10 Incredible Waterfalls in Cape Breton

10 Best Waterfalls in Cape Breton

Cape Breton is blessed with many incredible waterfalls. The ones listed below are some of the best waterfalls on the island that are easy to access and require minimal hiking, anywhere from a 2-minute walk to up to an hour roundtrip hike.

Approximate total hiking time and distance (one way) are included in the description of the waterfall, so you can decide which ones are right for you.  

1. Beulach Bàn Falls

Distance: 134 meters
Hiking time: 5 minutes
Facilities: picnic tables, parking lot

Located on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Beulach Ban Falls is one of the most easily accessible waterfalls in Cape Breton. It was also the first waterfall that we visited in Cape Breton and started us on our quest to find many more. 

Beulach Ban Falls are a few kilometres off the main road, but a gravel road takes you right to the falls. Don’t stop at the first parking lot (unless are towing a trailer), continue down the gravel road until you reach the second parking lot, which is right next to the falls. It’s about a minute or two down a short path to reach the base of the falls. 

Beulach Ban Falls is a gorgeous waterfall that’s surrounded by forest and makes you feel like you’ve walked farther than a minute or two from your car. With such easy access, it’s a perfect waterfall for everyone to enjoy.

2. Uisage Bàn Falls

Distance: 1.5km
Hiking time: 1 – 1.5 hours
Facilities: picnic tables, vault toilets

Uisage Ban, pronounced “ish-ka-ban”, is one of the most well-known waterfalls in Cape Breton. Located about 20 minutes north of Baddeck, this spectacular waterfall is 15 meters (50 feet) high and found at the end of a 1.5km trail.

The trail begins with a gravel path, that follows a stream through the forest. Along the path are a few benches, to rest and enjoy the view. 

Just before reaching the waterfall, the gravel path ends and the trail becomes uneven, but it isn’t too difficult. The entire hike is fairly flat, with no steep inclines, and takes about an hour to an hour and a half to complete.  

The trail to Uisage Ban Falls is one of the longer hikes on this list, but it is a great one for families, as it’s fairly flat and easy to hike. 

3. Egypt Falls 

Distance: 900m
Hiking time: 30 minutes 
Facilities: none

Egypt Falls is one of the prettiest and most photogenic waterfalls in Cape Breton. 

It’s a popular and well-recommended waterfall to visit, but while it’s a quick hike, it is NOT an easy hike. 

It takes about 15 minutes to reach the falls, but there are very steep sections, with ropes and steps to help you descend. My seven-year-olds didn’t have a problem navigating the path and thought using the ropes was the best thing about the short hike.

Since we visited, I’ve heard that there’s a new trail which is much easier, although slightly longer, that leads to a new staircase, taking you safely down to the falls.

Be sure to wear good hiking shoes, and if you visit in the summer, bring your bathing suit, as it’s possible to swim at the base of these falls. 

4. Gairloch Mountain Falls

Distance: 1km
Hiking time: 1 hour
Facilities: none

Also known as Black Brook Falls, Gairloch Mountain Falls is another of our favourite waterfalls in Cape Breton.

These falls are one of the longer and more challenging hikes we’ve listed here, but it’s one that’s well worth it. 

It’s about an hour’s hike if you drive to the trailhead, but the road is gravel and best suited for SUV-type vehicles. If you have a car, you might want to park at the turn-off to Gairloch Mountain Road and hike in from there, which will add another 2km to the hiking distance.

The trail leads through the forest and is fairly flat for the first part, but then gets steep and there are ropes in place to help you descend. Once at the bottom of the valley, the waterfall is only a short walk away. 

Gairloch Falls are gorgeous and well worth the hike, but if you’re visiting in the spring or summer, you will want to bring bug spray.

These falls were one of the first we visited to kick off waterfall season Cape Breton this year, but hiking in May means a lot of bugs!

5. Mary Ann Falls

Distance: 1.1km
Hiking Time: 15 minutes
Facilities: picnic tables, washrooms

**Currently closed for maintenance and reconstruction – hopefully reopening Spring 2025**

Another of the most popular waterfalls in Cape Breton, Mary Ann Falls is along the Cabot Trail, near Broad Cove.

The falls are a 15-minute drive from the main road, and then it’s a short walk down a wide gravel path to a spot where you’ll find picnic tables and a spot to view the falls.

There’s also a staircase leading down to the river where you’ll have another amazing view of the falls.

Bring a bathing suit if you visit in the summer, as you can swim in the pool at the base of the falls. 

6. MacIntosh Brook

Distance: 1.7km return
Hiking Time: 30 minutes
Facilities: picnic tables and washrooms

MacIntosh Brook Falls is a great spot to stop and stretch your legs while driving the Cabot Trail.

Tucked away in a small valley in the highlands, the trail to MacIntosh Brook Falls is a short and easy walk through the forest, making it a perfect hike for families.

The trail is well-groomed, although there are lots of roots, so be aware of your steps, and after following the brook for a few minutes, you’ll find the falls at the end of the trail. 

There are picnic tables and vault toilets at the start of the trail, perfect for a picnic lunch after hiking to the waterfall. 

This Waterfalls of Nova Scotia book is an excellent resource, with information on 100 waterfalls throughout the province.

7. Myles Doyle Falls

Distance: 100m
Hiking Time: 5 minutes
Facilities: none

Myles Doyle Falls is a bit of a hidden gem in Cape Breton. Not as well-known as other waterfalls in Cape Breton, it’s popular with locals and a great short walk to the falls. 

These falls are about a kilometre off the Trans-Canada Highway, down a gravel road. Park on the side of the road and a short staircase leads down to the falls.

There is a picnic table at the bottom of the stairs, although it was not in the best of shape when we were there. 

8. Logan Glenn (Twin Falls)

Distance: 500m
Hiking Time: 1 hour
Facilities: none

This hidden gem of a waterfall is found via a short hike down an old logging road.

It’s an easy hike that is good for families and kids of all ages, although getting to the bottom of the falls may be tricky for some. 

The trail leads right from the Trans-Canada Highway (we missed the entrance the first time we tried to find it) and goes through a small forested path for a few metres.

The trail then joins the old logging road, which takes you right to the falls. You can see the falls from the road, or climb down the embankment to reach the bottom of the falls. 

9. Corney Brook Falls

Distance: 3km
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Facilities: none

Corney Brook Falls is an easy walk through the forest with a rewarding waterfall at the end of the trail.

It’s a great trail for families and kids of all ages, although it may take a bit longer to hike with little ones.

The trail follows a brook – Corney Brook as the name suggests – and is great to hike any time of the year.

In the summer, bring a bathing suit and take a dip in the water along the way and in the fall, the colours are gorgeous. In the winter, snowshoe or hike along the trail. 

Corney Brook Falls is located in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, so entrance fees do apply.  

10. Still Brook Falls (Black Brook Beach Falls)

Facilities: Changerooms and washrooms, including one accessible washroom available at Black Brook Beach

The easiest waterfall to access in Cape Breton, Still Brook Falls can be seen right from the beach.

Spend an hour, or the afternoon, at the beach, dip your toes in the brook and admire the falls that border the beach. You can access the falls from the beach, or there’s a hiking trail which begins at the day-use parking lot that takes you to a lookout (and Parks Canada Red Chair) overlooking the falls.