Skip to Content
Cabot Trail Motorcyclist

4 min Read

Touring Nova Scotia by Motorcycle

The province’s 13,300 km (8,264 mi) of coastline encompass the dramatic cliffs of the Cape Breton Highlands, the rolling fields of the Annapolis Valley alongside the Bay of Fundy, endless sandy beaches along the Northumberland Shore, the granite drumlins of Peggy’s Cove, and the beauty of lighthouses that dot the rugged outreaches of the Southern and Eastern Shores of Nova Scotia. This province was made for motorcycle touring.

Mortorcycling on the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island.

Motorcyclists love Nova Scotia for the extraordinary warm welcome, the great scenery, and the uncrowded touring routes. You can zip along the 100 series of Trans Canada highway or choose the scenic routes through unexpected delights.

Nova Scotia is a rideable distance from major centres in New England, Quebec and Ontario (sixteen hours in the seat will get you here from Boston). You can also bring your bike aboard the ferries that run between Bar Harbor, Maine, USA and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick and Digby, Nova Scotia – and save your riding time for the roads of Nova Scotia.

Cabot Trail Motorcycle trip ideas

Plan a trip around the 300 km (187 mi) Cabot Trail, recognized as one of the world’s great scenic drives. In autumn, the trees are in their full glory and the Celtic Colours International Festival brings out the best in music and entertainment.  Getting to the Cabot Trail – you have your choice of taking the Ceilidh Trail along the western coast or up the centre of the island on the Trans Canada Highway, Route 105.

Complete loop of Cape Breton Island by touring into Sydney and taking the Bras d’Or Lake Scenic Drive or the Marconi and Fleur-de-lis Trails before crossing the Canso Causeway and into the Northumberland Shore region.

If you are a beach lover, the Northumberland Shore is home to the warmest saltwater beaches in Nova Scotia – and there is no shortage of beaches to discover. Meander along the Sunrise Trail which weaves its way through coastal communities from the entrance to Cape Breton Island to the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick provincial border.

Motorcycling in the Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley and Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Regions

Head for a scenic look-off along the Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley shoreline where the world’s highest tides rise and fall. If you have a chance, take a break from the road to hop aboard a whale watching boat tour on the Bay of Fundy before touring along the Acadian shore to Yarmouth and the popular Cape Forchu Lighthouse.

Touring along Nova Scotia’s Southern and Eastern Shores

Cruise along the South Shore of Nova Scotia from Halifax to the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove and beyond, for a day trip with plenty of magnificent scenery. Motorcycling along the South Shore, you will have an opportunity to enjoy all the beautiful vistas and white sand beaches this route has to offer.

Driving along the Eastern Shore from Halifax towards the entrance to Cape Breton Island, you will feel one with the road as it winds through the many coves and fishing villages that pepper this part of our beautiful province. From sprawling sandy beaches to rugged cobblestone coastlines, this touring location is perfect for motorcyclists who enjoy open, uncrowded roads with plenty of pristine wooded and ocean along the way.

Annual Wharf Rat Rally Motorcycle Event

If you’re planning to be touring in Nova Scotia by motorcycle in late August-early September or arriving in Nova Scotia aboard The CAT highspeed ferry in Yarmouth or the Fundy Rose ferry which arrives in Digby from New Brunswick, the annual Wharf Rat Rally welcomes thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to Digby, Nova Scotia.

Learn from the locals

Tag your travel photos to be featured.

Back to top