There and Back Again: A Cape Breton Waterfall Adventure

“Then something Tookish woke up inside him, and he wished to go and see the great mountains, and hear the pine-trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead of a walking-stick.” -J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins was onto something when he knew he wanted to go on an adventure and explore waterfalls, caves and pine-trees!  Those hobbits really do know how to adventure, but so do Cape Bretoners and some of the best sights and sounds can be found at the many Island waterfalls.

Waterfall season officially launches this weekend (May 18th) in Cape Breton and kicks off with several guided hikes led by Destination Cape Breton (DCB) ambassadors.  As part of Waterfall Season, DCB is once again offering its Waterfall Contest.  Visit each of the identified falls on their website, scan the QR code with the Waterfall app at each of the falls’ sites (Waterfall App available at the visitcapebreton.ca), and get an entry toward an amazing grand prize including accommodations at Ridge on the Chimney, dining at Woodroad and a $250 Visa gift card.  Who wouldn’t want that amazing prize package?

Escape Outdoors is pleased to be one of the official Pit Stops for Waterfall Season.  When at the store, our staff are happy to help you with the download of the app and answer any questions you may have about the falls listed on this year’s challenge.  EO is also a meet up spot for Saturday’s hike to Devil’s Hills Falls being led by Adam Hill.  Drop by the store at 11 a.m., grab a complimentary coffee and treat to go and get the directions to the falls. 

The Waterfall app also lists several events happening during Waterfall season.  Be sure to check them out.  There is lots going on in Cape Breton this spring and chasing waterfalls ranks right up there as one of the best ways to “escape outdoors”! 

Fun Tolkien Fact:  “Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland is home to 72 waterfalls in total, and it said to be the inspiration for Rivendell, a fictional valley in Tolkien’s Middle Earth.” Tolkien wrote about the town to his son and explained that he based much of the hobbit’s journey on the landscape and waterfalls he saw there.

Had Tolkien visited Cape Breton, we’re sure he would have been equally, if not more, impressed given there is speculation the Island has as many as 1000 waterfalls!😊