Exploring Cape Breton Island’s famed Cabot Trail, long considered one of the world’s most beautiful drives, is not for the faint of heart. As your car zips around the 300-km loop, your stomach may feel like you left it behind on the side of the road. Much of the route is made up of twisty, hairpin turns that hug jagged cliffs with the ocean some 20 metres down below. But autumn’s true colours make up for any driving-induced queasiness.

Wrap up Nova Scotia’s beautiful fall spectacle with a world-class music and culture festival at The Celtic Colours International Festival. You’ll encounter locals who are just about the friendliest people you’d ever meet, and rest assured—you’ll fall in love with every inch of this island.

Drinking

The babbling waters of MacLellan’s Brook, which dissect the lush, manicured-to-perfection grounds of Glenora Inn & Distillery, aren’t just a picture of tranquility. These waters are used in the distillation process of Glen Breton Rare—Canada’s only single malt whisky. Stop by for a 25-minute tour of Glenora's Distillery until the end of October. Slàinte mhath! (To your health!).

 
Singing

Head to the town of Mabou (pronounced mah-bu), birthplace of the famed Rankin Family, where fiery red and gold leaves bounce off the town’s calm inlet throughout the fall season. For your Gaelic fix, check out the Féis Mhàbu Gaelic Song Circle on October 8 at 7 p.m. For $10 you get an intimate and interactive concert featuring unamplified Gaelic singers performing traditional songs.

 
Eating

The Acadian fishing village of Cheticamp has many charms, including an impressive collective of rug-hooking artists. After you check out the handmade wares, stay and fill your belly with Acadian dishes at the Coopérative Artisanale restaurant. Smiling waitresses dressed in traditional blue skirts with white aprons, serve up tried-and-true Acadian food, including chicken fricot (diced potato and chicken cooked in its own juices), meat pies and chiard.

 
Hiking

The panoramic autumn palette of Franey Trail’s 7.4-kilometre loop in Cape Breton Highlands National Park is so textured and varied, you’d swear some sort of higher power has merely tossed a patchwork quilt of mustard, orange and crimson fabric over the sprawling Clyburn Valley that stretches some 430 metres below.

Jamming

With the Celtic Colours International Festival taking place all over the island from October 7 to 15, there are more musical performances than you can shake your hiking stick at. Visit the area of St. Ann’s and Baddeck where the Celtic Colours Festival Club begins every night at 11 p.m. at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts. Here, talented artists, both local and visiting, jam nightly for the raucous crowd—often until 3 a.m. ($20, or $10 with same-day concert ticket stub)