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Ingonish is actually a collection of small villages situated on two bays and divided by a long narrow peninsula called Middle Head. Each village is a seaside resort located close to the gates for Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
The park was established in 1936 when the government set aside 950 square kilometres of the northern tip of Cape Breton Island. The park contains some of Canada's most famous scenery with its mountains, green wilderness and windswept coastal beauty.
The best known feature of the park is the Cabot Trail that draws thousands of visitors every year and is renowned for being one of the most spectacular coastal drives in North America.
Around Ingonish
The western side of the Cabot Trail has a strong French influence since this is one of the Acadian Regions. Look on any map and you won't find L'Acadie.
The territory no longer exists as a formal jurisdiction, but it is a thriving community located on Cape Breton Island and south-western Nova Scotia, the central areas of Prince Edward Island and the eastern shores of New Brunswick.
Local History
Founded in 1604 in part of what is now Nova Scotia, l'Acadie was the first French colony in North America. Its history is marked by the Grand Dérangement, also called the Great Expulsion, between 1749 and 1755. Under pressure from the British, nearly 12,000 Acadians were deported to France, England and the eastern coast of the USA where they settled in Louisiana (the name of "Cajun" food in the US is a shortening of "Acadian").
Some fled to New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island where they settled, and others returned at a later date to Nova Scotia. The Acadian flag displays the colours of the French national flag with a gold star set in the top left corner, and you are likely to see the colours in abundance as you drive through these regions.
If you are passing through these areas on 15th August then you will witness The Tintamarre carnival where, at 6pm, people pour into the streets and make a symphony of noise and parade in costumes in the colours of the Acadian flag and play improvised instruments.
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Suggested itinerary featuring Ingonish
This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Ingonish, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Ingonish
- Cape Breton & Cabot Trail 25 miles away
- Louisbourg 54 miles away
- 脦les de la Madeleine 88 miles away
- Spry Point 98 miles away
- Charlos Cove 107 miles away
- Pictou 129 miles away
- Charlottetown 133 miles away
- Nova Scotia 139 miles away
- Liscomb Mills 140 miles away
- Prince Edward Island 141 miles away
- Cavendish 142 miles away
- West Point 189 miles away
- Halifax 207 miles away
- Hopewell Rocks 208 miles away
- Kouchibouguac National Park 215 miles away
- Deer Lake 223 miles away
- Caraquet & the Acadian Peninsula 228 miles away
- Anticosti Island 231 miles away
- Gros Morne National Park 240 miles away
- The Gasp茅 Peninsula 243 miles away
- Lunenburg 246 miles away
- New Brunswick 272 miles away
- Annapolis Royal 280 miles away
- Saint John 288 miles away
- The Bay of Fundy 296 miles away
Photos of Ingonish
Accommodation choices for Ingonish
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Ingonish. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Lantern Hill and Hollow
Ingonish -
Seascape Coastal Retreat
Ingonish