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Cape Breton Highlands National Park is introducing a reservation system that will allow visitors to book hiking times on the Skyline Trail near Chéticamp.
The “timed parking and access” system will be launched at the end of June. It aims to reduce overcrowding, help protect fragile ecosystems and is considered the first of its kind on the island.
In an emailed statement, Parks Canada said more details about the reservation system will be shared as the plan progresses, likely in early 2026.
“The Skyline Trail’s natural beauty and its popularity on social media have made it the most visited destination in Cape Breton Highlands National Park,” Acting Communications Officer Adam Young said in the release.
“To protect this iconic landscape and ensure visitors continue to enjoy it for years to come, careful management is essential.”
In recent years, the Skyline Trail has become so popular that a local tourism group says Parks Canada asked them to stop promoting it.
popular trail
“We’ve dealt with it, just trying to alleviate congestion,” said Terry Smith, executive director of Destination Cape Breton.
“We have seen the [Skyline Trail] parking lot — although it was expanded — “It’s still busy and people are parking on the sides of the roads and that can create a safety issue.”
The owner of ac.afe located just outside the national park, said they have heard periodic complaints in recent years from customers who were unable to access the Skyline Trail during the peak summer and fall months.
“It was very, very common,” said Erin Boyd, owner of Last Chance Sandwich in Chéticamp.
“People come from all over the world. They’ve come all the way from Halifax to do the Skyline and they only have a small window to do it, and then when they get turned down, some people are really disappointed.”
The trail is a two- to three-hour hike that winds along the top of French Mountain and offers spectacular views of the Cabot Trail and the Atlantic Ocean, along with possible wildlife sightings, such as moose and bald eagles.
Protect fragile and endangered plants
According to Parks Canada, more than 50,000 people hike the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park each year.
But in recent years, many visitors have abandoned the boardwalk and approached some fragile and endangered plants.
Janet Barlow, executive director of the nonprofit group Hike Nova Scotia, said it’s not uncommon for popular natural attractions around the world to implement some type of measurement system.
He said he favors a reservation system if it means protecting the Skyline Trail for generations to come.
“I love that people want to walk,” Barlow said. “It’s an idea worth trying because we really need to protect that ecosystem, protect that natural area around the trail. If that means restricting access, I’m all for it.”
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