About Cape Smokey Hiking
Various trails around Cape Smokey offering spectacular coastal views and connections to the famous ski area. Coastal vistas with gondola access options and varied terrain.
Features & Highlights
Detailed Information
Cape Smokey: Year-Round Mountain Hiking, Gondola Access, and Ocean Panoramas
Cape Smokey is a year-round mountain attraction on the east coast of Cape Breton along the Cabot Trail at Ingonish Beach, combining summer hiking and gondola rides with a full winter ski operation. The summit of Smokey Mountain sits high above the Atlantic, and the site's eight-minute gondola ride (the only one of its kind in Cape Breton) carries visitors from the base lodge to the top, where a network of look-offs, forest trails, and activity stations fans out across the upper mountain. The hiking is concentrated on a roughly 5-kilometre round-trip forest trail that connects the summit to Hawley Lake, passing two of the site's main viewpoints along the way: the Eagles Talon Look-Out and the Eagles Valley Look-Off. Both deliver long views over the Atlantic and the Ingonish River valley.
Beyond the hiking trail, a summer day at Cape Smokey can include mini golf inspired by Cape Breton landmarks, a five-hole disc golf course through the forest, and complimentary kayaks on Hawley Lake, all included with a gondola ticket. E-bike rentals are available at the base kiosk for visitors who want to extend the day onto the surrounding Cabot Trail or to nearby Ingonish Harbour. In winter, Cape Smokey operates as an alpine ski hill with snowshoeing trails, ski and snowboard rentals, and a slope-side lodge and restaurant (the Slope Bar & Grill). On-site luxury townhouse accommodation at Cormorant Rock opened in 2026, making multi-day stays possible without driving back down the Cabot Trail each evening.
The mountain's summit is also one of the darker spots on the east coast of Cape Breton, and the site actively promotes stargazing and northern lights viewing from the upper look-offs; the aurora is visible from the summit webcam several times each year. The combination of gondola access, summit activities, and proximity to Cape Breton Highlands National Park (whose eastern entrance is a few kilometres north on the Cabot Trail) makes Cape Smokey one of the most flexible half-day stops on the Ingonish coast.
What to Expect
- Gondola ride to the summit — 8-minute ride included with admission; the only gondola in Cape Breton
- 5 km round-trip forest trail — connects summit to Hawley Lake, passing the Eagles Talon and Eagles Valley look-offs
- Complimentary activities with gondola ticket — kayaks on Hawley Lake, summit mini golf, disc golf
- Winter operation — alpine skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, ski and snowboard rentals
- Stargazing and aurora viewing — dark skies at the summit, with a live webcam for aurora checks
Practical Information
- Location: Cape Smokey, 40301 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Ferry, NS B0C 1L0 (on the Cabot Trail, roughly 20 minutes north of the Ingonish Visitor Centre).
- Hours: Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:45 am to 4:30 pm (check capesmokey.ca/hours-operation for seasonal changes and holiday weeks).
- Admission: Summer Day Pass tickets from $69.99 adult; Smokey Adventure Pass and season passes available. Winter lift tickets, snowshoe passes (from $44.99), and rentals sold separately. Buy online at capesmokey.snowcloud.shop.
- On-site facilities: Lodge and restaurant (Slope Bar & Grill), summit kiosk (The Nest), base kiosk, free parking, EV fast chargers, washrooms.
- Phone: 902-517-0371
- Email: customer.support@capesmokeyholding.com
- Website: https://www.capesmokey.ca
Tips for Visitors
The gondola is the practical way to reach the hiking trails; the summit trailhead sits at the top gondola station, and walking up the ski runs is not permitted in summer. Buy tickets in advance for July and August weekends, when the summit can hit capacity. The upper mountain is exposed; bring a layer even on warm days at the base. Combine Cape Smokey with a morning at Ingonish Beach or a hike on Middle Head Trail for a full Ingonish coast day, and stop at Keltic Lodge for lunch on the way back toward the national park. In winter, the ski hill is best for intermediates — the vertical is modest by alpine standards but the ocean-view runs are unique in eastern Canada.
At a Glance
| Location | 40301 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Ferry — roughly 20 minutes north of the Ingonish Visitor Centre |
|---|---|
| Gondola access | 8-minute ride from the base lodge to the summit — the only gondola in Cape Breton |
| Signature hike | About 5 km round trip, summit to Hawley Lake, passing the Eagles Talon and Eagles Valley look-offs |
| Included with a gondola ticket | Kayaks on Hawley Lake, mini golf and a five-hole disc golf course |
| Hours (summer) | Wednesday to Sunday, 9:45 am to 4:30 pm — seasonal changes posted at capesmokey.ca |
| Admission | Summer Day Pass from $69.99 adult; winter lift tickets and snowshoe passes (from $44.99) sold separately |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to the Cape Smokey hiking trails?
The gondola is the practical way up — the trailhead sits at the top gondola station, and walking up the ski runs is neither practical nor permitted in summer. The eight-minute ride is the only one of its kind in Cape Breton and is included with admission.
How long is the hike at Cape Smokey?
The main trail runs roughly 5 kilometres round trip from the summit to Hawley Lake, passing the Eagles Talon Look-Out and the Eagles Valley Look-Off. Both look-offs deliver long views over the Atlantic and the Ingonish River valley.
What is included with a gondola ticket?
Complimentary kayaks on Hawley Lake, mini golf inspired by Cape Breton landmarks, and a five-hole disc golf course through the forest. E-bike rentals are available at the base kiosk if you want to extend the day onto the Cabot Trail or Ingonish Harbour.
Is Cape Smokey open in winter?
Yes — the mountain operates as an alpine ski hill with snowshoeing trails, ski and snowboard rentals, and a slope-side lodge and restaurant (the Slope Bar and Grill). The vertical is modest by alpine standards, which makes it best for intermediates, but the ocean-view runs are unique in eastern Canada.
Can you see the northern lights from Cape Smokey?
The summit is one of the darker spots on the east coast of Cape Breton, and the site actively promotes stargazing and northern lights viewing from the upper look-offs. The aurora appears on the summit webcam several times each year.
Should I buy tickets in advance?
Yes for July and August weekends, when the summit can hit capacity. Buy online at capesmokey.snowcloud.shop. The site is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:45 am to 4:30 pm in summer, and on-site townhouse accommodation at Cormorant Rock (opened 2026) makes multi-day stays possible.
