Cape Breton Trail Review and Inventory

Transcription

Draft Report
Prepared for Destination Cape Breton
by
Cobequid Trails in association with RMA Tourism Ltd.
January, 2016
CAPE BRETON TRAIL REVIEW AND INVENTORY
2
Table of Contents
Page
1
Introduction
Objectives of the report
Background
2
5
5
Study Area
Trail Classification
Trail Use for Tourism
7
7
8
Hiking and Walking Trails
Citations
9
10
1. Federal Trails
Cape Breton Highland National Park
Louisbourg National Historic Site
2. Provincial Park Trails
3. Community and Municipal Trails
12
Richmond County
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Victoria County
Inverness County
14
15
16
17
20
4. Planned and Proposed Hiking Trails
14
23
Off-road Cycling Trails
Mountain Bike Trails
Linear Cycling Trails
23
All-Season Motorized Trails
26
23
The ATV Market
ATV Trails in Cape Breton
26
Richmond Co
CBRM
Victoria County
Inverness County
28
30
32
34
26
Winter Trails
36
Cross Country Ski Trails
Snowmobile Trails
36
Conclusion and Recommendations
Appendix
A. Listing of non-motorized Trails
B. Listing of motorized trail networks
C. Citations of hiking and walking trails
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3
Introduction
This report was commissioned by Destination Cape Breton to provide an inventory of trails on
Cape Breton Island. The report covers all major categories of off-road trail corridors including
non-motorized and motorized recreational trails.
To meet the demands of the nature inclined tourist, Cape Breton has a wide array of
outstanding trails. They allow visitors to fully experience the environment. Trails may be
destination products in themselves but more often they are part of a diverse product that is
essentially inspired by the landscape. Some trails are local resources that may simply improve
the quality of outdoor recreation in urban and rural communities. But on Cape Breton Island,
with its impressive coastal landscape (both Atlantic Ocean and Bras d’Or Lake), National and
Historic Parks and an active and developed tourism industry, trails are a vital tourism asset.
In 2003, Enterprise Cape Breton requested the Economic Planning Group to prepare a
comprehensive trails strategy for Cape Breton Island. The report, almost 200 pages long,
reviewed in detail the market for various types of trail users and set priorities and plans for
trail development.
This report, completed thirteen years after the EPG study, is intended to be a concise summary
of trail product in Cape Breton. It provides a database of trails in Cape Breton as they exist
today. This database is provided both as a categorized listing and (in the case of hiking and
walking trails) as a geo-referenced table. Both can be updated and expanded to include new
developments and new information as it is added. We have attempted to list all existing trails
that have tourism potential or value.
Over 140 trails are listed in this report. Within the limited scope of this study, it was not
feasible to conduct site assessments of each trail. This report therefore relied on secondary
sources of information to create a composite of the trail product including a brief profile of
each trail. Trail coordinators in each county were consulted to identify municipal and
community trails. Where on-line data was unavailable, specifically in the case of motorized
trails, a trail questionnaire was distributed and personal interviews were conducted.
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We focused in this report on land-based trails. Cape Breton has an active water route network
especially for cruising boats such as sailing vessels. It also has a number of staging sites for
canoes and kayaks. Water routes generally consist of shore-based infrastructure such as yacht
clubs and launch sites. While a case could be made that water-routes are classified as trails,
this report does not take that position and water routes are not considered trails in this report.
For more information on coastal waterways, sea kayak routes and canoe waterways, refer to
http://www.trails.gov.ns.ca/.
This report considers the concept of market readiness within the trail inventory. While it was
outside the scope of the project to conduct market-readiness assessments of individual trails,
the market potential and range of market readiness was generally reviewed for each trail type
or grouping. This is important in the context of tourism as market-readiness is an essential
condition for trails if they are to make meaningful contributions to the tourism product mix in
Cape Breton.
The report is organized as follows:
The report begins with an overview of the study area. It then describes briefly the taxonomy of
trails and trail types used in this report. We then provide a profile and description of each type
of trail including all-season trails (hiking and walking trails, cycling trails and all-season offhighway vehicle (OHV) trails) and winter trails (Cross country ski and snowmobile). We
conclude the report with brief recommendations for further action. Within the appendix of
this report is a comprehensive listing of trails covered in this report.
Objectives of the report:
A. Identify and describe major trail types
B. Report on the state each category of trail … number of trails, distance, type and range of
management and factors that would determine destination appeal.
C. Provide a listing of all trails identified in the study by class and management identifying
parameters such as distance and user type.
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Study Area
Cape Breton Island is the northeastern region of Nova Scotia with a land area of 10,300 square
kilometers. This island divided into four counties, Inverness on the northwest coast of the
island, Victoria on the northeast, CBRM including Nova Scotia’s second largest city to the east
and Richmond County at the southwest end of the Island.
Cape Breton Island has at least 1500 km. of coastline. The Bras d’Or Lake adds an additional
1,234 km. of inland coastline1. In total, the island has a remarkable 2,700 km. of highly diverse
coastline.
Land in Cape Breton is generally divided into federal, provincial, municipal and private.
Federal land is largely confined to national parks and historic sites. Cape Breton Island
National Park accounts for 948 sq. km, almost 10% of the land area of the Island. The
remaining 90% is divided between provincial crown land and private and municipal land.
The Bras d’Or Lake and its watershed (central portion of Cape Breton Island) were designated
as a Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program in 2011.
Provincial crown land represents the largest land classification on Cape Breton. For the
purpose of this study, provincial crown land is divided into three general categories.
 provincial parks
 wilderness protected areas
1
Taylor RB, and Shaw J. 2002. Coastal character and coastal barrier evolution in the Bras d’Or Lakes, Nova Scotia in
Proceeding of the Nova Scotia Institute of Science, 42: 149-181.
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 all other crown land
Crown land that is not protected under the Parks Act or Wilderness Areas legislation is
administered by the Department of Natural Resources and may have a range of uses including
industrial forestry, other industrial uses, hunting and fishing and outdoor recreation. Crown
land is shown in light green on the following map.
Trail Classification
Trails are off-road pathways developed for recreation and travel and include corridors for
both non-motorized and motorized activity. In this report trails are classified based on the
general type of activity. This taxonomy is a market-related classification that reflects userpatterns and relates to travel motivations and preferences.
Trails generally fall into the following categories:
 Trails managed for multi-season use and activities including:
o Non-motorized trail use
 hiking (including front-country walking trails and wilderness trails)
 off-road cycling
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Trails that accommodate motorized travel, specifically trails for all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs) and off-road motorcycles.
Trails managed for winter use including:
o non-motorized winter trail activities such as cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing
o snowmobile trails
o

Within the trails data sheets at the end of this report, all-season (non-motorized and
motorized) trails are listed sequentially followed by winter trails.
Trail classifications by NS Trails include two additional categories: Shared use, and multi-use.
Shared use refers to trails than allow both motorized and non-motorized use. A number of
rails-to-trails in Nova Scotia are constructed and maintained to shared-use standards. In
addition, most OHV trail organizations refer to their trails as shared-use. Multi-use trails refer
to trails that are managed for a mix of non-motorized users.
Trail use for Tourism
Trails are a recreational resource for both residents of Cape Breton Island and visitors. This
report is intended to be a resource for tourism planning and therefore focuses on trails that
attract and are used by tourists.
The following table shows the level of participation in trail activities in Cape Breton by nonresident (out-of-province) visitors.
Hiking
Cycling
Cross-country skiing
ATV
Snowmobiling
34%
3%
2%
2%
4%
Hiking clearly is the most popular trail related activity by tourists (out of province) with over
one third (34%) of all visitors participating. It is assumed that most hikers use designated
trails. The participation rates for cycling, cross-country skiing, ATV use and snowmobiling are
all at less than 5%.
Winter activities such as cross-country skiing (2%) and snowmobiling (4%) are important
because they stimulate and create tourism activity in winter when vacancy rates are high and
tourism revenues are most valuable.
Visitors who participate in cycling (representing 3% of tourists) may include use of managed
trails and/or public roads. Based on this data, we cannot accurately deduce the degree to
which cyclists use trails on Cape Breton Island.
Visitors who participate in ATV activities represent 2% of visitors. ATVers may use a
combination of managed trails, secondary or commercial roads, roadside, right of ways, etc.
However it is assumed that and in most cases, visitors to the Island who engage in ATV
recreation at least in part, use managed trails.
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Hiking and Walking Trails
Hiking is one of the most popular activities by out-of-province visitors. 34% of visitors to the
province of Cape Breton participate in hiking. Among international visitors, the participation
rate is more than 50%.
Hiking and walking trails can be classified as follows:
Urban Trails
Urban trails include urban park trails, waterfront boardwalks and greenways.
Front Country
Front country trails include day use trails accessible to most users, age groups, etc. This
generally includes nature and heritage trails.
Wilderness Trails
Wilderness trails include long distance, back-country and overnight trails. They generally have
a narrow trail corridor with limited or no built tread.
Linear and multi-use trails
Linear trails include footpaths or multi-use
trails that connect communities and cover
long distances.
The distinction between front–country and
wilderness trails must be confirmed
through on-site assessment. In this report
we classify walking and hiking trails
including front country and wilderness
trails all within the category “hiking trails”.
Linear and urban trails are grouped
separately.
This report identified 130 hiking and
walking trails on Cape Breton. The
complete list is provided in appendix 1.
This compilation includes both formal and
built trails as well as mixed or shared-use
trails. Shared-use trails are listed as hiking
trails only where they are recognized as
hiking or walking experiences. Generally
the listing excludes listed hikes where no
formal trail exists.
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Citations by Trail Related Websites and Brochures
Numerous trail websites and some printed brochures identify, list and describe various trails
on Cape Breton Island. Travelers looking for trail information on the Island can locate trail
experiences using one or more of these sources. In this report these sources were used to
identify and corroborate trail and trail locations. We also identified and recorded the number
of citations for each trail by websites and trail brochures. Sites reviewed included the
following:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Source
Trails.com
Trail Peak
Destination Cape Breton Trails
National Geographic Trails
Vic’s Trails
Cape Breton Regional Municipality Trails
Hike NS
Trails Nova Scotia
Mike Haynes Hiking Cape Breton
Moosebait
Victoria County Hiking Trails
Parks Canada Trails
Hike Cape Breton
Hike the Highlands
Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve
Association
Type
Website
Website
Website
Website
Website
Brochure
Website
Website
Guide book
Website
Brochure
Website
Website
Website
Website
Symbol
T
TP
DCB
NG
VT
CBRM
HNS
TNS
MH
Mb
VCHT
PC
HCB
HtH
BLBRA
Recognized trails have a large number of citations. This may be due to unique landscapes,
outstanding features, quality of the trail, etc. While this is not a scientific method of evaluating
destination appeal or market readiness, it does provide a metric of assessment that in most
cases corresponds to destination appeal and market readiness.
Unsurprisingly, trails with the highest number of citations are predominantly trails within
Cape Breton Highland National Park. A ranked list of hiking and walking trails (ranked by
number of citations) is included in appendix 3.
Please note that while not included in the above listing, Go Riding Magazine cited Cape Breton
ATV Trails many times, and also produced a TV show, which gave national and international
recognition to its followers, citing the incredible ATVing experiences to be had in Cape Breton.
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Review of Hiking and Walking Trails
Hiking and walking trails within 4 broad management regimes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Federal Parks and Historic Sites
Provincial Parks
Provincial Wilderness Areas
Municipal and Community Trails
1. Federal
This category includes trails within Parks Canada sites including national parks and national
historic sites.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park (CBHNP)
There are 26 trails within CBHNP. Trails range from less than half a kilometer to more than 12
kilometers. In total there are approximately 140 kilometers of trail in Cape Breton Highlands
National Park.
Louisbourg National Historic Site
There are 7 trails within Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site. Most are short trails
interpreting important points of historic relevance such as battlefields. In total there are 8.5
kilometers of trail within Louisbourg National Historic Site.
Management of Parks Canada Trails
National Park trails are managed according to clear objectives that focus on visitor experience
and are guided by conservation measures. National Parks not only employ programming staff,
but also employ conservation specialists. Trail management is guided by scientific
conservation measures, a concept that is often lacking in other trail management regimes
(note: provincial wilderness areas that have equivalent qualified staff).
Parks Canada trails fall under management, conservation and visitor experience standards
generally set by national park policies and management systems. Parks Canada’s mandate
comprises three mutually supportive areas:
 Protection of heritage resources
 Facilitation of opportunities for meaningful visitor experiences
 Fostering public appreciation and understanding of Canada’s heritage
Tourism Potential
National parks have national recognition and are key tourism attractions in Nova Scotia. The
coastal landscape and orientation of Cape Breton Highlands National Park aligns with tourism
brands, strengths and travel motivations that attract visitors to the Province of Nova Scotia.
This is supported by Parks Canada’s conservation mandate.
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Similarly, Louisbourg National Historic Site manages a significant conservation area with 7
trails that allow visitors to experience the historic battlefield and landscape.
Market Readiness
Trails within National Parks offer a
visitor experience that includes
developed and standardized
infrastructure, interpretation,
guided hikes, and trail
maintenance. National Park trails
are supported with websites that
provide essential information and
related mapping, have well
designed entry points, navigation
tools and interpretation and are
supported by a strong conservation
program. For example, Skyline trail
was evaluated by Atlantic Canada
Trails (ACT) in 2011 according to a comprehensive set of destination trail criteria and ranked
highly on the evaluation’s scoring matrix. As well, the Skyline Trail Sunset Hike has been
designated a “Canadian Signature Experience” by Destination Canada. Clearly, not all trails
within the Park are destination trails. However, all meet at least basic market readiness
standards. The conclusion and recommendations at the end of this report provide a
description of the ACT market readiness program.
Citations
The top 4 most frequently cited trails in Cape Breton are located in Cape Breton National Park.
They are:
 Middle head Trail
 Fishing Cove Trail
 Franey Trail
 Skyline Trail
Because the trails are within the national park and conform to a well-developed standard of
trail infrastructure, they generally have multiple citations. Even when national park trails do
not offer extraordinary features or landscapes, they are recognized frequently. Eight of the top
most frequently cited trails on Cape Breton are within Cape Breton National Park. (See
appendix 3)
Louisbourg National Historic Site (LNHS) has similar standards to National Park trails. Trails
within the historic site are components of the heritage experience. They are relatively short
and are not typically considered hiking experiences (and therefore are not frequently cited).
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2. Nova Scotia Provincial Park Trails
There are 16 trails or trail networks within Provincial Parks in Cape Breton Island. In total
there are approximately 65 kilometers of trails within Provincial Parks on Cape Breton Island.
Provincial parks that feature hiking trails include the following:
Battery park
St Peters
Lennox
Richmond Co.
Point Michaud
Richmond Co.
Ben Eoin
CBRM
Barrachois
CBRM
Mira River
CBRM
Petersfield Park
CBRM
Dalem Lake
CBRM, Victoria Co
St Ann’s
Victoria Co
Uisage Ban Falls
Victoria Co
Cape Smokey
Victoria Co
Cabot Landing Beach
Victoria Co
Lake O'Law
Inverness Co
Whycocomagh Provincial Park: (Salt Mountain)
Inverness Co
West Mabou Beach
Inverness Co
Port Hood Beach
Inverness Co
Management of Provincial Park Trails
Provincial Parks are managed so as to conform to the regulations of the Nova Scotia Parks Act.
Provincial parks have a similar set of regulatory guidelines to national parks, however, with less
resources, their capacity for providing a well-executed trail experience is more limited. The stated
purpose of Provincial Parks is as follows:
Provide opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities ranging from relatively high
intensity near-urban facilities to low intensity wildland experiences;
Preserve unique, rare, representative or otherwise significant elements of the natural environment and historic
resources of Nova Scotia;
Provide opportunities for exploration, understanding and appreciation of Nova Scotia's natural and cultural
heritage through interpretation, information and educational programs;
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Provide resident travellers
and out-of-Province visitors
with opportunities to
discover, experience and
enjoy Nova Scotia's
distinctive outdoor
recreational and heritage
resources; and
Assemble and maintain,
within a system of provincial
parks and park reserves, a
land base adequate to meet
present and future needs of
Nova Scotians for outdoor
recreation and heritage
resource protection.
Tourism Potential
The tourism potential of provincial park trails is variable. Provincial Parks may be managed to meet
objectives that are not directly related to tourism or to trail experiences. Provincial park trails have
some market recognition as part of the provincial trail network, however they generally don’t have
national brand awareness or recognition. Assessment of the tourism potential of Provincial parks
must be made on a case-by-case basis.
Market-readiness
In general provincial park trails offer certain amenities at all locations. These include road signs,
washrooms, etc. However, trails in provincial parks may not be identified on road signs and are not
always clearly identified on the provincial park website.
Citations
Unlike National Parks, there is considerable variability among provincial park trails according to the
number of citations. Several of the top-cited trails on Cape Breton Island are within Provincial parks.
Uisage Ban Falls and Cape Smokey are frequently cited. Others only have two citations or less (see
appendix 3). This suggests that market readiness and or tourism potential of provincial park trails is
highly variable and cannot be concisely determined without site assessment.
Provincial Wilderness Areas
Trails within Provincial wilderness areas fall under authority of the Department of Environment.
However, the province does not plan, build or maintain trails in wilderness areas. Trails may be
planned or managed by community groups and associations under a letter of agreement with the
province provided they conform to the Nova Scotia Wilderness Areas Protection Act. They are
therefore included in this report under community trails .
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3. Municipal and Community trails
This category includes trails developed and/or managed by local, regional, municipal and nonprofit organizations. It also includes trails within protected areas and other trails on crown
land managed by local or community organizations. Trails within provincial wilderness areas
differ from provincial parks in that they are usually managed by local or community groups.
While they are not supported by provincial park staff, they can sometimes access funds and
resources that are beyond the limited resources for trail planning and development available
to provincial parks.
Community trails have been categorized and grouped within the four municipal regions on
Cape Breton Island. In total, we have included 80 community trails in this inventory. For
clarification, this includes only those trails outside of national and provincial parks and
national historic site landownership and management. We also have attempted to exclude
hikes where there is no official trail. For example, there are a number of access routes to the
many smaller waterfalls that have not been included as trails in this report because they lack
any developed trail concept. See appendix 1 for the complete listing of trails referred to below.
Richmond Co
Ten hiking trails were identified
managed by non-profit groups or
municipalities or unmanaged. The
total distance of the identified
hiking trails in Richmond County is
approximately 90 km.
Little River Reservoir
Lower River
10.5 km
Pringle Mountain
Dundee area
13.5 km
Cape George
Dundee
2 km
Delorier Island
Ile Madame
Isle
Madame
9 km
1 km
St Peters Coastal Trail
Cape Forchu
Richmond
Co.
Framboise River Falls Trail
Framboise
3 km
Framboise Beach
Framboise
8 km
Capelin Cove
Framboise
16 km
Fox Cove
Gabarus
7 km
Cape Auguet
Leif Ericson Trail
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9 km
10 km
Cape Breton County
15
Urban
Thirty three (33) hiking and
walking trails, unmanaged or
managed by non-profit groups or
municipalities were identified.
This includes 11 urban trails and
22 nature and wilderness trails.
The total distance of the
identified hiking trails in Cape
Breton County is approximately
153 km. In some cases (for
example, the Cowboy Trail and
the Old Branch Road), the list
includes shared use trails that
are frequently used for
motorized vehicles as well as
walking and hiking.
Munroe Park
Indian Beach
Sydney Boardwalk
Wentworth Park
Open Hearth Park
Whitney Pier
Bill Davis Trail
John Bernard Croak
Scotchtown Summit Park
Baille Ard Trails
Renwick Park Walking Path
Other
Winging Point, Gull Cove, Belfry Gut
Kennington Cove
Devils Hill falls
Louisbourg Lighthouse
Big Lorraine Harbour
Gooseberry Cove
Cape Breton trail
Two Rivers Wildlife Park
Main a dieu boardwalk
Moque Head
South Head trail
Cape Perce
Schooner Pond Cove
Coxheath Trail
Island View Falls/MacIntosh Falls
East Bay Hills Trail
Goat Island Trail
Cowbay Road Trail
Barrachois Mountain Gorge
Old Branch Road
Greenlink Trails
Frenchvale Brook Walking Trail
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North
Sydney
North
Sydney
0.6 km
0.5 km
Sydney
2.2 km
Sydney
1 km
Sydney
1.2 km
Sydney
New
Waterford
1.7 km
Glace Bay
New
Waterford
1.3 km
Sydney
3 km
Glace Bay
1.6 km
Gabarus
21 km
Louisbourg
8 km
2 km
n/a
Louisbourg
Louisbourg
5 km
Lorraine
Lorraine
7.5 km
Lorraine
14 km
Mira
4.5 km
Main a dieu
0.5 km
Main a dieu
Cape
Morien
3 km
Glace Bay
8.5 km
Glace Bay
10 km
Coxheath
9.5 km
Eskasoni
2 km
East Bay
3 km
Eskasoni
2.5 km
Sydney
8 km
Barrachois
10 km
N Sydney
7 km
Sydney
3 km
Frenchvale
1.4 km
3 km
16
Victoria Co
Thirteen (13) hiking trails and trail systems
were identified; unmanaged or managed by
community or non-profit groups. The total
distance of the identified hiking trails in
Victoria County (not including CBHNP) is
approximately 90 kilometers.
Kelly’s mountain Trail
Seal Island
Bridge
6 km
Ross Ferry Trail
Big Harbour
0.5 km
Blackhead Road
Englishtown
8 km
Cape Dauphin
Englishtown
5.5 km
Kidston Island
Baddeck
2 km
Bald Mountain
Baddeck
18 km
Red Island
St Ann’s Bay
4 km
Boiler Trail
Baddeck
n/a
North River Falls Trails
Victoria Co
19 km
White Point
White Point
6 km
Sugarloaf Trail
3.5 km
Money Point Trails
Aspy Bay
Capstick/Bay
St Lawrence
Tenerife Mountain
Aspy Bay
4 km
13.5 km
Note:

North River Trails include the North River Little Falls Trail and North River Big Falls Trail.

Money Point Trails include the Money Point Gulch Trail and the Money Point Light Trail.

A trail through the Humes River Wilderness area from Wagmatcook to Aberdeen has high tourism
potential and is in the planning stage. The trail is included in section 4 -“proposed trails”.
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Inverness Co
Twenty-four (24) hiking trails and trail networks were identified, unmanaged or managed by
non-profit groups or municipalities. The total distance of the identified hiking trails in
Inverness County (not including CBHNP) is approximately 240 km.
Port Hawkesbury Community Trail
Port
Hawkesbury
9km
Meat Cove Look-off, Cape St
Lawrence, Lowlands Cove
Meat Cove
17km
Little Grassy Trail
Meat Cove
1.5 km
Meat Cove Mountain
Meat Cove
5 km
Pollett’s Cove
Red River
16 km
Roberts Mountain
Pleasant Bay
3.5 km
Gypsum Mine
Cheticamp
10 km
Doyles Bridge Trail
Margaree
3 km
Eagles nest Trail
Margaree
1.5 km
Big Interval Trail
Portree
5 km
Inverness beach boardwalk
Inverness
2 km
Broad Cove Chapel
Inverness
12 km
Egypt Falls
Scotsville
13.5 km
Cape Mabou Highlands Hiking
Trails
Mabou
30 km
Port Hood Boardwalk
Port Hood
1 km
MacFarlane Woods
Inverness Co
n/a
Marble Mountain
Marble
Mountain
3 km
Lewis Mountain Trail
Aberdeen
8 km
Logans Glen Falls
Whycocomagh
0.5 km
Denys River
Melford
9 km
Ghost Beach
Port
Hawkesbury
7.5 km
Celtic Shores Trail
92 km
Note:
At the time of this report, the “Pollett’s Cove trail” was an undesignated trail within the Pollett’s Cove Aspy
Fault Wilderness Protected area. A proposal for the “Seawall Trail” (see section 4 below) significantly
expands this trail concept and has high tourism potential.
The Cape Mabou Hiking Trail is an interconnected system of 17 trails with high tourist value, managed by
the Mabou Highlands Hiking Club.
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Management of Community Hiking and Walking Trails
Unlike National Park trails, community trails have no consistent management framework.
Some trails are intensively managed by non-profit organizations and many are supported by
municipalities. Some are managed by autonomous but resourceful local groups and
organizations. Still others are essentially unmanaged. Some unmanaged trails overlap with
woods roads and trails used by motorized traffic. In the case of intensively managed shareduse trails, where hiking is considered a primary or priority activity, overlapping use will not
negatively impact the experience for walkers and hikers. The Celtic Shores Trail is exemplary
in this respect (see below). In other cases where trails are not purposely managed for both
non-motorized and motorized use, product standards often fail to meet tourism criteria for
hiking and walking trails.
In general, excepting on roadways and access roads, national and provincial parks do not
permit motorized vehicles. Vehicles use is also prohibited in nature reserves (ecological sites)
designated under the Special Places Protection Act, and is generally prohibited in provinciallydesignated wilderness areas, but can be authorized in newer wilderness areas on essential
connecting trails, provided the trail is managed under agreement with Nova Scotia
Environment.
Generally, community trails that are managed for hiking or other self-propelled use are not
designed for motorized use. On the other hand, unmanaged walking trails may be used for
both motorized and non-motorized recreation. In addition, trails managed for ATV use permit
foot traffic.
Tourism Potential
In the same way that management of community trails is variable, tourism potential is highly
variable. As a general rule, in Nova Scotia, trails with the highest tourism potential are those
that allow the visitor to experience a coastal landscape. Similarly, trails that offer outstanding
view-scapes also have high tourism potential. Other trails (not coastal) that provide an
authentic nature experience can be tourist attractions if they are well designed (although they
usually tend to attract more of a local market).
Market-readiness
Urban trails generally are intensively managed and may include amenities such as parking,
benches, interpretation, etc. Market-readiness of other community trails is contingent on the
capacity and effort of the managing group. Market readiness also depends on trail design and
whether they are effectively promoted. It is assumed that (with some notable exceptions) the
degree of market readiness of most community trails will range from low to moderate. Within
the scope of this study, we cannot provide a clear measure of market readiness of any
particular trail. However, the ranking and analysis of citations included in this report
(appendix 2) is an indication of market recognition and market readiness.
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Citations
The following trails were determined to have more than 5 citations and are assumed to be
good examples of community managed trails that have significant value for tourism.
 North River Falls (Victoria Co.)
 Celtic Shores Trail, Port Hastings to Inverness (see below under bicycle trails)
 White Point Trail (Victoria Co.)
 Money Point Trails, (Victoria Co.)
 Sugarloaf Trail (Aspy Bay)
 Meat Cove/Lowlands Cove Trail/ Cape St Lawrence (Meat Cove)
 Roberts Mountain (Pleasant Bay)
 Cape Mabou Highlands Hiking Trails (Mabou)
As indicated earlier, this ranking provides only a preliminary reference relating to trail
potential and should not exclude other trails without further assessment. Trails under
development may have high potential for tourism but because they are not yet open, they may
not appear on the above list. See the following section (section 4) for key trails under
development.
January 1, 2016
20
4. Planned or Proposed Hiking or Multi-use Trails
A number of trails on the drawing board have potential to become important elements of the
trail product in Cape Breton. These include the following:
1. The proposed Trans Canada Trail (Cape Breton section),
2. The proposed Seawall Trail,
3. The proposed Bras d’Or Lakes circumferential trail: “Walking Around the Bras d’Or”
4. A proposed trail within the Gabarus wilderness area
5. Proposed trail to Hume River Falls
6. International Appalachian Trail, chapter in NS. It is the intention to extend to the
highlands.
7. Proposed multi-day hiking trail on the old Cabot Trail (CBHNP). This may be able to
link up in the future with the Seawall Trail.
These proposals are intended for walking, hiking and other non-motorized types of travel.
However, the Trans Canada Trail is a shared use trail that allows for summer and winter
off-road vehicles.
Trans Canada Trail (shared use)
The Cape Breton section of the Trans Canada trail is a linear trail corridor that will extend
from Port Hastings to North Sydney. It is still under development, but with the inclusion of a
water route section, it will be a continuous corridor for off-road travel. The first leg of the
Trans Canada trail from Port Hastings to Inverness, the Celtic Shores Trail, is fully developed
and is a distinct and market ready trail in its own right (see cycling). The next leg from
Inverness to Whycocomagh is under development with completion planned for 2017. There
will be a water corridor from Whycocomagh to North Sydney until a land route can be
developed. Staging sites for the water route may include Baddeck, Ross Ferry, Whycocomagh,
Waycobah, and North Sydney among others.
January 1, 2016
21
Seawall Trail
The proposed Seawall Trail will be an overnight wilderness-hiking trail through the Pollett’s
Cove- Aspy Fault Wilderness Area in Northern Cape Breton Island. The proposed alignment
will be a three to five day wilderness experience encompassing 50-75 kilometers of trail.
Once completed this trail could potentially be one of the most important destination trails in
Atlantic Canada. The trail represents a unique product opportunity. It will provide a true
wilderness hiking experience across a large expanse of undeveloped coastline, featuring cliffs
canyons and barrens atop stunningly high headlands.
January 1, 2016
22
Bras d’Or Lakes Circumferential Trail: “Walking Around the Bras d’Or”
The project is an initiative of the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve. At this early development
stage the BLBRA has identified recreational trails within the watershed and is working with
community groups to identify new and connecting trails. The long term vision is to connect
communities within the watershed and promote sustainable economic development while
celebrating and conserving natural ecosystems and assets. Please note: community
consultation occurred during the winter of 2014.
January 1, 2016
23
Humes River Trail
The proposed Humes River trail is located in Victoria County south of Baddeck and will
traverse the Humes River Wilderness Area. This protected area encompasses one of the last
relatively large tracts of intact Acadian forests in the Bras d’Or Lake watershed. The proposed
trail will be 15 kilometers, beginning at Wagmatcook First Nation and continuing westward to
Aberdeen. It will include two waterfalls – the 25 foot McNaughton Brook Falls and the 60 Ft
Humes River Falls.
Gabarus Coastal Trails
The Gabarus Wilderness area is a large
coastal protected area on Cape Breton’s
east coast south of Louisbourg. It is one
of Nova Scotia’s original wilderness
protected areas (designated in 2008)
and is a stunning expanse of
undeveloped coastline. Informal trails
currently exist in this area, however a
formal coastal trail has been proposed
and is in early stages of planning.
January 1, 2016
24
Off-road Bicycle Trails
Recreational cycling often takes advantage of paved public roads wherever possible in low
traffic areas. These are the preferred routes for guided national and international cycling
tours. However there is a demand for off-road cycling as well.
Off-road cycling falls into two categories,
1. Mountain biking
2. Off-road linear bicycle touring routes
Mountain Bike Trails
There are two dedicated cycling routes identified in trails.com:
 Lake of Islands (Neil’s Harbour)
 Pembroke Lake (Cheticamp)
The CBHNP traditionally allows cyclists on trails, including: Salmon Pools, Le Chemin du
Buttereau, Le Buttereau, Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge, Branch Pond Look-off, Clyburn Valley,
and Freshwater Lake.
The listing of hiking trails provided in this inventory indicates that there are also a number of
hiking trails that accommodate cyclists (see appendix 1).
These include the following three trails in CBHNP.
 Salmon Pools
 Branch Pond Look-out
 Mica Hill
No other mountain bike trails were found within Cape Breton during this compilation,
however Bicycle Nova Scotia may be a source for further information. (Please note: the Across
the Highlands Mountain Bike rights have been transferred to Velo Club Cheticamp per Velo
Cape Breton).
Linear Trails
The Celtic Shores Trail (CST) is a shared use trail with a focus on cycling that also
accommodates hikers; ATVs; and in the winter, snowmobiles. Trails for touring cyclists
require a smooth surface constructed of packed fine gravel or asphalt and the Celtic Shores
trail is one of the few shared use trails that is groomed and maintained to this standard.
The CST is market-ready and a good example of a destination trail. The trail is 92 km with
significant coastal orientation and linking a number of coastal communities in western Cape
Breton. It has a strong brand, an excellent tourism focused web site, well developed wayfinding, entry points, and interpretation. In 2015 it was evaluated using the ACT destination
trail assessment tool and rated as one of the top market ready cycling trails in Atlantic Canada
comparing favorably with the Confederation Trail in PEI.
January 1, 2016
25
Information on The Blue Route provincial network, connecting Nova Scotia’s communities through
designated cycling routes on secondary highways with paved shoulders, low traffic volume roads,
hard surfaced trails, and city streets, can be found in appendix 7.
January 1, 2016
26
Motorized All-season Trails
The ATV market
ATV activity has changed over the last two decades. ATVs have become an accepted, lawabiding form of outdoor recreation. Clubs stress their intention to offer legitimate travel
corridors that have permission for use on private and public land. Off highway vehicles have
also changed. Side by side ATVs have become the norm. Today ATVs are designed for a wider
market, can accommodate older age divisions and are suitable as touring vehicles.
The ATV market has been seen to be growing, however there is still a lack of reliable data on
the market. Little is known about how many people bring ATVs into the province and there is
limited information on how many come to the area to participate in ATV recreation. What is
known is that ATV recreation involves a sense of community. ATV recreationists tend to use
the trails in groups. As a result, ATV tourism is often event driven. ATV rallies are a major
motivator for ATV tourism. As a result, there are considerable requests for guides from ATV
clubs, and as such, these requests are not quantified for citation purposes. Overall, ATV
recreation appears (at least at present) to be a niche market.
ATVs may provide opportunities for outdoor recreationist who are not physically capable of
participating in hiking, cycling etc. (including the “disabled). Research on the OHV market is
needed to determine the potential for developing this market.
While the development of ATV networks in Cape Breton has been ongoing, for the purpose of
tourism, they are still in early stages of development. Maintained and clearly defined trail
corridors with established entry points and clear signage are still being developed. In the case
of ATV events, the lack of signage and clearly marked routes may not be a major deterrent.
Local ATV riders are often available to guide out of town participants. However, if the product
is to appeal to independent visitors and the broader tourism market, then a more tourism
focused approach is essential.
January 1, 2016
27
ATV trails in Cape Breton
OHV trails in Cape Breton make extensive use of crown land and active or former forestry
roads. In some areas mapping is becoming available, but often a designated route is not clearly
defined and therefore trail distances are not always determined for each trail network in this
report.
For the most part the network of ATV trails is linked throughout the island of Cape Breton.
However, one or more local clubs manages the trails in each region, therefore it was
considered appropriate to categorize trails by region in this inventory.
ATV trails in Cape Breton are mapped and/or managed by 10 regional ATV clubs. They include
a mix of built trail, existing and discontinued forestry, K-class road, and a mix of ownership.
ATV use is regulated by the Nova Scotia OHV act.
The Off-Highway Vehicles Act regulates drivers of off road vehicles that are not registered under the Motor
Vehicle Act. These include • snowmobiles and other snow vehicles • ATVs or all-terrain vehicles • off-road
motorcycles • mini bikes • dirt bikes • four-wheel-drive or low-tire-pressure vehicles • dune buggies • other
vehicle or class of vehicle designed as an off-highway vehicle by regulation
OHV riders are permitted to ride on and access the following:




Forest access roads controlled by the Department of Natural Resources
K-class roads* controlled by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
Private roads that are designed to be accessible, or are accessible to the public for OHV use where
the landowner has given written permission*
Ditches of highways under these conditions • in daylight, either with or against the flow of traffic •
at night*, in the same direction as the traffic on the same side of the road • a road or highway
outside a city, town, or village that is impassable because it is covered with snow AND it is not
normally cleared
o Please note: changes to current regulations will likely happen soon permitting travel to
and from GPS point to GPS point for ATV activities
Crown Land
ATVS have permission to ride on Crown land where there is no restriction. However, in all cases, this use
must be shared with other people using the trail—doing things like walking, cycling, horseback riding,
skiing. When Crown land is used for forestry, mining, and harvesting, trail users are required to check with
the Department of Natural Resources and the organization that is using the land.
Private land
OHV riders may drive on private land that is designed to be accessible or is accessible to the public for OHV
use as long as the landowner has given written permission. OHV riders are assumed to have “written
permission” to use trails on private or public land
• If they were able to ride on that land before April 1, 2006
• Unless there is a sign that says OHV users cannot ride there
Abandoned rail lines
ATVs are permitted to use abandoned rails lines subject to trail-head signs indicate whether OHV traffic is
permitted. If there is no sign, OHVs are allowed. Rail-trail corridors are shared-use trails that are developed
and maintained by authorized trail associations. Trails uses are required to observe posted speed limits.
Trail permits
On designated trails that go over private or public land.
• A trail permit is required from an authorized OHV club.
January 1, 2016
28
• The permit must be displayed on the OHV when in use. The permit may be a sticker, label, or other tag.
There may be conditions of use. These trails are marked with designated trail signs.
Under regulations of the Act, excepting highways and certain roads, ATV recreationists are
permitted to ride anywhere unless they are specifically excluded. Areas of exclusion include
national and provincial parks, nature reserves, provincial wilderness areas (except on
connecting trails that are designated and managed under agreement with NS Environment),
municipal areas where the municipality has decided to limit or prohibit off highway vehicle
travel, and private property where the owner has posted signs to limit or exclude ATV travel.
Given the extent of crown land on Cape Breton Island and forest access and class K roads, this
provides a vast and extensive network of routes for ATV travel. The following map intended
for the snowmobiles) demonstrates the extent of this network (crown land is shown in green).
January 1, 2016
ATV/OHV trail networks
Richmond County
 West Richmond Abandoned
Trail Line
 L’Ardoise ATV Club
 Ile Madame ATV club
Cape Breton County
 Ile Royale ATV Club
 Marconi Trail Blazers ATV Club
Victoria Co
 Baddeck ATV Club
Inverness Co
 Margaree ATV and Snowmobile
Clubs
 Highland ATV Club
 Celtic Shores Rail Trail
Richmond Co.
1. Grand Anse to River Tillard Trail
The East Richmond ATV Club working
under a letter of Authority with DNR
manages the 15 km Grand Anse to
River Tillard abandoned rail line as a
shared use trail. (The rail line is owned
by the province of NS). The corridor is a
good travel corridor between
communities but has minimal signage
and while it has some compatibility
with other users, the tread does not
meet minimum shared use standards.
January 1, 2016
29
30
2. L’Ardoise ATV Club
The L’Ardoise ATV Club manages 75 km of
trails as well as crown and private land. Trail
use agreements with land-owners are informal
(verbal or handshake). The group is volunteer
driven and sustainability is not certain.
According to the Richmond Trail Strategy, the
group has a strong base of volunteers with
local knowledge of area and terrain but no
management plan, no formal map and no
formal entry point. The trail network supports
traditional uses and the Club hosts organized
events. The capacity for other users is
unknown. The L’Ardoise network appears to
largely serve local users.
3. Isle Madame ATV club
The Isle Madame ATV Club volunteer
organization (150 members) manages 46 km of
trails. The network is a loop system connecting
communities on Isle Madame. The trail has a
well-established system of infrastructure. Like
other OHV trails in the area, use by locals is the
primary function of these trails. The current
standard of trail tread does not meet frontcountry standards indicating limited capability
for other users
Tourism Potential of Richmond County OHV Trails
OHV trails in Richmond County appear to function primarily as local off-road transportation
corridors linking rural sites and communities. Their function as tourism products appears to
be secondary. For example, a primary tourism asset in Richmond County is the coastal
landscape. While there are some sections of coastal trail, most of the network is inland. As is the
case with other clubs, rallies and group events draw visitors.
The trails in Richmond County are potentially part of a linked corridor that could allow OHV
travelers to travel into and across Cape Breton Island. However we do not have any indication
of whether there is a demand for this type of tourism experience.
January 1, 2016
31
Ile Royale and Marconi Trail Networks
The Isle Royal ATV Club has jurisdiction over ATV trail activity on the west side of CBRM. At
the time of this report, the Club had 135 members and charged a membership fee of $30
(includes membership to ATVANS). The Marconi Trail Blazers ATV Club has jurisdiction over
ATV trail activity on the east side of CBRM (membership fee: $25).
Management of ATV Trails within CBRM
The Isle Royale and Marconi Trail Blazers ATV clubs manage adjacent networks generally
comprising of a larger overall system that extends from New Waterford, outwards to Glace Bay
and beyond to Loch Lomond and continuing back to Sydney through Big Pond, Ben Eoin, East
Bay and Sydney River. Trail assessments were conducted (Pathways of Cape Breton) prior to
development of the networks, outlining the work required and costs associated with the
development and maintenance of a trail system. It is proposed that these trails connect to the
adjacent network under the management of the L'Ardoise ATV Club.
Both ATV Clubs are registered under the provincial Societies Act. Funding from club activities is
used to development Infrastructure and for maintenance. Bridge repairs, trimming and cutting and
maintenance of the right-of-way are ongoing requirements and volunteers do their utmost to
assist where possible.
January 1, 2016
32
Tourism potential
Ile Royale and Marconi are expanding OHV trail networks that provide for ATV tourists, a
developing trail product. Key assets are industrial history, coastal views and look-offs. Work is
ongoing to create a continuous trail corridor. The club’s presidents indicated their interest in
offering regional tours for cruise ship passengers. ATV tours to industrial heritage sites is a
product concept with considerable potential. Further development of ATV tourism product
opportunities will unfold through on going work and discussion of all parties. Information
submitted by Isle Royale ATV Club President, Dan Fraser on tourism product potential for the
Isle Royale ATV Club trails and adjacent trail networks is included in Appendix 5.
Tourism market readiness
Were unable to conduct detailed site visits and cannot assess touristic value of the trails in
CBRM. In addition, we lack marketing data to adequately assess current or potential visitation
and value as a tourism product.
The group has invested significant effort on trail infrastructure. Yet, the Isle Royale and
Marconi trails are in their early stages of development. At a minimum, product will require
website development and related consumer information, development of entry point
locations, way-finding etc. and probably interpretive programming to become market ready.
In addition a developing ATV tourism product typically requires access to services, and there
is limited access within communities in CBRM.
Contact Information
Ile Royale ATV Club
Dan Fraser ([email protected])
(902) 567-0622
Web site: http://www. Isle royaleatv.club/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/182141575165681/
Marconi Trail Blazers
Allister MacLean ([email protected])
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marconi.trail?fref=nf
January 1, 2016
33
Baddeck and Area Trails
The Baddeck and Area ATV Club covers Victoria County from Whycocomagh in the south to Cape
Breton Highlands National Park in the North.
Management of ATV Trails in Victoria Co
The Baddeck Club makes extensive use of existing and discontinued forestry roads of the region in
which they have jurisdiction. Eighty percent of the trail network utilizes Class K or logging roads.
Active roads are maintained (presumably by crown or industry). The Club has mapped the trails and
route options (see below) however GPS enabled mapping was not provided in the preparation of this
report. The network that the club utilizes includes 405 kilometers of trail, largely on crown land but
also including trail on private land. The Club indicates that this is “managed trail” and maintains
trails as needed with funds from membership. Membership fees are $40.00 annually.
Tourism Potential
The Baddeck Club has positioned itself by featuring key cultural tourism attractions such as the
Gaelic College and the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and landscape features such as North River
falls. These are legitimate claims when promoting the area to the niche ATV market within Nova
January 1, 2016
34
Scotia. For the broad tourism market and non-residents in particular who may be interested in ATV
recreation, the unique selling feature could be access to the highlands (outside of the National Park).
Market readiness
Like the Cape Breton County trails, the Baddeck network is in an early stage of development as a
tourism product. Website, way-finding and trail design would all have to be improved if the goal is
to accommodate the non-resident market. Some type of vehicle rental or guiding service will also be
needed to broaden the market beyond group events.
Contact Information
Baddeck and Area trails
Ray Astaph ([email protected])
Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeinnScalpie/
January 1, 2016
35
Inverness County North
Margaree ATV Association and Highland ATV Club
These two clubs have jurisdiction of a similar trail network to the Baddeck club except that it
originates and is largely contained within the western side of Cape Breton and the western
highlands. It is assumed that the Baddeck and the Margaree networks utilize common areas of
the Cape Breton Highlands.
Management
The Margaree Club utilizes the Snowmobile trail system to access the system of forestry roads
on the highlands as far as Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Similarly, the club probably
relies on snowmobile signage and way-finding. However authorization for use of private land
that has been granted to snowmobiles often does not extend to OHVs and the network is
discontinuous in some areas.
January 1, 2016
36
Tourism Potential
Like the Baddeck network, the Margaree and Highland networks provide access to the
highlands. A number of businesses in Margaree cater to OHV visitors, stimulated by the busy
snowmobile winter market. In addition, access to communities such as Cheticamp and
Margaree appears to be permitted. Access to communities is a major factor in creating an OHV
friendly region.
Market Readiness
Market readiness issues are similar to other regions. Good tourism focused web information,
mapping, way-finding, trail design and continuity are all issues. These short-comings are not
an issue for group events, but for the broader tourism market they are significant. To support
or create a tourism targeted OHV product, a guided tour/rental service could be effective
(especially in the absence of trail infrastructure components). Laurie Cranton in Margaree
proposes doing exactly that. This business model would require significant investment and
planning, but could result in an interesting new product.
Contact Information
Margaree ATV Ass
Laurie Cranton ([email protected])
Highland ATV Club
Rickey Harris ([email protected])
January 1, 2016
37
Winter Trails.
1. Non-motorized winter trails
Cross country skiing/snowshoe
Cross country ski opportunities exist throughout Cape Breton. This report includes formal
(groomed) trail systems. The eastern highlands has a cluster of well-developed ski trails which
represent a significant tourism opportunity.
Ski Tuonela – St Ann’s Bay
A private business managing 18 kms of trails. This is a market ready product.
North Highland Ski trails- North Cape
A community managed network of 11.5 km of groomed trails. The club is operated on a
volunteer basis. A small trail fee is charged with seasonal memberships encouraged.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
The CBHNP no longer offers groomed trails, though many of their trails are available for nontrackset skiing. Exclusions include: Bog, Fishing Cove, Green Cove, Broad Cove Mountain,
Freshwater Lake Look-off. All remaining are deemed skiable, but are not groomed: l'Acadien,
Salmon Pool, Le chemin du Buttereau, Le Buttereau, Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge, Corney
Brook, Skyline, Benjie’s Lake, MacIntosh Brook, Lone Shieling, Aspy, Mica Hill, Coastal, Jigging
Cove, Jack Pine, Warren Lake, Branch Pond Look-off, Franey, Clyburn Valley, Middle Head, and
Freshwater Lake.
Ben Eoin – Ski Resort, Ingonish
Ben Eoin is a recreational resort facility centered around the Ben Eoin downhill ski hill. The
facility offers over 10 kms of groomed country ski trails. Trail Lengths are: 3km, 2.2km, 1km,
3km, & 1.5km
2. Snowmobile
The snowmobile market is an important outdoor winter product in Cape Breton. The product
provides off-season revenues to selected rural communities. While ATVs are discouraged to
ride on groomed trails, ATVs with tracks are permitted.
Management
There are 400-500 km of groomed trails on the island. Snowmobile visitors can travel from
Canso and other points on the mainland across the Cape Breton Island into the highland
region. (SANS Zone 1 Route 104, 105). Out of province visitors can purchase trail passes from
the Snowmobile Association of Nova Scotia (SANS). Residents can purchase permits from local
businesses or snowmobile clubs.
Market Potential
We did not obtain traffic data for snowmobile trails, however visitor exit survey data shows
that 4% of out of province visitors to Cape Breton are interested or participate in
January 1, 2016
38
snowmobiling. The data indicates that most are overseas visitors and are visiting friends and
relatives.
Margaree and the highlands north and south are within a snow belt and have become a
popular destination for snowmobile recreationists. The snow conditions are exceptional, even
in low snow years. In years when there is less snow in other parts of the province,
snowmobile traffic in central Cape Breton increases as much as 150%. Visitor traffic in
Margaree is as high in winter as it is in the summer.
Market readiness
Snowmobile product is mature in Cape Breton. The trail system is well maintained, groomed
and signed. Hubs for snowmobile tourism appear to be Margaree, Whycocomagh and Baddeck.
Several businesses in these communities provide customized service to snowmobile
customers. Mapping is available on the website.
January 1, 2016
Conclusion and Recommendations
Cape Breton Island offers a tremendous scope of land-based trail opportunities, both for
physical outdoor activities such as walking, hiking and cycling, and for motorized off-road
recreation. This report provides an inventory of these activities and briefly reviews their
potential and market-readiness as tourism products.
January 1, 2016
39
40
National Park trails are largely market ready. They have an established mandate to provide
trail experiences and standardized guidelines that guide their development and management.
This does not suggest that these trails don’t have any shortcomings. However, they have, over
time, planned and developed services, facilities, infrastructure and way-finding in order to
serve the visitor or tourism market.
Outside the national parks, the tourism potential and market-readiness of trails is highly
variable. Hiking trails are promoted in numerous web sites and brochures and usually, the
visitor can find out enough information to decide whether the experience is one that they are
seeking. However, for tourism agencies, there is no market-readiness metric for these trails.
Market Readiness
In 2010, the Atlantic Canada Trails project developed a market readiness matrix for nonmotorized trails. The matrix is intended to assess the capability of trails as “destination
products” and therefore it provides an evaluation of all attributes that contribute to a
destination trail. As such it prioritizes consumer or market factors. The matrix is valuable as a
developmental tool for all types of trails that are intended to have touristic value by
identifying trail development, enhancement and remediation priorities, and should be used as
a tool to standardize and form their own ACT that could be used by all clubs toward preparing
their trails for market-readiness.
The ACT trail assessment tool (ACTTA) evaluates the complete scope of factors that determine
whether a trail is market ready. In summary it evaluates the following:














Scope and effectiveness of the web site
Tools for locating the trail
Sense of arrival and entry point
Navigation
Trail conditions
Trail design
Safety
Conservation
Theme/branding
Trail features and experience
Trail infrastructure
Amenities
Tourism services
Customer feedback
It is recommended that the ACT trail assessment tool be employed with trails that are
considered potential tourism products. The citation assessment in this report can assist in
identifying these trails. The ACCTA can be used to identify or determine development
priorities and to assess market-readiness as a precursor or condition for promoting trails,
especially to the inbound tourism market.
The Celtic Shores Trail used the ACT assessment to review and enhance its tourism market
readiness as a cycling trail. As a result of this assessment, the trail made significant
improvements to its brand, web site and infrastructure and ultimately has become a star
tourism attraction in Nova Scotia.
January 1, 2016
41
For the OHV market, market readiness is a significant issue if OHV trails are to be successful
tourism products. This is particularly true if OHV trails are to develop a tourism market
outside of club events such as rallies and fund-raising events. Market readiness tools (similar
to the ACT market readiness assessment tool for non-motorized trails) have been developed in
New Brunswick for emerging OHV trail products.
The exception is the snowmobile market. The snow-mobile market has developed approved
routes and way-finding, web site tools and complete mapping including on line digital gps
route information.
January 1, 2016
42
Appendices
Appendix 1: Data-base of non-motorized trails on Cape Breton Island
Appendix 2: ATV clubs, trails and trail networks in Cape Breton
Appendix 3: Detailed maps: Isle Royal and Marconi Trails
Appendix 4: Detailed maps: Baddeck and area ATV trail network
Appendix 5: Stakeholder comments on ATV product potential
Appendix 6: Hiking trails ranked by the number of citations
Appendix 7: Information on The Blue Route
(Please note the following as it pertains to the map found in appendix 7: The Blue Route
Planning Status Map presents the latest version of Blue Route network plans prepared by
Bicycle Nova Scotia and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. The
map illustrates the status of plans for the Blue Route, primarily on Provincial roads and trails
on Crown Land. Plans for routes outside of provincial jurisdiction will be added, as they are
determined through consultation with municipalities. Gaps between the routes shown on the
map will be closed, once plans for local areas have been completed.
“Blue Route Open” indicates routes that have been officially opened with signs along road and
trail.
“Proposed Blue Route (On Road)” indicates the proposed Blue Route on the road network.
“Potential Trail Links” indicates existing or proposed trails that are being considered as
candidates for the Blue Route network. Agreements with trail associations and trail managers
are required before designation and signing.
“Routes Under Review” indicates routes that are still being evaluated. More information is
required to determine preferred routing for these areas.)
January 1, 2016

Cape Breton Trail Review and Inventory

Transcription

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