This lakeside village appeals with its scenery, history and outdoor pursuits. Kayak to an island, ski through forests and visit the home of the inventor of the telephone.
Baddeck is an attractive village on the shores of Bras d'Or Lake, a place of scenic beauty and adventure. Try different outdoor pursuits and wildlife watching and drive or cycle along a coastal route that winds through mountains and villages.
The unhurried, leafy streets of Baddeck are pleasant to explore on foot. Check out the colorful clapboard houses, many of which double up as guesthouses, hotels, cafés and restaurants. Browse the antique stores, boutiques, independent galleries and jewelry shops. Make your way over to the east edge of the village to visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Explore the museum to discover more about the inventor of the telephone, who made Baddeck his summer home. Learn about his experiments with boats and planes and see replica models.
Go to the waterfront and enjoy a relaxed stroll around Baddeck Harbour and the northern shores of Bras d’Or Lake. Spot luxury yachts and old fishing boats moored in the water and admire the views across the lake to nearby islands.
The harbor is a great base for watersports activities such as waterskiing and Jet Skiing. Join a kayaking tour or catch the shuttle boat to Kidston Island for its beaches, walking trails, lighthouse and bald eagles. Kayak tours also explore more of Bras d’Or Lake and St. Ann’s Bay.
A short drive from Baddeck are more opportunities for outdoor adventures amid the region’s natural beauty. Hike along the trails of Usige Ban Falls Provincial Park to a striking 50-feet (16-meter) tall waterfall. Drive or bike along the Cabot Trail, which passes beaches, lakes, mountains and villages. When the winter snow arrives go cross-country skiing at Ski Tuonela.
Baddeck is about a 4-hour drive from Halifax and reachable via intercity buses. Rent a car and visit other areas of Cape Breton Island, including Cape Breton Highlands National Park and Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site. Both are approximately 90 minutes away by car along scenic routes.