Margarees

About

Waterfall Season Select!

Black Brook (Gairloch Mountain Falls)

Height: 15 m

Distance (one way): 1 km

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation: 120 m

Hiking Time: 1 hour

Cellphone Coverage: Yes (intermittent)

Finding the Trailhead: From Highway 105 west of Baddeck, turn onto Middle River West Road and then turn left onto Gairloch Mountain Road. After 1.5 km and at the Y intersection, pass over a small wooden bridge and go uphill to some flagging tape on the left side of the road located 2.1 km after crossing the bridge. Park here and follow the flagging tape into the woods in a southern direction. Road is susceptible to rain damage, only recommended with SUV type vehicles.

Trailhead: 46°07’42.2"N 60°58’37.3"W     Waterfall: 46º7’20.13”N, 60º58’39.16”W

The Hike: From where you park on the logging road, the trail is marked with orange, blue and pink flagging tape all the way to the fall. It traverses a mostly maple and beech mature forest that is covered by ferns on the ground. The trail goes down slowly for the first part but then becomes very steep at the end. Ropes for the climb down are in place but be extra careful using them. Once you reach the bottom of the valley, the waterfall is only a few steps upstream.

Location & Contact

Gairloch Mountain Rd, Margaree, Nova Scotia

Locals Know Blog

5 Places to View Fall Colours on Cape Breton Island

Learn about 5 great places to view the fall colours around Cape Breton Island. Trust us you won't want to miss this one.

2 Minute Read

Which way is the best way to Travel the Cabot Trail?

We have some of Nova Scotia's favourite Instagrammers coming to Cape Breton to experience the ultimate road trip, the Cabot Trail! Find out which way is the best way to experience the Cabot Trail.

3 Minute Read

Celtic Hearts : Cape Breton Island is the Land of my Heart

Hannah Krebs works as a ban-chleasaiche | Gaelic Cultural Animator at Baile na Gàidheal | Highland Village Museum. Gaelic language, music, and square dances are some of her favourite things about Cape Breton.

3 Minute Read