and travel east to Wood Islands for the scenic ferry crossing across the Northumberland Strait to Caribou, Nova Scotia. After arriving on the mainland, continue to Pictou, where Hector Heritage Quay tells the story of early Scottish settlement and features a full-scale replica of the Ship Hector. From here, travel east across Nova Scotia and continue over the Canso Causeway to Cape Breton Island, a region known for its Gaelic and Celtic heritage, coastal scenery and strong musical traditions. Arrive in Baddeck, a scenic village overlooking the beautiful Bras d’Or Lake.
Day 11 Cabot Trail Touring | 298 km/186 mi
Set out to experience the Cabot Trail, one of Canada’s most celebrated scenic drives. The route winds around Cape Breton’s rugged northern coast and through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where mountains rise above the Gulf of St. Lawrence and ocean lookouts reveal sweeping views of cliffs, forests and shoreline. Have your camera ready for dramatic coastal vistas, highland scenery and fishing villages tucked between sea and mountain. Time permitting, consider a walk on the Skyline Trail, one of the park’s most famous hikes, with panoramic views over the coastline and surrounding highlands.
Day 12 Baddeck to Liscomb Mills via Louisbourg | 423 km/262 mi
Travel southeast toward the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, one of the most impressive historic attractions in Atlantic Canada. This reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town brings colonial life to the present through costumed interpreters, restored buildings and immersive exhibits. Walk the streets of the fortress, learn about daily life in the 1700s and experience the scale of this remarkable coastal stronghold. Afterwards, continue across Cape Breton and return to mainland Nova Scotia via the Canso Causeway. Follow the Eastern Shore toward Liscomb Mills, where quiet rivers, forested landscapes and peaceful coastal scenery provide a relaxing setting for the evening.
Day 13 Liscomb Mills to Halifax | 170 km/105 mi
Journey west from the peaceful riverside setting of Liscomb 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. Along the way, consider a stop at Sherbrooke Village, a living history museum that brings 19th-century life to the present, or visit Taylor Head Provincial Park for sandy beaches, coastal trails and ocean views. Pause in Musquodoboit Harbour for fresh seafood before the scenery shifts toward rolling farmland and the historic waterfront of Halifax, where your journey ends.
