Eager to hit the open road? There’s nothing like a road trip to explore new destinations and Canada’s Atlantic Coast offers mesmerizing landscapes and eclectic corners waiting to be discovered.
Atlantic Canada, with its miles of coastline and open roads, is the ideal touring destination for those travelers looking to get out on the highway and look for adventure. A self-drive holiday is a perfect way to explore the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, where the roads are wide and often deserted. Passing by UNESCO World Heritage Sites, lighthouses, fishing villages, and
vineyards. the region offers plenty of scenic routes to choose from this summer, but this year’s top picks are:
New Brunswick
Fundy Coastal Drive (390km)
This route takes visitors along the Bay of Fundy coastline, home to the highest tides in the world, and stretches from Aulac to St Stephen. Passing through the cities of Saint John and Moncton as well as the coastal town St Andrews by the Sea, visitors should look out for whales breaching off the coast, discover fossil-filled mudflats, visit the Hopewell Rocks, and explore the coastal islands. For a true coastal experience, spend a day island-hopping and whale watching around the Fundy Isles; Grand Manan, Campobello, and Deer islands.
Acadian Coastal Drive (440km)
Running north to south, along the eastern coast of New Brunswick from Dalhousie to Aulac, this drive passes sandy beaches, fishing villages, and coastal towns. The Acadian Coastal route area is known for its excellent beaches and some of Canada’s warmest swimming beaches are located on this drive. Along the route, travelers will experience the French Acadian culture and the joie de vivre of the Acadian people who share their story, culture, and cuisine with visitors at attractions including the Acadian Village, local festivals, and Le Pays de la Sagouine; an exciting living museum. There are also plenty of opportunities to dine on delicious fresh seafood.
Nova Scotia
Wines, Whales, and Whiskey (867km)
Discover the northern edge of the province on the wines, whales, and whiskey tour. The route takes visitors through Nova Scotia’s wine region, the Annapolis Valley, which boasts a number of wineries, including Luckett Vineyard with its signature red phone box in the middle of the grapevines. The route also passes along the Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides, ideal for whale watching. Visitors can also try North America’s first single malt whiskey at Glenora Inn & Distillery. Other highlights along the route include Northumberland Shore and Cape Breton.
Cabot Trail (300km)
Known as one of the world’s most scenic drives, The Cabot Trail on the Island of Cape Breton, northeast of Nova Scotia, is home to a 185-mile trail that passes through small fishing villages and a mountainous interior with dense forest, and along shores lapped by the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. The trail also passes through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, home to moose, black bear, and bald eagles. The town of Baddeck, on Bras d’Or Lake, is a good starting point for the drive. From here, visitors can complete the Cabot Trail loop in either direction. Visitors can dine on fresh seafood plucked straight from the Atlantic, overnight in a traditional inn, and hike some of the national park’s 25 trails along the way. The most recommended one would be the Skyline Trail which is just a 15 minutes drive from the park entrance.
Prince Edward Island
Central Coastal Drive (198km)
Travel through Anne of Green Gables land on Prince Edward Island’s central coastal drive. Highlights include the coastal resort town of Cavendish and PEI National Park, which has excellent walking routes so travelers can stretch their legs. The route also passes through the quaint town of Victoria-by-the-Sea which has changed very little since the 1950s and visitors can also explore the vibrant capital of Charlottetown at the end.
Points East Coastal Drive (411km)
Ideal for outdoor aficionados, The Points East Coastal Drive passes through parks and trails, as well as six lighthouses that are open to the public during the summer. Other highlights include Greenwich Dunes and the floating boardwalk, cycling the Confederation Trail through Morell and St Peters. Visitors should also head to the beach at Basin Head Provincial Park where the sand ‘sings’ when walked upon.
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